Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 10 Disappointing campaign April 6, 2014 S. Viswam

Parties ignore human rights Kuldip Nayar We are perhaps at the penultimate The campaign turned communal on phase of the campaign for the 2014 occasions and we need to be thankful From Mala vs Madiga polls with just a month left that the communal tone into which it to Yadav vs Modi for the actual voting and two months was slipping was pulled back in time. K. S. Chalam for the nation to know what choices The BJP nominated a communal leader like Pramod Muthalik of the Indianisation of the voters have made. The few days Allopathic medicine after May 16 will give us an insight Sri Ram Sene and then threw him S. V. Nadkarni into the shape of things into which the out under party pressure. The same voters would have placed the country story was repeated with Sabir Ali Farmers must get for the next five years. who was admitted on the rebound coverage for lost crops from expulsion by the JD (U) and Devinder Sharma We have had a virulent, highly thrown out after party vice-president divisive and a no-holds-barred Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi disclosed that Reducing Distress and campaign, lively, contentious and the new entrant was an associate of Dominance terrorist Yasin Bharat Dogra focused. How we wish that the campaign had also been intellectually Bhatkal. Who admitted these men Gandhiji and Indian Socialists stimulating and also of a high into the party and who threw them out is not known but the development Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay debating order! In the event, it betrayed the cavalier manner in was of a pathetically low order, Twenty Questions for which the BJP recruits men into its with those who should have known Modi-Rahul-Kejriwal fold. better indulging in name-calling of the worst kind, stooping to make Not lagging behind, the Congress personal allegations and throwing too was guilty of the same mistake Editor : about serious innuendos lightly. when it nominated Imran Masood G. G. Parikh To call A. K. Antony AK 47 and as its candidate from . Kejriwal AK 49 may be humorous Managing Editor : Guddi It chucked him out when someone but to say that they provided strength recalled that Masood had threatened D-15, Ganesh Prasad, to is to descend to the lowest when he was in the Samajwadi Party Naushir Bharucha Marg, level of electioneering. Shriman eight months ago to chop Modi into - 400 007. was not being light- pieces if he (Modi) tried to convert hearted but crude and cheap, and one UP into . Such speeches Email : [email protected] does not expect such utterances from are patently incendiary and hence a prime ministerial hopeful. unacceptable. But what message 2 JANATA, April 6, 2014 was Rahul Gandhi trying to convey Between the lines to the public when he chose to go to Saharanpur and appear on the Parties ignore human rights stage with Masood’s family and supporters? That all is fair in war Kuldip Nayar and love and elections?

We regret to say that the fall in Dictatorships get a fillip when Congress, should accuse New the standards of electioneering owes democracies falter. committed of letting down the Tamils in itself to the tone which Narendra this cardinal sin when it abstained Sri Lanka, and other Modi has chosen to impart into from voting at the UN Human places is understandable. But what his speeches. He has concentrated Rights Council. A resolution was is not understandable is the policy exclusively on attacking the Congress sought to be passed to seek an by which the which is all right in a campaign international, transparent inquiry government is pursuing to uphold but also chosen to use abusive , to find out whether Sri Lanka had the sentiments and aspirations always derisive and personalized killed in cold blood 40,000 soldiers even when the election of a new rhetoric against Rahul Gandhi, and others in the wake of hostilities government is six weeks away. which is certainly not all right in a against the Liberation of Tamil Sri Lanka should not mistake the campaign. The kind of language he Tigers Eelam (LTTE). They had timidity of the ruling Congress for used against Antony and Kejriwal surrendered unconditionally. India’s betrayal of democratic rights portraying them as Pakistani agents of Tamils. was certainly below the belt. Surely, India’s abstention reminds me a prime ministerial candidate has a of the words of Prime Minister I was not surprised to read the great deal to talk to his voting public : When aggression Rajapaksa government’s reaction: on issues and challenges facing the takes place or human rights are Thank you. No doubt, nation. Instead of telling us that he violated, we will not and cannot was under pressure from the has plans up his sleeves to tackle the remain neutral. Yet the Manmohan democratic world, led by America, problems confronting the nation, he Singh government has been found that China and Pakistan, where has consistently chosen to tell us placating the dictatorial government democracy has been reduced to a that the Congress is a bad party and headed by President Mahinda relative term, supported Colombo. Congressmen bad people and Rahul Rajapaksa at Colombo. New Delhi India’s obvious stand should have Gandhi the worst of the lot. Ok, but did not bother the harm it would be been to vote for the resolution to are cheap rhetoric and below the doing to the cause of Tamils’ rights reiterate its policy to protect human belt attacks of a personal nature the and their own say in governance. rights. Small sovereign nations only gems to fall all the time from should have felt let down. the mouth of a prime ministerial My hunch is that bureaucrats in candidate? Has Modi nothing else the Ministry of External Affairs, I do not regret the defeat of the other than anti-Congressism among with their mindset, decided to stay LTTE which was largely a terrorists’ his political assets? absent what they thought was “in organization. But as a humanist, I feel the interest of the country.” The sad over the killing of soldiers and In the final analysis, it is a hapless minister, Salman Khurshid, their supporters after the surrender. sobering thought that the current went along. He probably wanted The Sri Lankan army, obviously campaign did not set any examples the release of 100 fishermen who with the blessings of President of dignified debate and intellectual had “strayed” into the waters Rajapaksa and his brother, Defence stimulation. On the contrary, there claimed by Sri Lanka. What will Minister Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, had were instances galore of degrading Salman Khurshid do now when no remorse over their indulging in and abusive language being used the Colombo’s navy has killed four a blood bath. without restraint or moderation. A fishermen? pity, because once again a chance The world would not have known to raise the level of election debates That DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, about the killings if the enterprising has been lost. otherwise supporting the ruling BBC Channel 4 had not shown the JANATA, April 6, 2014 3 documentary on the killings and atrocities committed not only against From Mala vs Madiga to Yadav vs Modi the LTTE troops but also against the innocent Tamils. Colombo’s own K. S. Chalam inquiry was eyewash, exonerating the army and heaping the blame on The recent dramatic political Perhaps, we have examples of the Tamils who wanted an equal say events both at the state and such incidents in our epics. The in the affairs of Sri Lanka. national levels indicate a serious pundits and experts of our scriptures India has tried to persuade the social disorder in our country. tell us that lord Sri Ram was Sinhalese, a preponderant majority, Though caste identities have been pampered by Vasista, the Rajguru to give autonomy to the north, used for political purposes in the to prove that there is no unity among Jaffna. But all such efforts, going parliamentary process, where the kshatriyas and the kulaguru back to the days of Prime Minister number dominates ideology, never of Kshatriyas ,Viswamitra ,was , have borne no fruit before unscrupulous methods of inferior to Brahmin Vasista. There because New Delhi is afraid lest dividing castes and even families were scholars like Garbe R., who any corrective step should alienate a for the purpose of gaining the vote have written on such topics during neighbor which is hobnobbing with share seem to have been employed. the 19th century and Sharad Patil China. But how long would we take The trend reminds that caste has has extensively cited the works in a hypocritical stand of placating emerged as a political institution his writings with examples from the ruling Sinhalese and assuring with social characters which scholarship. As the the Tamils of autonomous status? some of our political sociologists current elections and government On paper, the Sinhalese and Tamil have of late recognized. But, the policies seem to broadly respect the are two official languages. But in consequences of the current political age old Sanatana dharma irrespective practice Tamil has no place. Even manipulations, we are afraid, would of declared or concealed agendas, a a police station does not entertain have long term adverse social brief academic reflection on the a complaint written in Tamil, much impact. Interestingly, no political puranic characters as seen from the less in the state secretariat. party has a social agenda of caste present political war seem to be eradication; therefore the trend inevitable. I can appreciate the argument is accepted as a matter of fact that the estranged Sri Lanka, next without anydispute. Sometimes we It may not be out of place to door neighbour, is capable of feel deeply pained and lapse in to bring in here puranic symbols when harming India. But what worse can despondency for the way the politics we talk about castes, as the legends Colombo do when it has allowed in India is played. There is no were in a way reflections of the China to have its footprints in the honesty in the methods of political classical varnadharma. Lord Sri country? On the one hand, Beijing parties during the election season Ram was definitely the jewel of the has been given the development of and some of the Left, including ancient classical era or the tretayuga. Trincomalee port and, on the other the socialist groups, are not far Therefore, it is desirable to look Sri Lanka has become a refuge for away from this forced decadence. for the exemplary characters in our some anti-India elements. Everyone is interested in the votes Lords and Leaders to find parallels and wish to get elected through the in the current debates conducted by We can probably do little when dubious means of whipping the our seasoned media honchos with the Sri Lankan government is averse caste passions or sentiments by the support of paid intellectuals/ to accountability. It has already promoting the petty leaders from managers. As things stand now, rejected two earlier resolutions— caste or sub caste groups within a most of the dominant parties have one of them was in conjunction party or outside. All the parties once their own legacies, family or parivar. with the UN Secretary General. again talk about the need for caste- The former is blood related and By abstaining from a move that based reservations and possibly the latter is genetically connected. was meant to put pressure on the would work against the principles The former may not have a head government to come clean, New once elected to power. Is this a quarters and the latter a formal (Continued on Page 8) contemporary problem in India? functional relationship. But, both the 4 JANATA, April 6, 2014 institutions are deeply embedded in Sri Ram was depicted as ancient who have been enjoying power and our ethos and control politics and prince and projected as historical patronage despite small number. If openly quarrel accusing each other. character living with flesh and the Modis and Yadavs who have some In fact one of our freedom fighters blood. It might be possible during economic potential to challenge the from Andhra, late P. H. Gupta had the current euphoria to project him money power are allowed to emerge, written in the 1950s in Caravan as a backward class person given they might become, to use Phuley’s about the schools of thought as his quarrels with dhobis, Sambhuka term the Rakshaks (not Rakshasas) Vasista, Viswamitra etc as they being present backward castes. We of the socially disadvantaged. Or appear in different puranic periods have now the advantage of hundreds they might take away their share as characters might be varna-based of channels and social networks in all that reduces the major chunk now schools. He questioned how could languages to devote time and energy enjoyed by the traditional groups. they live so long and be present to recreate modern epics. May be The solution perhaps suggested in Ramayana, Mahabharata and soon we may get writings depicting by the advisers is, emulate Andhra assumed that they are not human such episodes .Some organizations experiment where Sudras are or divinely characters, but must have already placed experts outside enjoying power by dividing the be asramas advocating specific India who are expected to do that for disadvantaged as ABC and D. There thought. The issue here is that some an international audience. is no doubt that there are different strong characters are projected as gradations among the OBCs. The the formidable candidates for PM The current fight to gain control service castes like Dhobi, Nayi etc. post like, Modi, Rahul, Kejrival, over UP reminds us the kind of games are in multitudes but are always Mulayam, Nithish, Chandra Babu played in Andhra, a few years ago in marginalized is another serious Naidu, etc. Sadly the fair sex is breaking the solidarity among the issue for political engineering. The deliberately dropped off in the (there could be many reasons). Left from the time of Lohia have mainstream discussions on future In fact, the whole caste system itself tried to win the confidence of the PM even by the lady prattlers. is a ladder of inequities. Now the lower castes; of late it is alleged, BC upsurge, some claim, seems alienated without any constituency Among the prospective to be a blemish for the traditional and turned irrelevant with their candidates, Modi is the prince ruling classes/castes particularly obsolete rhetoric. among the peers. Let us look at his their formidable dominance in terms personality. Does Modiji in any of numbers. The chief among them However, the current Modi- way inferior to lord Sri Ram in his is the Yadav(ahir) parivar and their Yadav war in UP is only symbolic commitment to sanatanadharma and ability to garner support from other that it would break the nascent stage rastra dharma though some claim socially disadvantaged including of Bahujan’s power. How do we that he has failed in his raj dharma? the Muslims (artisans).They might expect that in a country like India the In the Kaliyug both rajdharma and capture Delhi anytime, if left free. traditional governed castes would rastra dharma should be merged for The OBC power in UP, and be allowed to occupy positions of administrative convenience of good other parts of cowbeltis due to power - if at all permitted, it should governance as defined in modern some castes like the Modis and their be with the blessings of the gods on heaven (USA- WB). Modi has an ubiquitous presence in places where earth! additional qualification of belonging the Yadavas are found. Unlike the to Backward Class which perhaps Yadav and other OBCs, Modi, Sahu, lord Sri Ram doesn’t possess. In Gupta (Agrahari Vaisya / sundaria- Janata Subscription fact, Harshvardhan of BJP in Delhi baniya) and similarly placed castes Annual Rs. : 260/- has said that “even god cannot stop in the North as telis, oil pressures Three Years : 750/- Modiji to win” .Or some of our and small shop keepers /dealers are Demand Draft / Cheque on experts might find that given the noticeable BCs.They have traditional Mumbai Bank color of the leader resemble the dark contacts with the market and knew in favour of icon, it is not difficult to paint both about the nuances. Unlike the sonis JANATA TRUST the characters as backward castes? who are small in number, this group D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Some friends have brought to my is well entrenched and might become Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 notice that in some social networks, a great threat to traditional castes JANATA, April 6, 2014 5 Indianisation of Allopathic medicine Consistent with the Economic Realities of the Indian Population

S. V. Nadkarni

The allopathic medical science is that the needs of the middle class some of these poor are becoming based on the physics and chemistry are also different from those of the aware of their health needs and have of the body function. Being a science, poor orthe rich. So, broadly, the started demanding better health care. it is pure and extremely definitive; three strata of society have different That is good, but when it leads to there cannot be any error in the health needs and that difference expectations beyond the financial conclusions drawn through this is due to the economic status of capacity of the health centers, and science. Now technology has added each strata. This is a fact most the “awakened poor” demand better more precision to the already precise people are not willing to accept. service FREE, grave problems arise; science of Allopathic medicine. But How can the needs be different? often the services deteriorate, as though Allopathy is a pure science, It is because of their economic the medical professionals go on the the clinical practice of allopathic compulsions and expectations. Their defensive and send the patients to science is NOT a science. As with expectations are determined by what higher centers for “better treatment” many other fields, application of any medical assistance they are presently and there will always be a paucity science brings in art and commerce. receiving and their knowledge about of “higher centers.” This attitude The mixture of the art, science and the health and disease. The poor do immensely helps the “shirkers” in the commerce in clinical practice not understand an early disease; the profession while the socially makes it a new product—a variable forget the need to prevent the oriented “enthusiasts” who are product for that matter—which disease. So, they usually come late willing to do their best under the must differ from place to place, when the disease is fairly advanced. prevailing facilities are totally depending on the exact needs of The clinical manifestations are very discouraged; there rises a hanging the place. Even in the same place, clear and diagnosis is relatively sword of assaults or complaints / the needs of the various strata of easy without too many modern actions against them, if things the society could be different and, investigations. They need to be go wrong.The community has to therefore, the product suitable for treated fast as it is difficult for them realize that better treatment is bound one may not suit the other. This is to take treatment for a prolonged to cost higher, and the medical the fact not realized by most of the period—even if it is “free”; there professionals have to realize and be followers of the allopathic clinical are ancillary expenses and other taught to improve their “skills” to practice and a standard format/ logistic problems. Fortunately, give better results without raising menu is served to all, irrespective they are satisfied with immediate the costs. The rulers will have to do of the actual needs of the local relief and any prolongation of the balancing act. people. Unfortunately, too, it is the life or productivity. Not knowing western model which is advocated much, they have to depend on the It is quite the opposite with the blindly, without realizing that this opinion of the doctor and accept rich. They are apprehensive about western model is proved not to be the protocols prescribed without each and every symptom/health suitable even for their own people much questioning. They have to complaint and wish to rule out any belonging to the poor and lower depend on the public sector - good serious ailment which may cause middle class strata. ANSWER? or bad - as they can never afford the trouble in future. They are not We must formulate our own model charges of the private set-up. The willing to accept a 0`1% error and suitable for our own needs. This is science remains the same, but the are willing to spend any amount what I call Indianization of allopathic art and the commerce differ; hence for investigation and/or therapy. Medicine. the “product” offered is different. Money is no problem; in fact, more Efficiently managed, this product can they spend, surer they feel about the Are the health needs of the poor give equally good results at a very management of their symptoms by any different from those of the rich? low cost. Due to efforts of NGOs and the specialists. Not that they get a I would say “Yes”; in fact, I dare say the various “awareness programs”, perfect outcome - far from it. 6 JANATA, April 6, 2014

The middle class, as in Marxian lead to a search for cost-effective improves health care perceptibly. philosophy, are somewhere between management protocols.The “new But when we come to the tertiary, the two. They are health conscious products” could be different high-tech, modern health care, the but also cost conscious. They are depending on the facilities available. expenses mount sky high - yet the well read but skeptical and will not The teaching institutions will have a outcome is extremely variable. swallow all “modern” propaganda great role to play by doing research Some miracles do occur, but, in easily. The health professional has in this direction, because if such general, the real improvement in to really discuss with the middle new products were to be developed health care is very marginal for class patient to convince him about by the teaching institutions, they the community as a whole. In the the diagnosis and the management. will be considered as authentic. hands of half-trained specialists, the Personally, I feel he strikes the right The science is now properly mixed higher expense could result in worse balance. with art and commerce to suit outcome - sometimes disastrous. the existing circumstances of the (see the graph). The outcome being The health care professionals need local community. Each product is so variable, it is my considered to be re-educated in this direction different but it is the most suitable opinion that the public sector should but that cannot be done unless they for that particular locality/strata. spend the most minimum on tertiary are made cost-conscious, and that Made to order - so to say. care and make strict rules about the cannot happen, unless we do costing referral methods. Who should get of every treatment protocol. The On a macro level, it is seen the benefits of this tertiary service diseases will have to be classified that increasing the expenses at the should also be defined strictly in and graded as mild, moderate and primary level to up-grade them, the public sector. If considered “not severe in a standardized fashion gives maximum benefits to the indicated” as per the defined criteria, and then only, it will be possible to community at a relatively low cost. those who still insist on receiving co-relate the outcome to the costs Improving the secondary services this tertiary care may have to pay incurred. Such a re-education will needs much higher expenses but it for this service.

(Continued on Page 15) JANATA, April 6, 2014 7 Farmers must get coverage for lost crops

Devinder Sharma

There is nothing more gruesome a severe magnitude lashed central begins on 10 April and farmers will for any farmer than to see before his India in the past three weeks, the disappear from the political radar own eyes his lush green standing crop extent of damage caused to the once the election campaigns peak. flattened by the vagaries of nature. standing crops is all evident. Such All his hopes and aspirations from has been the severity of the storm It was in 2007 that the world’s a bountiful harvest are grounded in that as many as 900 cattle have also largest weather-based crop insurance a matter of few minutes. Not only reportedly perished. programme was launched. By 2012- the crop, but his life too is flattened. 13, it had expanded to 15 states, While Agriculture Minister Pawar covering some 12 million farmers. As many as 24 lakh hectares of says unusual rains and hailstorms are Prior to this, a number of crop land in and another not uncommon and wants farmers insurance schemes were launched 18 lakh hectares in Maharashtra to demonstrate courage, he appears beginning 1972. While all these have been hit by a series of frequent more concerned with the damage schemes remained almost at the pilot hailstorms in the past three weeks done to sugarcane. Even before the project stage, these crop insurance or so. Extensive damage has also expert teams have been formed to schemes do not eliminate risk, but been reported from parts of , assess the damage, he has already only manage to spread risk over , , Uttarakhand, announced that 15 percent of the time and space. These schemes only , and Tamil standing cane crop has been damaged provide compensation based on an Nadu. and has even worked out the loss to index rather than the actual damage, the sugar mills. But for the rest of and are also based on an average It is easy to call this a natural the affected farming community, over a demarcated area, often a calamity. It is easy for Union his advice is to brave this grave loss block, rather than compensate for Agriculture Minister collectively. the actual loss. to say crop losses from excessive rain and hailstorm are not unusual, Although both Maharashtra I don’t know what utility these and, therefore, appeal to farmers to and Madhya Pradesh each have crop insurance projects are serving. show courage. But for millions of demanded a Rs 5,000 crore relief Way back in 1920, agriculture small farmers who toil endlessly to package to be provided immediately, expert JS Chakravarti had written: tend the crops in the hope that the the loss estimates will swell by the “No insurance authority could ever harvest will feed their families for time estimates flow in from other a few months, all is lost. For those states. But if past experience is any maintain a supervising agency, who didn’t commit suicide, such indication, crop loss compensation which would be able to watch and natural disasters push back their is hardly going to be any relief. We enforce that every insured field household economy by at least three have had in the past examples of Rs receives the required amount of years. Already reeling under debt, 1 to Rs 20; Rs 95 to Rs 1,470; and care and attention at the hands of life becomes as tall as a mountain Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 being provided the cultivar. Unless some method for them. They know they have no as relief. After months of waiting, is devised by which this great one to curse except their own fate. when the farmers get a cheque that difficulty is minimised, a system This is an agricultural emergency. is not even worth presenting before of crop insurance would indeed be a bank, it only shows the contempt impossible.” Isn’t it a reflection of With 43 farmers committing and cruelty by which the farming our lost priorities that even after suicide in the Bundelkhand region class is treated. I am not expecting 100 years of knowing this, crop and another 37 taking their own lives the situation to be any different this insurance continues to be riddled in Maharashtra (and still counting) season. It is a matter of few days with the same problems and the same ever since the freak hailstorms with before the first phase of polling level of inefficiency? 8 JANATA, April 6, 2014

I have never understood why crop that provides the bulk of the Somehow we have come to insurance agencies or companies premium share as specified under believe that crop insurance based can’t be made to assess the actual the provisions announced under the on individual approach is totally loss a farmer suffers. If every Farm Bill 2014, which is applicable impracticable. Unless this feeling individual can be insured for his for another 10 years. In India too, is rectified, I don’t see any glimmer life, and that includes people living state governments actually end up of hope for the farmers. It is easy in remote villages, why isn’t the paying a higher compensation year to tell farmers to pick up courage same system extended to cover crops after year for crop losses than what at times of natural calamities but as well? If an individual house can could have been the premium outgo. just imagine if ever your own house be insured against theft or fire or a At the same time, it will be helpful or company is destroyed in a fire natural disaster, why can’t a crop to seek farmers’ suggestions to or an unforeseen disaster, would field be insured in the same manner? make the crop insurance schemes you have the courage to stand Why should the insurance agency be really effective. The State Farmers’ the loss suffered? It is difficult to allowed to follow an area approach Commissions should be entrusted rebuild affected livelihoods unless, in the case of crops? with the task to come out with of course, the loss is covered through models in wider consultations with insurance. Farming is no exception. Well, the answer is very simple. farmers, civil society and experts. The governments are not keen. (Continued from Page 3) Imagine, if the 18 lakh hectares that has been hit by hailstorm in Delhi has tried to let Colombo not make the election an end by Maharashtra was insured? Farmers off the hook. Probably, we did so itself. What the nation needs is a wouldn’t have been a worried and because our own record on human force to uphold the lower half to harried lot. No farmer would have rights is so blotched that we do not eliminate corruption and to reiterate opted to kill himself. I have a few want to set a precedent of an inquiry the ideology of pluralism. suggestions on how to achieve this. by outsiders. Had the Sri Lankan government First, the government must make Our insensitivity can be seen kept their principles above politics it mandatory for the insurance from the fact that practically no of power, it would not have been companies to insure all farmers for political party has included violation facing the charge of war crimes. their standing crops. This can begin of human rights in its election But it is futile to expect this from especially by making it compulsory manifesto. Two main parties, the Rajapaksa who is a dictator through for the foreign insurance companies Congress and the BJP, have such and through. It is a pity that New that are lobbying to raise the cap a bad record of their rule that Delhi has arrayed itself with such from the existing 26 to 49 percent. they do not encourage even a countries, known for the suppression These companies should only be discussion on the subject. The Aam of common man, particularly the allowed to invest, provided they Aadmi Party (AAP), a political Tamils. The din of election has give an undertaking that they would platform of NGOs, should have had suppressed even the demand for provide individual crop insurance. If human rights violations on top of its justice. they can’t, don’t allow them in. agenda. But it too is losing its way— idealism—in an effort to become Striking a personal note, I recall At the same time, all existing an alternative to the Congress and my visit to Colombo. There was crop insurance schemes should be the BJP. a midnight knock at my hotel door reworked to achieve the goal of and the police barged in to search providing compensation based on People want a change. The AAP the room for any discriminatory individual loss. can emerge a power to reckon with. material. After some time the But is leader, , is police force withdrew on its own. Secondly, the government must as much surrounded by a coterie My crime was that I had held a step in to provide at least two-third as are the Congress and the BJP press conference during the day to of the insurance premium. Even leaders. The AAP can retrieve the demand the removal of ban on LTTE in the US, it is the government ground it has lost provided it does and fight it out politically. JANATA, April 6, 2014 9 Twenty Questions for Modi-Rahul-Kejriwal

Pressing Issues before the people : again the seventh pay commission? it by inviting multinationals and All three of you are in the Prime Why are you not concerned about allowing them to loot our natural Ministerial race. But why are you low income of common working resources, exploit our labour and not talking about the real issues masses whose hard work is actually capture our markets. Is this not facing the people? Do you have running the country? a betrayal, a treason? Shriman no concern with pressing problems Kejriwal, what do you have to say Crisis of Farming : like poverty, unemployment, on it? Please clarify. backwardness, hunger, malnutrition, Farmers are the food-providers The Biggest Scam : exploitation of workers-farmers, (annadata) of the nation. But they poor state of education and health, are continuously in crisis. More than The has atrocities on Dalits and women three lakh farmers have committed given tax exemptions of the order of and communalism? Why are you suicide in last 19 years. Farmers’ Rs. 31,88,752 crores in four central avoiding these real issues and suicides have taken place in large taxes to the companies and the rich indulging in trivialities and cheap numbers in Gujarat also. Are you in the last eight years. Subsidies, dramatics? not guilty for this? How will you cheap land-water-power-minerals- change this present system based loans and tax exemptions by state Unemployment : on the destruction and exploitation governments are in addition to it. There is massive unemployment of agriculture and farmers? This is a loot of this poor country. in the country. Youth have to leave You are either involved in this Same Economic Policy their home and migrate hundreds and biggest scam of the nation or are just and Development Model : thousands of kilometers in search silent about it. Why? of jobs. How are you going to deal The sham of the Gujarat Environment : with this? Lakhs of small and cottage development model has been industries have closed down in the exposed. But, that is the model You have talked about saving current phase of globalisation and being implemented in the whole Ganges and other rivers. But liberalization. Jobs have also been country and the present sorry state can’t you see that the roots of lost due to mechanization. Are you of the country is precisely result of their destruction lie in modern ready to reverse this development the same. Kejriwal has not revealed development, urbanization and which destroys employment? what is his model and how it differs modern industrialization? Why from the Modi-Manmohan model? don’t you speak on them? Why is Wages : protection of forests, land, air and Real wages are going down, Corporate Rule : biodiversity not on your agenda? while prices are going up. In the Each and every government of Why are you not ready, or advocating, MNREGA, government is not the country is bending backwards to ban dangerous technologies prepared to give even minimum to please corporates by displacing like genetically modified seeds or wage. Jobs are not being regularized farmers and Adivasis, destroying nuclear technology? and pension is not being provided forests, rivers and environment and in public as well as private sectors. creating scams and super-scams Business of Education : Why are you silent on this issue? for the benefit of them. Are these Today only 11 out of a hundred Why did the Aam Admi Party not corporates bigger or the people of Indian children are able to enter fulfill its promise to end contract this country above them? Kejriwal colleges. Sixty two children out of labour system? has targeted only one corporate a hundred drop out before their tenth house. Why can’t he see that all standard. Various governments have Seventh Pay Commission : corporate houses are the same and run away from their constitutionally If the government does not have guilty? mandated responsibility and put enough resources for welfare of education in the hands of private people and development, why did it Foreign Capital : profiteers. This has ensured that hugely increase salaries of officers- Our elders made many sacrifices only people with money would professors through fifth and sixth pay for independence, but our get education and that too market- commissions? Why has it announced governments are again forfeiting oriented education. Trade of 10 JANATA, April 6, 2014 education is essentially an evil. Alcoholism : chartered plane, how much petrol When will the day come when each One major factor behind is consumed and how much carbon and every child of this country will atrocities against women, crimes footprint is left? You talk of the Aam get free and meaningful education and ruining of families is growing Admi but organize lunches of Rs. without any discrimination, as addiction to alchohol, drugs, etc. 20,000 per head. What is this? envisioned in our constitution? Only Then why do all governments Personality Cult : a common school system based on encourage use and sale of alchohol, neighborhood schools can achieve gutka, cigarettes and why enough A big weakness in the Indian political system is that the leaders the target of the universal education. steps are not taken to free society grow bigger than the party and the That is the experience worldwide. from these evils? principles. The leader is presented Do you agree with this? Communalism : as a miracle-maker or superman Non-existing Health Services : What have you done to counter as if once he comes to power, all communalism which has led to the problems of the country will be In the same manner, while solved. This is exactly what happens deliberately ruining the public health fight among neighbours and spread the poison of hatred among the in our society where godmen or Babas services, private doctors, private or claim to work miracles and hospitals and the pharmaceutical people? Modi is of cource a product of the same, but Rahul-Kejriwal solve all problems. Aren’t all three companies have been given full are also answerable. In spite of of you guilty of promoting this freedom to loot the people. Many terrible riots in Muzaffarpur in evil of superstition, miracalism, superstardom, personality worship people die a slow painful death, the neighbourhood immediately and lack of ideology in Indian get indebted or are forced to go to before the Delhi election, AAP politics? quacks or Tantriks and get cheated. maintainbed a silence over it during Is this ‘Sushasan’ or ‘Swaraj’? that election. Kejriwal went to Lastly, Gujarat, challenged Modi, but did Dominance of English : not comment on the communal Narendra Modi, English rulers have left but genocide of 2002. Can opportunism There appears to be a combination their language continues to rule and compromise of this type counter of pro-corporate policies, us. Crores of children and youth the monster of communalism and communalism and dictatorial are frustrated and get inferiority fascism? tendencies in you. This is an ideal complex, a handful of people situation for fascism. You want to at the top continue to maintain Parachute Candidates : make the entire country like Gujarat. their monopoly and the whole All parties in this election have Does that mean that the genocide of nation remains a nation of imitators suddenly imposed from the top 2002 will be repeated throughout the without original ideas due to this. high profile candidates such as film country, there will be a flood of false Why have you done nothing about stars, retired officers, company encounters everywhere and land will it? Why are you silent about it? executives, cricketers, NRIs. They be taken away from the farmers and are suddenly dropped from the sky. given to companies? Justice for Women and Dalits : Tickets have also been in plenty to those who have switched parties and Rahul Gandhi, You have done nothing and said who are wealthy. Do you have any For the last 23 years, the anti- nothing against the ‘Manuwadi’ principles or not? What happened to people policies of privatization, system that has given low status to the big talk of politics from below, liberalisation and the women and Shudras. Destruction participatory politics, transparency, have been mainly imposed and of the caste system and patriarchy clean politics, etc.? promoted by the Congress rule. does not appear to be your goal. Where were you when these policies Then are your statements about Divergence between brought miseries like price rise, liberating women, Dalits and speech and action : unemployment and corruption? backward communities a hoax? Sometimes you travel by Metro Shouldn’t the people of India punish Should we conclude that you do not or local train; at other times you use the Congress for the same? want to change the system, you just a chartered plane. Have you given want to change the government to a thought as how much money is Arvind Kejriwal, gain power? spent for one person to travel by a The country had great hope JANATA, April 6, 2014 11 in you. But you did not run the government for even 50 days and To eradicate manual scavenging fled from the battle scene. Can Safai Karmachari Andolan cross hurdles to receive what is the country’s problems be solved welcomes historic judgment of their legitimate due under the just by the Lokpal bill? How are the Supreme Court on eradication law. your policies different from that of inhuman practice of manual (d) Provide support for dignified of the Congress and the BJP? By scavenging. In its judgment the livelihood to safai karamchari supporting capitalism which has Supreme Court has deprecated the women in accordance with their continuously brought newer and continuance of manual scavenging choice of livelihood schemes. newer crises all over the world and in the country in blatant violation which is itself undergoing a crisis, of Article 17 of the Constitution Court also said that rehabilitation what kind of new politics you are of India by which, “untouchability must be based on the principles of practicing? is abolished and its practice in any justice and transformation. The court form is forbidden”. The court was also directed the Indian Railways, If you do not answer these emphatic about the duty cast on which is the largest employer of burning questions of the people, all states and union territories “to manual scavengers in the country, it will be concluded that your fully implement (the Law) and to to take time bound strategy to end intentions are not honest. take action against the violators. manual scavenging on the tracks. In a significant endorsement of –Sunil, Samajwadi Jan concerns raised by Safai Karmachari This is a victory of manual Parishad Andolan, the Supreme Court directed scavengers who have been fighting the government to, “Identify the across the country for their liberation families of all persons who have against the denial of central Defeat died in sewerage work (manholes, and various state governments authoritarian forces septic tanks) since 1993 and award repeatedly. The court acknowledged compensation of Rs.10 lakhs for each the significance of the data provided Citizens For Democracy (CFD) such death to the family members by the petitioner Safai Karmachari in its conference held at New Delhi depending on them”. The judgment Andolan in its 12 years legal battle on ‘Challenges Before Democracy’ has been given by the Supreme Court demonstrating, “that the practice has viewed with grave concern the Bench headed by Chief Justice P of manual scavenging continues manner in which RSS has come Sathasivam. unabated. Dry latrines continue to out openly to contest the present exist notwithstanding the fact that elections by hoisting Narendra Modi The court has been categorical the 1993 Act was in force for nearly two decades. States have acted as the Prime-Ministerial candidate that, “If the practice of manual scavenging has to be brought to in denial of the 1993 Act and the - a calculated step to impose a close and also to prevent future constitutional mandate to abolish authoritarianism in the country to generations from the inhuman untouchability.” serve the corporate interests. The practice of manual scavenging, CFD conference views the present rehabilitation of manual scavengers Safai Karmachari Andolan, who elections as unique and critical, will need to include:- has been spearheading the movement and has come to the conclusion (a) Sewer deaths – entering sewer to end this obnoxious practice that in order to save democracy it lines without safety gears of manual scavenging across the is essential to defeat BJP led by should be made a crime even in country since the last thirty years, Narendra Modi. The conference emergency situations. For each said that the judgment has been huge has further called upon the people such death, compensation of Rs. armor in our fight and we are not 10 lakhs should be given to the going to rest until this judgment is to vote for such a candidate in family of the deceased. fully implemented in letter and spirit their constituency who cherishes (b) Railways– should take time across the country. The mission of democratic and secular values and bound strategy to end manual Safai Karmachari Andolan is not to who is in a better position to defeat scavenging on the tracks. sleep until the last manual scavenger the Modi-led alliance. (c) Persons released from manual is liberated and rehabilitated with a scavenging should not have to dignified profession. –Kuldip Nayar, President N.D.Pancholi, General Secretary –, National Convenor, Safai Karmchari Andolan 12 JANATA, April 6, 2014 Reducing Distress and Dominance

Bharat Dogra

The greatest relevance of human beings to try to dominate others, to fair share. The relationship of life consists in trying to reduce get personal benefit at the cost of exploitation can be seen in the man- distress, pain and suffering. It needs others, to try to get ahead of others, nature relationship, in the efforts to be clearly specified that this to impose their own viewpoint. This to subjugate and dominate nature includes the pain and suffering of not tendency may be rooted in greed instead of striving to live in harmony only human beings but of all forms (the urge to get more than others, with nature. Perhaps most important of life. Secondly, this includes the regardless of one’s needs) or in of all these relationships can be seen pain and suffering not only of this ego (the urge to impose one’s own in the tendency to dominate other generation but of future generations thinking and viewpoints, without living species to such an extent that as well. The present generation giving a patient and fair hearing to many of these are in grave danger should strive to reduce air pollution, the other viewpoint), but its impact of extinction. cut down on greenhouse gases, is always harmful. This tendency conserve water, abandon nuclear can be seen in the relationships It is a task of the greatest weapons and more generally leave of individuals, groups and entire importance to understand for the next generation a world nations. the destructiveness inherent in which is safer and healthier. relationships of dominance. Having These relationships of dominance understood the importance of this, While reduction of distress is and exploitation of course destroy we can then start the liberating clearly the most relevant endeavour the dominated and exploited people. process of getting rid of relationships of human life, this should be But in addition, and this should be of dominance and replacing these interpreted more broadly to mean emphasized, they also slowly but with relationship of co-existence not just the manifestation of distress surely destroy the perpetrators of and co-operation. This fundamental but, what is even more important, the exploitation and domination. As change must become the base of our basic causes of distress. Unless the I’ve written elsewhere, “The persons educational system for a peaceful, main factors which cause endless who fill their coffers by inflicting friendly and just world. suffering in the present day world injustice and cruelty on others have are carefully identified, as soon as to live with a guilt complex that can some tears are wiped out at one place destroy their peace. To get rid of this many more tears will appear at other guilt they have to lower themselves places. Even though a beginning to such a level of insensitivity that may be made by treating just the deprives them of simple yet precious outer manifestation of distress, joys of life. The suppressing of this should lead towards a careful spiritual values (that is required to identification of causes of this be able to commit injustice) creates distress and then trying to treat the distortions in the persons (or the causes of this distress. societies) due to which they are denied even that happiness which While the causes of distress in this many poor people can experience world are many, diverse and complex, freely and in plenty.” if only one cause is to be identified in which almost all others (other than These relationships of dominance those relating to accidental factors can be seen at the level of persons, or natural disasters, of course) can groups, or nations. This can also be be included then this cause relates to Price: Rs. 20/- seen in gender level relations. This the wide prevalence and persistence relationship of dominance can be Janata Trust of relations of dominance. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir seen in the efforts of the present Bharucha Marg, It has been a very widespread generations to use up most resources Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. and enduring practice of human depriving future generation of a JANATA, April 6, 2014 13

Archives Gandhiji and Indian Socialists

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Mahatma Gandhi had much in Socialism was not born with the On the eve of the Salt Satyagraha, common with the socialists whom discovery of the misuse of capital he made a direct reference to vested he engaged in constant debate on his by capitalists. As I have contended interests, without mincing words: vision to remake India. socialism, even communism, is explicit in the first verse of the The greatest obstacle in the path Gandhiji subscribed from the Isopanishad. What is true is that of nonviolence is the presence in earliest days of his public career to when some reformers lost faith in the our midst of the indigenous interests the principle of social justice and method of conversion, the technique that have sprung up from British practiced it according to his own of what is known as scientific rule, the interests of moneyed men, lights, though he may not have socialism was born. I am engaged speculators, scrip-holders, land exactly called himself a socialist in in solving the same problems that holders, factory-owners and the the academic sense. By founding the face the scientific socialists. It is true like. All these do not always realize Tolstoy Farm and the building up of however that my approach is through that they are living on the blood of a colony on certain stern principles, unadulterated non-violence. the masses, and when they do, they abjuring private property, striving become as callous as the British towards community ownership and A beautiful word principals whose tools and agents responsibility, he laid claim to be All these professions of his they are. If they could but realize one of the early founder members of were recorded in the thirties. In his that they must give up their blood- the peasants’ and workers’ republic.’ inimitable manner he summed it all stained gains’, the battle is won for This may be challenged by those up in homely but vivid fashion: non-violence.... But non-violence who claim to be scientific socialists. has to be patient with these as with Gandhiji pointed to his own Ashram Socialism is a beautiful word, and the British principals. The aim of and allied institutions run so far as I am aware, in socialism the non-violent worker must ever all the members of the society are be to convert. under his guidance under equal - none low, none high. In the the ruling principle of ‘To each individual body the head is not high These utterances may more or according to his needs, from each because it is the top of the body, less be taken as the bedrock of his according to his capacity’. The one nor are the soles of the feet low faith, the bare essence. In defining basic difference lay in their being because they touch the earth. Even individual aspects, however, great founded on nonviolence. Somebody, as parts of the body are equal, so variations emerged. who once ate in the common kitchen are the members of society. This is of Talimi Sangh in Sevagram socialism. This was inevitable. For his was remarked humorously: ‘Gandhiji a living, moving, thinking mind, in calls this (common kitchen) rasoda Translating them in terms of constant ferment, revolution and and it sounds commonplace. The Indian independence, “the swaraj appraisal. There could be nothing communists would call it ‘Commune’ of my dream’ as he Picturesquely static about his thinking. If that had and everybody would be impressed.’ termed it, ‘it meant the creation of happened he would have lost his Gandhiji was essentially a humanist a state where the necessities of life dynamism. Drawing attention to and to him the substance and quality would be enjoyed by all.’ He said: this, Ram Manohar Lohia says: of the content was of supreme importance, not so much the jargon, I have not the slightest doubt A great man, if he is connected for though he was meticulously precise that swaraj is not purna swaraj until half a century or more with public in the use of his vocabulary. In his these amenities are guaranteed to life, must have made contradictory own novel fashion he explains: all under it.’ statements. , with 14 JANATA, April 6, 2014 his rare insight, made nevertheless formation of the the struggle of the oppressed classes certain conflicting assertions. From inside it. A growing trend had already and a full recognition of this fact his belief that the caste system a begun to make itself felt even in the alone will enable us to formulate part of religion, he went on to say late twenties, expressing radical correct policies for the future. that it was a sin. From his belief that views and socialist principles in a the sum-total of the general way through the youth and While the older Congress tended to act for good, he went on the younger leaders, which finally leadership in a way resented the to say that it was Satanic, and from matured into an organized party. emergence of this young militant a certain underlying belief in the In Why Socialism? Jayaprakash group , regarding it as a disruptive sanctity of private property, he went Narayan has tried to answer that force, they also did not see the on to demand its confiscation without moot question and the several wide need for building up workers’ and compensation and termination of differences between Gandhiji and peasants’ organizations, as for them land ownership. socialists at the time. These socialists their existing machinery was good asserted that capturing the national enough. Gandhiji’s reaction was, It has, however, to be remembered state machinery was a prerequisite however, totally different. He said that though Gandhiji did write to the implementation of a socialist he welcomed the socialists but voluminously, writing was not a programme. For this the national did not favour some of the planks mental exercise for him. It was Congress had to be made into an of their programme, such as class only a corollary to action. His life, effective revolutionary vehicle war; but if the socialists agreed to his way of living his programme for direct action. With all, their adhere to non-violence, he had no of action to meet a situation or wider differences, Gandhiji and the objection to Congressmen joining a challenge, those were his true Congress socialists did touch at a such a struggle. expressions. They were not treaties point somewhere deep in the depths. for mental stimulation. They were He was a revolutionary though not As a matter of fact Gandhiji’s inextricably related to what he was cast in the convention ally accepted endeavour to lift the economic battle engaged in doing and only in that mould; he was wedded to direct to a political plane began as far back context do they fall into the proper action as revolutionaries must be. as 1918 when, during the peasant perspective and become meaningful. In spite of temporary variations, the struggle in Kaira for suspension of Gandiji was therefore more specific touching points grew and met more land revenue, he declared: than any of our religious leaders in and more. Gandhiji had said: the past had been. For his life was the The Kaira-riots are solving book of faith, open to anyone to read. Above all, Congress represents, in an imperial problem of the first its essence, the dumb semi-starved magnitude… this is a struggle for That is how countless people millions scattered over the length self-government. the world over found in him their and breadth of India. . . if there is a Theory of trusteeship spokesman, the solace and the cure genuine clash of interests I have no for their griefs, almost an answer to hesitation in saving on behalf of the There were however other their yearnings and cries. Congress that it will sacrifice every thorny problem, such as Gandhiji’s interest for the sake of the interests adherence to Trusteeship, of which Nevertheless there were batches of these dumb millions” the socialists were highly critical. of young people rising out of the According to them it should either growing ferment with irrepressible Nevertheless the Congress be acknowledged that the wealth of questions, for which they could not lacked a clear-cut socio-economic the wealthy was unjustly acquired find ready answers in Gandhiji. The programme to draw the enthusiasm and its expropriation should be predominant element that influenced of the masses. Acharya Narendra demanded or we should accept it the incipient socialists was Marxism Deva as the President of the first as rightfully theirs to do what they and the Russian Revolution. Conference of the Congress socialist liked with. Property they held had to party clearly stated: be scientifically analyzed according The dumb millions to the method of its production and Socialism did not come to the The national struggle is coming distribution and not treated as a national Congress only after the more and more to be identified with question of ethics or morality, in a JANATA, April 6, 2014 15 sentimental sense. Because to them Though everybody is familiar with possessing anything over and above this was not a matter that a change Gandhiji’s concept of Trusteeship, I one’s minimum needs was stealing. of heart could set right. It was a would like to quote a few of his He went even further: ‘A thing not social and economic set-up which expressions on it” we must however originally stolen must nevertheless had to be overthrown and substituted begin at the beginning and it is this: be classified is stolen property, by another, more equitable and He was not only a humanist, he also if we possess it without needing leaned towards austerity. Thus while it. ‘Apparently those who styled conforming to justice. The socialist one may believe in socialism and themselves scientific socialists solution therefore lay in a social also an affluent society by increasing had no meeting point with an revolution, which alone would production through science and ascetic principle; for logically, as create the proper environment for a technology, and expanding our needs Gandhiji himself admitted, this must different human relationship and not proportionately, Gindhiji believed ultimately lead to ‘total renunciation something which concerned just a in a simple life as one believes and learning to use the body for the few individuals. in aesthetics. To him wanting or purpose of service alone.’ (to be Concluded)

(Continued from Page 6) How to make common man not needs; some are demands; some then only that the students (and the cost-conscious? For the success are sheer luxuries, b) - the health teachers) will understand the subtle of the scheme of universal health service costs. And c) - as a corollary, differences in management of early coverage (UHC), it is absolutely therefore, while essential services and late diseases in various strata of necessary that the community must be a social obligation, other society. Today, the over-whelming becomes extremely cost-conscious; services must be tailored according percentage of the poor patients in otherwise, the demands mount sky to the capacity of the individual or medical college/hospitals is giving high or the expenditure is easily the community to pay -individually them a distorted training of the art wasted on wrong priorities. I have or collectively. d) - all services of communication and of dealing suggested two methods. One is to have to be paid for - public services with the complaints of the patients. give him the actual bill of expenses through health related taxes with Secondly, we are not training doctors (it can be called “cost statement” and contribution from all, and private to be family physicians at all. There not a bill). The other - more effective services through additional health ought tobe a training course of two to way - is to make every patient in insurance or personal expenses.The three years for General Practitioners public sector, beyond primary care, medical professionals who are going (primary health providers, I prefer pay at least10 per cent of the actual to treat the poor and the lower middle to call them). The whole time-table bill. In my modified format of UHC, class, need to be re-educated as to of hospital working must be looked I have made it merely 8 per cent, how to treat effectively at reduced into to accommodate the complex while local self-government bodies cots within the available facilities needs of the nation as a whole but will bear another 12 per cent. Both by improving one’s skills. (Strong it is a big chapter and cannot be will become cost conscious. Even incentives would be necessary for discussed here. presuming that 30 per cent of the this.) people are below poverty line, In brief, the socio-economic the scheme is yet possible, as the The role of medical colleges is influences on the actual clinical government will pay for them—this grossly under-estimated. It is totally practice ought to be taken into is the real subsidy which now goes wrong to look at the college hospitals account at every step from medical exactly to those who need it. as merely tertiary centers for the education to the formulation treatment of complex cases. The of health policies to the actual It is not only the professionals college and its hospital are centers to clinical practice. Unfortunately, who need to be re-educated, it is create competent doctors/ specialists vague ideology and euphemism the whole community and their for the entire spectrum of health are hindering the right approach leaders who need to be educated services. Therefore, it must have the and causing untold harm to the on the real value of health services, widest canvas of diseases and from health services. We all need to be namely a) - all health services are all possible strata of society. It is re-educated. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 6, 2014 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2012-2014. Published on Sunday, April 6, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday April 9, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 11 Voting begins April 13, 2014 S. Viswam

We are in the thick of the first extent of saying that she would even Demolition of pluralism major phase of polling, and soon court arrest and go to jail but she Kuldip Nayar enough we will be caught in the final would not obey the Commission’s phases even as campaigning will end orders. A crisis was averted as wiser Does economic growth ease social tensions? and the hustle and bustle of General counsels prevailed and Mamata K. S. Chalam Elections 2014 will fade away. The backed down. Actually, she was campaigning has received saturation overreacting to a routine procedure Rush for Muslim Votes coverage from the print and of the Commission to which no deep Irfan Engineer electronic media and there is possibly political meanings need to be nothing new that can be said now attached. The Commission orders Real Gujarat: about the electoral scene that has not shifts and transfers of officials either An Underreported Story been already said. Hence, as the on its own or in response to Himanshu Thakkar nation waits for five more weeks to complaints from parties and know how the electorate have voted, candidates about the impartiality or Lessons from Geneva it is best to highlight and react to otherwise of some officials. The V. Suryanarayan some of the latest developments and transfer does not mean any kind of Gandhiji and Indian Socialists -II events on the poll front. punishment or even that the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay complaints stand proved. It is just to It is just as well that West eliminate any suspicion of malafides Sudha Varde Chief Minister Mamata Bannerji on the part of officialdom. Mamata 1930-2014 toned down her rage and agreed to said the transfers would create chaos follow the Election Commission’s and law and order problem for which directive on the transfer of seven she would not take responsibility! senior police and administrative Editor : officers on eve of the polls in the The Commission would have been G. G. Parikh state. As things stood on the morning justified in invoking Article 324 of the of April 8, Tuesday, a first class Constitution which empowers it to Managing Editor : Guddi constitutional crisis was cooking up conduct the elections and hold full in . Mamata charged the control over its direction. Indeed, the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Commission with hatching a Commission has the constitutional Naushir Bharucha Marg, conspiracy against her and her party powers to superintend all aspects of Mumbai - 400 007. with a view to enabling the Congress an election, and the state to win the polls. She went to the government was arguing from a Email : [email protected] 2 JANATA, April 13, 2014 weak position in defying the EC’s Between the lines powers. Thankfully, the matter was sorted out mutually satisfactorily, with the Commission insisting that Demolition of pluralism transfers be carried out and agreeing to the state government choosing the Kuldip Nayar replacements for the transferred officers. The moral of the story is I mayquestion the timing, doubt that the events of the day were that it is unwise for any constitutional practically on the eve of polling for neither spontaneous nor unplanned, authority or any two constitutional the Lok Sabha election, of the nor an unforeseen overflowing of the authorities to take any conflict or disclosure of conspiracy behind the people’s emotion. Narendra Modi difference of views between them demolition of Babri Majid at Ayodhya was part of the L.K. Advani’s rath to a flash point. Moderation is the in 1992. I do not know how this has yatra in support of mandir.” key, and leaders like Mamata must helped the Bhartiya Janata Party learn to control their tempers and (BJP) at the polls during which it What has pained me is the fact give the same respect to others as shed the development factor and that both Atal Behari Vajpayee and they expect to receive from them! came out in true colours, the pro- Advani knew about the proposed Hindu stance. Its election manifesto demolition—the plan and the The language used by some of the is a bit accommodative on the mandir exercise carried out for demolition. candidates during campaigning has and seeks solution within the I was honestly taken in by been bad enough. Last week we drew constitutional framework. But the Vajpayee’s argument that it was an our readers’ attention to the decline BJP remains adamant on Article 370 act of people’s spontaneous in the standards of public debate and which is an integral part of the emotions and had no prior planning discourse. This week we have to process of Jammu and Kashmir’s behind it. When Advani resigned deplore that some parties and accession to India. from the Lok Sabha taking moral candidates resort to physical violence responsibility, I really believed that to make their point. For the fifth time The other main party, the he was speaking the truth. I feel and the second occasion in Delhi, Congress, did not lag behind in cheated. The alacrity with which he Arvind Kejriwal has been physically communalizing the environment. The withdrew the resignation within 24 attacked during the campaign. He party marshaled Bukhari hours indicates the hypocrisy. And was slapped hard on his face by a 38- and other Muslim clerics behind. The Vajpayee still plugs the line that it year-old autorickshaw driver for the party did not care about the oft- was a spontaneous reaction of the fault of “betraying” auto drivers. repeated allegation against it that the crowd. This is not true because half Whether the charge is valid or not is Congress goes out of the way to a million sevaks were assembled beside the point. The issue is that appease the Muslims. from different parts of the country, resort to physical violence against particularly Maharashtra, on candidates (or against anybody for Yet, I commend the meticulous job December 6, 1992. that matter) is unacceptable during of piecing together the bits of elections. All political parties must information through sting operations The Justice Liberhan report is an set good examples in this respect and spread over three years to bring to indictment of the Central Bureau of train their workers adequately to hold light the plan to destroy the masjid. Investigation (CBI) which has taken their tempers and behave peacefully The news portal, which has divulged 22 years to complete the probe as it during campaigns. the details, says that the demolition claims to have done. More than that was an “act of planned sabotage.” it is an indictment of public figures That manifestos, however It was meticulously planned, that were part of the conspiracy but skillfully drafted, and regardless of rehearsed and executed. parade themselves as an apostle of the slew of assurances and promises virtues. Other BJP leaders, some of they contain, count for very little in This confirms what Justice M.S. whom I see on various channels of elections was a known fact. During Liberahan had said in his report on television, do not minimize the sin by the demolition. He has reiterated in arguing that no sting operation has (Continued on Page 3) a press interview: “It stands beyond been carried out in the case of JANATA, April 13, 2014 3 corruption deals by the Congress. occasions when he was still in so because when the This can be done even belatedly. But power. But no action has been taken was demolished it was done despite the cannot be despite my repeated writings. The the Constitution. absolved of its nefarious activities. small temple stands there even today (Continued from Page 2) and the talk to accommodate the I knew all along that Narasimha Muslims by building a next the current campaign, the futility of Rao, then the Congress Prime to the mandir is not heard anymore. expecting the manifestos to be Minister, had blessed the destruction. studied and taken seriously has He had the army deployed in the I can understand and even again been exposed. The Congress vicinity and was bound to use it appreciate the arguments of those manifesto hardly evoked media when the Supreme Court had said who claim that it was the Ram janam attention partly because it was to maintain the status quo, that is, to bhoomi and not the Babri masjid. But released on time. The fact that it was protect the Babri masjid. Not a single when lakhs of Ram sevaks gather the first manifesto to be drafted and soldier was moved to defend the there and even beat up a few whetted by Rahul Gandhi made no mosque, nor ever the proposal to Gandhites who objected to violence, difference to the reader interest it surround the structure with tanks to the dictum sought to be proved is that evoked. The BJP manifesto received ward off any attack. the majority community would have better coverage because it was the way through peace, if possible, released after the poll had begun and What Socialist leader Madhu or by force, if necessary. its authorship was attributed to Limaye had told left me with no room Narendra Modi. However, we are for any doubt about Rao’s In fact, the Babri masjid’s sure that both the manifestos have involvement. Limaye said that when destruction is a watershed in our already been forgotten and are the demolition began, Rao sat for country’s ethos of pluralism. The doomed to gather dust in some shelf puja. There were frantic calls from Muslim community began to tilt on of the two parties, to be dusted and his colleagues to reach him out to the side of extremists since. Its faith studied again on the eve of the 2019 take action against those who were in the secular society was shaken Lok Sabha polls! engaged in destroying the mosque, and it went even to the extent of not but he had instructed that he should protesting against the terrorists. not be disturbed. When the destruction was complete, Rao’s If I were to trace militancy among aide whispered into his ears that the the Muslims I would find the process was complete. Rao finished demolition of Babri masjid as the his puja. beginning. The community feels insecure, particularly on the The masjid’s demolition was prospects of Modi becoming the followed by communal riots, prime minister. All that I can say is particularly in Mumbai. Rao invited that India is a multi-religious society some senior journalists to seek media for centuries and the society has help to normalize the situation. I was learnt to live that way. one of the invitees. I asked Rao how a small temple had come to be built If Modi tries to undo the reality, overnight when the centre had taken he will find defiance all over. He over the administration after may even jeopardize the country’s dismissing the state government integrity. I wish the BJP election ruled by the BJP. He answered me: manifesto had mentioned at least the temple would not be there for once the word of secularism. long. Although the new converts to the BJP argue that when the party Twenty-two years have gone by swears by the Constitution, it since the demolition. I had reminded expresses is faith in secularism Rao of his assurance on several without spelling it out. I wish it were 4 JANATA, April 13, 2014 Does economic growth ease social tensions?

K. S. Chalam

The schedule for the 16th bereft of the social tensions based identified by the planning parliamentary elections in the months on the ground realities. Social tension commission. of April-May and the bifurcation of is understood as the feeling caused seem to have shifted the by lack of trust between people, It is disheartening to notice that wrangling in the public domain from groups or nations who do not agree the 12th plan 2012-17, has identified social turmoil to political squabbles. upon certain social issues. The 25 targets that were not attained and Yet, the election manifestos and the social tensions and economic therefore repeated once again. Out tall promises of political parties in opportunities are always related. The of the 25 targets, four relate to (two states) and at divides and despairs that are created economic growth like GDP growth all India level show that economic in the process of lopsided at 8 per cent, poverty, education, to issues are haunting the parties. It development lead to the crisis of trust reduce gender and social gap, health, appears that the major issue before deficit among different competing to reduce Infant Mortality Rate to the parties is not about the social or groups. Therefore, the last two 25, infrastructure that includes 10 political control over power in the decades of faster economic growth lakh croresof investment, drinking legislative bodies, but about economic in India have not been able to reduce water to 50 per cent villages, resources. Interestingly, those parties these social tensions. In fact, social environmental considerations - that have openhandedly invited the tensions are spreading into new creating one million hectares of LPG and have sincerely areas of operation. Language and green coverage per year, and service implemented the dictates of the region were considered as minor delivery consisting of banking funding agencies are now throwing irritants. But now along with caste, services to 90 per cent of households. blame on to the ruling dispensation gender, religion, class and Is it possible to achieve the targets and governance for the adverse development, these issues are in the next three years? consequences. In fact, there seem increasingly causing tensions to be no difference between the between groups and between It is doubtful given the kind of ruling and opposition parties as far government and victimized groups. promises made by our leaders as liberalization is concerned, but it It was expected that the process of through their manifestos. The is seen only in the media inclusion with faster rates of vulnerability of the conditions of the management. The ruling coalition economic growth would resolve poor as projected by the planning has tried to conceal the harsh these tensions. However, there seem commission itself (through its influence of their polices on the poor to be no respite in the latent targets) speaks about the reality. through some palliatives in the name competence of neo-liberalism that Further, the targets and the legislative of human face of development. But helps to intensify inequity with every action to achieve them have been the fact remains that corporates, unit of increase in the rate of alleged to be a serious threat to social Indian and multi-national, are running economic growth. It appears that peace. The recent developments in the show like the folk puppets, each the mid-term appraisal of XI plan the social legislation like Forest choosing its own puppet. Therefore, could not capture these tensions in Dwellers Rights, NAREGA, RTE, the results after May 16 are of no terms of the progress reported in etc. seem to have created consequence to common man except each sector planned. A cursory look instruments of strength of the that in the case of a moderate party into the appraisal of the XI plan show dispossessed while at the same time or coalition coming to power there that the traditional sectors such as triggering new tensions. For will be some social peace. transport, irrigation, etc, did not instance, the local farmers’ mention how far the plan community feels that the Economists till very recently were programmes have bridged the empowerment of the wage laborers busy in projecting the high rates of divides between rich and poor, social in the rural areas has reduced the growth almost on a monthly basis, groups, rural-urban, and others free flow of labor supply at a given JANATA, April 13, 2014 5 wage. The empowerment of tribals among economists for the last five rate in India as reported by NCRB with the right to own land and to decades while other social scientists that stood at 23.87 lakhs in 2012 access minor forest produce are amused by and excluded in such escalated from 23.25 lakhs in 2011. deprived the contractor class to have exercises. However, committed free access to the resources of the bureaucrats like N. C Saxena gave It is very interesting to find that in tribals which they have been enjoying a different meaning to poverty and majority of the government so far. The construction of major the methods of estimation placing the documents, programs to reduce irrigation projects, unbridled poor at 50 per cent of the population. tensions include schemes like social expansion of mining in tribal areas, welfare scholarships, paltry expansion of infrastructure without This is what is projected as the investment fund for NSCFDC, a rehabilitation package, etc, are outcome through Millennium rehabilitation centers for the displacing tribals, dalits and other Development Goals for the entire physically challenged, 15-point marginalized groups. In other words, world (halve between 1990-2015 programme for religious minorities, every step in the direction of creation population living below $1.25 per day). etc. But, the implementation of such of wealth without proper Most of the countries that were below measures at the grass root level and understanding of the implications of the level that India was placed at one their impact in reducing the social displacement and despair that is time seem to have accomplished in tensions are hardly studied and inherent in such development some of the targets. It is a civilizational reported. This may be because of projects leading to further tensions advancement and all the nations are the management approach to in the society. Even the vicissitudes expected to grow and join the economic growth that takes care of of money markets including the mainstream. However, there is no only the outcomes in economic terms share markets have their own toll of perceptible change in the social (GDP) but not the larger issues of tensions that are not generally tensions in terms of rise in the crime social justice and inclusion. reported in the media.In fact, the key in manipulating the Indian economy Defeat communal forces is under its control closely guarded by 30 business houses. They are so Citizens For Democracy views democracy can subsist only on the powerful that no one dares to touch with grave concern certain basis of the policy of inclusiveness them! declarations which have been and brotherhood. included by the BJP in its election It is reported that the monetary manifesto released recently. Such In 1998, as soon as the BJP transactions in the rural areas with programmes like construction of coalition government was formed, its the circulation of money through Ram Mandir, scrapping of article 370 first act was to launch a programme different schemes created an of the Constitution and revision of to have nuclear weapons claiming unusual situation. Almost every n-doctrine are divisive and not in that it would ensure the security of individual in the villages gets public interest. India, but this act in fact has sufficient cash on hand but, it enhanced India’s insecurity. With vanishes by the end of the day.It is The campaign for ‘Ram its very limited nuclear weapons, by way of persuading the consumer Janambhoomi’ launched by BJP was India is rapidly becoming a puppet to buy talk-time, IMFL, its first major assault on Indian state of the U.S.A., while Pakistan entertainment and other consumer democracy leading to demolition of was also forced to acquire nuclear goods, MNC foods and not nutritious Babri Masjid in December 1992, and weapons. This has led to the fearful food. But, the rates of poverty giving rise to feeling of resentment prospect of the possibility of Jehadi estimated by government agencies and insecurity in the Muslim groups or rogue generals in Pakistan and experts like Prof. Tendulkar community. The demolition has also getting control of the nuclear have placed the figures at 27.5 afforded a pretext to international weapons. In this process, the percent and 37.2 percent Jihadi terrorist organizations to continuous huge expenditure in respectively in the urban and rural interfere and expand their terrorist acquiring and maintaining nuclear India. Even the methodology of activities in India. Now the BJP is weapons has diminished Indian estimating the poverty ratios has again trying to stoke to same fire. been a subject of great debate In a multi-religious country like India (Continued on Page 12) 6 JANATA, April 13, 2014

Sudha Varde

Sudhatai Varde (1930-2014) was extremely lively, After communal riots in Bhivandi in 1984, women’s cheerful person with dream of egalitarian society in her organisations such as NFIW, AIDWA, MDS, SMS, eyes. She was petite, demure in her looks, at the same Women’s Centre, Forum Against Oppression of Women time, extremely forthright, upfront and dedicated to the formed Committee Against Religious Fanaticism. cause of women’s liberation. She passed away on 8th Sudhatai was actively involved in the same. In 1987, she April, 2014 at the age of 84. Hers was a life lived for her was with feminists to protest against emergence of sati commitment for progressive and secular values and temples in Mumbai and re-naming of road in suburban socialist and humanist ethos. Mumbai as Maha Sati Road. As a representative of MDS she took active interest in Forum Against Sex Right from her childhood Sudha Kotwal had great Determination and Sex Selection. She attended study fascination for dancing. She used this talent for her circles on technical issues such as implication of hormone social cause as a volunteer for Rashtra based injectable contraceptives on women lives before (RSD) which she joined as a teenager. She was joining the agitation against it. She was a supporter of involved in the freedom movement through RSD. She Narmada Bachao Andolan. met her soul-mate Prof. Sadanand Varde who was also a mainstay of RSD and in due course she married During 1991 as a Director (I/C) of Research Centre him. Both of them were gracious and full of life and for Women’s Studies for a brief period, I had to organize remained active workers in the social movement as a National Round Table on Women in Decision Making. patriotic socialists. I requested Sudhatai to present a status paper on Women in Decision Making in Western India. She was so In the post-independence period, Sudhatai played overwhelmed with emotion that said, “It is so rewarding pivotal role in the development of cultural wing of RSD. to feel that you, younger lot of firebrand feminists see She also encouraged her daughter Jhelum to be a classical value in our thinking!!” To prepare her paper, she dancer. She shared beautiful relationship with her frequently visited RCWS Documentation Centre and went daughter and always talked highly of her. through’ all the reports, resolutions, books concerning the subject and made a brilliant presentation at the Round Sudhatai was closely associated with Mrinaltai Table. Gore, Kamaltai Desai and Pramilatai Dandwate. Sudhatai’s involvement in women’s movement began She was shaken by Mumbai riots in 1992 and in a with anti-price rise struggles in the early 1970s. She meeting organized by Stree Mukti Sangahtan at Bhupesh participated in the ant-rape campaign in 1980. She Gupta Bhavan, she asked, “Where did my generation go attended all events of new women’s groups in response wrong? How do you explain that children of secular to cyclostyled invitations sent by post to her residence generation are turning out to be religious fanatics?” She in Bandra (W) which was initially an office of Mahila made a resolve to focus more on Rashtra Seva Dal’s Daxata Samiti (MDS). She worked for anti-dowry activities with children to change their mindset towards agitations (1981), Brides are not for burning campaign, humanism. Parityakta Mukti Morcha (Deserted Women’s In 1993, both Sudhatai and Sadanandji founded Aple Liberation Front), solidarity for textile strike (1982). Ghar to care for orphans after earthquake in Latur. In a campaign against dowry harassment, I remember Sudhatai shouting slogan against murderers of When she came for 75th birth anniversary function of Manjushree Sarda and Vibha Shukla when we had Mrinaltai in 2003, Sudhatai looked frail. Two years back protest demonstrations within Bombay High Court in in the memorial meeting of Mrinaltai, I had her glimpse. 1988. She was a sympathiser of Swadhar that provided support to women in social distress. Sudhatai attended Sudhatai’s inspiring and charming persona and flavor all shibirs, meetings, rallies, sit-ins and public meetings of her good deeds will have a lasting imprint on glorious of united front of women’s groups and state level HERSTORY of women’s liberation movement in coordination committee for women’s liberation, Stree Maharashtra. Mukti Andolan Sampark Samiti. –Vibhuti Patel JANATA, April 13, 2014 7 Rush for Muslim Votes

Irfan Engineer

The BJP strongly protested Behari Vajpayee and distributing veils and skull caps to against Imam Bukhari of the Jama Chandrashekhar went to meet the demonstrate before the media that Masjid calling upon the Muslim Imam and bless the party. The Imam Muslims too were supporting him. community to vote of Congress in obliged and addressed several , President of the BJP order to defeat the communal forces meetings along with Atal Behar met Muslim leaders and apologized in the country. Imam Bukhari’s Vajpayee in the 1977 general for any “mistakes” they may have dabbling into politics is highly elections asking Muslims to vote for made without acknowledging that undesirable and should be Janata Party. Muslims did, because they made any mistakes. Such a condemned by all those who the mood in the country was anti- meeting was obviously an attempt to respect democracy and secular Congress. The Imam thereafter garner some votes of the Muslim values. Imam Bukhari’s writ does deftly tried to maintain his brand community. not run outside the premises of image and driving hard bargains Jama Masjid many say and it is from political parties. The Imam also The BJP never protests if any proved as well. The Imam opposed appealed to Muslims to vote for the political party appeals to or Shoaib Iqbal in Matiya Mahal BJP in the 2004 elections! The BJP endeavours to mobilize committed Assembly Constituency in the Jama did not protest then. votes of any caste or linguistic groups Masjid area. However, Shoaib Iqbal other than Muslims. In Maharashtra, won thrice despite the fatwas Political parties of all ideologies their ally has spread hatred against him. When Imam Bukhari are appealing to various ethnic, against the North Indians in order to appealed to Muslims to vote for linguistic and interest groups as well mobilize committed votes of the BSP in the 2007 UP Assembly and as castes and religious communities Marathi speaking without any 2009 Lok Sabha elections, most to poll committed votes. The BJP’s whisper of protest by the BJP. Akali Muslim candidates of BSP did not Prime Ministerial candidate, Dal, a NDA ally in Punjab appeals win. Then Imam Bukhari appealed Narendra Modi, is also endeavouring to identity issues and specific to vote SP in the 2012 UP to do the same and appealing to interests of the Sikh community with Assembly elections. The Imam’s different interest groups and people approval from the BJP. The BJP and son-in-law Umar Ali Khan had been belonging to varied identities in the other front organization from the given ticket by the SP. Khan lost language they want to hear and Sangh Parivar themselves take up though he was the only Muslim offering solutions and policy partisan and religious issues of the candidate in Behat which has 80 per interventions they want. These Hindu community. Their attempt is cent Muslim constituency! Other SP promises are insincere. However, to progressively transform the candidates won despite the Imam’s one interest group that Modi diverse religious community into a appeal. Then the Imam asked professedly would not cater to is that homogenous political community to Rajya Sabha seat for his brother of Muslims. He wears all kinds of establish a Hindu cultural state. To and ministerial berth for Khan, head gears but refused to wear skull achieve their objective, the BJP and which was refused. Hence the fall cap offered to him in one of his the Sangh Parivar has taken out between the SP and the Imam. Sadbhavana Mission. Though he assistance from and defended does not want any targeted various “godmen”, some of them The father of the present Shahi interventions to ameliorate the even wayward. When in power, they Imam – Syed first legitimate grievances of one of the make the resources of the state came to limelight when he dared to most backward community in India available at the feet of the godmen oppose demolition of the slums of – Muslims, he is not shying away supporting them to promote Turkman Gate on ’s from targeting the community for conservatism and . intervention during . their votes. In his Rajasthan election When Janata Party was formed, Atal rally, Modi’s men were busy Godmen like Sri Sri 8 JANATA, April 13, 2014 and Ramdev have always courted The Sangh Parivar has promoted expansionist sate. The Sansad the BJP, though Sri Sri does so more the so- called Dharma Sansad and demanded that Janmabhoomi be subtly than Ramdev. Modi hugged the task has been allocated to the handed over to Shriram Ramdev and allowed himself to be VHP from the Parivar. The aim is Janmabhoomi Nyas and Hindus photographed in that posture. to mobilize the godmen from varied were called upon to vote such a Ramdev has endorsed Modi for traditions of Hindu community for the government that would do so (i.e. the Prime Ministership. How is it political project of . The BJP) and the Hindus were warned different from Imam Bukhari’s First Dharma Sansad was organized to beware of country-wide ‘Muslim appeal to vote for Congress? Sri Sri in Vigyan Bhavan on 7-8 April 1984 plans’ of annihilation of Hindus is often seen in the company of BJP and presided by Shankaracharya against countrywide goondaism to leaders releasing the autobiography Shantanand Maharaj and the keynote protect honour of Hindu womenfolk. of L K Advani, but also compilation address was given by The Sansad is self congratulatory in of speeches of Nitin Gadkari! He Chinmayanada Maharaj. 558 its achievement of getting people of appealed to the voters to vote for Dharmacharyas belonging to 76 Hindutva ideology elected. ‘morally upright’ leaders (going by Panths of Hindu community the company he keeps, it would be participated. Among their demands Mahant Avaidyanath Maharaj clear to his followers who are they). were to create indispensable place presided over the 10th Dharma He further appealed not to elect for Dharmic education within the Sansad held in February 2003 and khichadi sarkar (so the third front is present education and to establish keynote address was given by Ashok out) and opined that people had lost language as the national Singhal, President, VHP. hope in AAP. The only party left is language and developing it as a Avaidyanath is also President of the BJP! He condemned Sonia language for daily ordinary Shriram Janmabhoomi Mandir Gandhi for meeting religious leader conversations. The next resolution is Andolan. 9,000 Sants from all over of only one religion for vote banks. even more political and direct: “To the country participated in the foil by every means the conspiratorial Sansad. The Sansad resolved to “re- In MP, Shivraj Chouhan has attempts of by the adherents of alien establish” Hindu Rashtra. The protected and promoted scores of faiths to reduce the Hindu population position therefore is that India was self-styled godmen who enjoy and by forcing the administration to always a Hindu Rashtra to be “re- enormous political clout. After the have commitment to the Hindu established”. The pre-independence Assembly polls, Chouhan and his interests.” The last words are Indian society was based on birth wife sought the blessings of Sant Shri directly against the Indian based hierarchies of privileges based Rawatpura Sarkar – an influential Constitution wherein state is required on caste, gender and religion religious who enjoys special status to treat all its citizens equally disadvantageous to the OBCs, dalits under the BJP rule. Rawatpura has irrespective of their religion and all and women who were required to several commercial interests and has persons enjoy freedom to practice, serve the minority of upper-caste registered himself as ‘A-type’ profess and propagate their religion. landlords and elite. The 10th Sansad contractor with the MP PWD. Among other political demands, the of godmen convened by the Sangh Similarly, Sant Sadhvi Maa Sansad also demands that Parivar with active involvement of Kankeshwari Devi and Bhaiyyu Ramjanmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanth all front organisations, including the Maharaj have Shivraj Chouhan and and Krishnajanmasthan be returned BJP is therefore directly in conflict and his minister – Kailash to Hindus (in violation of the law that with the Constitutional values of Vijayvargiya among followers. Some mandates that status-quo pertaining equality and inclusive citizenship. It of these godmen face criminal to religious institutions as it existed also resolves to establish Akhand charges which include land grabbing, in 1947 be maintained). Bharat on the basis of Savarkarian rape etc. Sadhvi Pragya Singh formula of pitrubhu-punyabhu. Thakur was arrested from Indore for In the 4th Dharma Sansad, 4,000 Akhand Bharat is usually a call for bomb blasts in Malegaon and was sants attended immediately after the forcible undoing of partition and defended by Rajnath Singh, the demolition of Babri Masjid. This annexing other sovereign nations like BJP President alleging that Hindu Dharma Sansad is rumoured to have Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, religious leaders were being proposed constitution of Hindu Afghanistan and certain territories targeted. Rashtra – a totalitarian and of China. It further calls upon to ban JANATA, April 13, 2014 9 Madrasas, including Islamic Real Gujarat: an underreported story institutions like Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband which it calls as breeding ground of terrorism! Needless to say Himanshu Thakkar that Dar-ul-Ulom produced many freedom fighters. Jamiat-e-Ulema- e-Hind, an organization formed of It seems large part of the the claims of Modi and the BJP as Ulemas of Deoband actively mainstream national media have gospel truth. An independent media opposed Partition of the country and gone underground these days. If you should have exposed the reality of propagated composite nationalism. view most English news channels these claims on its own through trips However, blinded by hate, they chose and some ones or most English like the one the AAP members made. to ignore history. They demanded and Hindi newspapers, you will The speech in Ahmedabad on 8 death penalty for Jihad – a highly suddenly find a proliferation of March was a good opportunity for contested term for sufis too reports favouring Narendra Modi the media to correct its own failure. undertook jihad to control their and the BJP. The repeated Instead, by not reporting or under- desires. For lack of space we are highlighting of doctored pre-poll reporting or misreporting, the media not going into all the resolutions analysis without attempts to do an has further discredited itself. passed by the Sansad, but they also in-depth investigation into the in a very aggressive and offensive credentials of the agencies doing This reminds me of an episode in language asking training camps in such predictions is only one Gujarat not long ago. “One morning Pakistan and Bangladesh be troublesome part. But even in some years ago, Gujarat’s residents “smashed”, deportation of “3 crore reporting the news, there is a clearly found a newspaper on their “Bangladeshis infiltrators”, dismissal discernible pro-BJP tendency and an doorstep. They hadn’t subscribed to of Govdernment attempt to blackout, under-report or it, and it carried a vaguely familiar (without specifying any grounds for misreport news about the BJP’s masthead. It was called Gujarat their dismissal) and demanding rivals, particularly news about the Satya Samachar (literally meaning conversions to be made serious (AAP). This was True News of Gujarat), to make it offence (all conversions, even those most evident in reporting AAP’s trip resemble the state’s largest undertaken voluntarily without to Gujarat in the first week of March. circulated newspaper, Gujarat coercion, inducement or fraud) Samachar. It was produced by Any objective viewer will have Gujarat’s information department (a The 1994 Dharma Sansad no doubts that AAP’s trip portfolio held by Chief Minister attended by 30,000 sadhus even punctured the well-crafted Narendra Modi) and contained demanded that the Government not balloon of Gujarat’s development reports of the state government’s sign Dunkel proposal on international image. To many Gujaratis like achievements,” wrote Aakar Patel, trade!! That Sansad was attended me, this was not such big former editor of Divya Bhaskar (the by who briefed breaking news. The media, that Gujarati edition from the Bhaskar them on Dunkel proposals. Sahib is supposed to report realities in group) in his column in Mint on 1 Singh Verma, then a minister in an objective manner, should have March. Delhi, rushed to attend the Sansad been happy reporting this to seek their blessings for the anti- significant development. Arvind The reason the state government cow slaughter legislation of Delhi Kejriwal’s hour-long speech in resorted to bring out Gujarat Satya Government. The sadhus became so Ahmedabad at a hugely attended Samachar was “the belief that the politically ambitious that RSS had to meeting should have been local media was either suppressing ask them to refrain from seeking reported extensively. Strangely, stories about the government’s tickets for the coming elections! BJP large parts of the mainstream successes or was critical of Modi to has always distributed tickets to media, both print and electronic, the point of antagonism.” The sadhus and sought their help in almost blacked this out. Gujarat Satya Samachar did not last electoral campaigns. more than a couple of issues since This, no doubt, reflected poorly on the Gujarati media quickly fell in line, (Continued on Page 15) the media that has been accepting the way the government wanted it 10 JANATA, April 13, 2014 to. In fact, this episode should not Saurashtra are fighting FIRs and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, give readers the misleading picture cases for using Narmada water! Narendra Modi, who as chief that the Gujarati media was depicting Farmers everywhere feel minister, resorted to Gujarat Satya the realities of Gujarat’s development discriminated against when the state Samachar to show the slightly critical before the government resorted to government favours big industries at Gujarati media its place and Gujarat Satya Samachar. Far from their expense and without succeeded in arm-twisting them, has it. transparency or due justice or their been resorting to less satya (truth) participation. The tribal belt is not in his electioneering. Just to While travelling through various only neglected, it is facing the illustrate, during his trip to the north- parts of Gujarat, I have seen the prospect of more and more eastern states, he did not mention his frustration of the aam Gujarati about displacement and deforestation in the support for either large hydro the way the state is ruled since the name of dams, river-linking projects, projects or interlinking of rivers, past decade and more. Repeatedly, industrial zones and corridors. which are facing huge opposition in during my numerous trips to the state, , Arunachal Pradesh and other common people on the street have While travelling through tribal states. told me about corruption, the areas near the Sardar Sarovar breakdown of regular basic facilities dam, Savitaben Tadvi of But during his speech the like schooling (everyone, it seems, Indravarna village told us about following week on 26 February in has to go for tuition). “Then what the repression they faced while Madhya Pradesh, he talked about the are the schools for?” one frustrated peacefully opposing the northeast region being “heaven for auto-rickshaw driver told me. There Garudeshwar dam on the hydro power generation.” In that are complaints about electricity and Narmada river, which has neither same state of Madhya Pradesh, his water and the pro-big industries bias any valid approval nor any impact party’s chief minister flashed full- of the state establishment. assessment or consent from the page advertisements (at public Intellectuals and independent affected villages located expense) for three straight days observers have talked about the upstream or downstream. Lakhan about the Narmada Kshipra link as huge gap between the claims of the Musafir of Umarva village took the harbinger of the ILR dream of state government of Gujarat and the us to the washed-out portion former Prime Minister Atal Behari stark reality for long. below the Sardar Sarovar dam, Vajpayee. In reality, it is just a including the viewer’s park, pipeline water supply project with Ahmedabad is supposed to be about which there is so little questionable viability and shining with the development of the information in the public domain. justifiability, without even impact Sabaramati riverfront. But if you go Rohit Prajapati of the assessment or participation of the a dozen kilometres upstream or Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, people of the Narmada or Malwa downstream you realise that this is showing the proposed site of the region. There is already opposition just for the benefit of the city’s real Statue of Unity, publicised as the to the project from farmers of the estate developers. The state of the world’s highest statue, just Narmada Valley. river elsewhere is as bad as the downstream of the Sardar Yamuna in Delhi. Even the water Sarovar dam, related how the The trouble is, a large part of you see flowing in the Sabarmati is foundation stone was laid on 31 mainstream media has blacked out through a fraud. This water is from October 2013 by arresting the all this critical news. This situation the Narmada project. Not a drop tribals peacefully opposing the is no doubt very bad for Indian from it was planned or allocated for project that neither has any democracy. As a senior journalist Ahmedabad city or the Sabarmati impact assessment, nor any of from a financial paper told me, river. the statutorily required approvals. whenever there is an extraordinarily As Nandini Oza, after travelling positive report about any company The project was proposed and for over 1,000 km in Gujarat or political party, the first question justified for drought-prone areas of recently said, “You can actually that arises is: how much has the Kutch, Saurashtra and north smell development at Vapi, reporter been paid to write such a Gujarat. They are not getting this Ankleshwar, Baroda and several story! Media should be wary of such water. Instead, the farmers of other industrial areas!” a perception. JANATA, April 13, 2014 11 Lessons from Geneva

V. Suryanarayan

Gross human violations that took The 2014 resolution represented the situation has changed today. The place in Sri Lanka during the last a basic departure from the earlier mandarins in South Block know that stages of the Fourth Eelam War have ones. Mandate for international Indian abstention will be subjected come into sharp focus once again. investigation means intrusion into the to severe criticism in Tamil Nadu. The UN Human Rights Council, on domestic affairs of a sovereign state. After weighing the pros and cons the March 27, after taking note of the Amb. Dilip Sinha pointed out that by government agreed with the recommendations of the UN High asking the Office of the High bureaucrats, because whatever may Commissioner, highlighted the “need Commissioner for Human Rights be the nature of voting the ruling for an international inquiry (OHCHR) to “investigate, assess Congress party will not be able to mechanism”. The resolution was and monitor the human rights win a single seat in Tamil Nadu. supported by 23 members, 12 voted situation” the resolution ignored the against and 12, including India, progress Sri Lanka has made like the Colombo is determined to abstained. holding of the Northern Provincial stonewall any effort to institute an Council election and the successful international inquiry mechanism. It should be pointed out that rehabilitation of the internally Amb. Dayan Jayatilleka echoed the when human rights violations displaced people. The Indian feelings of the majority Sinhalese figured in the UN soon after the delegate highlighted that the when he wrote: “As Sri Lankans our Fourth Eelam War, India, along with resolution was “inconsistent and rejection of an international inquiry Russia and China, opposed the impractical” because it asks both must be unconditional. Such an move and bailed out the Sri Lankan Colombo and the OHCHR to inquiry is unfair, hypocritical and an government. What is more, India simultaneously conduct affront to our self respect as a went ahead and got a resolution investigation. Amb. Sinha concluded nation.” The Tamil National Alliance passed which congratulated the that it had been India’s firm (TNA) that got a resolution passed Lankan government for defeating conviction that an “intrusive in the Northern Provincial Council one of the most ruthless terrorist approach that undermines national for international investigation organisations in the world. But as sovereignty and integrity is counter- naturally welcomed the UN the Lankan government began to productive”. resolution. show its true colours, went back on assurances for credible internal The Indian abstention represents From an Indian point of view it investigation and implementation of a definite victory for Indian will be relevant to compare and devolution proposals, New Delhi bureaucracy. They are of the view contrast Mahinda Rajapaksa’s earlier had to revise its policy. There was that Indian voting in the 2012 and views on UN humanitarian also a domestic compulsion, namely 2013 meetings was an aberration and intervention and his present policy. the political parties in Tamil Nadu it needs to be corrected. They feel The Sinhalese generally refer to the were insisting on punishing the that if New Delhi supports an period, 1987-89, as Bishana Samaya, guilty in Sri Lanka. Hence, in 2012 intrusive approach, at a future date, Days of Terror. The Janatha Vimukti and 2013, India voted against Sri it can also be used against India Peramuna (JVP) had unleashed Lanka. In fact, behind the scenes, itself. New Delhi has many unprecedented violence following Indian diplomats were trying to get skeletons in the cupboard—human the conclusion of the India-Sri Lanka the resolution worded strongly. But rights violations in Jammu & Accord and the induction of the the thrust of the resolution was to Kashmir, Nagaland, Mizoram and Indian Peace Keeping Force persuade Sri Lanka to have its own encounter killings in the Naxalite-hit (IPKF). The brutality of the JVP investigative mechanism and speed areas. It should also be pointed out was more than matched by the up the process of ethnic that in 2012 and 2013 the Tamil savage reprisals of the Lankan reconciliation. Nadu factor was very decisive. But armed forces. As Lionel Bopage, 12 JANATA, April 13, 2014 former JVP leader, has written, “For a political solution within a united Sri secessionists and the genesis and every one person killed by the JVP, Lanka. If the TNA gets weakened growth of Tamil militancy was a the security forces killed ten”. and marginalised in the hands of the consequence of the many acts of Rajapaksa was a budding Sinhalese government, it is likely to be replaced discrimination perpetuated by politician; he left the shores of Sri by more extremist forces. And there Sinhalese-dominated governments. Lanka, camped in Geneva and are fringe groups in the Tamil Sri Lanka’s future hinges on whether demanded UN humanitarian diaspora who would like to resurrect Sinhalese leaders will draw the right intervention to save his people. the Tigers and finance the armed lessons from history. Those who do Obviously, he would not like to be struggle. not learn will be compelled to relive reminded of his earlier stance on UN history. humanitarian intervention. It is necessary to recall that Sri Lankan Tamils were reluctant –The New Indian Express While Rajapaksa’s support base among the majority Sinhalese is intact, evident from recent win in the (Continued from Page 5) council elections in the Western and resources for reducing mass poverty power in order to save democracy Southern Provinces, there are dark and unemployment – thus adversely and Indian Constitution. clouds hovering in the horizon. As affecting the process of economic the resolution in the UN aptly pointed development. We therefore appeal to the voters out, “there are continuing reports of to vote for such a candidate in their violation of human rights, including Now BJP’s intention expressed constituency who cherishes sexual and gender violence, in its manifesto to revise the ‘No- democratic and secular values and enforced disappearances, extra- First Use’ of nuclear weapons will who is in a better position to ensure judicial killings, torture and violation further add to tensions in the defeat of BJP-RSS alliance. of the rights to freedom of international relations and would expression, association and peaceful expose Indian people to uncertain –N. D. Pancholi, assembly, threats to judicial dangerous situations, while cost of General Secretary independence and rule of law as well maintaining and manufacturing as intimidation of and reprisals nuclear weapons would add to against human rights defenders, economic pauperization of the Indian members of civil society, lawyers masses. So far as political Janata Subscription and journalists. There are also opportunism and corruption is attacks against religious minority concerned, other political parties also Annual Rs. : 260/- groups, Hindus, Moslems and do not have a better record. But the against Christians”. manner in which RSS has come out Three Years : 750/- openly in support of the BJP is a A recent violent incident in serious cause of concern - for RSS Demand Draft / Cheque Kilinochchi district in the Northern has a definite and proclaimed on Province needs mention. The ideology which is not in tune with our shooting was attributed to Gopi, a constitutional principles of Mumbai Bank former Tiger guerrilla. A virtual man inclusiveness. The manner in which hunt followed. According to the BJP campaign is going on with in favour of government spokesmen, it was an huge amount of money and massive illustration of LTTE resurgence. The propaganda appear to be a TNA maintained it was a government calculated step to bring India under excuse to justify the continuing authoritarian rule to serve corporate JANATA TRUST military presence in the Tamil areas. interests. The rule of a communalist D-15, Ganesh Prasad, The TNA, under the leadership of party like BJP can never benefit our Naushir Bharucha Marg, Wigneswaran and Sampanthan, country. Therefore in such a situation Mumbai 400 007 represents the saner elements in the it has become necessary to prevent Tamil society who are eager to find BJP-RSS combine from coming into JANATA, April 13, 2014 13 Gandhiji and Indian Socialists -II

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

The theory of Trusteeship is contact with another way of life He however declined to endorse devised because non-violence is which seems so overwhelmingly full the proposition on the Indian states. incompatible with a feudalistic and of promise of what may be called He seemed to accept the substance capitalistic society. Gandhiji admits the good things of life. As someone but not the procedure. He was that accumulation and preservation has said, such a life of self-denial optimistic that the princes would of wealth inevitably involve violence, could only be possible in a surrender their autocracy when the and Trusteeship was conceived to monastery. time came. He laid the ultimate avoid confiscation. But Gandhiji did responsibility for realization of this not leave it as a pious wish. He gave Jayaprakash’s Picture transformation on ourselves. In a very stern warning through the conclusion he said: Harijan of 25-5-1947: Another point of difference that Gandhiji had with the socialists was The princes and all others will be If the present owning class did not the nature of the movement in the true and amenable when we have of its own accord become trustees, ‘Indian States’ which existed at the become true to ourselves, to our force of circumstance would compel time. For, while the socialists were faith, if we have it, and to the nation. the reform, or the alternative would for full and integrated participation At present we are halfhearted. The be utter destruction. The present of the people of these states in the way to freedom will never be through power of the zamindars, the capitalists national freedom struggle, Gandhiji half-heartedness. and the Rajas can hold sway only so had certain strong reservations. In long as the common people do not April 1940, World War II was a crucial event realize their own strength. If the submitted a resolution to the in world politics, particularly to the people non -cooperate with the evil Congress Working Committee on the colonial countries. In our domestic of zamindari and capitalism it must Socialist Party’s picture of an scene it marked serious shift in the die of inanition… independent India, covering every Congress when it resolved to offer important sector of the national life, conditional cooperation in the war The argument that when one which Gandhiji admitted he liked and effort in spite of Gandhiji’s possesses more than what one reproduced in full in the Harijan opposition. One may say that this was strictly needs one deprives someone under the caption: Jayaprakash’s perhaps the beginning of a long chain else of it, is today largely fallacious. Picture’, with his own comments. of changes in Congress-Gandhi True, we are still in a transitional The socialist proposition on land and relations. The old ties were really stage in the developing countries the cultivator was that the former never re-forged. In fact they became where production lags behind. Even should belong to the latter, and none looser. so, man holds the key to unlimited should own more land than is wealth. He has found the ‘open necessary to support his family. On Similarly a shift also came over sesame’ to the treasure trove. this Gandhiji wrote: the Socialist Party’s postures vis-a- Modern science and technology can vis the Congress and this marked the easily wipe off poverty and want, and Shri ]ayaprakash’s propositions beginning of a new relationship at fill mankind with abundance. That may appear frightful. In reality they least amongst the leaders who were this is not happening is due to other are not. No man should have more shaping it. The socialists not only causes, not because it is physically land than he needs for dignified dissociated themselves from the impossible. The world has woken up sustenance. Who can dispute the Congress resolution on the War, but to this realization. It is impossible to fact that the grinding poverty of called upon it to start a nationwide preach to such a world self-denial the masses is due to their having fight against the British regime. The which would have to be on a colossal no land that they can call their party decided to rally fully round the scale. For today we live in intimate own? Congress to make it an effective 14 JANATA, April 13, 2014 instrument for the final struggle. In Post-Quit India period relationship, more in a personal way fact the first anti-war resolution of perhaps, but reflected nevertheless the Congress at the The period following the Quit in other spheres too. session had come originally from the India movement marked a new socialists, which was reaffirmed phase in Indian politics and Congress- The post-Quit India period opened subsequently at other Congress Gandhi relations. The crack which a new phase for the Socialist Party. sessions. The Socialist Party now had started during the War period While the new party thesis professed took its stand on the Ranigarh became wider. The British proposals the party’s adherence to the Congress resolution calling it an to India did not meet with revolutionary path, it declared also ‘imperialist war’ and saying that a its belief that where democracy and national struggle was inevitable, The Gandhiji’s approval . Later, on the civil liberties operated, the transition Party dissociated itself from other partition question he took a strong to socialism must be peaceful and Left groups which kept attacking the stand. But the Congress chose to through democratic means which Congress, particularly calling for a ignore his views. included civil resistance, satyagraha change in the leadership. On the and strikes. This was a definite contrary the socialists emphasized Once more the Congress departure from the old pronouncedly the need for unity and for socialists and Gandhiji stood together. Marxian socialism though the party strengthening the hands of the The socialists tried to prevail upon reiterated that it was still based on leaders, particularly Gandhi, arguing him to lead once more the struggle Marxism, largely perhaps because that raising the issue of socialism v. until India could be free on her own the rank and file would not be able Gandhism was at the moment terms of integrity and self-respect. to conceive of socialism away from irrelevant. The original thesis that He was obviously in great mental Marxism. The Indian socialists could without a mass base and composition agony. As he confessed, he saw not any more find their identity with and programmatic transformations nothing but darkness before him. the Western socialists in the the Congress could become a proper One can imagine Gandhiji’s distress democratic countries because of vehicle of struggle was by implication when he saw this painful end to his their failure to support the colonial played down. The socialists life’s work. This situation brought struggle whole-heartedly, their accepted the fact that no one but some of the important sodalists and attitude in some cases being pretty Gandhiji could lead a national him together, as never before. There dubious. The communists had struggle, and its content and was growing a closer kinship become wholly discredited after the technique could be determined by between these few socialists and record of the Indian communists him alone; and they were pretty Gandhiji. They discussed the during war. Socialist thought itself confident he would not compromise alternatives. There was really only was in a ferment in the country and on the issue of war and national one, a mass struggle, and the much rethinking had started in the freedom. They were right. socialists were very confident that Socialist Party though it was some even if he could not carry the time before concrete signs could Here the socialists stood with Congress, the people would certainly become visible. Gandhiji firmly even while the rally round Gandhiji. Gandhiji, Congress wavered. In a matter of however, decided otherwise. Why he Gandhiji’s martyrdom intensified weeks with the failure of the Crips did so is anybody’s guess. What is the emotional ties. The compulsion Mission, Gandhiji began to electrify more, he wanted the Congress to became more and more pressing to the people with the ‘Quit India’ present a united front, so he prevailed take on and complete the good work slogan, the Socialist Party’s complete upon the socialists not to oppose he had left undone, the legacy we identification with this brought into had inherited. The shake-up that sharp relief the new role of the the Congress resolution on the resulted seemed to put things in their Communist Party, now made British proposals, So sensitive was proper perspective. From then on the the socialist leadership to Gandhiji’s image of Gandhi was a portent to legal as a war-time ally by the feelings and wishes that the socialist reckon with. There had been a large British rulers, which had set AICC-members could only abstain influx of new elements into the itself to work against this from voting. From then on a new era Socialist Party after the 1942 national struggle. seemed to have begun in this struggle. They had no political JANATA, April 13, 2014 15 background, particularly of the Gradually the leadership seemed close colleagues. Some quit politics Congress and Gandhiji’s leadership. to melt away. Two vigorous and turned to what Gandhiji had They had been drawn by the freedom stalwarts, Yusuf Meherally and termed constructive work. Some struggle which fired youthful Acharya passed wrote on the new thinking in imagination. While they showed away. Jayaprakash Narayan, who socialism and Gandhism. Dr Lohia fervour and enthusiasm, they had no became finally convinced that the has written voluminously on this, as political maturity or socialist discipline present rigid party governments on the incompleteness and fallacies and they often struck impossible could not solve India’s problems, of Marxism. postures and made impractical turned to the Gandhian path of demands which generally led to Sarvodaya and Bhoodan with confusion in the party. Bhave and others of Gandhiji’s (to be Concluded)

(Continued from Page 9)

In the last Kumbh Mela held in leaders. They stigmatize it as anti- Imam and Sonia Gandhi were at least in 2013, the RSS and BJP secular, minority appeasement and sought to be on Constitutional value leaders rushed to seek endorsement vote bank politics. That comes from of secularism – to prevent split in for Modi in the 2014 elections! The the perspective of is secular votes. That ground is sadhus did the needful! national religion whereas and spurious as why split only in Muslim Christianity are foreign religions, a votes should be termed as split in BJP has double standards. While distinction that our Constitution does secular votes? However BJP is it actively seeks blessing of the not make and no democratic nation actively seeking patronage of sadhus Hindu religious leaders for its political should. Though we condemn to wreck the Constitutional principles and electoral campaigns, they Congress for visiting Imam Bukhari and the make them take up various condemn other parties doing so, to seek Muslim votes, the anti-Constitutional demands like particularly from Muslim religious justification provided by both – the Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat.

Dangerous for Democracy The political principles professed Modi and Arvind Kejriwal are by Narendra Modi are based on propagating presidential communal hatred. Narendra Modi, democracy and that will pose a who has suppressed somewhat major challenge before our liberal leaders within the BJP and the parliamentary democratic system. Sangh Pariwar, will never become Even with the party in power, . Shri Modi Congress, a group is propagating becoming the prime minister will be presidential democracy and extremely dangerous for unity and therefore it is essential for democracy of the country. Congress to make its stand on the issue clear. It is, therefore, required Lok Bharati will undertake a to defeat those, who are campaign to create awareness propagating presidential Price: Rs. 20/- amongst masses to vote for democracy and thus want to bring candidates belonging to secular in dictatorship, by crushing our Janata Trust parties and having clean image, in existing system of parliamentary order to stop the communal forces. democracy. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Lok Bharati opposes and will Naushir Bharucha Marg, continue to oppose communal, –Kapil Patil Grant Road (W), corrupt and politics based on foreign President, Lok Bharati Mumbai 400 007. funding. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, August 13, 2014 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2012-2014. Published on Sunday, April 13, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday April 16, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 12 Landmark judgement April 20, 2014 S. Viswam

Jumble of Indian politics The Supreme Court The Apex Court was disposing of Kuldip Nayar pronouncement classifying a public interest litigation filed by the transgenders as the "third gender" National Legal Services Authority Role of academics was long overdue. Its arrival marks pointing out that a large section of the in paradigm shift an important milestone in free India’s population was deprived of the K. S. Chalam attempt to ensure equality for all its fundamental rights that were available citizens in all spheres of social, to males and females whose legal and Be wary of tall claims … economic, political and cultural social status was well defined. Apart Rajni Bakshi activity. The judgement will be widely from the disability which a cruel welcomed by human rights activists nature imposes on the transgenders, Gandhiji and Indian Socialists -III the world over as evidence of India’s the isolation and alienation by the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay commitment to the introduction of society imposes an emotional and progressive laws, rules and psychological hardship on them. The Kranta Darsi Lohia regulations in furtherance of its liberal acceptance by the society, which will and forward-looking constitution. hopefully follow the implementation C. Upendranadh The transgenders of India have of the court verdict, will offer the been victims of social discrimination community some solace. However, Education for Swaraj and the community known by the this process may be time-consuming generic term "hijras" endured social since ingrained prejudices take a long Manorama Savur stigma for generations in a society time to get rid of. (1927-2014) which remained immune to their being The significance and importance of treated as national outcasts. Thanks the latest verdict becomes clear when to their un-determined sexual status, the crucial issue facing the Editor : they had to endure a variety of transgenders is posed in proper indignities. They were hitherto perspective. The rights of G. G. Parikh neither socially acceptable as transgenders to the same set of Managing Editor : Guddi legitimate members of the Indian privileges and rights enjoyed by other society nor were their rights, members of the society will be D-15, Ganesh Prasad, privileges and entitlements legally available to them from now onwards. defined. The judgement now legally The verdict will enable the society to Naushir Bharucha Marg, accords them legal status as the third assimilate into its fold members of the Mumbai - 400 007. sex apart from the two recognized third sex who are now outcasts for Email : [email protected] sexes of males and females. all practical purposes and they have 2 JANATA, April 20, 2014 to live on the tender mercies of the Between the lines society. Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, a well-known face of the transgender community, is quoted in Jumble of Indian politics the media as stating: " Why can a transgender not become a political Kuldip Nayar leader, doctor, police officer or even a safai karmachari? Why does he/ India is halfway through the Lok highlighted it were generally she have to beg on the streets and Sabha election process. Two factors defeated. face discrimination? " Why, indeed? have come to the fore so far: caste Money, of course, has counted The court’s observations are and money. I am dismayed about the from day one. The Election noteworthy. The verdict says that it caste. I had imagined that in some Commission fixed the limit for a is society’s moral failure in its 67 years since independence, the candidate’s expenditure at Rs. 40 unwillingness to contain or embrace nation would have matured enough lakh in 1951 when the first general different gender identities. The not to be swayed by baser instincts. election was held. Now it has been court’s directions on the Lately, religion has been inducted by raised to Rs. 70 lakh. Still this is far enforcement of its verdict are to be the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). less than what a candidate welcomed since the problem of The appeal in the name of religion splurges—an average of Rs 3 crore rehabilitating the transgenders is in the nineteenfifties was is spent by a Lok Sabha candidate. complicated and calls for a understandable because the country Many spend at least triple the sympathetic and enlightened had been partitioned on the basis of amount. approach. The court’s decision to religion in August 1947. The world’s Despite the rules the Election recognize the transgenders as biggest holocaust took place, Commission has laid down, no socially and economically backward followed by the exodus of 3.5 crore candidate has ever been disqualified sections paves the way for the of people. The exchange of on the ground of excessive spending. community to secure economic and population was fairly rejected by both The catch is that political parties are society security. They can compete the and the not governed by any law or rule that with the two sexes to obtain jobs in Muslim League, the arbiters of the forces them not to spend more than accordance with their capabilities country’s future. the ceiling prescribed. In fact, the and talents. It is the government’s First, Mahatma Gandhi and then parties’ dishonesty is the real responsibility now to open the doors Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru problem. The political parties are of opportunity to the community by saw to it that religion was not mixed under no obligation to have any first offering them the means of with politics. This worked for a few upper limit on their expenditure. They education, and a jab at professional years. In the nineteensixties the have unanimously rejected the training for various types of defeat at the hands of the Chinese application of Right to Information employment. Once the social stigma was the topic of elections. Nehru’s (RTI) to their internal working. fades, the transgenders will be as negligence not to prepare the If expenses during elections are good (or bad) as the other two sexes country’s defence had engaged the to be curbed some accountability is in contributing to the economy voters’ attention. necessary. An accountability instead of living on it as they do now. The seventies saw the domination commission can be appointed since On its par, the society has to exert of autocrat Indira Gandhi who also the Election Commission has been itself to bring pressure on the suspended the Constitution and too soft to take action. Since MPs government to de-criminalise detained one lakh people without are the ones to pass legislation on homosexuality and do away with trial. Her Congress party was wiped this, they would never adopt a bill section 377 of the IPC. This is a step out in the northern India. Her return which will curb them. Both the also long overdue in order to ensure in 1980 was due to the squabbles in Congress and the BJP spend lavishly. freedom of choice to all males and successor Janata Party. It was not The BJP tops the list because the females (and now transgenders) to her triumph but the rejection of the corporate sector is fully behind the determine their own sexual Janata. Thus far the caste had party, believing that Narendra Mori (Continued on Page 10) played a minor role. Some who will be the next Prime Minister and JANATA, April 20, 2014 3 would leave the field open to them. the Kargil heights, not the Hindus, we fight against the sub-caste Religion has, no doubt, taken a indicates his polluted thinking. He menace will indicate whether we are back seat. Modi’s most virulent even does not know that it is the really a democratic and pluralistic speeches skirt around Hindutva but regiments which fight and they have society. The manner in which the do not mention it specifically soldiers of all communities. A political parties compromise and because secularism has a general regiment wins or loses, not soldiers conquer such malpractices will appeal. The fact is that the Rashtriya of a particular community. prove if democracy is really ingrained Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is Such persons, including , in us. openly participating in canvassing should have been disqualified from The current Lok Sabha election although it claims to be a cultural contesting the elections. Yet the gives little hope because the organization. RSS chief Mohan Election Commission has preferred candidates are stopping at nothing to Bahgwat sat in election committees to impose a ban on them from making increase votes. The use of money, selecting the BJP candidates. This speeches in UP, the state to which however difficult, can be tracked. is ominous for the future. the two belong. The punishment Even religious appeals can be My fear is that the religion will be should have been more severe. curbed. But the caste cannot be. I increasingly mentioned with politics. The caste factor which has do not know how long it would take True, no party is running down affected the electorate, in fact, is the us to raise above all these secularism, not even the BJP. The sub-caste. Dalits have many castes considerations. Until we do so, we party’s manifesto does not use and the creamy layer dictates the should remain democratic on paper, secularism even once. Yet the BJP government. The upper castes have not in the way the Western talks about the freedom struggle and Marathas, Rajputs, Jats and so on. democracies are. And what do we does not write off the sacrifices of Today, the baradari (community) do about personal attacks and leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam members of the same caste are abuses which leaders of political Azad and . But negating the fair election in a parties are exchanging? This is the cat is out of the bag when it does democratic society. How effectively another story to tell. not mention Nehru, the torch-bearer of independence struggle. What is April 16th, 2014 disconcerting in the manifesto is that Shri V. S. Sampath India will admit the persecuted Chief Election Commissioner Hindus from every clime and Election Commission of India, New Delhi country. This is in line with the policy of Israel which says that it is a Dear Shri Sampath, homeland of every Jew, who can We wish to draw your attention to the report that agreement has been walk in whenever he or she feels arrived at between the governments of India and France on the cost of doing so. power to be supplied by the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP). Against this stance of the BJP, it It is now reliably learnt that the AREVA-NPCIL memorandum of is not surprising to find the party understanding papers have been sent to the PMO’s office for approval. supporting to Modi’s Man Friday, We submit that the signing of any agreement between the governments in Amit Shah, who said in UP to take respect of the cost of power from the JNPP is a matter with major "revenge" in the Lok Sabha financial implications and repercussions which will impose a binding elections. He did not mention the commitment on the nation to expenditure running into lakhs of crores of word, Muslim, but everyone could rupees. infer what he meant was that they It is therefore necessary that the Government of India be directed not should be punished at the polls. to enter into any such agreement without the prior clearance/approval of The Samajwadi Party’s Azam the Election Commission, till the new Government is formed. In view of the urgency of the matter, we request you to issue such Khan, trying to be Muslims’ Modi, direction immediately. has had no shame in his attempt to With regards, communalize the armed forces. He Yours sincerely, has neither withdrawn his words nor Vivek Monteiro, Adwait Pednekar, Prakash Reddy, Arun Velaskar, Madhu Mohite is he apologizing. His remark that for Konkan Bachao Samiti - Mumbai only Indian Muslim soldiers captured 4 JANATA, April 20, 2014 Role of academics in paradigm shift

K. S. Chalam

The concept of ‘paradigm’ and the cease to get recognition once they do not get any attention or related term ‘paradigm shift’ were superannuate. But, academics, if recognition; it is alleged, with Nobel made popular by T. S. Kuhn in his they are active or not, continue to Prizes if they fail to subscribe to ‘The Structure of Scientific command respect as long as their market efficacy. This is not only true Revolutions’ in the year 1962. The ideas or innovations are socially in the case of economics and related term entered the mainstream relevant. However, it is a moot disciplines that qualify for the prize, discourse through cultural studies question to assert whether but appears to be so even for the and is being used widely by several academics have any role to play in scientific research out put that would writers. The paradigm shift in the the policy making. The ubiquitous have limited market stance. But that methodology of scientific studies presence of the bureaucrat as a does not mean the efforts of itself was made possible by this permanent functionary of scientists and academics would be extraordinary book that saved government makes him/her a of no consequence for the humanity. scientific enquiry from abrupt predominant player in devising They persist as part of collective collapse in the 1960s. Social sciences policies in consonance with the party contributions of scientific community like economics and other related in power. But the policy shift is a accumulating value over a period of academic disciplines have seen prerogative of the political class in time sufficient to bring in significant tremendous growth and reach of power while the executive tinkers change and finally shift the diverse groups in different parts of with small changes. contemporary paradigm. This is true the World as it was translated into The presence of independent not only for pure scientific several languages. Academics have institutes supported by NGOs and innovations but also social science popularised the concepts, though funding organisations to conduct theories and principles chronicled in scholars do also talk about the need studies on the given agenda of issues academic writings. for anarchy in scientific enquiry? is an unusual phenomenon in socio- The common man recognises only There is a subtle dispute between economic-political discourse in recent the explicit socio-economic trends the policy makers and academics, years. Some of the honest and that are of immediate relevance and the former claim capability to committed NGOs in different parts passes others as matters of routine. understand and manipulate anything of the world under the upsurge of However, the transition of each that comes under their jurisdiction LPG and through the process of discipline from one stage to the other either by law or by coercion. The Social Forum have brought out some is recorded in the history of the latter assert that it is through their distinctive issues for public debate. subject and the academics have a research and toil that innovations are Very few of them have been responsibility to look into their course made and therefore, they are considered serious in academic of journey before arriving at legitimate owners of the knowledge. writing and are being used as judgement on their obsoleteness. The policy makers, mostly the research material and cited in This is perhaps missing in some of bureaucrats intelligently argue that references of young scholars. the social sciences discourse in unless the innovations are put to use Except in the form of perfunctory recent years under the hegemony of through their authority, they fail to mention, these writings are not given bigoted schools of thought. In fact, get recognition. It is very difficult to credibility if they are critical about they have declared social sciences resolve this problem for both the the international organisations like as redundant as they do not functionaries have their own the World Bank, IMF, WTO, etc. by comprehend or are unwilling to entitlements. But the fact remains the academics who subscribe to their accept the fact that as long as human that the policy makers, everyone agenda. There are scholars who society persists, social sciences or knows, get their authority through the work in the autonomous institutes human sciences endure. But the Constitution of the country that they and universities under the pure present market paradigm is so strong quite often ignore. Therefore, they academic form of neutrality. But, they and wicked that the genuine studies JANATA, April 20, 2014 5 that incorporate the aspirations of the a democratic system that is not aspiring to collect a Nobel, doing this majority of humanity would be amenable to any accountability but devious exercise with manipulated subjected to disruption and disrepute. demands the same from every other and premeditated effort do not augur Nevertheless, the history of modern party? But how can we reason out well for the profession. Academics discourse is only a few hundred academics doing it? irrespective of the ideological years and it would overcome the The data supported by experiences persuasions should condemn such temporary miscarriage and narrated and posted by scholars unprofessional style that is disastrous ultimately triumph. clearly show that Bihar, Tamilnadu, for the credibility of scholars. They The above overview of the Odissa have performed better than are unashamed of their findings and process of paradigm shift is most of the states during a period of studies and boast of bringing a universal. There could be country one decade. But, academics paradigm shift. Is it possible to bring specific frameworks. In this context, particularly those who are branded a theoretical shift with political we might reflect on the recent as development economists and manoeuvring? debates conducted by known scholars on the development models in India. The PR establishments of some political parties have been Education for Swaraj popularising particular brands like that of a soap or toothpaste product, Education has become a big tradeable commoditity or service. It few months before the current business for domestic and foreign would no longer remain a weapon election season. We should corporates. They have promoted, of social change, nation-building or appreciate the professional role of launched or sponsored entities, consciousness-raising. It would PR firms that are interested in societies and trusts with a view to rather be a tool in the hands of income and not in your ideology. usurp the whole spectrum of the corporate-led for creating They do their job for consideration. educational sector. A good few of mentally enslaved minds. The problem is only with academics them have made foray into this field. Leading social activist, anti- that claim scholarship but join the Others are also in the process of corporate agitationist and world- group that works for remuneration. making inroads. renowned fundamental Academics are free individuals or In the present era of corporate- mathematician Prof. Banwari Lal experts that do not bother about the led globalisation, education has been Sharma was of the firm opinion that consequences and only talk about included in the ‘Services’ sector without decolonising the human the truth that they discovered. If this under the GATS (General Agreement mind, Swaraj would never be simple criterion is applied to some on Trade in services) of the WTO realised. With this specific aim, he of our academics who publish and (World Trade Organisation). This founded the Swaraj Vidyapeeth, an discourse on development model has prompted the governments to educational endeavour in the ‘people’ with blatant lies and statistics (that withdraw their engagement from the sector, i.e., free from corporate ambit is termed lies, damn lies and sector of education that has the and government control. statistics), how do we account for potential by means of which the Present education is designed so that? people can perceive, interpret, as to produce human resources for It is noticed in the media as part analyse and ultimately transform the the corporate behemoths. Paulo of general reportage that a particular existing social order. The space thus Freire has aptly commented, "The state is advanced due to its innovative vacated by governments is being educated man is the adapted man, model and the leader should be handed over to corporats. They are because he is more ‘fit’ for the emulated. This is fine. We can now set to reign over the field of world." Education has nothing to do understand the journo who wants to education. The corporatisation of with salvation, liberation, be rich overnight through paid news. education would invariably enlightenment, originality or There are cases where the media accelerate the momentum of creativity. It does not develop the companies have become superrich commercialisation, marketisation and ability to critically and creatively with the so-called unethical practices. commodification of education. challenge the reality. It rather moulds Perhaps, this is the only institution in Education would thus become a (Continued on Page 12) 6 JANATA, April 20, 2014 Manorama Savur (1927-2014)

Dr. Manorama Savur was an exemplary teacher who Insurance Scheme in India, and compared its operation mentored hundreds of students who opted for Master’s with that of similar schemes abroad. and doctoral programmes for Sociology from Mumbai Prof. Manorama Savur never shied of arduous field University. She taught for three decades in the sociology work. Her painstaking effort for over one decade department and was influenced by Prof. A. R. Desai, a resulted in two extremely valuable volumes published in stalwart committed to Marxism. She had courage of 2003 on the political economy of bamboo. This book conviction and freely and fearlessly expressed her views. "And the Bamboo Flowers in the Indian Forests: What In 1975 when the Emergency Rule was imposed, she did the Pulp and the Paper Industry Do? Vol. I & II, vehemently and openly opposed it. She always had Manohar Publications, Delhi" was the outcome of a gracious smile that added charm to her beautiful persona. multi-sourced (archival, library and field based research) She was very helpful to her students and all those who and interdisciplinary work to highlight the environmental came in contact with her. and socio-economic implications on the forest dwellers 1977 when University of Mumbai was throbbing with and workers as a result of the paper and synthetic fibre ideological debates, her room was an adda. She had an industry and the policy concerning bamboo farming, from open door policy and students, scholars and academicians the colonial times to the present. She supported of different ideological moorings could have access to environmentally regenerative bamboo-use practices and her. During 1980s, she introduced a paper on ‘Sociology was for a rational and scientific approach towards felling of Women’ in Mumbai University. of bamboo. She opposed arbitrary and intensive use of Dr. Savur was not an ivory tower academician; she bamboo by commercial vested interests that destroy was down to earth and responded to unfolding socio- forest lives and damage forest dwellers livelihoods. She political reality with utmost zeal. She loved plants and declared, "To clearfell the bamboo forests in the when new campus of Mumbai University was Northeast would be an ecological disaster. Bamboo does established in Santacruz (E) in 1974, she took active have many uses for the local people - but let us not part in planting saplings which have grown into giant forget it is also the green gold of the forests." trees over 40 years. Till her last days she fought to protect Prof. Manorama Savur and Prof. Indra Munshi co- the trees. She was also an animal lover and till she retired, edited "Contradctions in Indian Society: Essays in she always brought two chapatis for a dog in the Honour of Professor A.R. Desai" that was published by university campus. Rawat Publications. Prof. Manorama Savur’s areas of specialisation were For last two decades, she managed to be active despite environmental sociology, sociology of health and rural cancer and deteriorating health. She never discussed sociology. She retired as Professor and Head of the her pain but gave helpful advice to cope up with cancer Department of Sociology, University of Mumbai in 1987. to many cancer victims. She passed away on the same After her retirement, she became a volunteer of day as her ideologue Karl Marx i.e. 14th March, 2014. Women’s Centre that provides institutional support to During her last days, she was helped by many friends in women survivors of violence. Her presence had a the Indian Army and she had rented a flat in Athashree, humanisng impact among fire-brand feminists. Even in a society for senior citizens founded by Armymen in her late sixties she would go to Women’s Centre from . As per her last wish, her body was donated her home by bus. to Army Medical Hospital. This act of hers inspired Dr. Savur’s research work was always on socially all those who had gathered to pay their last respect to relevant issues. She edited archival material on trade her after her death to take a pledge to donate their union movement in India. Through her research she also bodies. exposed built-in weaknesses of the Employees State -Vibhuti Patel JANATA, April 20, 2014 7

Manifesto of Aam Aadmi Party, Parliamentary Elections 2014 "Aap Ki Mumbai"

The following objectives, officers at all levels in the police conditions for growth to attract legislative and practical measures, force. Collaboration of citizens to production of high end products and activities shall be part of the AAP form Neighborhood Watch groups and services, including policies to Mumbai program at the national, to facilitate effective policing. transform Mumbai into an state and city level aimed to establish Revamp and improve street International Financial Center. equitable and stable governance for lighting. Introduce greater safety Q Harness Youth: Improve the growth and conservation of measures in public transport. accessibility to and quality in national and regional assets, that Important in the longer run to higher education in a wide range would allow for the full realization educate through schools and the of vocations. Provide targeted and of the potential of each Mumbaikar: media on the centrality of women affordable financing options for in our country's life and progress. education and entrepreneurship. Institutions for Citizen Zero tolerance for violence of any Mobilize partnerships between Empowerment and Security kind against women. industry and education entities to

Q Human Rights : Promote facilitate incubation and Q End Corruption: Enact and implement Jan Lokpal Bill and equality of all persons irrespective internships. Develop and related strict measures of caste, gender, religion, or implement a policy to establish a sexual orientation. Oppose Centre for Excellence in Sports. Q Realize Swaraj: Enact and implement the Nagar Raj Bill for criminalization of homosexual acts Ensure youth participation in self- decentralization to strengthen under Section 377 of the Indian governance such as social audits, Panchayati Raj Penal Code, and reaffirm that the participation in school managing state should not infringe on the committees, etc. as part of a city Q Strengthen Secularism and Communal Harmony: Develop sexual rights of consenting wide Youth Leadership Program. social policies which enable adults. Work towards ensuring Q Support on an urgent basis stronger engagement between all rights of all citizens guaranteed provision of public housing: communities in schools, housing under the Constitution of India Building rehabilitation should only and recreational spaces. Zero and the Universal Declaration of be carried out by the government, tolerance for violence directed at Human Rights. which has adequate resources for any community or social group such work. This should be treated Social Economy for Citizens as an infrastructure project, in Q Enhance Justice: Establish and keeping with good international improve policies aimed to reduce Q Secure Livelihoods: Relevant gender and caste based inequality; capacity building (through skill, practice for social housing across empower minorities; adivasis; guilds, etc) of workforce to the world. Land should not be people with disabilities; nomadic participate in advanced parceled to private builders but communities; indigenous urban manufacturing and service leased to the community. This peoples and other disadvantaged sectors. Provide optimum security should allow for a livable habitat groups. Propose and press for the to existing contract labour. of mixed use with adequate open establishment of a bench of the Vocational training and spaces for recreation and Supreme Court in Mumbai. microfinance programs for low amenities like shops, schools, health, gymnasium, knowledge Q Women's Safety: Sensitize income women. Press for police and citizenry to issues implementation in the public and and social centers. Mini enterprise pertaining to women and girls, private domain facilities for the enclaves which provide locally most importantly in violence disabled to allow their full relevant products should be an directed against them. participation in the civic and work integral part of the community - Introduction of more women life of the city. Establish thus also creating livelihood. 8 JANATA, April 20, 2014

Development of urban spaces for Q Environmental Restoration: enhance urban living spaces at houses and other uses should Recognize, respect and restore nodal locations across the state, ensure preservation of heritage ecosystems (rivers, water-fronts, thereby improving sustainability and land rights of indigenous wetlands, mangroves, flora/ of all urban localities. Roads need peoples such as East Indians, fauna, salt pans..etc). Ensure to be qualitatively improved on an Kolis and others. Active measures planned integration of new immediate basis, expanded are necessary to prevent ecosystems in all future pedestrian zones, adequate multi- ghettoization. development. Reclaim and level parking (preferably

Q Health for All: Universal and rework Coastal Regulation Zone underground). Regular audit by comprehensive health services (CRZ) policy to create win-win empowered mohalla sabhas based on prevention and options solutions for development and the established to ensure for authentic local traditions. environment keeping intact vital implementation of public works/ Prioritize rapid response and ecological infrastructure which is programs. Such sabhas shall be access to emergency care in the common heritage of all Aam drawn from neighborhoods with under-serviced neighborhoods. Aadmi. Protect the livelihood of senior experts in different fields Ensure access to life-saving drugs fisher folk. Ensure high levels of serving as mentors.

and treatments. Modernize public sanitation by provide public toilets Q Upgrade and Modernize health institutions, infrastructure, through use of sustainable Transportation: Enhance mass and services. Disaster response technologies for waste transport capacities through capabilities to natural calamities management. schemes such as elevated rail (heavy rains and storms) and corridors, double decker bogies, security related incidents should Business for Citizens etc. Create a unified public be reviewed on a regular basis. transport authority for Mumbai. Q Introduce E-Governance: Institute a mechanism of social Targeted use of technology to Introduce clean air technologies audit. eliminate corruption, improve such as electric powered auto Q Education for All: Right to a efficiency and reduce waste. rickshaws and others to abate Quality Education for all from Provide e-connectivtiy at all post pollution; Use technology to preschool till age 14. Curriculum offices for delivery of e- enforce traffic laws. should have a strong academic government services. Q Regenerate Rural Economy and vocational foundation which and Improve Farmers' Q Eliminate License Raj: enables critical thinking and Government has no business to be Livelihood: Incentivise responsive to the needs of the in business. Simplify laws, sustainable agriculture through soil local community. Human Rights improve enforcement, establish restoration; organic farming; learning should be an integral part transparency, ensure high establishment of seed banks; of the school curriculum. It should standards of accountability to preservation of local knowledge, be locally relevant and ensure encourage a competitive and access to credit and eliminating standard learning outcomes. supportive environment for middlemen. Rural and urban Empowered school managing entrepreneurs and business. development policies are committees to assist and oversee connected and should not be Q Combat rising prices: Ending schools functioning. Upgrade corruption and getting rid of red framed in mutually exclusive teaching pedagogy via cutting tape are critical steps in addition terms. edge teacher training programs. to other policies to reduce costs Q Decentralized and Equitable Q Refocus Science and of inputs and conducting business. Land Acquisition Policy: Technology: Promote a Strong support of local democratic scientific and innovative Uuban- Rural Transformation participation in decisions affecting temperament at all learning levels. for Citizens use of land and human ecology. Review and rejuvenate national Q Accountable and Transparent research establishments; Q Plan Development of Allocation of National incentives in the private sector for Sustainable Urban Spaces and Resources: Rational an active research and Infrastructure: Focus on development program. policies that help create and (Continued on Page 10) JANATA, April 20, 2014 9 Be wary of tall claims …

Rajni Bakshi

In the final lap, the Lok Sabha Dharma, Gandhi was not referring emergency measure economic election campaign many contenders to a particular religion or sect but to imperatives must be given priority and political commentators are the philosophical and moral markers over foundational principles of claiming that voters have to choose which show us the path of society. between growth and secularism. righteousness -- the basis of a society This argument is profoundly This is a false claim. Why then, worth living in. flawed. does the idea of a stark 'choice' If that sounds too lofty we can Since the late 1980s it has been between economic growth or just focus on the key markers of right widely acknowledged that Gross secularism appear to be so action as enshrined in the National Product growth by itself is compelling to a wide range of fundamental rights guaranteed by the not a valid measure of a nation's people? Constitution of India. Article 15(1) material or social well being. Even Firstly, the idea of growth and its makes it incumbent on the State to the promise of 'inclusive growth' can mechanics are not closely examined. be religion neutral. This article be a chimera since higher incomes Secondly, it is assumed that a prohibits the State from do not necessarily lead to higher more decisive and forceful prime discriminating against any citizen on quality of life in terms of improved minister will work an economic grounds of religion, race, caste, sex housing, education, health care and miracle. or place of birth. leisure time. Thirdly, therefore it is worthwhile Even more importantly, section Even as a means to an end growth to compromise on secularism which two of the same Article implies that is important only if it is defined and many view as being a sham in any citizens cannot deny each other measured in terms which include not case. access to public spaces on grounds just monetised goods and services To further complicate the matter, of religion, race, caste, sex, place of but also sustainability of both nature's growth is seen as something tangible birth. eco-systems and the social fabric. while secularism is treated as a fussy In its most elementary form, this The worthwhile goal is economic idea, or worse a political ploy, is what secularism means. democracy, not growth per se. At the cynically deployed by both the This text book truth needs to be very least, economic democracy is and the highlighted because over the past about fair and open access to social Congress. three decades secularism has come facilities and productive resources. How then might voters resolve to be seen as a political ploy. Political But above all, it is about the promise their polling day dilemma? parties of various hues have, from of dignity for all -- the promise First and foremost, it is vital to be time to time, failed to be enshrined in Article 15. clear that growth versus secularism 'dharmanirpeksha' or religion An economy can grow is a decoy. What is actually at stake neutral. exponentially with vast is the core principle of a truly At the level of everyday life concentrations of power which may democratic polity - namely, the citizens have in many cases rejected increase jobs but actually dis- primacy of foundational principles and violated the value of creative co- empower the overwhelming majority and values over the mechanics of existence of different faiths or because a handful of people call the how goods, services and livelihoods 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav'. shots in both the economic and are generated. These inadequacies or failures do political sphere. This is why Mahatma Gandhi not undermine the soundness of the There are complicated structural repeatedly emphasised that true principle and the need to keep flaws that are preventing Indian Swaraj depends on each person, and striving for a secular polity. society and economy from the goal society as a whole, honouring It is being suggested that India is of 'Sarvodaya', well-being for all. Let 'Dharma'. By using the term now in such dire straits that as an us be wary of tall claims that a 10 JANATA, April 20, 2014 decisive leader can provide a quick here is a litmus test for choosing Instead, let us go to the polling fix. between competing imperfection. stations with the conviction that we Like much of life, elections don't Reject any candidate or party that can only build a sustained prosperity offer easy or ideal choices. Voters gives primacy to expediency over on the sound principle of equal in many constituencies may find that foundational principles - such as respect for all and dignity for all there is no candidate on their ballot asking you to put growth above regardless of caste, religion, language paper whom they can fully trust. But secularism. or regional affinity.

(Continued from Page 8) attain the aims of the AAP administrations to ensure full and development of natural resources Platform. qualitative development of for growth and infrastructure Q Administration: Citizen Mumbai. At the national level they respectful of local land use and engagement is essential to achieve will place the priorities of human ecology. Prioritization of civic goals. AAP parliamentarians Mumbaikars squarely before the research, development and will work with local sabhas to Lok Sabha; and seek commercialization of renewable identify issues of concern. proportionate resources to enable energy technologies geared to Persons - retired and active - the achievement of stated goals. reduce energy dependence from all walks of life will be They will ensure to bring best consulted for their expertise to practices from urban spaces Implementation for Citizens work with and mentor local across India and the world to

Q Political Will: The best of plans officials and sabhas. AAP will move Mumbai into the 21st remain unimplemented. Policies cooperate with municipal and state century. and measures noted have been placed before the public after due The growth of the black economy has led to a rapid increase in consideration - the realization of corruption all around. The top three per cent of the income ladder which will not be for want of benefit from this since the underground economy is concentrated in effort. Elected representatives of their hands. This worsens the disparity beyond what the official data AAP will consult with their reveals, leads to price rise, waste of resources and loss of production constituents on the due to inefficiency....The black economy also leads to expensive implementation of commitments and poor quality services. Take the case of water supply in Delhi. and provide an annual status The tanker mafia has corrupted the bureaucracy, the police and the update. They will seek public and politicians (the Triad). Often, the politician and the businessman are party support as and when needed the same person. The Triad makes money at the expense of the to overcome constraints and citizens. They disrupt the water supply and allow wastage to take bottlenecks. They will collaborate place. The loss of DJB and the citizens becomes the profit of the transparently with representatives water mafia. Thus, checking the black economy will immediately across the political spectrum to increase water supply, lower the cost of water to the citizens and increase the profits of DJB. The same is the case with electricity or (Continued from Page 2) speculation in vegetable prices (traders prefer that vegetables rot so orientations. The supreme court had that the prices shoot up).... In other words, checking the growing no doubt upheld the penal provision black economy and corruption is a positive sum game for every but it had also suggested that it was citizen except the corrupt. This is what the AAP’s agenda is. The up to the government (and by black economy is now over 50 per cent of GDP and if brought into implication the society at large) to the white economy or checked, it would lead to a rise in the tax- abolish the provision and allow GDP ratio by about 20 per cent. This would be adequate to finance freedom of choice to individuals to the proposed subsidies nationally, lead to lowering of prices for all, have their own specific wish in the result in higher profits for the honest due to increased production in matter. The incoming government at the economy because of the efficiency gains and increased demand. the Centre needs to pay attention to As income generation becomes buoyant, most subsidies can be this issue and undertake the legal eliminated. steps necessary. -Arun Kumar in The Hindu JANATA, April 20, 2014 11 Gandhiji and Indian Socialists -III

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

On re-examination several of seems no longer at peace with struggle against colour-bar. But such Gandhiji's assertions and beliefs himself, he is like an exile from home. telling experiments are few and far seemed to reveal themselves in a 'The long pilgrimage of socialism between. Perhaps if the physical different light, freed from political must end this as also the socialist's area of operation could be widened trappings. self-alienation. It asks of us men of by larger numbers of adherents to Let us begin with his emphasis on today a new direction,' so said Dr. this faith it could get a better trial. In simplicity and not affluence. Self- Lohia addressing the socialists. any event while avoiding getting denial and detachment as the key to Perhaps Gandhiji could have helped enmeshed in sentimental social happiness is an old Indian precept. us to do it had the socialists illusions, one need not view sections Today we see something strange yet established earlier the rapport which of humanity as black and white, good not so strange, While the came on the eve of his death, or had and bad. It is the kind of thinking development of science and he lived to 125 years as he once which must ultimately decide that technology has brought untold wished to. kingship is bad therefore the king's wealth, it has not brought happiness, head should be chopped off or that Hippyism being one of the symptoms Gandhiji's concepts of Trusteeship as the proletariat is down-trodden of a mankind troubled by a new and change of heart are inextricably and exploited, it must be right and hunger which wealth cannot satisfy. linked together. In fact his entire should be indulged. What Gandhiji Here we see a queer spectacle of philosophy is based on the belief in wanted done in the end was break young people turning away from the the essential goodness of man. the concentration of power by affluence which is theirs. Obviously Where one failed to bring about a entrusting it to society as a whole. what we should aim at is not a higher change of heart he did not take it as What he pleaded was that the standard of living but a normal one, refuting his faith but rather as weapons used in all these struggles to meet necessities and wipe out the something wanting in oneself. It should be of love and non-violence, penury that degrades and the slavery would need much more use of this not of fear and hate. The outcome that demoralizes. Perhaps a mean technique and under diverse of such struggles might be different. has to be found. As conditions and with different sets of Because once again one is Dr Lohia put it so concisely and people to evolve any firm precepts. handicapped from want of adequate effectively: 'The good and the Nevertheless there is our own data. Now we start with a negative beautiful must find a meeting place experience when millions of mental block, never with faith. other than the one fashioned by people did undergo a remarkable Maybe, if we accepted, even if it Buddha.' He illustrated it by transformation, showing courage, was not a 100 per cent reproducing a young American discipline and generosity, instead of success, even a shred of faith, like student's picturesque phrasing: the age-old fear, lethargy and a spark out of dying fire, it would be 'Once we have the materialist bull pettiness, that seemed so ingrained rewarding- it would urge even if only by the horns, how do we ever let him in us for centuries. According to one a few, to forge ahead and see if a go - how to live relaxed if one had to of new effective weapon could not be keep the wheel turning faster and the older socialism what does evolved. faster?' Truly did Gandhiji say: 'A stand out in all this is Gandhiji's man who has no money wants to assumption that man can be good Individual identity become a millionaire, a millionaire even though he is almost certain to Gandhiji was unique in that he wants to become a billionaire and so be bad in certain situations. Against dealt with matters of the spirit, soul it goes on. .. the success of the Indian experiment, and conscience together with social The Western man of affluence there is the failure of the Negro and political affairs in the most natural 12 JANATA, April 20, 2014 and unconscious manner. Systems He shook it and tried to reorient it. (Continued from Page 5) such as socialism enjoined on its But he never gave up the quest, it followers social codes, but most of went on, it had to go on. It begun the people to live with it passively or all collective behaviour. But Gandhiji, with the first man and is eternal. For slavishly. like Moses, put out whole if man gave up the quest, he would The corporate-run education tabernacles of commandments for decay and perish. As one travels treats pupils as mere objects. They are prepared, trained and equipped each individual, obligations to himself round in India, in towns and in villages to serve the corporate world and as to his fellow beings. one comes across stone and cement governments that are being Here Gandhiji recognizes that a figures trying desperately to look like degenerated into its captive entities mass is composed of individuals and, him. But one characteristic is or subservient subsidiaries. while a system may deal with the common to all, be they fine or ugly, Education in the hands of mass, the core of it is the individual they invariably show him walking, on corporates, loses its essence and and the quality of each individual that his therefore does not lead to the action comprises it is what is precious and march, the eternal quest. The and reflection of the masses upon the individual which an overbearing Dandi March was more than entrenched systems in order to mass must corrode, that Gandhiji symbolic. It typified the nation radically transform them. evolved and bequeathed to mankind swung onto its feet to begin the long Private as well as public sectors the invaluable instrument of march to the far-off goal that we both have completely failed to satyagraha - civil resistance - that cannot yet see. But the quest is still address to the needs, conditions and enables any single individual who is on. That is what exhilarates one while aspirations of the masses. Now the aggrieved to stand up to resist the feet time is ripe for the emergence of tyranny and oppression. move forward - our senses are ‘people’s communitarian sector.’ Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma initiated and One could pick up Gandhiji's astir, expectant to catch new sights, spearheaded the experiment of thoughts and precepts and study new sounds, to breathe new Swaraj Vidyapeeth, in the ‘people’ them each afresh and seek to assess perfumes and let the skin tingle with sector. It sole aim is to propagate and evaluate each facet with its experience. That is the joy of a the ‘Education for Swaraj’ amongst intrinsic characteristic. For this one quest. Pensively and picturesquely the students, youths, social activists, has to put away the shibboleths and Jawaharlal Nehru has painted this intellectuals and communities. We clichés so dear to those who do picture in his vivid language, offering are yet to realise the goal of Poorna not wish to make the effort to his tribute to this unique man when Swaraj as dreamt by our freedom think. Was Gandhiji a revolutionary? he started his historic : fighting ancestors in the historic Was he a socialist? When we fling pledge that they took on January 26, Today the pilgrim marches these familiar phrases around, we do 1930 on the banks of Ravi near onward on his long trek, staff so as though each had a standard Lohore in the then undivided India. in hind he goes along the dusty measurement and weight, height and The Swaraj Vidyapeeth is dedicated roads clear eyed and firm of colour. To some confirmed to Poorna Swaraj as enunciated and step with his faithful band Maixists Gandhiji's political envisioned in the above-mentioned trudging along behind him. The pledge. struggle was not a revolution fire of a great resolve is in him Experiments similar to the Swaraj because military weapons, the and surpassing love of his Vidyapeeth need to be replicated familiar of an upheaval was missing. miserable countrymen and love locally all over the country through There was even a danda to flourish. of truth that scorches and love people’s initiatives, efforts and Let us remind ourselves that, while of freedom that inspires. struggles. It would lay foundation for Gandhiji was a consistent non- mass action for emanicipation from conformist even when he talked of all fetters of bondage, domination and From Mahatma Gandhi-100 God and conscience in a startlingly colonialism. The Swaraj Vidyapeeth unconventional manner, in one thing years, edited by India’s President is more a sponlaneous awareness he conformed to the sages of yore. Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, raising movement than merely an He refused to accept the world as 1968, educatonal institution. he has found it when he was born. -The OtherSide -Dr. Swaroop Anandi JANATA, April 20, 2014 13 Kranta Darsi Lohia*

C. Upendranadh

In the month of March 2014, I had genre of freedom struggle, par counternarrative to the centralized the opportunity of attending an excellence as that of Gandhi and nation development project, which international seminar on Ambedkar. For those who lived broadly reflected the romantic "Democracy, Socialism: Visions for through the post-independent India idealization, a la Pandit Nehru of the 21st Century" at Hyderabad as adolescents, Dr Lohia Soviet experience with his emphasis which brought together host of represented a left humanist on capial goods and industrialization progressive intellectuals to explore alternative to the nascent capitalist policies, with scant regard to the future of left socialist movement development as well as the right addressing structural inequities and in the changing globalised world. It wing conservatism. And for today’s injustices that were embedded in the was a rare opportunity to listen to globalised world, Lohia socialism society . Dr. Lohia chose a path of those optimistic speeches of left would perhaps be the alternative that social transformation and economic intellectuals like Marta Harnecker, is being desperately explored by justice and proposed alternative path, Michael Lebowitz, Amiya Bagchi those who are outraged by the which is more relevant today than and several Indian communist and rampage of the financialised any time in the history of capitalist socialist leaders. capitalist development and its development and its crisis. What I found surprising amidst the concomitant global crisis. Dr. Lohia’s Indian version of hopeful messages from Latin I chose to introduce these essays socialist thought unfortunately has American left movements, was the to those English readers who may not been widely disseminated or absence of, or no reference to, the appreciate the rich analytical content understood. Is it that people felt it to "Indian variety of socialist and from the intellectuals, journalists and be too idealist! Or is it that there humanist thought" espoused by Dr. political activists of Andhra Pradesh were conflicting experiences at that Rammanohar Lohia, when we who worked with Dr. Lohia or time and could not decipher his views explore 21st century options, studied his mission to achieve a adequately in the cacophony of countervailing forces that challenge socialist society. It is interesting to ideological debates? globalisation. A strange coincidence observe that Dr. Lohia has espoused There can be several that, amidst milling crowds, I was promotion of mother tongue (and explanations. One reason could be presented with this volume under local language) for the emancipation that several of Dr. Lohia’s followers review "Krantadarsi Lohia" a of the millions of the poor, who have scattered into different political compilation of essays in Telugu, that suffered the hegemony of English formations and could not build a portray various facets of socialism speakers and were detached from party with ideological platform. of Indian variety, espoused by Dr. governance. Compromises that socialists have Lohia. I felt it was timely that we In this volume, compiled by Shri undertaken since the Janata Party bring radical humanist alternatives to Ravela Somayya garu we get to read experiment have dented the moral the centre stage of intellectual various facets of the revolutionary conviction and strength. The other debate. and free spirit of Dr. Lohia, who being that by nature Lohia himself With that purpose in mind, I felt I remained as a ‘rebel’; and always was a non conformist and perhaps should write review of this Telugu swam against the mainstream all his true followers too have not been volume introducing Lohia through the through his life. If one were to look sufficiently ‘market’ savvy to lens of intellectuals of Andhra for the historical origins of anti counter the hegemony of Nehruvian Pradesh. Authors of this volume are Congressism in Indian political model of 1960 70s and subsequent unanimous in their view that he can landscape, they can be traced to Dr. neo-liberal ideology followed by the be bracketed as a thinker of that Lohia, who succeeded in building a post 1980s regimes in India.

*Compilation by Ravela Somayya, published by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Samata Trust and Dr Lohia Centenary Celebrations 14 JANATA, April 20, 2014

We ought to appreciate the rich identity politics in the Hindi to create among his followers is a analysis in the political discourse heartland and regionalization of matter open for scrutiny. In this era that Dr. Lohia spearheaded, political mobilization which resulted of marketisation of ideas, I am sure wherein socialist dreams were in complete marginalization of socialists have a great uphill task to ‘almost realised’ in Independent ‘socialist’ ideology within political match with those neoliberals. India. At one point there were nine formations. Today, it is a fact that Coming back to "Krantadarsi state governments which had so-called ‘Lohia ites’ who are in Lohia, without going into individual socialist party in power. If one were various identity based regional essays, I attempt to summarize the to reflect and assess the post- political formations to a larger collective reflections of all the Mandal political ascendancy of extent relegated their socialist contributors. identity politics, the credit goes to ideals a go by. Dr. Lohia identified the Dr. Lohia who embraced diversity It was in this political quagmire inadequacy of the capitalist and plurality and struggled against that in the year 2010, the Lohia development as well as the the hegemony and caste Centenary Committee toured all Bolshevik-communist project domination. over India spreading the message practiced by the centralized party The year 2010 marked the of Lohia socialism (seven principles bureaucracy in USSR during the centenary of Rammanohar Lohia for revolution) bringing ideological decades of post-War period, up and there were year long public engagement within political society until 1980s. His disenchantment functions across India to the centre stage. Their gatherings towards communism stems from disseminating the principles and may not have attracted huge the practices of party bureaucracy, ideals of Dr. Lohia. This present crowds, but I am sure they must however he identified Marxist compilation brings together writings have provided ideological basis for historical method and dialectic as of socialist scholars on the life and re dedicating towards socialism relevant philosophical approaches ideology of Dr Lohia during wiping out the skepticism that there that can be combined with published that year in various is no alternative (TINA). This humanistic elements from Gandhi. Telugu newspapers, magazines and centenary volume is a Thus, his unique transformative periodicals. It is interesting to note commendable job by Shri Somayya programme attempts to bring best that Dr. Lohia had a particular to introduce Lohia to the present of the both, Marx and Gandhi. But affinity to the city of Hyderabad and generation. a critical question here is, how did it remained as a bastion of his Authors of these essays who are it span as a transformative project ideological followers up until 1980s, outstanding intellectuals of Telugu, at the implementation level? There though they were not a significant bring out interesting facets of the appears to be a mixed verdict on force in Andhra Pradesh. (It is ideological and transformative this as ‘socialists’ in India never interesting to note that Dr Lohia project of Dr. Lohia and lament the received such a mandate to commented on the narrow parochial fate of socialism in the country. implement what Dr. Lohia agendas of parties very early, much However, what is fascinating in dreamt of. Rather several of his before the advent of regional these essays is the formulations have been twisted and parties and identity politics while he acknowledgement that whether it is the rapid changes in the global order, was travelling in Andhra Pradesh!) a ‘welfare state’ posturing or left with dismantling of USSR and its It is a historical fact that the off centre politics practiced by the aftermath stunted the practicality of formation of Janata Party (as a mainstream and regional political such ideals. grand alliance by submerging parties that practice identity politics, Central to Dr. Lohia’s identities) of non Congress political all have to concede to the strength, transformative program has been formations as the aftermath of especially in this era of globalization, decentralization and respect for internal Emergency (1975 77) in of radical humanism that Dr. Lohia humanity and individual freedom. India, subsumed the distinct identity advocated throughout his life. Dr. He countered the communist of ‘sociallists’ in the Indian political Lohia, as several contributors have transformative project on these space. The decade of 1980s saw commented, has been a man with a grounds so also loathed the saffronisation and mandalisation of mission of social transformation, a concentration of power and wealth Indian political space which jostled restless and agitated individual. accumulation of the capitalist with each other through How much contagion he was able enterprise through exploitation. He JANATA, April 20, 2014 15 identified imperialism and capitalism America provide a glimmer of hope embrace the pluralistic ethos. Dr. as two sides of the same coin and for a 21st century social Lohia’s views remain relevant in through such analysis questioned the transformation project. How these achieving the transformation that is domination of "English" as an imperial experiences pan out in required by the 21st century. project, which continues to remain Indian soil is a million dollar Alternative politics based on a as a hegemonic force even after question, as we are still grappling grand alliance of progressive parties Independence. with identity politics and not able to and movements is required. Most writers while appreciating the ideals of Dr. Lohia raise an interesting question. That is, who are the torch bearers of ideals of Dr. Footprints of a Crusader Lohia now, in this era? Some of them (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) ask this directly, some put it forward in a skeptical way. Are the by mainstream political parties in a position to realize the ideals at least Rohini Gawankar partially? ‘Welfare’ and populist’ posturing of mainstream political formations appear to give us an The life story of Mrunal Gore, one of the leading impression that social inclusiveness socialist activists, is an inspiration to men and women and political participation have been alike, but it is especially a model for activists, social achieved. Did they really confront workers and politicians. Coming from a middle class structural power imbalances? How family with no political connections, Mrunal Gore blazed can social control over capital be a unique path, beginning as a grassroots organizer of achieved through the current women in suburban Mumbai, a people’s representative system? How can humanistic at the lowest level of self-government and moving ever principles of liberty and freedom be higher, till she rose to the ranks of a Member of achieved simultaneously through neo Parliament. Throughout the course of this amazing liberal policies where citizenship journey, she stayed true to values and principles, never claims are reduced to consumerist using her power for personal or narrow gains, but claims? These are always striving to do the maximum good for the majority the questions that some authors of the people. The suffering and deprivations of the pose. Will the progressive social common man became the sparks that inspired movements be in a position to inherit numerous agitations and fights which Mrunal undertook the legacy of Dr. Lohia and work against injustice and inequity. Told through the eyes of amongst the masses in order to build a personal friend, the story recounts all the important transformative politics? There are events and achievements of her life, while also some stray examples, but the future highlighting the sterling qualities that made Mrunal Gore of progressive social movements a role model for the generations that followed in her itself is becoming bleak in the era of footsteps. globalization. The state’s repressive power is so enormous that it chokes Published by the voices of the democratic dissent. Kamalakar Subhedar It is in this context, a visionary Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha leadership that imbibes Dr. Lohia’s vision and moral strength needs to Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, come to play a critical role. If not Sakinaka, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai 400072. individual, a collective leadership is necessary in order to build a just and Mobile: 9820092255 humane society. The Arab spring and Charity contribution: Rs.300+ socialist experiments of Latin R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA,JANATA, April April 20, 6, 2014 P.R.P.R. No. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2012-2014. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published onPublished Sunday, on AprilSunday, 20, April 2014 6, 2014 & Posted & Posted on on Wednesday Wednesday AprilApril 9, 23, 2014 2014 at Mumbai at Mumbai Patrika Patrika Channel, Channel, Mumbai GPO-1Mumbai GPO-1

Printed and Published by by G.G. G.G. Parikh Parikh on on behalf behalf of of Janata Janata Trust. Trust. Printed Printed at at Mouj Mouj Printing Printing Bureau, Khatau Khatau Wadi, Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 004 and and published published at D-15, at GaneshD-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Prasad, Bharucha Naushir Marg Bharucha (Sleater Road),Marg (SleaterMumbai - Road),400 007. Mumbai - 400 007. Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 13 BJP reverts to type April 27, 2014 S. Viswam Test of democratic values Kuldip Nayar If the print and electronic media is seen to be taking a beating, Political overreach has been offering us saturation specially at the hands of the Rajindar Sachar coverage for the last couple of Congress. There was however no months on Narendra Modi’s election need for the BJP to summon its AAP’s fatal attraction campaign, there was obviously good Hindutva cavalry to the rescue as the Y. V. Reddy reason. First, the BJP had rushed in campaign was doing well and to declare him the party’s prime Narendra Modi had begun to talk as Development or ministerial candidate, thus turning if he had already been sworn in majority communalism? the spotlight on him. Second, many Prime Minister! Why the BJP Thomas Kocherry of the party’s senior leaders were decided to show itself in its true themselves candidates. Third, the colours is a mystery. Was it to ensure Left movement in India leaders-candidates could have been that the Modi brigade and the local Bharat Dogra involved in the party’s national BJP perform beyond expectations in Dialogue with political parties on campaign as they were always in the UP and Bihar that the BJP top brass education policy past but were apparently told this decided to cause a Hindu-Muslim time to confine themselves to their electoral divide? Why have the Does Muslim manifestation constituencies so that Modi could senior leaders not reacted to the make others secularists? roam the field at will. And last, the unleashing of the communal divide K. S. Chalam campaign was being master-minded by the likes of the Vishwa Hindu by the RSS leadership and not by the Parishad and Praveen Togadia? Why Sunil BJP “high command”. has even Modi chosen to be mildly (1960-2014) remonstrating with the Hindutva It was therefore quite surprising champs and not used stronger that at the fag end of the campaign, condemnatory language against Editor : the BJP suddenly and for no them? Whatever the reason, the G. G. Parikh explicable reason reverted to type unfortunate fact is that Managing Editor : Guddi and went back to its hackneyed communalism now stands sharply Hindutva campaign and began re- polarized on Hindu-Muslim lines D-15, Ganesh Prasad, asserting its Hindu nationalist and Modi is shown to be isolated. sectarian majoritarianism. The Naushir Bharucha Marg, saffronites usually fall back on One thought that a brake had been Mumbai - 400 007. Hindutva when the BJP position successfully applied by their Email : [email protected] weakens on any issue and the party respective parties on Muslim leaders 2 JANATA, April 27, 2014 and candidates like Imran Masood Between the lines in Saharanpur and Azam Khan in Lucknow. These two had issued highly provocative statements but Test of democratic values were contained before more damage could be done. But the Hindutva friends who began spreading the Kuldip Nayar communal word and poison outdid them by threatening to deport to I get many telephone calls almost chief minister Omar Abdullah that Pakistan all those who were found every day from Pakistan and a few he would rather go to Pakistan than to be in the anti-Modi camp! The from Bangladesh to inquire about stay quiet against Modi is immature message Hindutva champs like the polling in the Lok Sabha in nature. Togadia and Giriraj Singh were elections. Their fear is that Narendra sending out was that Muslims better Modi might be India’s next Prime Moreover, the BJP and its mentor behave and vote for the BJP and Minister and destroy the democratic RSS are misreading the people’s Modi if they wanted to be secure in polity which they envy. I hope Modi response. They do not want to be India. Pernicious, wicked and totally does not head the next government. divided into Hindus and Muslims. divisive. Togadia and company were The society does not want a person indirectly appealing to the Hindus True, most opinion polls give the whose politics is divisive and whose to mobilize in favour of the BJP and National Democratic Alliance thinking may well be authoritarian. Modi. Surely, there are less (NDA), led by the BJP and Modi, a I believe that Modi would not be poisonous platforms to appeal from, clear majority. But their tally is able to disturb pluralism whatever and the BJP speeches do not unreliable because there is not even the RSS and the BJP may say. His necessarily have to be full of covert a ripple, much less a wave, in favour complicity in the anti-Muslims riots and overt anti-Muslim rhetoric. of Modi in the southern states of in 2002 cannot be hidden even Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, though a magistrate court in Gujarat The campaign has slipped into the and . Even in West Bengal has given him a clean chit. As the communal mode unfortunately at a and Tamil Nadu, where regional state’s chief minister he is overall time when Modi himself was parties sway the voters, the BJP’s responsible and has certain deliberately more acceptable and showing may be poor. As for the obligations to fulfill. The security of conciliatory language. His reaction other parts of the country, the minorities is important. He even to the comments of Togadia and intemperate language used by refuses to say sorry, much less seek Giriraj Singh could have been certain leaders, blessed by the RSS, forgiveness. A few days ago when sharper, but in the circumstances is alienating the intelligentsia and he had an opportunity to express what he has said is good enough for those sitting on the fence. regret, he refused to do so. the Hindutva leaders to draw a lesson and stop talking rubbish. It has become a fashion in Still there is every possibility that Modi not only dubbed them election rallies to threaten the a pro-Hindutva person heads India. irresponsible but also said he Muslims and then saying that the Modi’s speeches, however disapproved them because they leaders have been misquoted or that jingoistic, have not mentioned deviated from the campaign issues their remarks have been picked up Pakistan. But he continues to use of development and governance. out of context. It was good to see development as a cover to hide his the BJP expressing strong communal agenda. Some believe It is not enough for Modi to disapproval against the party’s that Modi may face the reality of the disapprove of such anti-Muslim provincial leader who said that those country’s diversities and turn out to rhetoric. Since he is now sure of who did not support Modi would be be another Atal Behari Vajpayee, the becoming this country’s PM, there sent to Pakistan. The party would most popular Indian leader in is an added responsibility on him to have earned credibility if it had Pakistan. ensure that the RSS, which controls ousted the leader from its all saffron units to cease all organization. However, the Whatever is Modi’s agenda, he (Continued on Page 3) comment by Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to be on bad terms with JANATA, April 27, 2014 3 the neighbouring Pakistan. He may that a big country like India can about unity. The current Lok Sabha well initiate the talks that have not provide. What hampers progress in election testifies the faith of Indians moved after the terrorists’ attack on that direction is the enmity between in parliamentary democracy. One has Mumbai on November 26, 2008. the two countries. People are not to to see how strong this feeling remains Modi and the BJP, whatever their be blamed, the establishments and if, and when Pakistan and rhetoric, realize that a working intelligence agencies are. Bangladesh come to be dominated relationship with Islamabad is in the by the fundamentalists. Modi’s interest of New Delhi. The few callers from Bangladesh supporters are aping them. Those did not doubt India’s secular believing in a pluralistic society Pakistan, where the shadows of credentials but the prospects of should realize that their fight will fundamentalism are lengthening, is Modi’s success made them unhappy. begin if the country takes a right turn. in the midst of attack by extremists Despite the growth of Jammiat-i- on the media, bold and behind the Islami in their own country, the (Continued from Page 2) democratic forces. Hamid Mir, an Bangladeshis have seen how campaigns based on religion in order independent journalist, was injured secularism during the liberation days to draw votes. We are venturing to by the bullets fired by the fanatics. has got eclipsed. They have never make this suggestion on the basis of However, the people are imagined that the fundamentalists, the tone of Narendra Modi’s remarks increasingly feeling that normal who were against the liberation of to the Economic Times in an relations with India will give a fillip Bangladesh, would one day be so important interview. Modi to democracy and liberal thoughts. brazen faced that they would destroy specifically said he would be ready Hindus’ temples as it is happening to work with the Congress in the A Pakistani student from Oxford in Pakistan. national interest and that the hostile met me at my residence a few days overtones and undertones marking ago. He had visited Pakistan and felt I think that the revival of religion, the campaign would fade away after no hesitation in suggesting that which is taking place even in the the polls just as in the past. Modi Islamabad should normalise west, is bound to be duplicated in has underlined the importance of relations with India. This was the the subcontinent. India is a target of bilateral cooperation between the only alternative his country had Hindutuva forces. They would want BJP-NDA and Congress-UPA in because of the menace of the Taliban the country to be Hindu rashtra. But terms that are acceptable as features and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. this is not possible because the of a functional democracy. Modi the His regret—and mine too—was that people of different faiths have lived acerbic campaigner has given hints even known liberals preferred to together for centuries. Hindus and that he can become an amiable head remain quiet. I told him that India Muslims have shared the land for of government. We look forward to was also a prey to that. A soft more than one thousand years. that transformation with hope and Hindutva was contaminating more high expectations. and more people, I said in reply. We Regretfully, there have been both agreed that there was no go communal riots. The recent Madhu Dandavate from good, amicable relations happenings in Muzzafarnagar in UP between the two countries. remind us that we live on the edge. By The victims have returned home and B. Vivekanandan My disappointment is that a the business is as usual. All realize democratic and pluralistic society in that they are Indians first and India is not playing its role in the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs later. Price: Rs. 20/- region. There is too much of ‘tit for The feeling of Indianness binds tat’. Our foreign ministry has north with south and east with west. Janata Trust officials who have a particular mindset on Pakistan and take the The spirit of accommodation and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, narrative to the partition days for the sense of tolerance are lessening Naushir Bharucha Marg, their chauvinistic stance. The youth because of parties like the RSS-BJP Grant Road (W), is especially bewildered. They want and the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. Mumbai 400 007. employment or openings in business Yet the Constitution has brought 4 JANATA, April 27, 2014 Political overreach by Election Commission/ Reserve Bank Governor

Rajindar Sachar

All parties have broadly agreed corporate sector pressure, elections and after the new on various aspects of Model Code announced, though in low key, a government has taken over. Such a worked out by Election Commission policy for new banks in the budget change of policy requires full for a certain period before the for financial year 20011, but did not fledged debate not only in elections – it has worked quite dare seriously follow it up. The legislatures but in the political satisfactorily. Fortunately, the Reserve Bank Governor, who circles. It can not be done quietly at Election Commission still remains evidently is a follower of Chicago a bureaucratic level. in command. Recently it denied the school of economics of central government the move to unadulterated private sector The unexplained hurry by the make certain changes in some economy, was keen to go ahead with RBI Governor to issue two private economic and subsidy policies privatization, but the Ministry of licenses defies logic. It is not as if (though the denial to the later would Finance opposed it, even P. service by private banks is helping adversely affect the poorer sections Chidambaram, no doubt also a the needy ones. Statistics show that of society) but its neutrality was not believer in Chicago School of 27 State run banks account for 75 challenged. It has therefore come as economic policy (1990) opposed it, per cent of total deposits and 73 per a shock to many of us that since bank realizing the political dynamite of cent of total credit. If analyzed in nationalization in 1969 though only privatization. But the Governor depth the private banks service its two licenses in private sector have nevertheless referred this matter to own private clients and have no been allowed, the matter has been the Election Commission. One public purpose. As a matter of fact made controversial by the Reserve would have expected a immediate in the last couple of years even in Bank of India by deciding to issue curt negative from the Election the U.S.A. biggest banks like Bank two fresh licenses. More astonishing Commission for the obvious reason of America were saved from is the comment by the Governor, that bank privatisation is one of the bankruptcy by the U.S. Government RBI that giving bank licenses is not most explosive political decision, lending huge amounts of money to in any way a political process. This and which only an elected them. plea is unacceptable in political government is competent to decide A fallacious argument in favour circles because it cannot be forgotten upon. By what logic Election of privatization of banks that they that the economic crisis created by Commission has permitted the are less likely to default and private bank fiasco was avoided in Reserve Bank the liberty to take therefore are a less burden on the 1969 by nationalization of major decision independent of the public finance has been banks. (Of course there was political government on such a delicate authoritatively negatived by angle to it in Indira-Morarji power financial, economic and a political International Monetary fund which struggle at that time.) Since then policy is beyond comprehension. has warned that the world’s biggest different political parties have Governor of the Reserve bank has banks still get a total of about 590 formed the governments at the ventured the unacceptable billion Dollars in subsidies from Centre. But sensing the public proposition that granting bank their governments. In that light this indignation at allowing corporate business license is not in any way a action of giving license for private sector to set up banks, no central political process. This stand is totally banking by Reserve Bank Governor government seriously even remotely unacceptable both in principle and is mystifying. This decision has broached the idea of change of in law. The RBI can only move in already been adversely commented policy. after the central government has by some Members of Parliament and taken a political decision to allow they have warned the RBI that “they It was only is 2011, that UPA private banking – and this decision, would revisit the issue of new bank Government, known to be under big if at all can only be taken after the licenses”. JANATA, April 27, 2014 5 Bank nationalization is a matter AAP’s fatal attraction of government policy – the Supreme Court in Bank Nationalization case (1970) specifically refused to Y. V. Reddy consider the argument of private bankers that under the scheme of social control exercised by Reserve Kejriwal’s “exciting experiment” unceremonious exit on the Bank of India, the commercial banks seems to have gone “horribly somewhat cooked-up controversy had achieved impressive results wrong” and the simple reason is that over Jan Lok Pal bill earned his party comparing favorably with the he has focused on protests instead an appellation of “anarchism”. performance of State Banks of India. of governance, as Ramachandra The Supreme Court said thus: “This Guha, the historian, said the other Those of us, who have given up Court is not the forum in which these day. It is the reaction against on politics as a dirty game, were conflicting claims may be debated. corruption and poor governance that enlivened by an unexpectedly Whether there is a genuine need for brought them near power and they favourable result to the AAP in the banking facility in the rural could have concentrated on giving Delhi Assembly polls. It appeared sector…whether administration by clean governance to the people of like a habitable planet in the the Government of the commercial Delhi during the obviously limited countless galaxies of the vast banking sector will not prove time they would have been in power, universe. The three wise men that led beneficial to the community and will until the Congress, on its own, had the party - the fearless Kejriwal, the lead to rigidity in the administration, toppled them. Because, Congress as feisty Prashanti Bhushan, and the whether the Government we know it, sooner than later, steadfast Yogendra Yadav were administration will eschew the chafing under the growing unlike the politicians that we knew profit-motive, and even if it be popularity of Aam Aadmi Party - simple, sagacious and sincere. eschewed, there will accrue would not have allowed the latter a Their success at the polls redefined substantial benefits to the smooth running any way. Then, the politics for us: One, politics is dirty, public...and whether the policy credit for good governance as well no doubt. But, that is the reason why followed by the Government in as the discredit for toppling game, we have to enter “this political office or the policy propounded by as is its wont, could be apportioned, slush” and clean it. Two, people with its opponents may reasonably attain between the AAP and the Congress commitment but no money can also the national objectives are matters respectively and Arvind Kejriwal contest and win elections. Three, which have little relevance in would have gone on his business as politics need not be caste-based and determining the legality of the usual - agitating against corruption, religion-based; they can be issue- measure. It is again not for this Court which is endemic in our system. based. Four, the country does not to consider the relative merits of the Rahul Gandhi’s recent swipe in need politicians for whom politics different political theories or Delhi AICC Session, at the AAP, that is business. It needs “clean economic policies…This Court has it “practiced ad hoc street politics administrators”. While these were the power to strike down a law on disconnected from due process” is like eye-opening revelations, what the ground of want of authority, but certainly not an obtuse broadside they did not see, and needed some the Court will not sit in appeal over thrown at a political opponent: the hard knocks to realize was that the policy of the parliament in pejorative though, needs to be taken people in power “should show enacting a law. The Court cannot seriously and pondered over by the ability to mediate and make find fault with the Act merely on the AAP ideologues. Kejriwal had compromises between different ground that it is inadvisable to take sought to punch above his weight at political stake holders”, unless they over the undertaking of banks the fast approaching general wish to remain in the mode of which, it is said by the petitioner, by elections. It cannot be denied that he agitation forever which is an thrift and efficient management had did try to replicate the Delhi election oxymoron in parliamentary politics. set up an impressive and efficient result in the rest of the country, and business organization serving large in the process, the gambit proved a One wonders, what all those sectors of industry.” pretty costly gamble that lost both who’s who that filled the AAP were doing when their leader was rushing (Continued on Page 9) the capital and the country. The 6 JANATA, April 27, 2014 headlong “courting controversies” in Haryana, and a few other urban caste or that caste, and South Indians battalions when his primary duty, as centers in cities like Mumbai and or North Indians. For the first time, Chief Minister of the - and highlighted the tone simplicity gained in importance with state, was “to get down to the and tenor of the political lodestar resonant image of Gandhian days: business of governance rather than that appeared on the horizon of Kejriwal and his colleagues made an dharnas”. Aushutosh - the journalist, Delhi. They should have limited impression on the people with their Yogendra Yadav - the political their number to forty or fifty Lok simplicity, who believed that they scientist, Medha Patkar - the veteran Sabha seats, at the most, and were non-corrupt, that they are not social activist, Rajmohan Gandhi - concentrated the party’s limited the type to make fast buck, and the living Gandhian luminary, Meera resources in those few places, to start would fight the mafias and the Sanyal, Senju Verma, and a host of with, to have a striking impact of the vested interests, when needed for the others could have stopped Kejriwal novel phenomenon of his new party people’s cause. In fact, times are in his tracks, and laid down some on the country’s political landscape. such that large sections of people do’s and don’ts for him as CM. What transpired in between, one were feeling helpless in face of Because, Aam Aadmi Party is not a does not know. The number of LS corruption which is omnipresent, one-man or a one-woman party, and seats, the nascent party contests went mafias of all kinds - land, liquor, those in the party - call them a up ten times, to a whopping 400, water, mining, education etc, and Working Committee, Polit Buro, or which even the well-established pan- corporates, both Swadeshi and General Council or simply an Indian parties would think twice Videshi. Now, for the first time, as advisory body or what you will - before throwing down the gauntlet. Shalini Gupta put it, “it was for the have a duty to fix guidelines within Now, it seems, as many as four AAP to undo this sense of which their leaders should operate hundred ill-equipped, untrained, helplessness. The very name of the in positions of responsibility. A inexperienced, and under-resourced party created a sense of leader, however highly placed, in a warriors are dressed up for the 2014 empowerment. It made everyone responsible party, cannot run electoral battle for Lok Sabha, with who donned the topi feel haywire and be a law unto himself, what result, one shudders to empowered, feel that they were the running roughshod over his imagine: they may be pauperized; party”. “Their messages”, she colleagues’ feelings. A party, worth their idealism may be snuffed out; continues, “have heightened their the name, will have to function and their likely electoral bruises feeling of empowerment: the Aam through representative committees might make them unfit to take up Aadmi[ will go to parliament and at every level - Mandal, district, further protests for people’s causes. clean corruption. Aam Aadmi will state, and national - so that decisions Kejriwal and his party might, God be selected as a candidate; he will taken and responsibility for their forbid, become part of history, win from his constituency; and he success or failure are collective, not sooner than later, even before the will not live as a Minister but as an individual. We all know that parties, real struggle for political change has AA, rejecting the trappings of a VIP as we know them, are not commenced. , former political culture.” With this new functioning that way. But then, Aam BBC correspondent and India-lover style of politics, innovated by Aadmi Party, we are told, is a party had put it aptly that it could end up Kejriwal and his colleagues, “the with difference, and that is its sine as a “phenomenon which arrived and growing irrelevance of the common qua non. disappeared” and “it will be a great man had come to a halt,” and India’s pity if AAP falls on its face”. trajectory of political development After Kejriwal gave up power on seemed to have begun taking a new the pretext of not being allowed to It was hard to bear the prospect turn. pass the remotely related Jan Lok Pal of a party that looked a beacon of Bill, he was still not out of touch hope and faith, so soon, showing They had started implementing with reality and announced that his signs of decline. It held a great hope their promises, and giving substance party would contest a few Lok Sabha by rejecting some conventional to the hopes and aspirations of the seats in 2014. That was fair enough. political norms out of hand. For the common people, as soon as they were He could have chosen some first time, identity mattered little: catapulted into power. They extremely favourable spots like the people were mobilized as citizens, promised to give” a citizen-centric, surroundings of Delhi, the state of and not as Hindus or Muslims, this corruption-free, and participative JANATA, April 27, 2014 7 democracy”, through the AAP. They landslide for the BJP. The Congress, fell swoop, as though telling them started off well, as for example, the probably, in its own interest, for point blank “My way or highway.” Urban Development and Education avoiding the BJP from being invited In fact, it was perceived, at the time, Minister, Manish Sisodaya, visiting to form government, gave support that Kejriwal was in a hurry to get government schools on the very first to AAP, which found itself in power. out of government on some pretext day and commenting that the Being in power on their sufferance, or the other, so that he and his men children are made to stay in the it does not make sense to be in great could turn their full attention to school for seven to eight hours hurry to haul them up. They could national politics during the general without toilets. The Ministers have followed the normal procedure election which was fast approaching. stopped using red and blue beacons and allowed law to take its own Kejriwal basking in the newly on their cars. Chief Minister, course. Then, the entire cabinet led acquired glory of unexpected Kejriwal went for the swearing-in on by the CM squatting in open street, success at Delhi polls felt a strong the Metro. Decision was taken not on dharna, against the Lt. Governor, sense of déjà vu in the country as to provide security for any for getting two or three police cops well and that he should not let slip functionary unless there was threat suspended, as they did not carry out the opportunity to play a role, for perception. Officials were warned the new Law Minister’s wish to raid good, in national politics. Apart from against demanding bribes, and a toll- a women’s den, at dead of night, was the excessively rosy picture, he free number was installed to help height of irresponsibility on the part drew, for himself, of the national people lodge complaints. A novel of the newly inducted government. scenario in the 2014 Lok Sabha way was devised by the AAP in that, Finally, it may be questioned if the elections, there is the moral question a pro forma was released “proposal Jan Lok Pal Bill was so indispensible of whether the Delhi voters’ mandate letter for pending/new works” for Delhi Administration that it was could be used up to play for high through which people can inform worth challenging the Union Home stakes in the national election. In their MLAs and get their work done. Ministry, the Lt. Governor, and the brief, Kejriwal left Delhi to try his Besides, they were having a clear Congress party supporting their luck in the country; and, in the plan of what to do, when in government - all at a time, in one process, he could lose both. government, in their well-thought out 18-point agenda. “We are concentrating on issues, not Modi wave: development support,” said Sisodaya. AAP’s or majority communalism? founder-leader. Prashanti Bhushan was quite exhilarated. He said, “The Thomas Kocherry measures generated a big hope in the people for a clean and honest Modi started his election This is becoming more and more government and that will offer an campaign with Development as the clear. alternative politics that places the main issue. He wanted Gujarat as the AAP at the centre of politics and model for development. From any Now the real colour of Modi is governance”. They could have gone point of view Gujarat is not the best coming out. He has proved that on transforming the Delhi model for development. Let us take majority communalism works out administration into a people-friendly one example that Modi was working very well in Gujarat. BJP had tried and service-oriented state. That alone at a tea stall. Even after 40 years the that during the destruction of Babari would have got them wide spread tea stall remains the same and it Masjid. In Kandamal the majority support across the country, besides remains closed forever. The village communalism was tried against strengthening their base at Delhi. where the tea stall is, remains minority Christians. Now Modi without any development. I do not wants to try that in the entire India. The Congress leaders in Delhi, know what development is he This is coming out from the mouth Sheila Dikshit and others, were talking about? Is it Mudra of Togadia and Giriraj. Giriraj is already smarting from the terrific of Ambani? There are many states holding on to his stand. And on the defeat inflicted by the BJP and the in India with better development other hand Togadia says it was AAP. May be, the blow would have that is more inclusive. Development fabricated. However, once the issue been more severe, if it was a is only a cover for something else. (Continued on Page 10) 8 JANATA, April 27, 2014 Left Movement in India Increasing Need, Decreasing Role

Bharat Dogra

One of the most disturbing harmony. has hardly any space for this, features of India’s democracy today whether in terms of protecting is that at a time when a strong and At another level we can say that various species, or their habitats, or inspiring presence of the left forces left forces include many political preventing cruelties and risks to is badly needed, these are probably parties (mainly communist and them. But we may overlook such becoming weaker than ever before, socialist parties) as well as a wide glaring weaknesses of the leftist particularly in terms of their ability range of other social organisations agenda here. In terms of reducing to improve India’s democracy and (including organisations which may inequalities, discrimination and to resist dangerous trends. This trend not identify themselves openly as communalism, the various left of the growing marginalisation of either socialist or communist). These formations together constitute left forces in India’s democracy also include trade unions, farmers perhaps the single most important needs to be reversed, so that left and peasants organisations, various force for this crucial challenge in forces can become a very significant other activists, professionals and India. force in the overall improvement of their organisations. In addition there India’s democracy. are many other citizens’ Why then are the left forces organisations who may not belong unable to advance and progress? But let’s first clarify what exactly to the ‘left’, but find a relationship Why do they face increasing we mean by ‘left forces’. These with left forces helpful in their marginalisation despite their words have been generally used to various efforts to curb corruption growing relevance and need? include those forces and groups who and social evils, as well as to protect are firm supporters of equality in national interests in important areas One answer given sometimes is society and strong opponents of and to carry forward various that some wider international trends inequalities at various levels and the constructive activities. and developments have various injustices linked to these. overwhelmed the left forces and These words have also been used for Defined loosely in this way, left discouraged their growth. This need those forces that stand for some form forces have a huge support base and not be so. If India’s society needs of socialist system in place of perhaps an even bigger potential left forces, then even in such adverse capitalist system, although the support base. If we ask a simple conditions the left forces can details may differ. (However question, in terms of the most advance. particularly in India’s context it important causes of human distress needs to be pointed out that the word in India, which force is most capable On the contrary there are some ‘socialism’ or ‘samajwad’ has been of reducing distress, then the answer very favourable factors for left used too loosely by many a party or will be that left forces taken together forces in India. India’s Constitution group that goes by this name but are most capable of this. This is provides a base for many important may not be behaving accordingly at because biggest causes of human aspects of equality, justice and social all). Also, left forces are identified distress are rooted in inequalities, harmony and left forces can become by their strong opposition to discrimination and communalism, the main forces for defending the imperialism in international affairs. and left forces are. by and large, values, of equality, justice and social Left forces are also known generally, committed to opposing all this. harmony enshrined in the for their opposition to constitution which are still violated communalism, superstitions and The left also has serious on a large scale in the real conditions religious fundamentalism, while weaknesses. If distress of other of the country and may face bigger they are known to be supportive forms of life is considered (other threats in the near future. towards secularism and communal than human beings) then left agenda JANATA, April 27, 2014 9

But the left forces have not been Sunil able to take forward these (1960-2014) commitments in adequately creative, participative and continuing ways. Sunil, National General Secretary of Samajwadi Jana Parishad and The reasons of this failure should be Editor of Samayik Varta, breathed his last at New Delhi’s AIIMS hospital analysed by various left forces not on April 21. Sunil will be remembered for long as one of the most inspiring with the aim of finding faults with socialist activists, ideologues and writers whose high ideals were fully in each other, but to focus on corrective harmony with his actual living experiences. His life can be seen as an and remedial action so that the left ever-continuing story of struggles as well as constructive activities, all forces can still recover and mobilise aimed at the realisation of socialist ideals so dear to his heart. people in time to face the increasing Most of the struggles in which Sunil (he never used his surname) was threats ahead. involved were rooted in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, Towards this end the task of although he also contributed in very useful ways to many other wider broader left unity for co-ordinating social movements. He was a founder member and coordinator of Kisan actions, clearing confusions, Adivasi Sangathan, an organisation which has been in the thick of many inspiring people and preparing struggles of tribals in Kesla area of Hoshangabad. While fighting common programmes is very relentlessly against exploitation, injustice and displacement, Sunil played important. If broad left unity is not a leading role in the progress of Tawa Matasya Sangh, a co-operative of achieved, then a lot of the strength fisherfolk that rapidly emerged as a model co-operative. of left forces will be wasted in Sunil was known to be a brilliant student in his JNU days, when he endless criticism of each other came under the influence of socialist ideology and the inspiring guidance instead of facing real threats of Kishan Patnaik. During his student days he took up impossible looking and challenges. The task of broad- tasks such as organising cycle marches from Delhi to the country’s most based unity of left forces should be troubled areas (in those days) like Punjab and Assam. Around 1985 he set pursued on a continuing basis with up Hoshangabad as the base of lifelong work. He served several prison deep commitment, overcoming sentences in the course of his numerous struggles here. His last arrest was narrow views and prejudices that as late as early 2014, in the course of mobilisation of women against have obstructed unity efforts in the liquor vends. His last days were spent increasingly in strengthening past. women’s organisations in and around Itarsi. In the middle of all his struggles and grassroots activities, Sunil found the time to write thought-provoking articles for several newspapers and (Continued from Page 5) journals (mostly in Hindi and sometimes in English) as well as edit journals I feel strongly that Governor, RBI like Samayik Varta and (earlier) Samta Era. In what was perhaps his last should immediately withdraw the election time article in Janata Sunil raised very relevant and uncomfortable permission so as not to create questions before the leaders of the BJP, Congress and AAP. unnecessary lack of confidence and In the course of over three decades of his political work, even his worst want of rapport between RBI and the opponent could never question the complete honesty and integrity of Sunil. new government. Already there is a He lived a very simple life with his wife Smita and they worked together bias against public sector – this is for their shared ideals. Their two children have been studying at JNU. clear from the fact none of major Sunil’s father Dr. Rampratap Gupta has been writing on socially relevant political parties though at each issues. other’s throat in their election Sunil has left us at a time when his invaluable experiences, scholarship offensive has even remotely praised and activism were most needed for evolving alternatives to the capitalist public sector; rather all are path of development. Sunil was absolutely clear and firm about rejection promising to encourage private of capitalist path. It will be very difficult to fill the void left by him. One sector – ironically forgetting question I’ll keep asking is - why this blemishless, highly committed and compulsion for socialism high brilliant leader did not get a larger national presence? lighted in the preamble to our – B. D. Constitution. 10 JANATA, April 27, 2014

India’s pro-rapist lobby “Boys will make mistakes,” rape happens because schoolgirls activism of the last year has left Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam wear skirts to the Puducherry patriarchy scrambling for new Singh Yadav said of rape, on Minister who wants them covered up bogeys and new ways to protect Thursday. His remarks making in overcoats; from Shiv Sena leaders itself. Ill-informed light of such a heinous crime who blame migrants to Delhi scaremongering about the illustrate just why the feminist community leaders who scapegoat “draconian” provisions of the new battle in India has barely begun. Africans; from Rashtriya amendment to sexual assault laws Mr. Yadav believes new rape laws, Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan has been a handy tool. For India’s introduced after the 2012 rape- Bhagwat who thinks “western women, rape is part of a and-murder of a Delhi woman, are values” provoke rape to the Haryana continuum of violence that begins being misused by women to khap panchayat leader who says it in the womb. Also, contrary to the punish their boyfriends. “When happens because of hormonal myth that rural “Bharat” is safer their friendship ends,” Mr. Yadav excesses he attributed to chowmein than westernised India, of the asserted, “the girl complains she — there is no shortage of Indians 24,923 cases registered in 2012 by has been raped.” Mr. Yadav’s willing to blame rape on anything police, 3,035 took place in major lieutenant, Abu Asim Azmi, and everyone other than the rapist. cities. The data also tell us the meanwhile invoked shari’a law to typical rapist isn’t a feral juvenile, call for the death penalty — but, Mr. Yadav’s words, we can be crazed by raging hormones or bad for the victim. “Even the woman reasonably certain, were no mistake. upbringing. In the overwhelming is guilty,” he told a Mumbai In the midst of a bruising election majority of cases, the perpetrator newspaper. Mr. Azmi believes that campaign, he spoke as he did was known to the victim. Mr. if “any woman, whether married because he knew there is political Yadav’s words have rightly caused or unmarried, goes along with a gain to be had from this stand. The outrage. They should also lead to man, with or without her consent, hideous truth is that in India, as in some hard introspection into how she should be hanged.” The sad many other countries, there is many of us believe an only slightly truth, though, is that these kinds something that can only be described more benign version of those very of attitudes aren’t exclusive to the as a pro-rapist lobby that extends words to be true. Samajwadi Party. From the beyond political pulpits into streets Rajasthan legislator who thinks and homes. The renewed feminist – editorial in The Hindu

(Continued from Page 7) toilets, health, education, child planned. An FIR is filed against was raised communal purpose is malnutrition, manual scavenging Togadia. Does this undo the harm achieved. and other similar issues. All the he has already done to the society? public services in Gujarat are The latest is the attack from Shiv He talks about unearthing black privatised. There is no doubt that Sena’s Kadam. money and stopping corruption. If there is infrastructure development he is honest he has to publish his Is there a Modi wave in India? Let in Gujarat. But it is a completely expenses and sources of income of us go through some of the states. non-inclusive development model all the rallies and his travel by Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are which leaves out all the marginalised helicopters. RTI should cover all the fully with NDA. There is no Modi sections including the Dalits, political parties. Most of the effect in Kerala, Tami Nadu, West Adivasis and religious minorities. candidates are criminals and corrupt. Bengal, , Tripura, and Gujarat has the highest number of Modi’s main organiser Amit Shah is North Eastern states. Modi effect is farmer suicides after Maharashtra. an accused in two murder cases. debatable in all the other states. It is There are no minimum wages for Modi is the champion of an a very complicated situation in all worker even in private companies exclusive development. Let us listen these states including UP, Karnataka, and in Government service." to what Gopal Menon has to say : Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Andhra "We have to expose his false Now Modi is saying that the Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, propaganda about development. We leaders should stop delivering hate Utterakhand, Chattisgarh and will have to look into issues like speeches - after the leaders have Maharashtra. Let us wait and see the female infanticide, education, done enough harm. All this has been results on May 16th. JANATA, April 27, 2014 11 Dialogue with Political Parties on Education Policy

In probably the first initiative of However, BJP – the ruling party in the issue of ‘Common School System its kind in the country, Shiksha the state and the party eying for a based on Neighbourhood Schools’; Adhikar Manch, Bhopal (SAMB), stint at the Centre – did not care to thirdly, the agenda of global capital member-organisation of All-India join the discussion and did not even to privatize and commercialize Forum for Right to Education had the courtesy of informing its higher education; and fourthly, the (AIFRTE), organized a dialogue inability to join the programme issue of ‘equality’ vs. ‘inclusion’ in with political parties on education despite the fact that a senior party higher education. The session was policy and the national crisis of leader who was handed over the chaired by Comrade GS Asiwal, education on 7th April 2014 in invitation had marked a senior party senior trade union leader and Bhopal. Major political parties functionary to attend the programme Member, Board of Advisors including Indian National Congress, and had assured his presence. (AIFRTE) and Prof. Davinder Kaur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Apparently, the party does not Uppal, retired Professor of Mass Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan believe in serious debate on a vital Communication, Makhanlal Samaj Party (BSP), Communist issue at all. Chaturvedi National University of Party of India (CPI), Communist Journalism and Mass Communica- Party of India–Marxist (CPM), It was no typical dialogue where tion. It was conducted by a committee Communist Party of India–Marxist- political leaders are free to indulge comprising of Dr Anil Sadgopal Leninist (CPI-ML) Red Star, Aam in rhetoric. The programme was (Member, Presidium, AIFRTE and Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Jan divided into four parts, each part Secretary, SAMB), Ms. Shivani Parishad (SJP), Socialist Unity consisting of questions based on a Taneja (Muskan, Bhopal) and Shri Centre of India (SUCI) and specific issue of present educational Shahid-ul-Hussaini (Member, Gondawana Gantantra Party (GGP) crisis, and the party representatives National Executive, AIFRTE and were invited to participate in the were supposed to answer the Joint Secretary, SAMB). dialogue. Representatives of all these questions based on their party’s parties joined the dialogue except agenda and manifesto. The four A brief report of the discussion BSP, GGP and BJP. The BSP and broad themes were, firstly, the policy and agenda of the political parties as GGP representatives could not come of privatisation and commercialisa- spelled by their respective because they were out of the town. tion of school education; secondly, representatives is presented below; Policy of Privatization and Commercialization of School Education Following the economic reforms under-trained teachers on contract at Five-Year Plan through which public in 1991, all governments at the extremely low ‘wages’, funds and assets are being siphoned centre and states have followed the downgrading Pupil-Teacher Ratio, to private corporate houses, NGOs policy of privatization and multi-grade teaching, burdening and religious bodies under garb of commercialization of school government school teachers with ‘fees reimbursement’, by providing education which is direct fallout of non-teaching tasks and other such cheap land or through direct grants. the World Bank-IMF imposed retrograde steps. Thus, in last 25 Profiteering in education has been Structural Adjustment Programme years while the enrolment in justified in 12th Five-Year Plan (SAP) under which state-funding for government schools has decreased, document. Throughout the country education, health and other welfare the same has increased in private government schools are being policies were gradually withdrawn. schools that have mushroomed in closed, auctioned or merged into Although almost all the large numbers. ‘Sarva Shiksha private hands. governments claim that they are Abhiyan’ (SSA) and Right to Question: This background committed to improve the Education Act 2009 have makes it clear that unless the central government school system, legitimized these regressive policies. and state governments do not halt the neoliberal policies of downgrading To increase the pace of privatization, policies of privatization and these have been implemented one policies of Public-Private commercialization of school after the other – policies including Partnership (PPP) have been education, government schools appointment of under-qualified, systematically initiated in the 11th cannot be improved at all and any 12 JANATA, April 27, 2014 claim to improve it without question on privatisation, the issue place for any kind of reversing these policies is merely an of resources will be raised…and if commercialisation in education. He empty rhetoric. dependence on government added that government schools (A) Do you agree with this institutions emphasised, debate on declined because the rich and statement? If yes, what agenda does the issue of quality will begin”. The influential classes have gradually your party has to reverse these party representative also stated that withdrawn from these schools. The neoliberal policies? with the passage of the Right to SJP also stressed that the policy of (B) If you disagree with this, in Education Act in 2009, enrolment commercialisation has not been that case what is the alternative levels in the country have become opted by the people but has been offered by your party, apart from the world-class. However, he did not enforced by the World Bank and failed and discredited policies, explain what he meant by ‘world- there are also vested interests schemes, projects, campaigns and class’ nor did it occur to him that deriving profits out of it. laws of last 25 years, to improve the enrolment ratio in terms of ‘Gross Roop Singh of CPI stated that the government school system while Enrolment Ratio’ has been near the party fully agrees that privatisation continuing with (and increasing the 100 percent mark for a decade before and commercialisation of education pace of) current policies of the RTE Act. should be reversed. CPI also privatization and commercialization Aam Aadmi Party’s informed the house of its stand of school education? representative Shri Romesh C against PPP and its commitment to Responses : Comrade Sandhya Khosla stated that “education should provide free and compulsory Shaili of CPM expressed her party’s neither be completely under the education to all children up to the agreement to the argument that government nor completely age of 18. government school system cannot be privatized”. Instead, he stated, that SUCI, represented by Prof. improved without halting policies of a ‘balanced mix’ of the two is Ramavatar stated that privatization and commercialisation. required. Brushing aside the whole commercialisation is against the She informed that CPM’s manifesto issue of declining government ideal as envisaged in the freedom includes provision to allocate 6 expenditure on education, AAP’s struggle to provide free education to percent of GDP for education. In representative said that what is more every child without any addition to it, CPM also emphasised important is that whatever allocation discrimination. on necessity to address the problems is made is properly utilized and he Representative of CPI-ML, Vijay of malnutrition among children and added that the problem is that more Kumar stated his party’s full unemployment to resolve the crisis than 90 percent of funds allocated agreement with the analysis of education. for education is eaten away by presented and also said that the party Shri Bhupendra Gupta of corruption. The solution provided by manifesto clearly states that if the Congress expressing party’s AAP is to institute “micro-level party comes into power it will disagreement with the argument that control systems” and for that reverse the policies of halting of commercialisation and “privatization is the only and only commercialisation and privatisation is prerequisite to and only answer that is required”. corporatisation of education. He said improve government school system. In view of AAP, with proper control that CPI-ML firmly believes that He stated that it is not possible to systems in place, private sector is as until and unless privatisation and reverse the policies of good as the government sector. commercialisation of education is commercialisation and privatisation Shri Sunil, representing halted it is not possible to provide in education any more. According to Samajwadi jan Parishad stated free education to all children without the party, “the moment you raise that SJP believes that there is no discrimination. The issue of ‘Common School System’ based on ‘Neighbourhood Schools’

The vision of an egalitarian children up to class VIII in incorporated into Articles 14 and 15 national education system free of all independent India was adopted in an (1) of the Constitution. It is in light discriminations was developed All-India Conference. Under the of these principles that the agenda during the freedom struggle. In 1938 visionary leadership of Dr of social justice incorporated in due to inspiration of Mahatma Babasaheb Ambedkar the ideal of Article 16 becomes relevant. It was Gandhi a resolution to provide free building a society based on equality in context of this historical legacy and compulsory education to all and without any discrimination was that Kothari Commission Report JANATA, April 27, 2014 13

(1966) recommended establishment system in the world, could achieve Schools’ is mentioned the concept of ‘Common School System’ based this by nationalising all schools three or and commitment to establish on ‘Neighbourhood Schools’ decades back. This evidence forces ‘Common School System’ is not throughout the country in which us to question that on what basis the clearly stated in the manifesto. every child regardless of her/his neoliberal educational policies in the Secondly, although the party states socio-economic background would country are trying to negate this that private schools shall be study in the nearest school of the historical reality. controlled and regulated, it does not neighbourhood. Kothari Question: (A) Does your party states that this shall only be an Commission believed that private accept the concept of fully free and interim arrangement because in the schools have no place in a democracy state-funded ‘Common School long run private cannot exist within as they lead to discrimination. System’ based on ‘Neighbourhood the ‘Common School System’. The Parliament of our country Schools’ from pre-primary to class Representative of Congress reiterated its commitment to build XII? Does your party manifesto stated that Congress does not accept such a ‘Common School System’ in declare to establish such an any policy of closing down all the National Education Policy education system? If yes, then is private schools and instead it favours (1986) and again in the revised your party ready to nationalize all a mix of both. As far as the issue of policy approved in 1992. Ironically, private schools of the country in the providing equitable education was under pressure of privileged classes manner the private banks were concerned, he said that through and castes of the country efforts to nationalized in 1971? Can your CBSE (Central Board of Secondary dilute this commitment were made party declare its commitment to Education) a common curriculum right from 1986 policy itself. With struggle in the Parliament for has already been established and the onset of neoliberal policies in amending ‘Right to Education through Central and Navodaya 1991, the policy-led multi-layering (RTE) Act, 2009’ that is encouraging Schools, good quality education is of the school education system privatization and multi-layered being provided throughout the began with a different layer of school system in India? country. He further stated that the schools for different layers of class- (B) In case your party does not party manifesto promises achieving castes, both in private as well as accept the concept of fully free and 100 percent enrolment ration till government school system. In last state-funded ‘Common School class XII. Clearly, the party 25 years, as this layering continued, System’ based on ‘Neighbourhood representative did not consider the several parties and alliances came in Schools’ from pre-primary to class fact that this does not addresses the power at the centre and strengthened XII, then what agenda does your issue of providing free and equitable this stratification. This includes the party has to ensure fully free and education to all children of the United Front, NDA and UPA (I and equitable education to every child country without discrimination. He II). without discrimination? also commented that problems of a It is important to recall two Responses: diverse country like ours cannot be lessons of history about education CPM representative informed solved by radical posturing and system of different countries. Firstly, that the party manifesto includes the some practical solutions must be there is no country in the world that demand to amend the RTE Act to devised. If the demand of has achieved the goal of educating institutionalize the concept of nationalisation of private schools is every child without a government- ‘Neighbourhood Schools’. It also the radical posturing he hinted funded ‘Common School System’ – provides for free and compulsory towards, then his party probably regardless of the fact whether it is a early childhood care and pre- does not want to recall that capitalist or socialist country. primary to higher secondary level nationalisation of banks was a step Secondly, no country of the world education. She said that although the taken by none other than the has achieved the goal of universal party believes that education system Congress itself! education through private schools. should be run by the government AAP agreed with the demand that Any country that has been able to only, the party favours control and there should be a ‘Common School universalize education from pre- regulation of private educational System’ in the country. However, the primary to class XII has achieved institutions in the beginning and it party does not supports this through a free and state-funded has demanded a central law for this nationalisation of private schools. education system. It is worthwhile purpose. It was pointed out by Dr Refusing to make any distinction to note that Finland, now known for Anil Sadgopal that although the between private and government one of the best school education concept of ‘Neighbourhood schools, the party representative said 14 JANATA, April 27, 2014 that if the private institutions are ‘Neighbourhood Schools’ should be also accepted that all private schools indulging in profiteering than the established to ensure fully free and should be nationalized and also government institutions are also equitable education to every child stated that the party is committed to indulging in corruption and without discrimination. Party Constitutional reforms for therefore there is no point in handing representative even noted that those abolishing any security and sanction over the private schools to who do not believe in this idea are to private property. On the question government. While accepting that not sincere about providing of amending the RTE Act, he said children of a peon and sahukaar education to every child without any that CPI-ML stands for repealing the (moneylender) should go to the same discrimination whatsoever. Agreeing Act and replacing it by a new Act school, he said that it would be with the remark of Shri Bhupendra, altogether. unfair to force the sahukaar to send he said that the pressure to improve CPI also accepted that ‘Common his child to government school if it government school system can be School System’ should be is of inferior quality. It probably does built only when it is made established in the country and also not count for his party that it is unfair compulsory through law that all that private schools should be even for the peon that he is forced children of a particular nationalized because if there is any to send his child to a school system neighbourhood, whatever their private involvement in education downgraded by conscious policies! socio-economic background might there will be profiteering. On the As a solution to ‘profiteering’ by be, shall go to the same school of question of resources for such a private institutions, AAP’s the neighbourhood. However, he system, he pointed out that representative suggested that the added that according to his party, government has the resources to give persons who collude with private private schools will be allowed to tax-exemptions and subsidies to the players to earn profits should be operate in the ‘Common School rich but not for education. As far as controlled. If this is controlled, it System’ on the condition that they the RTE Act is concerned party’s does not matter whether the school accept the requirements of the representative stated that the party is private or government, he stated. system in full and do not charge any has been against the Act since its It is important to note that the party fee from the children nor indulge in very inception and will continue to did not answered how it will profiteering. He noted that number oppose it. establish fully free and state-funded of such schools run on philanthropic SUCI representative too ‘Common School System’ based on grounds will be practically very less. supported the necessity of ‘Neighbourhood Schools’ and On the question of how funds will establishing ‘Common School ensure fully free and equitable be provided by such government- System’ and stated that employees. education to every child without funded system, SJP pointed out that He said that when in India we say discrimination and at the same time at present huge public expenditure that a system is run by government without abolishing the multi-layered is incurred on irrelevant factors that implies teachers becoming education system that exists today. which should be curtailed, for government employees. “But we are It is interesting to note that Shri example, a poor country like India against this employees of the Bhupendra Gupta recalled a is the largest buyer of arms in the government,” he stated. He added personal incident and commented world which is a waste and lot of that the problem is not with that due to withdrawal of the the money involved in arms government funding but with influential sections from the procurement actually goes into government employees and also that government schools there has been corruption at highest levels. when government employs and pays a dilution of the “supervisory Referring to the bogey of corruption the teachers, this leads to price-rise attitude of the society in its raised by AAP he said that there is a because government takes tax to pay neighbourhood” which is need to view corruption in a larger them. He repeated that private responsible for decline of context of public policy. person running an institution is government school system. CPI-ML accepted that all “practically the same” [as Unfortunately, such voices of sanity children of the country cannot be government running it]. AAP have no resonance in the corridors educated without establishing fully representative added that private of the party he represents (i.e. free and state-funded ‘Common educational institutions are not Congress). School System’. Party companies or commercial venture SJP expressed its support to the representative said that the party but are run by Societies and Trusts view that fully free and state-funded accepts necessity of “community and if they are making profits it is ‘Common School System’ based on based” neighbourhood schools. He (Continued on Page 16) JANATA, April 27, 2014 15 Does Muslim manifestation make others secularists?

K. S. Chalam

The present election scenario privileged few in organised political other’s faith as a legacy of this seems to be different from the parties. The political parties seem to country, there will be little chance previous polls in terms of the issues have not been able to flag the to play on the emotions to expand alluded for public debate. It is suffering and pain of the poor, the the market. The amount of currently seen as personal vendetta marginalised, the deprived and the investment made on the and drama of various kinds that exploited with whose votes that they publications, institutes (Sindhology, deprived likely disquiet during the hope to come to power. There are Himalaya), places of worship and time of democratic polls. It is curious no deviations in the election related activities would end up to note that the presence of a so- manifestos or speeches of the causing enormous loss to the assets. called obstinate Hindutva face like contending parties as if all of them The investments are made not only that of Modi has not created any are fighting on a single issue in physical elements but also are verve in the campaigns as if there is indicating a situation of referendum. extended to metaphysical arenas to some pre-set truce among the Interestingly, more glamour with lay a strong foundation for the parties. The manifesto ritual is gone film stars in the campaigns is added survival of some injudicious and through and the electronic war of to avoid real issues. Therefore, the narrow minded opinion words began to indicate that India, elections appear to be fought for the makers.They appear in different the Bharatvarsha, has come of age money power by the moneyed robes, but their objective is very to affirm our preeminent place in the interests. It is alleged that in a place clear, hegemony. Therefore, it is the world. It is however not clear from like Visakhapatnam, outsiders and duty of every sane Indian to bring the manifestos and the speeches as settlers together are going to spend forth the legacy of tolerance, fairness to where our leaders are leading all about Rs 1000 crores for the Lok and non-interference (wrongly of us? Perhaps they themselves are Sabha seat. interpreted as otherworldly) in not clear as they are simply doing matters of belief systems of their karma without anticipating There is however, a risk to the individuals. This is the unique anything in return, simply leaving it people if the much publicized party identity of this sub-continent in any to the benevolence of the almighty. does not get majority. There is every part of its geography and history. Who is this almighty? Don’t possibility of whipping communal question, lest your eyes be hatred by the lackeys and not Most of our leaders suddenly blustered? necessarily their leaders in future. become secularists at the time of Because, there seem to be trillion elections and appease the minorities, In almost all our general dollars’ worth of business in the faith although all through their life they elections, the one single issue that market that is fast expanding in the stressed them due to indoctrination came up for debate was secularism. USA, Europe, Middle East and other or false education. It is ridiculous to Every other party is seen accusing advanced countries where the local note that every politician addresses the opponent of minority bashing or religions are waning and credulous the Muslims as brethren as if other inducement is not found now. It people are searching for alternatives. minorities like Christians, Jains, seems the branded parties have also Consequently, our experts, seers, Buddhists and even non-believers started cajoling the minority or pundits, babas, prophets, gurus and are their enemies. This is a deep observed silence so that the possible other religious leaders have malady that needs to be pondered margins shouldn’t disturb their developed sufficient strategies to over by concerned citizens who talk winning chances. This is really a expand the market particularly about secularism. Interestingly, significant change in our democratic among the Indian diaspora. But, it secularism has been made a funny polity signifying improvement. It all depends upon the situation in concept by our leaders and some can also be construed as a conspiracy India. If the people demonstrate that activist intellectuals with empty talk against the common man by the they are rational and tolerant of and rhetoric. None of the political R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 27, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, April 27, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday April 30, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 parties has any programme of action is always southward or to southern the life time of Prophet Mohammed. or counter-intelligence strategies to tip of the globe that included India, But, some of our jingoists become encounter religious bigotry except the most bountiful country. This is intolerant if someone says that expressing lot of sympathy for the also true in the case of ancient fair Buddhism, Jainism, even Sikhism Muslims when they are attacked. skin descendants, Christians, flourished as independent faiths Had any of the parties ever tried to Muslims and several others. They apart from the imperial Hinduism. make them strong and non- have settled here and became Indians should feel proud about the vulnerable with socio-economic and Indians through fusion of blood and diversity and tolerance displayed by reform measures or some other beliefs. There is also a group of the original inhabitants, some of concrete work devoid of dubious scholars in the USA who them have still remained outside the speechmaking? The speeches are contend that their ancestors had system due to cruelty to our own also aimed to get the label of settled there before the Native people. The issue is that the faiths ‘secularist’ instantaneously through Americans and therefore the alleged and the followers are from our own pampering of sections of Muslims. genocide is not racial. It appears that people, may be some are original There may be serious internal the neo-fascists in India share similar people who had drifted to other diversity within the community that notion or may be a part of that faiths including Islam, Christianity, makes some of them feel frustrated intellectual construction. Therefore, etc. That does not mean they are without any resolution of their we need to formulate an academic aliens. However, it is established difficulties and thus fall prey to framework to infuse confidence and that most of the saints or their tricks. Otherwise, Islam is not the brotherhood among all those who evangelization took place due to our only religion that was thrust on became citizens of this republic or trade with the West. But never, we Indians. In fact several sects, cults their progeny after 1950. succumbed to their commands. It is and faiths including the ones that a huge embarrassment now that the repose faith in ‘meruparvatha’ In fact, Indians can boast of the trading companies in the name of (Pamir) have descended on to this early beginnings of Christianity in Mega Corporations and MNCs are land from time immemorial. The Asia from Kodangalur, West Coast now prescribing procedures native Indians never bothered about of India (present Kerala) where St. including the political isometrics the aliens and happily assimilated Thomas landed in 52 AD. Similarly, to our patriots, who ruefully them till they had cunningly and the first Juma Maszid was built in prostate and comply. Alas where do with a devious vision made the local, 629 AD in Cherman, Kerala during we go! a stranger, may be an untouchable. This is unique to India and not found (Continued from Page 14) SJP’s representative also elsewhere in the world. Therefore, intervened and said that on the issue new theories started pouring in to because they are forced to do so by of nationalisation, the concept establish that Indians had migrated the corrupt government system. approved by SJP is that of to other countries and continents “This is the problem. If you stop the ‘socialisation’. He explained that civilizing them some 5000 years corruption than there is no difference nationalisation connotes a certain back. None of the Nordic countries, between the government and the form of centralisation to which SJP Iran, Iraq, etc. agree to this private,” he added. He also said that is opposed and it favours story except the agents of the even if 50 percent [of GDP] is socialisation, whereby funds are proponents. allocated to education it won’t make provided by the government but the difference because the teachers control lies in hand of local The history of mankind seems to being government employees are not community (gram sabha, nagar have not witnessed bands migrating accountable, they do not go to school palika or PTA, as the case may be) to hazardous places like the North and are protected by the “labour within framework of a well-defined Pole or to cold countries from the laws”. rules or policy. South where life is harsh. The drive (to be concluded)

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Vol. 69 No. 14 Modi lacks knowledge of Kashmir May 4, 2014 Kupdip Nayar

I was happy when Kashmir was the cleavage he has created between not the election issue till two-thirds Hindus and Muslims. He has Less the government, of the country had gone to the polls. attacked popular leader Sheikh more market democracy The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) did Abdullah for the situation prevailing K. S. Chalam say in its election manifesto that it in Kashmir. Modi did not have any would delete Article 370 which gave information on the process of Policy issues a special status to the state. But this integration. But for Sheikh Sahib, Bharat Dogra was nothing new. The BJP had been there was no one else, as tall and articulating the demand for many popular, who could have integrated years. It never got even very little the majority Muslim Jammu & Keep God out of electoral battle attention. Kashmir with the majority Hindu Rajindar Sachar India. Bihar BJP leader Giriraj Singh’s outburst that those who did not vote The Sheikh’s son, Farooq Dialogue with Political Parties for Narendra Modi should go to Abdullah’s remark that Kashmir on Education Policy - II Pakistan spoilt the atmosphere for a would not be part of communal India while. But normalcy returned when smacks of communalism. All secular the BJP distanced itself from the forces should together fight against As if he is already in….. statement. GGP communal forces. Farooq will have No doubt, Kashmir leader Farooq to be part of that confrontation. We Abdullah queered the pitch with the have to bring back the country on remark that those who voted for the secular and democratic track. Modi should jump into the sea. But the irreprehensible Abdullah did not He is relevant to the solution but Editor : spoil the atmosphere because he had so are Pakistan and those who have G. G. Parikh made such observations in the same sacrificed their lives for azadi (independence). India’s first Prime Managing Editor : Guddi vein in the past. He was seldom taken seriously. Minister Jawaharlal Nehru realized the importance of Pakistan’s interest. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, The real damage has been done He sent Sheikh Abdullah to Naushir Bharucha Marg, by Narendra Modi who stops at Islamabad to find a common ground. Mumbai - 400 007. nothing to garner votes. He has The Sheikh met General polluted the atmosphere so much Mohammad Ayub, then heading Email : [email protected] that it would take some time to repair Pakistan. 2 JANATA, May 4, 2014

The last attempt to end the second wants to be a union territory and Kashmir. Modi or his party deadlock came when the Sheikh met of India. Therefore, the demand for cannot undo it because the state Ayub in May 1964. Ayub told me in independence is confined to the joined the Union of India on that Islamabad in April 1972 that it was valley. I do not want to argue condition. It is for the state to change his impression that towards the end whether the landlocked valley would the condition if it wants to do so. Yet of his life Nehru had “realized the be economically viable or not. But I it is essential that Kashmir problem logic of the situation and had shown do want to know from the supporters is out of the way of all the three anxiety to come to terms with of the demand if it is fair on their parties—India, Pakistan and Pakistan.” part to claim the independence of Kashmir. This is difficult because the Jammu and Kashmir when they have BJP has even demanded the deletion But not much came of the practically no following either in of Article 370. Deleting it will Sheikh’s visit, for even as the talks Jammu or Ladakh. amount to betrayal of the began Nehru was dying. Pakistan understanding which Nehru and was anxious to pick up the threads. That is the reason why there are Sheikh Abdullah had reached. But the Lal Bahadur Shastri-Ayub no takers of independence outside meeting solved no problem. There the valley. Moderate Mirwaiz Umar There is a point in the warning was disappointment when Shastri Farooq’s appeal to the new Lok by Farooq Abdullah that the did not want to discuss Kashmir, nor Sabha members to rise above deletion of Article 370 can reopen mention it in the joint communiqué domestic politics on Kashmir found the question of Kashmir’s in which an early meeting between no resonance in the country. integration with India. The Article the Home Ministers of India and “Together we will be able to find originally gave New Delhi Pakistan was promised. some way to take a historic step,” Defence, Foreign Affairs and he says. But he has no credibility in Communication. Many Indian As for azadi, the militants do not India. His father was far more laws, relating to other subjects, realize that the Taliban have created realistic and favoured a solution have been extended to the state, such a scare in the world that the within the Indian union but outside some of them without the approval Kashmiri insurgents are regarded as its constitution. He was killed by the of the state legislature. Those fundamentalist. Hardliners like Syed militants. would have to go. If the status Ali Shah Gillani only confirm the which the state enjoyed soon after I can appreciate the concern over apprehension that the demand for the the integration is restored probably the victory of Modi or his BJP. But state’s independence is the other side a solution to Kashmir is possible. New Delhi has had a BJP of the same coin of religious fervor. government earlier. Modi may be the Footprints of A Crusader Pakistan, which was once stern face of Hindutva. But the (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) strongly opposed to the idea of Constitution is supreme and it independence, is quiet now. Some in assures all equality before the law. the establishment even voice their Even otherwise, India has been a by multi-religious society for thousands support to the independence Rohini Gawankar demand. They do so because their of years. expectation is that an independent Modi himself has said in his Kashmir would ultimately join speeches that he, if elected, would Published by Pakistan. take all the communities along with Kamalakar Subhedar, him for development, his agenda. The ones that have raised the Were he to disturb the diversity, the Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, demand, however genuine, should democratic and liberal forces in the Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, appreciate that they—living in the country are strong enough to fight Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), valley—cannot decide the fate of the for pluralism, the ethos of freedom Mumbai 400072. other two regions, Jammu and struggle. Ladakh. The first would like to Mobile: 9820092255 merge with India if and when the Article 370 of India’s constitution future of the state is decided. The guarantees a special status to Jammu Contribution: Rs.300+ JANATA, May 4, 2014 3 Less the government, more advantage for market democracy

K. S. Chalam

There seem to be lot of discussion that their ideas are being voiced now print on glossy paper sent to funding in the media aboutthe effectiveness through political leaders, foretelling agencies and some published by of a constricted government. that the future government would be reputed publishers with subsidy Economists of the neo-liberal era in more neo-liberal than the present available all over. What else do we the West have produced volumes of ostracized one. This seems to be the need to witness the spirit of good scholarly works on the subject and plank on which the current elections governance in India? were rewarded with the Nobel. Their are contested by most of the parties. Indian counterparts, both within the Therefore, the topic is of great Ever since the neo-liberal policies country and abroad, mostly through importance for policy makers and introduced by the government in their assignments in IMF, World for ordinary citizens too. 1991, there has been a discourse on Bank, etc. have popularised theifr new public management (NPM). theories and are still vocal. The Government is understood by There are persuasive studies and popular allegory that the invisible economists as an agent works by retired bureaucrats and foot of state is unproductive is commissioned by citizens to serving scholars on the need to accepted here through the mission exercise power for the supply of follow this American innovation to mode of the motivated experts. public goods. Public goods are those save the Indian economy. There Already media reports are abuzz that are non-rivalrious and non- were also attempts by the ruling with indications that such and such excludable like fresh air, street classes to infuse new ideas of an academic from USA is going to lighting, public roads, etc. (There administration replacing the old be the adviser to the next PM and he may be a different meaning and concept of governance. The subtle would make it sure that the state definition specified by other socials differences between administration withers away as early as possible. It scientists.) Good governance has and governance and management is also implicit in their contention also become a topic of political issue are being erased. It is almost that democracy is ultimately made in the current elections. Here we accepted both by the executive and to serve the market to reap benefits. need to look at the World Bank academics that governance in the After all, democratically elected concept since it is taken as gospel Indian state is nothing but ‘the art governments are supposed to truth and acknowledged so in India. of getting things done’ or provide employment to people and Good governance is defined as, ‘the management. Treatises are that is possible only through growth. manner in which power is exercised published by former bureaucrats on How could anyone achieve growth in the management of a country’s this important issue advising young without investment and is the economic and social resources for officers to cultivate the art of investment possible without development”. Note the word managing things. The government accumulation? State is incapable and management and not governance in has designed and sponsored training unproductive to perform these the definition around which the programmes for civil servants functions. Therefore, we have to rely executives are trained to implement through the management institutes on the market as it is a perfect and the best practices generally certified or World Bank supported unbiased institution for realizing by the Bank or its associates. The programmes mostly in the USA to growth. parameters of good governance are learn about the nuances of making judged by accountability, the state as a ‘facilitator’ of The experts, who advocate transparency, rule of law and privatisation or economic reforms. minimum role to government, do not participation (not the unfair policies The process was almost complete by have any political or ethical barriers and practices). All of them have been 2000. We have also witnessed rapid and therefore, we can find them translated into practice through economic growth and much faster unnoticeable in any form of various Acts or Government orders depletion of our resources for more government either at the centre or like RTI; Results Frame Work, Lok than a decade. The publicity and in states. It is however, interesting Pal, etc. One can see them in broad media honchos worked day and 4 JANATA, May 4, 2014 night to tell us that the rate of growth that India is a nation of snake universal franchise, etc. but, their and the model followed to charmers, but that did not bar ultimate goal is to make the market accomplish the targets were doing business with it. Perhaps, effective. In other words, the incredible in some states in the intuitively the advisers and PR democratically elected government recent history of the country. It is a firms knew that the model can would be given a mandate to ensure success story. promote both capitalism and that necessary support be given to feudal administration without the instruments of market to decide Thanks to the UN MDGs, limitation of our doctrines. The economic and social policies government took the issues of engagement of clerics and babas as including tax rates, welfare budget, poverty seriously and made business gurus seem to have etc. The experts claim that they have adjustments in data to show that resolved the differences with an worked well in the USA, Europe and India is about to be free from the agreement to expand their business elsewhere and hence should work in scourge of poverty. Yet, no in India and our faith in the West. India too. The problem in India, they bureaucrat worth his salt It seems the hypothesis of a refuse to accept, is that being a advocated a role for the state in contradiction between clergy and federal nation-state we have not yet delivering welfare to the people. capital is either resolved or reached the stage where the model All of them (may be with some misconceived in the Indian can be uniformly employed in all the exceptions) have advocated that context. Therefore, tradition and states. For instance, Gujarat has a the young officers be motivated to traders go hand in hand to do higher man-land ratio compared to work for the economic business irrespective of the type of Seemandhra , Delhi, Tamil Nadu, advancement of the nation through government in power. The etc. As per the 59th NSS Report, the privatisation. Naturally, they differentiation among social per capita availability of land among understood the real meaning of it groups like castes including the 21.6 percent of SCs is 0.34 hectares, and became billionaires dalits, OBCs, etc. is addressed by 41.6 percent of OBCs 0.76, 10.5 themselves and some joined the experts and seems to have percent of STs 0.76 and others at private sector. However, it is created models to resolve the 1.03. - the most iniquitous common sense that the job of the likely discontentment during distribution. The arable land is not state is not to train its officers for elections. It is alleged that only uniform across states: North India private sector, if at all, let there be entrepreneurs or officers with has 0.27, Central India 0.13, East lateral entry of officers. business links are selected from 0.1, South 0.18, West 0.23 and India these communities as the 0.18 lakh hectares per capita.How The message that we got from candidates in such a way that they can we implement a land policy of the current election season is that are socially capable of dealing giving thousands of hectares to there is nothing wrong with the with discontents and suppress business houses as in Gujarat, in model, but only with the men who small irritants. In other words, a Haryana, Andhra Pradesh or some managed it. It means that the business-cum-political class has other state? In fact the noted regulatory mechanisms, the rules emerged and seen contesting the economist Sheila Bhalla has pointed of the game, the RTI, Lok Pal, etc. elections in 2014. They just do not out that the unequal power are to be replaced by leaders who bother about the larger issues or relationships led to land grabbing by are more pliable to corporate social concerns like poverty foreign Investors under FDI and FII houses that do business with alleviation, empowerment, investments leading to pressure on government. In the process, some women emancipation, etc. Is this land. This is a serious question that of the experts are citing instances a phenomenon of market can be engaged in by a market from states that have shown democracy? democracy if it is left free. Why outstanding results. They however, should the state get involved in this fail to explain or intentionally The essence of market democracy contentious issue? In an election avoid the consequences of the according to Noam Chomsky is season, the advisers must have model and the specificity of the engineering of consent through suggested for initiating a veiled state, vis -a -vis other states. democratic process. Here some of debate on this to convince the voters Interestingly, they appear to have the institutions look like democratic, on the merits of outsourcing accepted the comments of the West such as political parties, elections, governance. JANATA, May 4, 2014 5 Policy issues that were ignored in election campaign

Bharat Dogra

In the heated election campaign linkages due to which any wider increasing green cover and forests. while some frivolous issues economic crisis is absorbed quickly Farmers’ seed rights should be well- generated quite a few headlines, unsettling our national economy protected and seed-banks of some crucial policy change issues should be avoided. traditional diverse seeds should be were by and large ignored. They are: set up with the close involvement of Budget making should emphasise farmers including elderly farmers Economic inequalities should be raising of adequate resources to meet and women. Increasing control of reduced significantly as a matter of the basic needs of all people. Luxury big companies including policy with emphasis on improving consumption and high profit areas multinational companies or their the prospects of people in the lowest should be taxed adequately, while subsidiaries over seeds and other layers of economy. In several critical the tendency to give heavy critical areas should be checked. areas of the economy the public concessions to corporate sector has G.M. crops and the related sector should continue to play an to be given up. technology should be strictly banned important role. Multinational and keeping in view their many-sided, foreign companies should be Well-coordinated efforts should serious and irreversible adverse regulated very carefully. be made with other countries to impacts and hazards. Use of Cooperative sector should be reform the existing international chemical pesticides and weedicides reformed and strengthened to accept finance and trade institutions, or for should be minimised as much as increasing responsibilities. Certain starting new justice based possible. Protection of various forms products and areas can be reserved international institutions. of life who play a helpful role in for small-scale and cottage-scale farming should be emphasised. entrepreneurs, cooperatives and self- Fertile agricultural land should as help groups with emphasis on far as possible be saved for Water conservation as well as meeting basic needs of villages and agriculture and chances of protection/regeneration of greenery small towns as well as generation of displacement of farmers should be provide the base for survival in the more diverse livelihoods there. minimised. Special care should be form of meeting basic needs of life taken to protect the land rights of and supporting basic rural In foreign trade the drift towards tribals and to ensure the proper livelihoods. Some existing heavy imports of several non- protection of laws enacted for this provisions like rural employment essentials including gold should be purpose. High priority should be guarantee can be strengthened for avoided. Steps which reduce given to make available cultivation this. In terms of resource use, excessive dependence on imports land to as many landless farm concentrating attention on smaller should be emphasised, while the workers as possible, using either watershed programmes as well as sovereign government’s capacity to provisions like land ceiling laws, or proper maintenance of existing reduce imports should be reclaimed. reclamation of new land using water canals will yield much better results Similarly patent laws should be in conservation and other steps. instead of various new big and line with national interest. Free trade medium projects of dams and canals. agreements, existing and proposed, Ecologically protective, low-cost, Of course this will also be should be clearly examined to location-specific technology which ecologically much safer and will protect national interests. Steps seeks to make best use of local help to avoid a lot of displacement. should be taken in time to avoid resources and conditions should be Safety of existing dams should be a heavy indebtedness, balance of emphasised, an approach which significant area of concern. payments problems and heavy includes organic farming, protection Indigenous mixed tree plantation dependence on uncertain ‘hot of traditional seeds and biodiversity, work which resembles natural money’ inflows. The type of soil and water conservation, forests should be emphasised and 6 JANATA, May 4, 2014 cutting of existing green trees should Keep God out of electoral battle be minimised as much as possible. Indigenous trees which provide low-level exchanges at the highest level are sickening fodder and fruits should be emphasised in addition to trees with better soil and water conservation Rajindar Sachar properties. BJP prime ministerial candidate The Hindus’ most sacred Protection and regeneration of Narendra Modi is rushing through scripture, the four Vedas, which they natural mixed forests should get very the country, projecting the Gujarat believe were God's spoken words, high priority. The practice of raising development model which, he are said to have been instilled into monoculture plantations of claims, will be applied at the all- Brahama Rishis, whose names are commercial species of trees in place India level so as to make India as not even known. Hindus believe in of natural forests should be given up one of the envious countries in the the “Trimurti” of Brahma, Vishnu forever. Forest based livelihoods of world. It is a different matter that and Mahesh (Shiva). They further tribals and other communities living a credible critic like the Peoples believe that when there is injustice, in and around forests should be Union for Civil Liberties, a human anarchy on earth, Vishnu comes in protected and promoted. Their co- rights organisation founded by the garb of man (Avtar) to save the operatives or groups should be the Jayaprakash Narayan during the world. So is the story of Lord Rama, main beneficiaries of minor forest Emergency in 1975, has published and Lord Krishna whom God gave produce based sustainable a book "Truth on Gujarat mortal shape and then sent them to livelihoods, which emphasise also Development", which shows all earth to carry out His work. But the protection of trees. These these claims to be false. nowhere under Hinduism has a communities should never be mortal man (I hope Modi loyalists displaced or evicted in the name of I can understand the exaggerated would not contradict the mundane protection of wild life and forest; claims made by Modi and the claim that Modi is a mortal person, instead they should get livelihoods disreputable attempt by the Congress like the rest of the earthly people) in this protection. to cover up the corruption scandals ever been entrusted direct by God to and inefficiencies of the UPA save the nation. Animal husbandry should be government as part of a normal encouraged with special emphasis election strategy. But when Modi More forcefully the same on regeneration of pastures and invokes God to his support in the message and pattern runs through fodder trees as well as protection of elections, as he did recently by all the other religions. To indigenous species of farm animals. saying “that he has been chosen by Christians Christ was the son of God to rescue the country…. that God - no other Christian claims a Availability of essential food God chooses certain people to do direct contact with God. The holy items in public distribution network the difficult work” and he believes, Quran rejects the notion of should be linked to strengthening of “God has chosen me for this attributing divine qualities to small and medium farmers in all work”, this is a statement that anyone other than God. The Quran rural areas. All raw food items violates every teaching and contains narratives of previous needed for public distribution tradition of Hinduism. Of course, prophets such as Adam, Abraham system as well as various nutrition I know very little of Hindu and Moses. programmes should be procured Shastras. But I know reasonably from local farmers at a fair price. As well to assert that under Hinduism Prophet Muhammad (the last far as possible self-reliance in God has never enlisted a mortal to Messenger of God) never claimed essential diverse food items at the save the country or lead the nation. that God revealed to him the Quran local, district level should be ensured Rather it is sacrilegious for any direct. The Prophet’s submissiveness with internal trade filling in Hindu mortal to claim that in to God is so complete as is shown unavoidable gaps. Rules of WTO or worldly matters he is the chosen by his open declaration that it was (Continued on Page 7) one by through Angel Gabriel that God JANATA, May 4, 2014 7 revealed the Quran to him. So Modi's the highest devotion and went on the first day to attend the claim that he has been chosen by reverence? Lok Sabha session Pt. Nehru made God is sacrilegious. It is against the it a point to be present there and to teachings of not just Hinduism and Not to be outdone, Sonia personally welcome him. The Islam, but of all religions. To claim Gandhi has also invoked God to moral is - good manners should not such proximity to God is the most save the country from the Gujarat become victim of political rivalry. serious sacrilege. model. Who should God listen to Is it too much to expect that at least because He is for all religions? Can for the rest of the election period, Another declaration by Modi one not expect politicians to leave let the debate be at the political when he went to file his God alone to look after us small level and not on personal nomination papers from Varanasi mortals who have only Him to save vilification? attributed to him says that he has us? not come on his own, but that he (Continued from Page 6) The low-level exchanges has come at the command of Mata any other international rules between the Congress and the BJP (mother) Ganga. It is well known which stand in the way of at the highest level are sickening that to Hindus the Ganga is not just strengthening local food or farming and show what degrading lows the a river but all divinity is attributed systems should be resisted. to it. I am not going into the fight for political plums can drag question whether these words the parties to. This was not always Steps should be taken to free amount to invoking religious so. Let me give an example of the various kinds of produce from the appeal during the elections and a dignity with which Dr. grip of a few big traders and corrupt practice, thus entailing Rammanohar Lohia and Pt. Nehru, speculators so that farmers get disqualification. I concede that known to be great political rivals, justice and sudden escalations in Modi is more conversant with the acted in the thick of the 1962 price for consumers are also Hindu religion than me who could general election when Dr. Lohia avoided. Direct contacts between be called an ignoramus in this decided to stand for Parliament farmers and city-based consumers context. So surely he would against Pt. Nehru. He wrote to him for healthy, organic food can be remember that when Bhisham thus: In these elections, your encouraged by allocating space in Pitamah, one of the great heroes victory is certain. But if the specific city markets to clusters of in epic Mahabharat, goes to certainty is turned into uncertainty villages, subject to certain Mother Ganga (it should be and ultimately to your defeat then conditions so that the weaker, remembered that Ganga was the I would be extremely happy and it smaller farmers can also benefit. real mother of Bhisham, according would also be beneficial for the to the epic), Ganga gets angry and country. Then you would get the Any interference by international tells Bhisham: 'Why do you come opportunity to improve yourself agencies, WTO or others, in a well- running to me whenever you have and become a better person. In the organised system of food security any problem — use your own end, I pray for your long life so that and food self-reliance based on thinking and act accordingly'. I may get the opportunity to reform farmers’ secure livelihoods should Bhisham Pitamaha, the real son of you. be resisted strongly. the Ganga, accepts this The country should aim for self- remonstration in all humility. So if Pt. Nehru replied : I am happy that reliance in all essential consumer Ganga, the real mother, does not a sober person like you is opposing and capital goods. Only when this want to get embroiled in worldly me in the elections. I think in this is not possible given our resource problems of her real son Bhisham, election the discussion would be constraints, imports should be used. why would Ganga especially call centred on the political programmes. Modi, who is engaged in petty Be cautious and ensure that the All industrial units need to abide worldly matters of elections? personal discussion should be by properly framed regulations Shriman Modi, why are you curtailed." related to pollution, environment, cheapening the divinity and the displacement, health, safety, worship of Mother Ganga for Later on in 1963 when Dr. Lohia workers’ welfare, standards and whom millions of Hindus have was elected to the Lok Sabha and consumers’ concerns. 8 JANATA, May 4, 2014

Notebook As if he is already in…..

He is already in. The Media qualitatively different from what it Minister was not allowed to come behaves so, believes so. On the is today. up, though it should be admitted that strength of this belief, a new he, Shri Kalsaria, paid the price by “industry” has sprung up. Of scribes Interestingly, the media does not losing his seat. And villagers in advising him on what he should do, mention the RSS much while talking Gujarat have not allowed many so- speculating his options and what he about him; it, perhaps, there are called development projects to come is likely to choose, in fact bending pockets of resistance within it to the up. When there are so many such over themselves to create sympathy RSS and they may not want the stalled projects in Gujarat itself, his for him. The failed economy, empty designs of the right wing failure in delivering land and natural treasury, runaway price rise…that he organisation to succeed. All through resources to industries in the country has inherited. The media focuses the freedom movement, the RSS was will only multiply. The country will solely on him, not on the NDA or kept at bay and the surge that was find, perhaps soon, that he is not the BJP for he is seen to be larger than expected by the RSS-like forces Loh Purush they made him out to his party. after Gandhiji’s daylight murder, be, the real Loh Purush are the actually became the very cause of people, the people sensitised by In all this the one thing that stands their failure. While Gujarat, or rather Tilak, Gandhiji and Babasaheb, by out, nay shouts, is the managing of its citizens, may have turned their the freedom movement, by the the media, and the realisation that back on Gandhiji and replaced him Constitution, by socialists and the media can be “used” as an by an icon, borrowed from the communists, by the JP movement, effective tool to create whatever freedom movement, calling him Loh by the anti-Emergency persona one wants to adopt. One had Purush, they have forgotten that he movement…. heard about it happening in the past, was what he was, because of read about such manipulations, but Gandhiji. But the country will not Speculation on how different actually witnessing these forget Gandhiji. It will also not be actors in Indian politics will react to machinations, increases their lost on many that even the leaders his rise, reveal some interesting fascination. He is the product of the of BJP avoid mentioning the possibilities. The RSS needs to be media and he is also in a sense, founders of the RSS namely Shri considered first, because it has creator of the media. Since the media Hedgewar or Shri Golwalkar. staked its everything on his success. belongs to the corporate sector, it It will watch him hawk eyed: He is will be easy to conclude that his What is on the cards is that the their product and has been anointed victory is the victory of the corporate myriad on-going protest movements by it. The RSS will expect him to sector. in the country will only intensify, deliver what it dreamt of at its and the expectation of the corporate formation. And going by what he has One lesson that some, perhaps sector that more land and natural done as Chief Minister, he will do many, will learn is that the corporate resources will be available easily or his best not to renege on their hopes. sector has now become so powerful for the asking may turn out to be no But this will create a problem. The that it can do, or get done whatever more than wishful thinking. A frail corporate sector will not expect him it wants to. And, this, paradoxically, man, nearing his century, has given follow the RSS script and that will will result in radicalisation of Narendra Modi sleepless nights cause, perhaps the first friction. He politics in the country. For not all because the latter could not go ahead will have to choose between the the people have accepted the with some of his development sector, which made his image, which corporate sector as the arbiter of projects and a BJP MLA, Shri ensured what he has become today, their fate. (The media obviously has, Kalsaria defeated him in the sense and what the RSS wants. This as it is owned by them.) And so, that a project of an industrialist conflict will play out over the next politics after Narendra Modi will be favoured by Narendra Modi as Chief few months, or maybe next couple JANATA, May 4, 2014 9 of years, and the disenchantment The regional parties will find that And the people’s movements, will start in some section or the other their support to the NDA means they there are so many of them, will of our society. And then there are have to capitulate to the dictats of become more focused, more sharp, Ramdevs, Girirajs and Togadias. this larger than life leader and their more aggressive, because they will They will do what they are best at ability to bargain for seats and power not miss the fact that Narendra Modi and Modi will be reminded of is stymied, so they may perceive the is the creation of that sector which Rajdharma and they will lament the NDA, as an enemy. was and is their target. Greens – fact that he ignored the sage advice there is no green party - will get a when it was given to him. There will Socialists, who played a pivotal new traction and those who wish to be no fall-back position. Those who role in the freedom movement, and protect the livelihoods of common were witness to the Janata also, in all progressive movements, people will find in the environmental government will remember how the post-Independence, will undergo an movement and its ideological RSS had started a rumour campaign interesting metamorphosis. There formulations, a new source of against Atal Behari Vajpayee when will be efforts to bring them together inspiration and the cause for their he started writing his own script. on a common platform and they will existence. Gandhiji’s ideas, which This will be Narendra Modi’s fate take to a people’s movement readily. are practiced by many activists, too, if goes against the RSS. Socialists had set up Rashtra Seva though not specifically mentioned, Dal to combat the RSS. It still exists will now get openly mentioned. And now to take a look at the and may become more active. The Congress – defeated and trade union movement, faced with There are no ifs….it is clear. demoralised. But any effort to revive what they call third generation Radicalisation of politics is on the the party by those of its leaders who reforms, will take to streets under cards and there are exciting days try to, will find that the space on the socialists and communists. And ahead. India will, like South right is overcrowded. Prithviraj socialists will go green with global America, blaze a new trajectory for Chauhan who allowed himself to say warming and the increasing a new world. There will be people that the party could have taken inequality becoming important who will reject this thinking as decisions on environment faster, will motivations. Hopefully they will wishful thinking. If it is so, so be it. find that there is no future anymore learn a lesson or two. When a tactic on that side. It is quite possible that or strategy to achieve a given – G GP the Congress will turn to Indira objective is made into an end, Gandhi, Pandit Nehru or even unintended results follow. This is Acharya Javadekar Gandhiji for ideas and it may lurch precisely what has happened leftwards. In 1930, the Congress when the strategy that was accepted A Satyagrahi Socialist announced Purna Swaraj, and in by some socialists to defeat 1954, it talked of Awadi socialism Congress became their sole aim. And by (the hated word even among one more lesson needs to be learnt. Congressmen now), and for all we A split in an ideological party G. P. Pradhan know these major events of the past results in negating the very may guide its future. The word possibility of achieving its inclusive which the Congress uses ideological outcome. often may take a new meaning and the definition of PPP which means The IAC/AAP- sensitised middle private profit at public cost may get class is unlikely to go back to its reversed and the corporate sector, sheltered existence. They took to the Price: Rs. 20/- which has already abandoned the streets with the depths that crony Congress, may provide it some capitalism and corruption had Janata Trust rational reasons for its leftword lurch plunged the country, many have D-15, Ganesh Prasad, by making it a scapegoat for all that appreciated Arvind Kejriwal’s Naushir Bharucha Marg, it views as the failure of the economy. taking on Narendra Modi and hence Grant Road (W), they will not become the latter’s Attacked, the Congress may find a Mumbai 400 007. new soul. admirers. 10 JANATA, May 4, 2014 Dialogue with Political Parties on Education Policy - II Global Capital’s Agenda to Privatise and Commercialise Higher Education

The pattern of neoliberal policies engineering, management etc.). Yet, fall into the trap of imperialist global introduced in the school education the governments do not hesitate in capital and its sovereignty would be system is now being replicated in praising the private institutions and eroded. the higher education of the country establishing ‘education hubs’ where and privatisation and private institutions can flourish by Question: (A) Is your party ready commercialisation is being charging huge fees from students. to struggle in the parliament to save promoted at rapid pace in this Even the education loans that have higher education from assault of sector. During NDA’s regime in grown in last decade are nothing but privatisation and commercialisation year 2000, the Ambani-Birla a backdoor method of providing and to re-establish the constitutional Committee constituted by the subsidy to private institutions which agenda of establishing a higher government presented its report are otherwise too costly for ordinary education capable of building a which recommended that secondary students and would turn bankrupt democratic, secular, egalitarian, just and higher education should be without this backdoor subsidy. and enlightened society in India? If handed over to the private sector. yes, is there any evidence of this in NDA also initiated the process of In recent years, several state party’s manifesto? What is the putting the ‘offer’ of higher governments have reduced the agenda of your party to change the education in WTO-GATS, which funding of higher education ongoing policies? institutions. Permanent faculties are was subsequently taken ahead by (B) If your party is not in favour being replaced by ‘contract’ teachers UPA-I. The UPA-II presented six of handing over education to global and ‘guest faculty’. Fund-starved Bill on higher education to establish markets, then is there a resolve in public universities are forced to start the legislative framework required party’s manifesto to withdraw the ‘self-financing courses’ which are for facilitating trade in higher ‘offer’ of higher education made by framed according to the dictates of education. Although these Bills are the government in WTO-GATS or global market instead of our social pending in the parliament, many to create public awareness against it needs or the requirements of the political parties are in favour of and also to pressurize the particular subject. The private them. government in parliament? institutions are already functioning In the 11th Plan, policies of according to the recommendations (C) If your party is in favour of siphoning of public funds and assets of ‘Ambani-Birla Report’ and now privatisation and commercialisation to private hands through PPP were even the public universities are of higher education then what implemented and laws for being pushed in that direction. Due alternative policy does the party has establishing private universities to this, the country is now returning to establish the constitutional agenda were passed by several states. The to colonial slavery when all of establishing a higher education market of these private higher knowledge production will be capable of building a democratic, education shops is expanding by centred in developed capitalist secular, egalitarian, just and support of central and state countries and India will be forced to enlightened society? governments. However, there are buy costly knowledge by paying for serious questions on the quality of hefty patents for the low grade (D) If your party is in favour of education provided by most of these degrees awarded by low quality handing over higher education to private institutions and even today institutions here. This was one of the global markets through WTO- they are far behind the public sector major reasons of India’s GATS, how it will protect and institutions in almost all areas (like impoverishment in the colonial strengthen the sovereignty of the humanities, law, science, medicine, times. Thus, India will increasingly nation? JANATA, May 4, 2014 11

Responses: act as grievance redressal praised saying that his mechanism and also as an advisory proposals have been a boon to the CPM representative stated that body on higher education. Besides, nation. the party is against giving higher the party promises to establish a education in private hands as well ‘National Youth Commission’. He The SP also stated that it is as against FDI (Foreign Direct further stated that the party has opposed to privatisation in higher Investment) in this sector. She promised to establish 70 new education. Party representative informed that CPM manifesto universities. stated that the party manifesto clearly states that sectors like clearly speaks against privatisation education, health and water should When he was reminded that UPA of higher education, however, he did not be included in WTO-GATS has already accepted the goal of not mention what alternatives does negotiations. She told that the party establishing 1500 universities the party suggested to reverse manifesto demands withdrawal of (recommended by the Knowledge privatisation that has already the higher education Bills pending Commission), so if Congress is happened or to revert the ‘offer’ of in the parliament (“Foreign promising to establish 70 new higher education made by the Educational Institutions (Regulation universities, what about the rest government in WTO. of Entry and Operations) Bill, 1430 universities? And how they 2010”, “The Higher Education and will be established, i.e. whether they SJP’s Shri Sunil stated that the Research Bill (THER) 2011, and will be under PPP or through FDI or party is committed to free higher “Universities for Research and foreign universities will be invited? education and it is against FDI in the Innovation Bill, 2012”). It also He declined to comment on this. sector as well as the WTO-GATS demands restoring democratic rights agenda in higher education. of students, teachers and non- Responding to the question, AAP However, it is not against intellectual teaching staff in higher education representative stated that his party exchange, provided it is based on institutions. CPM is also against the is not in favour of globalisation in equality. education at the present moment and ‘Four-Year Undergraduate CPI-ML representative informed it will follow the national consensus Programmes’ and will repeal them that although the agenda of in this regards. He stated that the when it comes in power. Later in the establishing democratic, secular, party is yet to fully analyse the issue discussion, she also added that the enlightened and humane education and take an appropriate stand on it. party is in favour of necessary is not expressly stated in party However, as far as the issue of changes in the educational manifesto, it has been in party’s privatisation and nationalisation of curriculum to incorporate the rich agenda and is integral programme of higher education is considered, AAP cultural diversity of the country. party’s student organisation. The “does not distinguishes between party is also committed to reverting Congress representative said that operator A and operator B, whereas, privatisation, commercialisation and he will put the issue raised here A can be private and B can be also the WTO-GATS agenda in before his party for consideration. government”. To solve the problem education as well as all other sectors. Subsequently, he said that the of higher education he suggested Congress-led government has that AAP stands for instituting SUCI also expressed its expanded higher education accountability and especially the commitment to free higher education considerably by establishing new accountability of teachers. Besides, and against privatisation and WTO IITs, IIITs, IIMs and AIIMSs. He AAP favours extensive use of agenda in higher education. The informed that the party manifesto information technology and e- party also opposes bureaucratization promises establishment of learning and also to establish of universities that is subverting ‘Educational Regulatory “industry-academia interface”. democracy in educational Commission’, an umbrella body to Interestingly, the AAP representative institutions. The Issue of Equality vs. Inclusion in Education Out of the total children admitted groups), only 17-18 percent are able than 80 percent of the children are in class I (from all class-caste to pass class XII, the remaining more ‘pushed out’ of the education system 12 JANATA, May 4, 2014 due to many reasons. Only about 6 stated that the manifesto is merely a instead of ‘equality’ in the state percent of tribal children, 8 percent short-term document for a particular where it rules at present. of the Dalit children, 9 percent of election, and the party programme the Muslims, and 10 percent of the which is committed to ‘people’s SJP’s Shri Sunil had added in the OBCs are able to cross class XII. democratic revolution’ binds the reply given to the last question that This means that 90 percent of the party to the principle of equality. the party is against the policies as children from dalit and backward well as the idea of ‘inclusion’ and castes are not only deprived of The Congress representative, that it supports ‘equality’. higher education but they are also who had left the discussion earlier, denied the benefits of social justice had told that his previous reply CPI-ML stated that it supports agenda i.e. reservations. In other stands for this question as well. ‘equality’ and the demand of words, the much talked about agenda Clearly, the party not only favours establishing ‘Common School of ‘inclusion’ in 11th Plan is merely ‘inclusion’ over and above System’ is related to for a selected handful of the 10 ‘equality’, but its government is implementation of the principle of percent or even less of the youth actively implementing policies of ‘equality’ only. If such a system is from dalit and backward castes. Is inclusion in education system, implemented the problem of more there any party to raise voice against especially higher education. than 80 percent children getting an education system that deprives excluded will be solved. However, more than 90 percent of education AAP representative stated that he the party representative also and ‘includes’ a small number within sees the issue in terms of ‘drop-outs’, candidly accepted that the party the remaining 10 percent? i.e. 90 percent students drop-out till manifesto does not expressly class XII. [At this point he was contain any statement against Questions: (A) Does your party asked, if would prefer the term ‘drop- policies of ‘inclusion’. accepts the neoliberal principle of out’ instead of ‘push-out’. He replied ‘inclusion’ instead of the that he preferred using ‘drop-out’ CPI also stated its stand in constitutional ideal of ‘equality’ for and spelled the reasons for this as favour of equality and its the children and youth of dalit and well]. “I will give an example, you representative stated that no form backward communities? can take the horse to a pond but of inequality is acceptable to the cannot make it drink water”, he said. party. He said that from the very (B) If not, then what agenda does He explained that those who do not time of independence, the party your party manifesto spells to understand what is being taught from has demanded that free and reverse current policies of the beginning drop-out subsequently egalitarian education system ‘inclusion’? and no matter what policy is brought should be implemented which is nothing can happen of such students. the only solution to the present (C) If yes, then what agenda does The solution offered by AAP is to crisis. your party manifesto has to build a import the concept of ‘effortless democratic, secular, egalitarian and learning’ from US and other SUCI also supported equality and just India through the so-called developed countries SP stated that the party is in favour of policies of ‘inclusion’? representative tried to evade the increasing budgetary allocation to question altogether by stating education and bring it to 10 percent Responses: vaguely that his party is committed of GDP to solve the problem of the to uplifting of backward sections etc. ‘push-outs’. He stated that a cultural CPM’s Sandhya Shaili stated that He also gave examples of efforts movement is required for her party will support ‘equality’ over made by SP government in UP like democratization of the society which ‘inclusion’. On the question of distribution of laptops, cycles and is also a reason for children getting “drop-outs”, she stated that the party also opening of schools in backward excluded. He also said that manifesto includes provisions to areas. It is clear that not only the reservation in its present form is initiate necessary economic party manifesto does not contains merely polarising the society and its changes, increased financial any such reference but also that the benefits are being taken away by the allocation and setting up bodies and party government is actually ‘creamy-layer’ within backward mechanism to curb it. Besides, she implementing policies of ‘inclusion’ castes. JANATA, May 4, 2014 13 Concluding Remarks

The question, finally, is what only solution! The party does not lessons should we draw from the even acknowledge the structural certain important points like the real above discussion about the inequalities of education system and nature of RTE Act, policies of educational agenda of the political it wants us to believe that the dogma ‘inclusion’ and establishment of parties invited to the discussion? of technology and anti-corruption is ‘Common School System’ is Some brief observations in this the ultimate panacea of all ills. In developed. regards are, case the part comes to power, it will not curb privatisation and · Among the parties whose ·The Congress has no alternative commercialisation, and instead of representatives did not appear, as to offer other than what it has done pursuing the constitutional vision of already mentioned, BJP did not even in not only the last decade of its rule, equality and social justice it replace bother to inform the reason of not but from the very beginning of the it with some quick fix of technology sending its representative! This was economic reforms that it started. If imported from the developed definitely not by any ‘mistake’ returned to power, the party will capitalist countries. because the party’s state leadership continue with unabated privatisation at the highest level was contacted and commercialisation of education · Samajwadi Party has no vision and several reminders were also at all levels. It has already subverted beyond a vulgar populist slogan that sent. Clearly, BJP decided not to the Constitutional agenda of it has given in its manifesto, i.e. to participate in the discussion and ‘equality’ and implemented policies provide free education from primary there can be two reasons for this, of ‘inclusion’ hands in gloves with to higher levels. Although the party firstly, it is afraid of any discussion its largest opponent, i.e. BJP. is high in terms of such sloganeering, and questioning as to its polices for Although the party representative it has nothing to offer in terms of fear of getting exposed; or secondly, stated that Congress is ready for concrete policies and agenda except the party does not believes in dialogue on the policies it has pursuing the neoliberal policies of democratic discussion altogether. initiated, AIFRTE’s experience privatisation and inclusion. proves the contrary. So, as the General Elections · As far as the various sections of progress, the country needs to know AAP, riding on a populist tide of the Left are concerned, it is true that and explore what real alternatives it anti-corruption refuses to even their position on education system has. Should we opt the same “Rulers, acknowledge the Constitutional is broadly in agreement with our who neither see, nor feel, nor know, vision of equality and justice as far demand of ending privatisation and /But leech-like to their fainting as education policy is concerned. If commercialisation and establishing country cling” or seek those with for Congress privatisation is ‘Common School System’ based on commitment to the ideals that moved something that ‘cannot be reversed equality and social justice. However, our great freedom struggle! now’, for AAP privatisation is the it is desirable that more clarity on –Lokesh Malti Prakash for Shiksha Adhikar Manch A short history of May Day The history of the world holiday hour working day in Chicago in that convicted them was on the 1st May - May Day, or 1886, and the subsequent execution characterised by “hysteria, packed International Workers Day, held in of innocent anarchist workers. juries and a biased judge”. The state commemoration of four anarchists In 1887, four Chicago anarchists had, in the words of the prosecution executed for struggling for an 8-hour were executed; a fifth cheated the put “Anarchy is on trial” and hoped day. hangman by killing himself in their deaths would also be the death Originally a pagan holiday, the prison. Three more were to spend six of the anarchist idea. roots of the modern May Day bank years in prison until pardoned by The anarchists were trade union holiday are in the fight for the eight- Governor Altgeld who said the trial organisers and May Day became an 14 JANATA, May 4, 2014 international workers day to forge strong bonds of class captain John Bonfield of this and remember their sacrifice. They were solidarity, which was worrying to suggested that the large force of framed on false charges of throwing the bosses who were keen to break police reservists waiting at the a bomb at police breaking up a the workers’ organisations. station house be sent home. demonstration in Chicago. This was When on May 1st 1886, the eight It was close to ten in the evening part of a strike demanding an 8 hour hour strikes convulsed that city, one when Fielden was closing the day involving 400,000 workers in half of the workforce at the meeting. It was raining heavily and Chicago that started May 1st 1886 . McCormick Harvester Co. came out. only about 200 people remained in It began over a century ago when Two days later a mass meeting was the square. Suddenly a police the American Federation of Labour held by 6,000 members of the column of 180 men, headed by adopted an historic resolution which ‘lumber shovers’ union who had also Bonfield, moved in and ordered the asserted that “eight hours shall come out. The meeting was held people to disperse immediately. constitute a legal day’s labour from only a block from the McCormick Fielden protested “we are and after May 1st, 1886". plant and was joined by some 500 peaceable”. In the months prior to this date of the strikers from there. At this moment a bomb was workers in their thousands were The workers listened to a speech thrown into the ranks of the police. drawn into the struggle for the by the anarchist August Spies, who It killed one, fatally wounded six shorter day. Skilled and unskilled, has been asked to address the more and injured about seventy black and white, men and women, meeting by the Central Labour others. The police opened fire on the native and immigrant were all Union. While Spies was speaking, spectators. How many were becoming involved. urging the workers to stand together wounded or killed by the police In Chicago alone 400,000 were and not give in to the bosses, the bullets was never exactly out on strike. A newspaper of that strikebreakers were beginning to ascertained. city reported that “no smoke curled leave the nearby McCormick plant. A reign of terror swept over up from the tall chimneys of the The strikers, aided by the ‘lumber Chicago. The press and the pulpit factories and mills, and things had shovers’ marched down the street called for revenge, insisting the assumed a Sabbath-like and forced the scabs back into the bomb was the work of socialists and appearance”. This was the main factory. Suddenly a force of 200 anarchists. Meeting halls, union centre of the agitation, and here the police arrived and, without any offices, printing works and private anarchists were in the forefront of warning, attacked the crowd with homes were raided. All known the labour movement. It was to no clubs and revolvers. They killed at socialists and anarchists were small extent due to their activities least one striker, seriously wounded rounded up. Even many individuals that Chicago became an outstanding five or six others and injured an ignorant of the meaning of socialism trade union centre and made the indeterminate number. and anarchism were arrested and biggest contribution to the eight- Outraged by the brutal assaults he tortured. “Make the raids first and hour movement. had witnessed, Spies went to the look up the law afterwards” was the The Chicago anarchist movement office of the Arbeiter-Zeitung and public statement of Julius Grinnell, was also strong. In 1884, they composed a circular calling on the the state’s attorney. produced the world’s first Anarchist workers of Chicago to attend a Eventually eight men stood trial daily newspaper, the Chicagoer protest meeting the following night. for being “accessories to murder”. Arbeiter-Zeitung, plus a weekly, The protest meeting took place in They were Spies, Fielden, Parsons, Fackel, and a Sunday edition, the Haymarket Square and was and five other anarchists who were Vorbote. By 1886, these newspapers addressed by Spies and two other influential in the labour movement, had a circulation of over 26,000 - anarchists active in the trade union Adolph Fischer, George Engel, read by the large German immigrant movement, Albert Parsons and Michael Schwab, Louis Lingg and working class community of the city. Samuel Fielden. Oscar Neebe. There were also newspapers for Throughout the speeches the The trial opened on June 21st English, Bohemian and crowd was orderly. Mayor Carter 1886 in the criminal court of Cooke Scandinavian speakers. As well as Harrison, who was present from the County. The candidates for the jury this, Chicago anarchists were active beginning of the meeting, concluded were not chosen in the usual manner in the unions and organised picnics, that “nothing looked likely to of drawing names from a box. In this lectures, dances, libraries and other happen to require police case a special bailiff, nominated by events for workers. These helped interference”. He advised police state’s attorney Grinnell, was JANATA, May 4, 2014 15 appointed by the court to select the Schwab and Fielden to life 1890 anniversary of the Chicago candidates. The defence was not imprisonment. Lingg cheated the protests. May Day was formally allowed to present evidence that the hangman by committing suicide in recognized as an annual event at the special bailiff had publicly claimed his cell the day before the International’s second congress in “I am managing this case and I know executions. On November 11th 1891. what I am about. These fellows are 1887 Parsons, Engel, Spies and Subsequently, the May Day Riots going to be hanged as certain as Fischer were hanged. of 1894 occurred. In 1904, the death”. 600,000 working people turned International Socialist Conference The eventual composition of the out for their funeral. The campaign meeting in Amsterdam called on “all jury was farcical; being made up of to free Neebe, Schwab and Fielden Social Democratic Party businessmen, their clerks and a continued. On June 26th 1893 organizations and trade unions of all relative of one of the dead Governor Altgeld set them free. He countries to demonstrate policemen. No proof was offered by made it clear he was not granting energetically on May First for the the state that any of the eight men the pardon because he thought the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, before the court had thrown the men had suffered enough, but for the class demands of the bomb, had been connected with its because they were innocent of the proletariat, and for universal peace.” throwing, or had even approved of crime for which they had been The congress made it “mandatory such acts. In fact, only three of the tried. They and the hanged men had upon the proletarian organizations of eight had been in Haymarket Square been the victims of “hysteria, all countries to stop work on May 1, that evening. packed juries and a biased judge”. wherever it is possible without injury No evidence was offered that any The authorities believed at the to the workers.” of the speakers had incited violence, time of the trial that such In many countries, the working indeed in his evidence at the trial persecution would break the back classes sought to make May Day an Mayor Harrison described the of the eight-hour movement. official holiday, and their efforts speeches as “tame”. No proof was Indeed, evidence later came to light largely succeeded. May Day has offered that any violence had been that the bomb may have been long been a focal point for contemplated. In fact, Parsons had thrown by a police agent working demonstrations by various socialist, brought his two small children to the for Captain Bonfield, as part of a communist and anarchist groups. meeting. conspiracy involving certain steel In the United States and Canada, That the eight were on trial for bosses to discredit the labour however, the official holiday for their anarchist beliefs and trade movement. workers is Labor Day in September. union activities was made clear When Spies addressed the court After the Haymarket Square riot in from the outset. The trial closed as after he had been sentenced to die, May, 1886, US President Grover it had opened, as was witnessed by he was confident that this Cleveland feared that the final words of Attorney conspiracy would not succeed: commemorating Labor Day on May Grinnell’s summation speech to the “If you think that by hanging us 1 could become an opportunity to jury. “Law is on trial. Anarchy is you can stamp out the labour commemorate the riots. Thus he on trial. These men have been movement... the movement from moved in 1887 to support the Labor selected, picked out by the Grand which the downtrodden millions, the Day that the anti-anarchist union the Jury, and indicted because they millions who toil in misery and want, Knights Of Labor supported. were leaders. There are no more expect salvation - if this is your Right-wing governments have guilty than the thousands who opinion, then hang us! Here you will traditionally sought to repress the follow them. Gentlemen of the tread on a spark, but there and there, message behind International jury; convict these men, make behind you - and in front of you, and Workers’ Day, with fascist examples of them, hang them and everywhere, flames blaze up. It is a governments in Portugal, Italy, you save our institutions, our subterranean fire. You cannot put it Germany and Spain abolishing the society.” out”. workers’ holiday, and the On August 19th seven of the In 1889, the first congress of the Conservative party in the UK defendants were sentenced to Second International, meeting in currently [2011] attempting to death, and Neebe to 15 years in Paris for the centennial of the French abolish the UK’s annual May Day prison. After a massive Revolution and the Exposition Bank Holiday. international campaign for their Universelle, following a proposal by This article was pieced together release, the state ‘compromised’ Raymond Lavigne, called for from an article on anarkismo.net, and commuted the sentences of international demonstrations on the edited and added to by libcom R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, May 4, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, May 4, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday May 7, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 15 Keenly awaited verdict May 11, 2014 S. Viswam

Don’t get us wrong, we are as process of campaigning and polling, Relevance of the third front much for democracy and democratic and the long queues in front of Prem Singh institutions and processes as the booths testified to this commitment. average Indian is, but, frankly, we We have successfully brought the Indian judiciary and are a bit fatigued by the highly electoral process to a happy the end of Dalit bonhomie repetitive and monotonous character conclusion and it is no exaggeration K. S. Chalam of the election campaign and the to say that seldom in India’s electoral duration of the 2014 Lok Sabha history has the verdict been awaited electioneering. It was one of the so keenly, anxiously and with such manifestoes of political parties most protracted among the elections informed anticipation. Let us await and the minorities? in India, of which there is no dearth the verdict, but if you ask the man Irfan Engineer these days. This is not the proper on the street he is most probably time to raise the issue but as a nation going to tell you that the BJP will Electing a representative we do need to consider why we emerge number one, the Congress Jyoti Punwani cannot mandatorily have general number two and the regional parties elections only in the winter months number three. On whether Narendra and why we cannot limit polling to Modi will be prime minister there To save the planet a brief period. For the candidates, for are many opinions. On whether GGP the parties, for the administration, Rahul Gandhi can become prime for the security forces, the last minister, there are no bets. The Massacre in Assam couple of months have been a answer is a loud and clear no. grinding exercise in endurance in oppressive weather and inhospitable One of the reasons to be happy conditions. We need to make our over electioneering entering its final Editor : elections more acceptable and phase is that we will cease to hear G. G. Parikh welcome. vituperative, no-holds-barred abusive and undignified language Managing Editor : Guddi It is a flattering comment, though, filled with personal attacks as part on the commitment of the people of of the daily discourse. Clearly, India D-15, Ganesh Prasad, India to the concept of democracy has forgotten how to conduct an Naushir Bharucha Marg, and what it means to a developing interesting, lively and issues-filled Mumbai - 400 007. country of poor people. Despite campaign.We touched the nadir heavy odds, the people sustained where dignified language and Email : [email protected] their interest in the democratic informed debate was concerned. It 2 JANATA, May 11, 2014 was personal and abusive, start to Notebook finish. No national issue of crucial importance figured, and no issue was debated seriously or even To save the planet peripherally. Second, what a pity that the campaign was restricted (on It is sad to realize that even if Governments, of whichever hue the national level) to Narendra Modi the election fever were not there, they maybe, have buckled in, and on the BJP side and the Gandhi the March IPCC Report would not capitalism has defeated the family on the Congress side. Where have roused much interest. There scientists’ rational concerns. This is were the BJP stalwarts ? And what was a time in the early 90’s in the a tragedy and it has to be avoided happened to all those old and aged last century when the world was at all costs. But those who wish to and infirm “veteran” Congressmen? agog with the talk of climate change avert will have to look for signs Does the BJP have only one member and global warming and there was that favour them, look for those nowadays, a certain Johnny-come- justified and serious concern as well sections of society that are willing lately known as Narendra Modi? as honest and sincere commitment to listen to them. This is a battle Where is the redoubtable Sushma to do something to mitigate the evil that the civil society will have to Swaraj? What happened to the effects, to reduce the green house fight, whether the state is its ally rabble rousers in the Grand Old gas emissions and to move forward or not, and has to win. Party, the old seniors, those whose towards a low carbon economy. names always figured in the list of Nations were ready to make binding But one mantra that they will working committee and election commitments, and the rich nations have to give to themselves is that committee members? were even ready to accept their the state is likely to be an obstacle, even an adversity, and hence they At the end of the campaign one responsibility for what had gone will have to plan all their moves of the interesting conclusion an wrong and make amends. But all accordingly. Read what advise observer can arrive at is that belying that has gone. A prolonged exercise Pangairya and Bhagwati are giving all hopes and expectations, the Aam to renege on what was promised at to the new Prime Ministerial Aadmi Party has turned out to be a Rio and thereafter for a few years, hopeful of our country: have a Paper Tiger. Here is wishing good perhaps in a rare moment of pragmatic, read pliable, luck to Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi decency, is on. Year after year, this environment minister. But that’s but apart from his, one did not hear exercise becomes more perceptible what UPA did. Each recalcitrant the name of any other serious AAP and palpable, and the objective to minister was eased out and replaced campaigner. Seldom in India’s save the planet earth is all but given by an amenable one, and, for all political history has so much been up and buck passing started. This we know, these free market expected of a single political party is where we are at present and there enthusiasts may even advise the as was hoped for from the AAP, and does not seem to be any reversal. new government to have a seldom has there been such a But the scientists have not relented. committed judiciary. One of them disappointment. The AAP broke Their warnings have become more has already hinted that the Planning news as a Delhi party and its fate and more strident and emphatic. But Commission, even though headed has also been sealed as a Delhi party. more emphatic they are, less by a WB man, has outlived its The people will be cautious in future effective they seem to be viv-a-vis purpose and be wound up. The in investing new parties with larger the national governments. With the advice is possibly to ensure that the than life images. latter, the business as usual is the mantra. If to reduce the new Prime Minister will have one Having said this, it would only green house gas emissions, there is hurdle less to pursue his neo-liberal remains to wonder why the BJP a suggestion that you reduce dream. These growth enthusiasts do reverted to type during the last stages some consumption, the capitalist not realize that it is not the ministers of the campaign and deliberately logic takes over. More and or bureaucrats that are preventing turned it both communal and more consumption is the condition prompt environmental clearance of religious? And at a time when the for capitalist growth and this the socalled growth projects, it is (Continued on Page 15) prevails. the public, the citizens who will JANATA, May 11, 2014 3

lose out because of the given which indicate that citizens are This country has thrived on ‘tyag’ project and the well meaning doing something at their level (ten tyakten bhunjithah) and our environmentalists, who often call should not only hearten but indicate people still believe in this and more the shots. And that will not change. the direction which the save planet often than not practice it, and it is movement should take. this which will help the new It should as well be noted that organization achieve its objective. Jairam Ramesh only occasionally There are two scourges which Similarly, the generation which grew listened to the environmentalists have to be addressed. One is up during the freedom movement and almost always gave in to those poverty and the other is inequality. imbibed the value of Swadeshi as for whom growth is the be all and The poverty is a scourge not preached by Gandhiji, and that too end all of their efforts. Those who because the poor contribute much can become a powerful weapon to wish to save the planet, for them to green house gas emissions, but reduce green house gases. But not the hope lies with those movements because their poverty makes them just promoting Tyag or Swadeshi which are fighting against nuclear available to the rich as cheap labour among citizens, the organization will power plants, which are fighting to and this helps the rich to indulge in have to shame those who live in save the livelihoods of common more, actually obscene, obscenely luxurious style, have gala persons, which advocate alternate consumption. And the growing weddings, import Italian marble for development models, which inequality, apart from the negative their mansions, or exotic flowers on advocate simple living and decry social effects, harms the climate ceremonial occasions. Younger consumerism, which make villagers because the rich set an example for generation will understand what unwilling to part with their fertile the not very rich. This is what is carbon footprint means and it can be lands at any price, which talk of happening everywhere. Our rich sensitized to the futility of carbon ‘Hamare gaon me hamara raj’, and often beat the very rich of the rich trade. Go back to villages, live the country fortunately has several countries in their luxurious living. frugally and with nature, use solar such movements. Banishing poverty and reducing energy maximally – it is free, all you inequality can and should become have to do is to learn how to harvest While peoples’ movements can the twin additional but important it, harvest roof-water, compost your support and even provide a platform causes for the activists and kitchen waste yourself, change your to spread the message, there are so environmentalists to save the planet. idea of the city – Indian cities are many individuals who and groups It is quite possible that they will be most unequal and least inclusive is which do something that could be called environmental terrorists, the finding of a recent survey and heartening to those who wish to once popular but not in use lately. the slum population is anywhere address the issue of climate change. That is what they, the save the between 65.5 million and 90 million, Press reports such things off and planet tribe, should aim to become. should be some of the slogans. The on. Sample a few: A group ideas are galore and practitioners switched off lights for an hour on If they are serious, if we as plenty, what is required is the a particular day, another group citizens are serious, we will need an determination to save the planet with garaged their cars for a day, a organization devoted exclusively to or without the help of the state. The government office equipped itself save the planet. It should welcome, town planners or architects whatever with a device which automatically document and disseminate all they learn in their schools, should dimmed the lights when no one was practices of citizens that are work to make the ghetto like around in the room or hall, some undertaken with the view to Bandra-Kurla complex where concerned citizens demanded safe reducing green house gases. While people go to work during the day, cycle tracks along the roads and the organization may interact with and at night there is the stillness of took to cycling to go to office, or authorities with a view converting death, a thing of the past. In decided to use public transport, them to the cause, its focus should Mumbai, workers used to live next another group took to promoting be on citizens and their small to the mill and it is this that should roof-water harvesting, city farming, organizations and it should make guide the green town planners, even composting of kitchen waste in the them aware of what future the earth if it is not taught in their schools. compound of the building or in the is facing and train them to think tenement itself. All such news differently and to live differently. –GGP 4 JANATA, May 11, 2014 Relevance of the third front

Prem Singh

Despite their efforts before and Rather, they often oppose it in their an alternative. For this the Congress during the initial rounds of the Lok statements and resolutions. The has to act sensibly, and see that it Sabha elections, the Third Front capitalist-communalist nexus which sincerely supports the Third Front based upon the third force politics has a hold over the country’s politics government for five years and get has not been able to emerge in a can be checked up to a limit by only rid of the neo-liberal policies it has definite shape; neither on the basis the Third Front that includes left so far implemented, to come back of the parties, nor on the basis of a parties and an outside support by the in the game. common minimum program (CMP). Congress. Although senior leaders like A. B. By declaring and promulgating Bardhan, Mulayam Singh Yadav, The struggle for alternative their prime ministerial candidate in , Jayalalithaa, Naveen politics started with the advance, the BJP has actually made Patnaik, Nitish Kumar and Sharad implementation of the new a move against the Third Front and Yadav were playing a major role in economic policies at the beginning not the Congress. The BJP knows it. The leaders, who were engaged of the 1990s, has been destroyed by that the Congress will not come to in the making of the third front, got the Narendra Modi “tsunami”, power for the third time. Lest the busy in election campaign saying facilitated, to a large extent, by the public lends its support to the Third that after the election results were combined effect of the anti- Front because of the similar out, the Third Front would take corruption movement launched by economic policies of both the shape and form a government at the India Against Corruption (IAC) and parties, the BJP has declared their centre. However, this statement has Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It is true prime ministerial candidate before not convinced the general public. that the deprived masses can find hand and spent money on an The obvious reason for this is the relief only by establishing an unprecedented scale. The BJP knows opportunistic and unstable behavior alternative political system, based on that the most contentious issue in the of some of the leaders who talk about the principles of the Constitution, Third Front is the question: who will the Third Front. The civil society replacing the neo-liberal one. Kishan become the prime minister? The during discussions with the media or Patnaik, the socialist thinker of leaders trying to form the Third otherwise, often ridicule the very repute, delineated concrete outline Front generally talk about the idea of a third front. The actual for an alternative political ideology number-strength in this case. reason for this derision is the fear and political culture as well, one in Learning from the Janata Party that the hold of the corporate which capitalism and the recklessly government of 1977, one can see capitalism can be somewhat expensive spectacle of circus politics that a candidate from a party with a challenged only by the Third Front. is fundamentally opposed. He called very few seats too can also be made And this is not acceptable to the for the establishment of an prime minister. One such name members of the elite civil society and independent, self-reliant, socialist, could be the senior most leader of its media. economic nationalism. But it will CPI, A. B. Bardhan who has a clear take a long time to re-establish that understanding and standpoint as far Most regional parties, who claim struggle starting from scratch. It will as neo-liberalism and communalism to be the champions of social justice, be easier if the Third Front are concerned. Alongside there can are not direct agents of neo- government comes and stays in be two deputy prime ministers on the liberalism like the Congress and the power at least for five years. If the basis of number-strength. BJP. Their social base comes in the corporate lackeys form a way of their open support to neo- government again at the centre, then The Third Front should also liberalism. That is why it is generally it is possible that the capitalist- include those smaller parties that are observed that leaders of these parties communalist nexus will completely constantly struggling against the do not support capitalism openly. wipe out the slightest possibility of neo-liberal and communal nexus and JANATA, May 11, 2014 5 are truly socialist and secular, Indian judiciary and although they have no presence in the Parliament or the legislative the end of Dalit bonhomie assemblies. There has been a constant dialogue and K. S. Chalam correspondence between Shri Bardhan and the Socialist Party president Bhai Vaidya (former On 16th April, 2012, the Patna converted as Christians. Are the secretary general of the Janata Party High Court acquitted all the accused above cases, the rarest of the rare? and Home Minister of Maharashtra) in the most notorious case of burning There seem to be no word in the legal and Justice Rajindar Sachar on this 23 untouchables alive at Bathinatola lexicon to describe the crimes of this subject for the past more than one by Bhumihars of Bihar in the year kind or like Khairlanji that are year. Some months before the 1996. It was reported that out of 21 routine. The patriots of this great elections, I had written to A. B. victims, 11 were women, 6 children Bharat are so impervious to take them Bardhan suggesting the names of and 4 infants. The Patna High Court seriously and pass them as matters some parties and leaders to be has said that, “the evidence at hand of fact and do not react emotionally. included in the Third Front. I along was more than sufficient to uphold If the learned judges seem to have with Justice Sachar have discussed the judgment passed by Ara sessions disposed of them as procedural, what this matter with Nitish Kumar, Chief court”. There was lot of hue and cry is it that the ordinary mortals can do? Minister of Bihar and K. C. Tyagi, and wide media coverage of the issue secretary general of the JD (U) and at that time and the Bihar government It is not out of place to look at the a member of the Third Front’s was made to appeal against the institution of judiciary and the impact coordination committee. judgment in the Apex court. About of the class (caste also) background five years before the incident in of some of our law lords on their It should not be a matter of Bihar, nearer home, eight verdicts. Sanjay Ghosh an advocate anxiety that the smaller parties will untouchables were butchered in of Supreme Court in one of his ask for their share in the power. daylight by Kapu-Reddy accused on articles said that, “While “democracy” is now hailed as part of These parties can function as the 6th August, 1991 in Tsundur( Chundur) in Guntur district of “basic structure” of the Indian nearest critics of the Third Front Andhra Pradesh. A division bench of Constitution, the Judiciary is the only government. Such an arrangement the A. P. High Court made a slight non-democratic wing of will help in building a national change in the now popular alleged government.” We may extend the image and impact of the Third Front. method of cut and paste judicial argument further to understand the If the corporate brunt is lessened in pronouncement on 23rd April. It is academic value of such an exercise the next five years, the public will reported that, “almost every witness as the judiciary in India has retained naturally increase its support for the examined by the prosecution, hailing to itself certain functions and Third Front, and later it can emerge from the village pleaded that he is a developed some concepts as a significant political force all Hindu - Mala or Madiga. The defence exclusively for their use. It is almost over the country. cross examined the witnesses at difficult for common man to access length to prove that they have been these resources and privileges as the Even if a third front government converted to Christianity. Since we hegemony is legalised through does not take shape and place in the are taking the view that the very Contempt proceedings. In a way it current situation, the efforts in that criminal acts attributed to the accused has harmed the judiciary for its direction should go on. Public revolt are not proved, the issue relating to inability to elicit public opinion and against the Congress and the BJP the social status of the accused pales capacity to incorporate the wisdom governments will be sharpened in into insignificance". Interestingly, it of the contemporary thinkers and the coming days. The combination did not attract the attention of the traditions. Thus, the institution, as of corporate houses, media and civil national media who are otherwise Sanjay Ghosh remarked, has society cannot sustain this busy with Namo. Sadly, it has also remained as an extra-constitutional “manufactured consent” in favor of not attracted the attention of NGOs, may be exceptional? It is now neo-liberal regime for a long time. some of them alleged to have increasingly believed that the officers (Continued on Page 15) influenced the untouchables to be are heavily relying on the interns may 6 JANATA, May 11, 2014 be due to heavy workload. where our Telugu stories are way is to be analysed by scholars for Unfortunately, the recent events supposed to reach ultimately. But, it the benefit of posterity. However, we show that some of the fair sex got has brought out the fact that in coastal cannot blame the founders. It is said abused in this process. The young Andhra the dominant caste among that “If somebody twists this into professionals summarise some the scheduled castes, Mala is almost saying that the economics factor is literature and download some from finished and may disappear in due only determining one , he is the net while the officer takes shelter course like Mastin sub-caste. The transforming that proposition in to under the concept of precedent in his way the leaders and their petty meaningless, abstract, absurd phrase. exposition. There seem to be very few quarrels manifest even at a time like The economic situation is the basis, who have crossed the narrow this indicate the malaise so deep but the various components of the confines of caste, race, religion, sex rooted that needs a Babasaheb to superstructure - political form of the and place of birth and their childhood reform. That is why no political party, class struggle and its consequences, biases in the process of coming to a as per P. S. Krishnanan, is interested such as constitutions drawn up by conclusion on social issues. That is in talking about the social issues in the victorious class after a successful why in both the cases, the supporters their manifestos except benefitting battle, etc. juridical forms, and even of the victims have attributed biases few individuals to show-case. The the reflections of all these actual due to the tittles that they sport at the leaders are not anxious about the struggles in the minds of the end of their names. However, a judge society, but individual agendas and participants, political, juristic, according to A. M. Ahmadi, ex-Chief self-aggrandisement. The situation is philosophical theories, religious Justice of India while delivering a not so bad with other socially views and their further development lecture on judicial process quoted backward castes like OBCs, adivasis in to systems of dogmas - also Justice Cardozo as saying that, “he and others. Muslims of late have exercise their influence upon the is to draw his inspiration from shown some unity of purpose despite course of the historical struggles and consecrated principles. He is not to their internal differentiation and in many cases determine their form yield to spasmodic sentiment, to upper castes dominating their in particular.” (FrederickEngels vague and unregulated benevolence. articulation. It seems they have learnt letter to Joseph Bloch, 21 September He is to exercise a discretion lessons from their past experience 1890).Therefore, the reform agenda informed by tradition, methodized by and some of them are happy about of previous regimes in which Dalits analogy, disciplined by system, and the emergence of Modi as BC PM, have enjoyed bonhomie is being subordinated to 'the primordial while Dalits keep Mayavathi or late melted down. Are the real class necessity of order in the social life'. Kanshiram or someone else at bay. contradictions emerging? Does Wide enough in all conscience is the Perhaps, these social manifestations Tsundurru demonstrate once again field of discretion that remains." How do have their bearings on other the wicked outcome of many of the functionaries in the sectors including the judiciary in superstructure or something else in judiciary qualify under these criteria? considering their issues as trivial and India? brush them aside. Would the The Tsundur case has a very institutions treat small communities interesting dimension that got that are well organised with the same Janata Subscription exposed, though some of those who contempt as the so-called Annual Rs. : 260/- deal with such cases knew about it, untouchables or Dalit Christians as Three Years : 750/- the religious background of the in this case. Doubtful! untouchable victims. There seems to Demand Draft / Cheque be a double jeopardy here as the The judiciary as an institution not on victims are untouchables and only in India but in all class societies Mumbai Bank Christians. Both categories are (read caste here) is a superstructure despicable as they seem to have not that protects the iniquitous socio- in favour of attracted IPC 301 and 302. Our economic base. But, our Indian learned judges have disposed of the Marxists have interpreted it JANATA TRUST case on the so-called technical differently like that of Vedic hymn grounds generally cited in such and undermined caste. Now they D-15, Ganesh Prasad, incidents and pushed the case to seem to have lost ground without any Naushir Bharucha Marg, (Supreme Court) Kanchi, the place constituency or they wanted it that Mumbai 400 007 JANATA, May 11, 2014 7 Massacre in Assam BTADA

We, the undersigned, express our come from the communal statement We therefore demand the profound sense of grief and alarm made by Pramila Rani Brahma, BPF following: over the gruesome massacre of (formerly BLT, a terrorist militant 1. An SIT headed by a serving IPS Bengali-speaking Muslims on 2nd organisation) legislator and former officer or Supreme Court judge May. This most recent round of Agricultural Minister of Assam who should be instituted. The state killings -- in which 32 people, mostly accused the Muslims of not voting police and other security forces women and children have lost their for the BPF candidate Chandan deployed in BTAD which have lives – is another link in the long Brahma. She demanded that BPF (a miserably failed to provide and... bloody sequence of ethnic Congress Alliance partner in Assam security to non-Bodos and cleansing being carried out by tribal State Government and ruling party Muslims cannot be relied upon to Bodo militant groups with impunity. in local BTAD administration) fairly investigate this. For years, Hindutva politics has should therefore support BJP. 2. Pramila Rani Brahma should be successfully created the bogey of the arrested and prosecuted at the Immediately after her statement, earliest to instil confidence for the 'Bangladeshi', rendering Muslims as separate incidents of violence broke suspects and targets, locked in a due course of law in the minds of out: a prominent non-Bodo journalist aggrieved families. perpetual battle with the tribal of BTAD Dhananjoy Nath was Bodos. In his rally at Silchar, the 3. Investigate the role of Khampa attacked; three people were killed on Borgyoyari whose close aid BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate the spot at Narshingpara, and another reiterated precisely this. He said: Amiya Brahma and others were girl child injured;. at arrested for carrying out the “There are two kinds of people who around 12:00am mid night, a heavily came from Bangladesh to Assam: targeted killing. armed militant group killed eight 4. Deploy more Paramilitary Forces those brought as part of a political people and injured at least four conspiracy for vote bank politics of to ensure security of the non-Bodo including women and children at peoples and particularly Muslims. a particular party (Muslims) and Balapara. These were to be a prelude others who were harassed in the 5. Provide adequate compensation to the mass killings that were to to the families of deceased and to neighbouring country (Hindus). follow the next day, ie., 2nd of May, Those brought for vote bank politics the injured persons and 2014, when a group of forty heavily rehabilitate victims displaced by and smugglers must be pushed back, armed militant set ablaze nearly 70 while the second category must be indiscriminate violence. houses and killed about 21 people 6. Investigate and take strict action accommodated.” (Silchar, 22nd and severely injured many more in February). against police personnel Gampara near Gobardhana of Baksa responsible for the post-poll More recently, poll violence at district of BTAD area. Dead bodies assault at Harbhanga village. Harbhanga polling booth of are still being recovered and the 7. Seize all illegal arms and Gossaigaon under 5-Kokrajhar death toll will rise up considerably. ammunitions from the BTAD area LS(ST) Constituency was followed Siddique Ahmed, a minister in without fail. by a brutal police crackdown on on Assam government who has visited 8. Rework and revise the BTC the villagers of Harbhanga, the violence affected area of BTAD, accord so that the democratic Jamunatari, Balabara. Many victims has concluded that the members of aspirations of all sections of and conscious citizens in BTAD BPF were involved in the massacre, population residing in that area think that the incident of Harbhanga and has also demanded the arrest of are met. Polling Booth was meticulously Pramila Rani Brahma. It has also 9. The Election Commission should planned to teach non-Bodo come to light that guns provided to take notice of the public inhabitants a lesson for voting forest officials have been used in the statements by Pramila Rani against the atrocious ruling massacre, thus directing suspicion Brahma -- which apart from being administration. towards Khampa Borgoyary, Deputy provocative also amount to a The immediate provocation for Chief of BTC and Executive member flagrant violation of model code the 2nd May killings seem to have of Forest Dept of BTC of conduct.

–Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association, Aman Ekta Manch, Praja Rajakiya Vedike, Karnataka, ANHAD, Aman Biradari, Gujarat, Jamia Student Solidarity Forum, Delhi, LABIA, queer feminist LBT Collective; Activists. 8 JANATA, May 11, 2014 What is there in manifestoes of political parties for the minorities?

Irfan Engineer

Election time is season for policy to assimilate the minorities Government finds that several manifestoes of major political parties into the mainstream. This meant that innocent Muslim youth were participating in the poll. Manifestoes while minorities would be arrested under draconian anti-terror are seen by some members of the guaranteed protection and laws and incarcerated for years. public with cynicism and disinterest security, they were expected to Innocent Muslim youth were as they are observed more in breach gradually affirm the culture, incarcerated for over 6 years accused by the party voted to power and traditions, language or religion of the of bomb blasts in Malegaon in the major promises forgotten. When majority. If the minority concerned year 2006 – an offence for which BSP was voted to power in UP, they resisted assimilation, Swami Aseemanand has confessed did not have a manifesto and in any they would be vulnerable to the his guilt. Disproportionate number of case given the levels of literacy, how accusation of having subversive innocent youth killed in the name of many members of the electorates tendencies and their case for encounter by police accused of being bother to read manifestoes of the protection and security would terrorists are Muslims, be it Ishrat parties is a good question. Large weaken. Jehan, Javed Shaikh, Sohrabuddin, sections of voters in India go more Kauserbi, Sadiq Jamal, etc. by oral promises of the candidates UN Sub-Commission ack- contesting elections, some vote on nowledged at a rather early stage that Therefore, what the minorities consideration of caste, ethnicity, the minority issue demands a double need is non-discrimination, security language and religious community, approach, namely the prohibition of and right to their culture and religion. others vote on the basis of local discrimination and special measures However, most manifestoes promise constituency level issues and to enable the members of minorities separate welfare schemes for popularity of the candidate to preserve and develop their own, allowances and scholarships for contesting. separate characteristics. Prohibition education, and loans for livelihood of discrimination and minority and Higher education, with a Manifestoes are nevertheless protection are not identical but are ridiculously small budgetary important as they are declaration of twin concepts. However, we know allocation. Bureaucrats read the the political parties as to the due to Sachar Committee Report that existence of special schemes for governance measures they intend to the minorities are discriminated in minorities to mean exclusion from undertake and their political and opportunities for education, jobs and general welfare schemes for economic priorities, even if they go livelihood schemes, bank loans, livelihood, education, housing, a bit overboard on their promises. In government contracts, housing, infrastructure development and this article, we examine the health services and in extending provision of utilities, subsidized perspectives of some major political benefits of welfare schemes and foodgrains to the poor, etc.. The parties on minorities and the infrastructure like roads and drinking discourse in manifestoes on national programmes for minorities they water to areas populated by (or regional culture in case of include. We have examined the minorities. regional parties) does not take into manifestoes that were in English and account the diversity in general and Hindi language. On the issue of security, Sikhs, different culture of minority in Christians as well as Muslims have particular. Being insensitive to the The vulnerability of minorities is been targeted during communal riots cultural diversities smacks of due to their non- with members of security force assimilative expectations and dominance and numerical inferiority either shirking their duties or worst, therefore notionally ghettoising the as these entail absence of political colluding with the rioters and the minorities into a pigeon hole. Some influence in decision making bodies guilty having no fear of being manifestoes promise reservations for at legislative and executive brought to justice. Nimesh minorities on the basis of their level. Most countries had earlier Commission appointed by the UP religion. JANATA, May 11, 2014 9

The BJP manifesto of India. The BJP’s “Ek Bharat, minority?) “preservation and Cultural nationalism or Hindutva Shreshtha Bharat” thus would promotion of Urdu”(Hindutva is the core running theme of the assimilate technological cadres were involved in anti-Urdu manifesto. India's ancient advancements (of the west) but agitation in Bihar in 1967 leading to civilization is described from a discard the British institutional riots in Ranchi-Hatia and riots in supremacist perspective as one going framework of administration (read Banglore over broadcast of news back to several thousand years Democracy) which, according to the bulletin by AIR in Urdu). It is before the Christian era and manifesto is quite alien to the ironical that while the section on unproblematic – with flourishing civilizational consciousness of India. minority talks of “curating” rich economy, trade, commerce and What more clarity is needed for one culture, the section on “Cultural culture. The manifesto describes to understand that even in their Heritage” promises “Uniform Civil India as having a much bigger role election manifesto, the BJP pits Ek Code”! The section on “Cultural and presence in industry and Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat against the Heritage”, unlike the one on manufacturing than any nation in Constitutional framework? Of minorities promises to Europe or Asia with “a well- course in their election manifesto provide appropriate resources for developed banking system and they are promising everything to the maintenance and restoration of equally renowned businessmen, every section of society. How will all national heritage sites, and to along with its financiers, who were they reconcile the conflicting prevent their vandalisation in any contributing to create a flourishing demands under the rubric of “Sabka form. Note that minority heritage is and progressive economy.” The Saath, Sabka Vikas” with the limited just described as that while other preface of the Manifesto further means? They would offer the heritage sites are described states that “India was a land of corporate sector development as national! That is Hindu abundance, prosperity, affluence, a allocating precious budgetary nationalism. What is Hindu is land of sharing and caring living in resources and help all the national and what is non-Hindu perfect harmony and peace with the marginalized sections with subsidies. belongs to minorities and in its nature”, and then talks of returning election magnanimity, the manifesto to the roots – the “civilizational The manifesto uses a lot of promises “curating” of such sites consciousness of India”, without platitudes as far as minorities are without promising appropriate specifying what are the contours of concerned but has nothing concrete resources or to prevent this civilizational consciousness – is to offer in terms of economic benefits vandalization. it cry for equality by Sant Kabirdas, or institutional framework to ensure Ravidas, Tukaram and other Bhakti that minorities enjoy security and the The manifesto sheds crocodile and Sufi saints or the rigidity of caste Constitutional right to equality. tears on the backwardness of the system. While in the past BJP would oppose Muslim community and borrows any half hearted special measures to from the Congress programmes When the manifesto lists the enable the members of minorities to which are often violently opposed by names of leaders who inspired Indian preserve and develop their own the BJP – National Madrasa freedom struggle, there is not a single separate characteristics and dub it as modernization and enable Waqf non-Hindu name mentioned, not separatist tendencies within Boards to remove encroachments. even and Jawaharlal minorities, in their manifesto the BJP Nehru. The manifesto calls for India promises that they will “curate their Congress manifesto as one country and one people rich heritage and culture;” (by Congress manifesto promises without referring to the rich diversity claiming Babri Masjid and 3000 implementation and continuation of which is its strength. The post- other ?), “maintenance and the same old programmes that were Independence leadership of the restoration of heritage poorly implemented or remained country (read Nehru) could not sites;” (claiming Taj Mahal to be a unimplemented paying lip services comprehend India's inner vitality, Shiv Mandir, ABVP members to the minorities. It promises to which was the main force vandalized the Taj Mahal and since “focus on accelerating concrete, responsible for India's survival when heritage sites were divided into sustainable and long term plans for despite several attacks and minority and the welfare of the Nation’s prolonged foreign rule (read the majority?) “digitization of archives;” minorities” which include Sultanate, Mughal and the British) (which one? Even archives scholarships for children belonging and thus, failed to rekindle the spirit conceived to be majority and to the minority community, higher 10 JANATA, May 11, 2014 education support through Maulana SP manifesto promises imple- established through legislation and Azad Education Foundation and mentation of Sachar Committee and property restored to the Waqf Board. effective management of Waqf Ranganath Mishra Commission Waqf properties would be outside the properties and a law providing clear reports and implement those pale of Land Acquisition Act. The guidelines to prevent the usurpation recommendations. It demands that industrial areas where minorities and mismanagement of Waqf the entire Muslim community should dominate, e.g. handlooms, properties. The Congress would be declared as extremely backward handicraft, carpet, bangles, lock, continue to focus on ‘Priority Sector and should be extended benefits of scissors, jari, jardosi, bidi, will be Lending’ disbursement for reservations on the basis of their given Government subsidies and minorities and “to ensure that population on the lines of SCs. The encouraged. For weavers of members of the minority party promises to establish handloom sector, there would be communities have easy access to educational institutions in districts waiver on interests and penal credit and other incentives like tax which are dominated by the interests on arrears of electric bills. rebates etc., to encourage Muslims. ITIs would be established to supply entrepreneurship.” The manifesto skilled workers for small scale and once again promises that “The The manifesto promises to household industries. Grant of Rs. Prevention of Communal and release, compensate and ensure 30,000 would be given to the girls Targeted Violence (Access to Justice justice to the innocent Muslim youth who pass SSC exams for higher and Reparations) Bill, 2013, which who have been jailed under the studies or for their marriages. Those was drafted and introduced by the pretext of anti-terror action. It also Muslim educational institutions Indian National Congress will be promises to take action against the which qualify to be recognized as passed as a matter of priority” guilty officials. universities, would be given the without explaining why the status of university. Poor weavers legislation was not enacted in the It promises to establish Urdu would be provided free electricity previous two terms. medium primary, middle and high like peasants. All legal obstacles for schools in the districts dominated by Mohammed Ali Jauhar University The manifesto also promises that Muslims and ensure jobs. It is would be removed and a deemed the party would pursue with the unfortunate that Urdu language is university. A medical college would courts matter regarding reservation being linked to Muslims. There will be established with adequate funds. for backward minorities in be special budget for technical It also promises to eliminate educational institutions and in education in Madrasas. There will be communal riots from the UP state. government employment and ensure special provision to recruit Muslims that the policy is implemented in state security forces and camps The Muslim community could be through proper legislation. will be organised to ensure their either included in various measures recruitment. A special budget will be of governance and ensure their fair Samajwadi Party provided for construction of share and non-discrimination or Samajwadi Party manifesto boundaries of “kabristans” (Muslim special measures targeted only to proposes to address industrial cemeteries) to pre-empt illegal Muslims could be promised. The backwardness, poverty, illiteracy and occupation of the land. There will be Constitution does not permit the unemployment, which it mainly a special package for development latter approach unless special attributes to the policies of the and security of all dargahs in the conditions are met to overcome Central Government. We here look state through legislation. Why the certain inherent disadvantages. at the 2012 UP Assembly manifesto development of the dargah is Implementation of such provisions, as well as 2014 manifesto for Lok mentioned in the section on even if sincere, would meet the Sabha elections as practically the minorities is an enigma as more non- Constitutional and legal roadblocks. same promises continue. The SP Muslims frequent dargahs than The latter approach also invokes ire manifesto does not use the term Muslims. On all Government of non-Muslims and strengthens minority but names the community commissions, boards and communal forces in the majority it wants to benefit from its committees, at least one member of community. The SP manifesto governance and programmes. SP minority community will be embraces the latter approach and admits that status of Muslims is nominated. Illegal possession of their measures remain on paper worse than dalits and they need waqf property would be removed unimplemented and un- special protection and opportunities. and a Waqf Board would be implementable. JANATA, May 11, 2014 11 Electing a representative

Jyoti Punwani

If one person has shown what chief minister, A R Antulay’s similar Delhi; been lathi-charged and seen people’s politics means, it is Medha drive, in the monsoon of 1981. At her being dragged by the hair by the Patkar. Her campaign in Mumbai, that time, a public interest litigation police; gone to jail and negotiated where she stood as an Aam Aadmi had been filed by journalist Olga with the state with her. “Many a Party (AAP) candidate, was a Tellis and argued by advocate Indira time, policemen have told her to people’s campaign in every sense of Jaising, resulting in a landmark leave, saying they didn’t want to the word. It was a two-way Supreme Court judgment that arrest her. But she chose to stay on relationship – those who included the right to shelter in the in the lock-up with us,’’ said one. campaigned for her in the hope that right to life. Added another, she would become their Member of Parliament (MP), identified with her This time, it appeared as if Leaders always tell us to wait out, as passionately as she identified with nothing would stop the bulldozers, and go in to talk to ministers with a those she sought to represent – even though newspapers reported few of their own men. We don’t specially the poorest of them. that newborns left roofless were know what deals are made inside. dying in the cold. Opposition But Tai [as Patkar is known] always It was not as if the cynicism that members of the Legislative insisted that either we come inside marks elections had entirely been Assembly (MLAs) remained silent with her, or she won’t meet the replaced by hope. You saw it in and ruling party MLAs disappeared minister. We saw how she spoke to women’s eyes especially, when as voters tried to question them on ministers. Even the CM didn’t know Patkar walked through the narrow the betrayal of their poll promise. In what the Rajiv Awas Yojana was, he lanes of the slums and chawls of her such a scenario, Medha Patkar asked Tai to explain it to him. sprawling constituency, asking for arrived and started mobilising slum- votes (funnily enough, never for dwellers to resist the demolitions. It But after all this confidence, when herself). The difference lay in the would be no exaggeration to say that it came to getting their rights on the lack of cynicism among the hundreds her arrival turned the tide and ground, these slum-dwellers-turned- who not only joined her campaign, ultimately halted the bulldozers. activists had to petition the local but themselves organised it – without MLA and MP. The latter’s having being paid to do so. It is these slum-dwellers, indifference would render them rendered homeless and then helpless again. For instance, while History of Struggles emboldened by Patkar to rebuild it was their struggle under Patkar’s In December 2004-January 2005, their homes on the same land that leadership that had led to the Vilasrao Deshmukh, then chief they themselves had reclaimed, who decision to implement the Rajiv minister of the Congress-Nationalist became Patkar’s campaigners for the Awas Yojana in their area, the survey Congress Party (NCP) government Lok Sabha election. They had long of slums that was necessary for it to of Maharashtra which had just taken urged her to contest elections. Now be put into practice had not been over, began his second term with a that she had finally agreed, they done by the state government. massive slum demolition drive in a were euphoric. Repeated petitions to the authorities bid to turn Mumbai into Shanghai. had gone unheard. If Patkar were to This was after having specifically Their resistance in 2004-05, led be their MP, they knew the days of promised voters that slums that had by Patkar, had ultimately grown into waiting in vain outside offices would come up till 2000 would be the formation of the Ghar Bachao end. “Agar Tai jeetke aayi, to woh regularised – until then, the cut-off Ghar Banao Andolan. The struggle officer kya, uska baap bhi saarey date had been 1995. The demolition had empowered them, especially the rules nibhayega” (If Tai wins the of 90,000 homes was on a scale women. They had sat on dharnas and elections then the officers will matched only by another Congress fasted with her in Mumbai and definitely follow rules) said one. 12 JANATA, May 11, 2014

“Tai ki jeet matlab garibon ki awaaz job – at least that is how Patkar involved in them, formed a recurring Parliament mein suni herself saw it. theme: Lavasa near Pune; jaayegi” (Tai’s victory means the Hiranandani Gardens and Adarsh in voice of the poor will be heard in If the enthusiasm of workers was Mumbai. In an interview to this Parliament) said another. a remarkable phenomenon, so was author, she regretted not being able the level of Patkar’s own to speak in depth on issues in a door A New Politics involvement in her first election to door campaign. “There should be It was not just that these slum- campaign. Throughout, she a platform where all candidates dwellers who wanted her in remained the quintessential activist, could come together and debate”, Parliament because they saw her as exemplifying her brand of she said. their representative. Many felt they politics: galli se Dilli tak (from this owed it to Patkar to work for her lane to the corridors of power in Wide Support success – she had stood by them over Delhi), as she put it. Too Activists from all over India had the last decade. For this reason, embarrassed to ask for votes for come to campaign for Patkar, mainly when she asked them to donate for herself, she asked people to “think from the National Alliance of her campaign, they did so willingly. and vote this time, to bring in People’s Movements. At every “She has never asked us for money. change”. Her slogan was vote dya, public meeting, she introduced them This time, we were thrilled when she hakk ghya (give your vote, take your to the audience, so much so that her told us: ek vote, ek note. We feel we rights), and chunaav nahin, chunauti rivals started spreading the rumour have a stake in her campaign”, said hai, yeh rajneeti badalni hai (not an that Patkar was relying on people the women. “If only she gave us the election, it’s a challenge; we have from her village to campaign for her, go-ahead, we would empty our to change politics). She urged in the absence of local support! Her pockets for her”. Some lent out their women to come out to vote, even if socialist mentors were there in rickshaws, others got friends’ cars it was to press the none of the above strength on the day she filed her modified into open jeeps. Yet others (NOTA) button. Decrying that this nomination, from the 89-year-old G lent out little cubicles for use as election had turned into a “Modi vs G Parikh to publishing patriarch campaign offices. Some had been Gandhi” battle, she spoke instead of Ramdas Bhatkal to theatre inspired by Arvind Kejriwal to join issues she stood for: democracy, an personality Ratnakar Matkari. AAP, but they threw themselves into end to inequality and corruption. She Before she went into the Collector’s the election campaign because their spoke constantly about Article 243 office, she ensured that each of them candidate was Medha Patkar. “I first of the Constitution that gave people spoke. read about her in school. We’re the right to decide how resources are lucky to get a candidate like her; it’s used; Ambani’s building versus the Many of them had witnessed if our loss if we don’t elect her”, said hovels of the poor; Adani’s super not participated in the freedom one AAP member. profits versus contract labour; 400 struggle; the time had come, they litres of water per person in said, to launch a second one to turn These are not the kind of feelings Walkeshwar and not even 40 litres independence into “real swarajya”. campaign workers have for their for her voters. “Think about why Throughout that rally, patriotic candidates. Election time is boom there’s inequality,” she told voters songs were sung, with old time for the unemployed; rates can in her last speech. Sarvodaya activists in khadi range from Rs 200 to Rs 500 a day, breaking into impromptu jigs. with meals thrown in; and the highest Patkar was the only candidate Equally inspiring was her final rally bidder gets the maximum workers. allowed to campaign inside the through the streets of Mandala Most workers never get to meet the Godrej residential colony at where she had first landed amid the candidate; everything is handled by Vikhroli. There, she spoke of the vast ruins of slums in 2004. Against the a few coordinators. Even in cadre- tracts of land controlled by backdrop of Deonar’s infamous based parties such as the Shiv Sena, companies such as Godrej and Tata, garbage dump, she stood in an open leaders complain that workers need while the state said it had no land to tempo, strewn with flowers more than a vada-pav to come out on house the poor. The many land-grab showered on her, and recalled the the streets for a two-hour agitation. scams she and her team had exposed, beginnings of the struggle she and Election campaigning is a 24-hour and the builders and politicians those around her had waged. That JANATA, May 11, 2014 13

last rally was entirely a people’s they would forget to distribute them. would get off in the afternoon sun show; from the flowers showered on Sometimes, the mike, or some and walk, stopping to greet people, her to the simple meal of roti- crucial press note, would be left making impromptu speeches on the bhaji distributed to all, with Patkar behind somewhere. Even the jhadu, way. Her supporters would insist on insisting that she be served the same. the party symbol, was often her meeting small groups of forgotten. Every time, it was the acquaintances whom they had “She has sat on the floor and eaten veteran activist who reminded them. promised a one-on-one with the MP vada-pav with us”, one slum-dweller After campaigning drew to a close, candidate; this seemed a waste of recalled as he waited for Patkar to she instructed a supporter how to time given the vastness of the file her nomination. The scene when store the leaflets that had not been constituency, but she never said no. she came out of the Collector’s used. Once, upset at a three-hour office was typically Medha Patkar: lunch break included in her schedule On the last day, after the deadline addressing her voters who sat on the by her aides, she converted it into a for campaigning was over, she road, she explained why filing the planning meet and also gave instructed her aides to drop all those nomination had taken so long; interviews to waiting journalists. who had come from out of town, in expressed regret at having kept them the few cars especially brought by waiting hungry; and then proceeded Back to the People her supporters for the final rally. to explain the details of the affidavit Offered a drink or a snack, Then she herself took an auto to her she had filed, the cases against her Patkar would insist on sharing it next destination. As is their wont, the and her assets. The cases were with those around her. But despite auto-driver refused. “Do you know mostly to do with her dharnas; her the 33ˆC heat, there were things whom you’re saying no to?”, asked supporters nodded in remembrance she simply would not accept: her aide. Had Patkar heard the of old struggles as she enumerated Bisleri from an admirer on the road question, she would have them. When it came to her assets, (he got a lecture from her on how reprimanded the aide. At any rate, she seemed almost apologetic, even Coca Cola had depleted water the auto driver was least bothered. as the slum-dwellers laughed when reserves; and why we must learn So the MP candidate from Mumbai’s she mentioned she had Rs 25,000 in from Africa. V Venugopal, leader north-east constituency got off her account, 500 shares worth Rs of the Plachimada struggle against without a word and stood around till 50,000, bought years ago for her by Coke, was present, barefoot and a willing cab was found to take her her brother; and Rs 1,32,000 in lungi rolled up, in her nomination to her office. National Savings Certificates, which rally); tea in plastic cups (“this included a 50th birthday gift from causes cancer”) or water in sealed –Economic & Political Weekly friends. The rally ended with her plastic containers. Packaged and shouting slogans and then turning branded eats were politely refused; Footprints of A Crusader the mike towards her supporters to but a banana, lime juice and (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) complete the slogans. coconut water were welcome.

Rarely has any politician made Many things unavoidable in an by this gesture. Few politicians shout MP’s election campaign Rohini Gawankar slogans themselves, but for Patkar, embarrassed her, self-praise for one. it was normal. On a blazing hot She would speak about legislation Published by afternoon, walking through the she and others like her had struggled Kamalakar Subhedar, sprawling Godrej colony, after to bring about – the vendors bill, the Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, having spent the entire morning on unorganised workers bill, the Rajiv the streets, it was Patkar who started Awas Yojana – but never of her own Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, the slogans, seeing her companions role in it. Having a car especially Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), droop wearily. Used to dharnas and waiting for her was another thing that Mumbai 400072. gheraos but not election campaigns made her squirm. She would regret Mobile: 9820092255 which meant approaching strangers, not being able to accommodate her supporters would sometimes everyone in it. Rather than waving Contribution: Rs.300+ forget to carry leaflets; if they did, out to people from an open car, she 14 JANATA, May 11, 2014 Uphold Democratic Values

Violence, hooliganism, and Hyderabad. both Hindu and Muslim disruption of the democratic fundamentalist parties, within the process is common to all Similarly, three days ago well protective umbrella of the police, are fundamentalist elements in the known activist Shabnam Hashmi horrifying and must be strongly political sphere. Last evening some and Pratap Singh Negi were condemned. These parties are goons (a.k.a party workers) from attacked by BJP workers in Rae breeding an inhumane culture of the Muslim fundamentalist Majlis- Bareli, UP while distributing intolerance in the name of religion e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party leaflets exposing the Gujarat and corrupting the law and order attacked noted activist S.Q. development claims. The workers system. These incidents provide a Masood, who was working as an threatened to rape Ms. Hashmi if glimpse of the hatred, disorder and observer for the Aam Aadmi Party she did not relent. In both cases the deteriorated law & order situation at Golconda in the Karwan police refused to register FIRs. that will be the order of the day when Assembly Constituency, These brazen acts of violence by these parties come into power.

–Achin Vanaik, Ali Asghar, Amalendu Upadhyaya, Amar Kanwar, Asad Ashraf, Asad Zaidi, Ashish Awasthi and others Defeat BJP syndrome

The main problem with In the context of the emergence compel all these hypocritical intellectuals is that they deviate of AAP on national horizon, let me secular parties who elicit Muslim from the crux of the discussion. say that I am its great admirer only vote on the drama of defeating When I appeal to Muslims to come in the sense that it has introduced BJP from their respective out of the “Defeat BJP syndrome”, some figment of morality and platforms, to field one joint it never implies that “vote for honesty in an otherwise deeply candidate against the BJP? If they BJP”. Personally I hate Narendra corrupt system. But I appreciate do so, the BJP will be eliminated. Modi and B.J.P., but now have the political shrewdness of Arvind 2. What they have done so far and more intense hate for these Kejriwal that he has touched this what they will do in future if those fictitious secular parties. I agree nerve of the Muslim community by parties or individuals whom with the statement of Maulana projecting his party as the greatest Muslims voted or will vote in the Kalbe Sadiq, issued some time enemy of BJP. Anyhow, on the eve name of defeating BJP, aligned back that for Muslims, no party is of election, outfits and people like with it (BJP)? untouchable. I also agree with the Jamate-Islami who are appealing statement of Maulana Arshad for the community’s en masse 3. Can anybody set time limit as Madni of Jamaitul-Ulmae Hind support to AAP will be betraying how long this buffoonery of that how long the Congress will it by issuing appeals in the name sacrificing everything in the name frighten Muslims in the name of of strategic voting to vote for the of “Defeating BJP” will BJP or Modi. It is only the result candidates of different political continue? of this Muslim mindset that Saifai parties who are in a position to of Mulayam Singh is dancing and defeat BJP. I want a healthy discussion on in the same state the horrors of these points because now enough is I ask the following questions to Muzaffar-nagar riot victims is no enough, but please stick to the logic those who are obsessed only with secret from anybody. On our dead as I hate the illogical and foolish “Defeat BJP” and think of nothing bodies the calculations of political arguments, be it from Muslims or else: advantages and disadvantages are Hindus, be it from my supporters or made. 1. Can they ever have the power to critics.. –Mustafa Kamal Sherwani, Chairman , All India Muslim Forum JANATA, May 11, 2014 15

Thomas Kocherry

The shocking news for all of us Peace and Justice to Dantewada' towards the cause of working is the sad and sudden demise of from Raipur to Dantewada via class especially the Fr Thomas Kocherry. A bad news at Jagdalpur in Chhatisgarh on 4-8 fishermen, people’s movements like a wrong time because he had been May 2010. I must put on record that Anti-nuclear protests, etc. and writing his secular and nationalist he took this trip just within a month human rights movements. He will views recently concernig the of his open heart surgery. An always be remembered with honour ongoing election and policies and incident in Jagdalpur made it clear and respect. May his soul rest in directions the political parties were to us: how he risked his life for the peace and strength to his dear ones taking. Exactly four years ago we cause of peace and justice. This to bear the loss. were together taking a 'March for indicates how serious he was –V. N. Sharma

(Continued from Page 2) voting seemed so much in its went out of his way to defy and If there is a hidden strategy and favour? Modi and the BJP challenge the Election tactics in this resort to divisive invoked Lord Rama and Ram Commission of India and politics, we confess to being too Rajya, resorted to the use of charged it, of all things, with dim-witted to comprehend its religious symbols on the dias of helping politicians to rig the meaning or purpose. a rally at , and Modi elections in some northern states.

(Continued from Page 5)

The making of a much publicized castes youth, can finally realize of literary-cultural creativity neo-liberal India could be the their dream of a socialist, secular which have been forcibly dream of a selected few youth of and democratic India. If the suppressed within the boundary of the country. The larger community, politics of the Third Front assumes neo-liberalism can get new comprising of the dalit, tribal, center stage, those ideas, meaning and space. backward, minority, poor forward ideologies, discourses and streams

And yet, Modi’s rise and rise has How and why the country’s top and the end of the ‘license-permit less to do with his Hindutva businessmen switched allegiance raj’ were meant to usher in, the level credentials and appeal than his from the ‘indecisive’ Congress to of rent that can be earned by secular critics would like to believe. Narendra Modi is a story that reflects companies that are close to the Modi is where he is today – on the the inner rhythms of life at the base government has reached cusp of power – not because the of Indian politics. But it is also a astronomical levels. As N.S. country is becoming more cautionary tale about the deep crisis Siddharthan of the Madras School communal but because the Indian that rent-seeking and cronyism have of Economics argues, ‘Under the corporate sector is becoming more engendered in the Indian economy, existing business environment, the impatient. Every opinion poll that now that the immediate gains made path to amass wealth is not through shows him inching towards power possible from liberalization have manufacturing but through sets off a bull run on the Bombay reached their natural limit. For all exploitation of resources under Stock Exchange. the changes that neo-liberal policies government ownership.’3

–Siddharth Varadarajan R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, May 11, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, May 11, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday May 14, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 16 The Modi juggernaut May 18, 2014 S. Viswam

Crushing all that stood in its way, indeed, that is what democracy is the Narendra Modi juggernaut has all about. But the decimation just The idea of India secured a historic and massive delivered to the Congress is not Kuldip Nayar mandate to the Sangh Parivar, a only near-total (the party is left with commendable performance that just under-50 number of seats in a ushers in a sea-change in national house 543 members strong), but it Gender issues in manifestos politics. The 2014 Lok Sabha is also pathetically humiliating. Just Vibhuti Patel verdict represents a well-deserved imagine, a party that in cahoots electoral triumph for the NDA-BJP, with a handful of other smaller even as it denotes a well-deserved groupings governed this country for defeat for the UPA-Congress. The two long and full decades has been Urgency of electoral reforms Pannalal Surana triumph is truly path-breaking, and reduced to a position of counting is almost the product of a single the numerical strength of the party man’s campaign waged single- that has been “cribbed, cabinned, mindedly by an individual leader confined and contained”, and firmly Remembering who set his sights seemingly at an lassoed at under 50. Sunil impossible target. That he has not The Congress has not faced such Anil Sadgopal only hit that target bang-on but has humiliation in the recent past at any Prem Singh carried on his pursuit even beyond time. Other political parties subject is what is historic about his work. themselves to strident introspection He ran a veritable tsunami (more to ascertain what could have caused aptly termed tsunamo!) and brought such a debacle. It is typical of the all his rivals to their knees. History Congress culture, however, that the Editor : will recognize his achievement as party’s spineless cadres who have an unique one. been brought up on strong doses of G. G. Parikh The uniqueness lies in the fact that sycophancy and adulation are trying Managing Editor : Guddi Modi’s campaign and the verdict to evade fixing responsibility for that the electorate has rendered the debacle and divert it away from D-15, Ganesh Prasad, marks the decimation of the those who have caused the Naushir Bharucha Marg, Congress and the United humiliation and passing it on to the Mumbai - 400 007. Progressive Alliance that it hosted. collective whole of the cadre. The It is not unusual for political parties second rank leaders are spreading Email : [email protected] to get decimated at the hustings, the word that since Sonia Gandhi 2 JANATA, May 18, 2014 and Rahul Gandhi were not in the Between the lines government and the Lok Sabha poll verdict reflects disappointment with the administration, the blame for the The idea of India defeat cannot be held at their doors. This is patently wrong and evasive. Kuldip Nayar The party is managed and run by the mother and the campaign was I did not want Narender Modi to publicity by the different candidates, spearheaded by the son, even be India’s prime minister for financed by people from the though the son was not formally ideological reason. His effort to corporate sector. nominated as the Congress party’s polarize the country is not in the “prime ministerial candidate”. The nation’s interest. But the voters’ Consequently, there is little that mother-son duo were perceived by choice is different. Modi has won the the new Prime Minister or his the public and the electorate as the right to rule having won through fair colleagues can do because they are two leaders who were and open election. And he is entitled beholden to the money bags for the masterminding the campaign. For to pursue his agenda which offers, positions they occupy. Even the sycophantic cadres to now try to use his words, the ‘politics of otherwise, they are far from the ethos and shift the blame for the defeat development and not revenge’. of the national struggle. I am not from their doors and transfer it to Modi should, however, keep in mind surprised that the new generation is the shoulders of poor Dr. the larger picture, the idea of India. blank about the sacrifices which the Manmohan Singh is dishonest and nation made to wrest itself free from unethical. Had the party won, the The idea of India is neither an unwilling and barbaric Great success would have been attributed territorial, nor ideological. It also Britain. to the leadership of the mother-son has little to do with economics or duo and celebrations ordered. Rahul politics. The idea, the ethos of this How many remember that the Gandhi, as the leader of the country and what we stood for Jallianwalla Bagh massacre campaign, cannot evade and escape during the freedom struggle, is represents sheer brutality of the being accountable for the debacle. democracy, pluralism and British rulers and the defiance of the He must accept responsibility and egalitarianism. ordinary innocent Indians, our make some amends even if ancestors, and who had focused all token.To pretend that he had Beginning with India’s first their attention on independence? nothing to do with the elections and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, One friend of mine, an Indian settled that the result had nothing to do who stood for a socialistic pattern in London, has rightly suggested that with his leadership will be of society, to Prime Minister there should be a holiday to hypocritical and totally malafide of Manmohan Singh, believing in free commemorate the memory of those the reality. market priorities, the idea has been who jumped into a well to save One does not know if Modi himself mutilated by every party which has themselves, as well as others who anticipated that the poll verdict come to head government. The ethos refused to move even after the would be so satisfactory for himself has been pushed aside. The idealism British-led soldiers had exhausted personally and for his party. But as has taken a back seat and even the their last bullet. he gets into stride as the country’s youth is more interested in jobs than democratically elected prime in harking back to a past based on a How does the new government minister, he must bear in mind that value system. clear the debt of their forefathers’ he campaigned solely on the sacrifices? We cannot recover from platform of “development” and held New rulers have, no doubt, come the British authorities in London the forth the Gujarat model as one that through a democratic process, but money which they took from India would suit the genius of the people they have used the Lok Sabha through exploitation. But we can at of other states also. He will not election campaigns without least get the symbols of our heritage have failed to notice that his patron- bothering about the means or which are accumulating dust in the methods. One rough estimate is that basement of the Victoria and Albert (Continued on Page 3) Rs 5 lakh crores was spent on museums. I recall that when the JANATA, May 18, 2014 3

Nehru Centre was opened (the him, he was quoted as saying how wallowing in poverty and hunger. money was spent by New Delhi), I astounded he was by his own One estimate is that the 30-crore asked the curator how long would it “moderation.” Nevertheless, Clive people, equal to the entire population take for the Indians to have access was unable to live with his guilty of Europe, go to bed hungry. This to the relics of the Raj. She said that conscience and committed suicide. defeats the ideal of egalitarianism only five per cent of what they have Impeachment proceedings were also which was promised after had been put on exhibition after 35 launched against his successor in independence. It’s up to the new years. The rest would have to wait. India, Hastings. rulers how they deliver it, but their steps should be seen as moving As India’s High Commissioner in The most effective weapon the towards that direction. This process London I took up the issue of British had to conquer India was to cannot tolerate corruption which l returning the Kohinoor diamond to divide communities so that they find at every tier of the government India. This priceless relic was once could act as arbitrators and justify and political parties. a part and parcel of the treasury of their rule on the ground that they Mahraja Ranjit Singh and is thought were trying to bring peace among (Continued from Page 2) to have originated from the people of different religions. In the Golconda mines in Hyderabad. The Lok Sabha elections some political organisation, the RSS, and other reply of top British officials from the parties have encouraged cleavage saffron parivar stalwarts are now foreign office was that the Kohinoor between Hindus and Muslims. These trying to propagate that the mandate was now studded in their monarch’s political parties should remember won by Modi is for the basic core . I pursued this issue in the that although democracy has taken programmes of the Saffron Parivar, Rajya Sabha when l was its member. roots in the West, there is more than namely, the Article 370 of the I was shocked when the then foreign one foreign government that would Cnstitution and its abrogation, minister of the BJP government, love to get its foothold in our building a Ram temple at Ayodhya Jaswant Singh, requested me not to country. We represent the rich and the introduction of a uniform press the matter because it would tell pickings for one and all. civil code. This is typical of the upon the relations between India and Traditionally, we were known as the RSS-BJP strategy of enforcing its Great Britain. I am hoping against sonay ki chidiya (golden sparrow). will on an unwilling people. It was hope that the new government would precisely because these issues were rectify the mistake which I To maintain unity of the country unacceptable to the people at large committed by keeping quiet. and strengthen the faith of the that they are in cold storage. Modi common man in our political must remember that any attempt to For the new rulers this is a golden process, we will have to go back to get them on the table through the opportunity to revive those prized the ethos of our national movement: backdoor will boomerang on him values of innocence and decency that is, all communities belonging to and the party. with which India was associated different religions and castes are long before the advent of colonial equal in the eyes of the law and as Janata Subscription rule. How many remember the laid down by the Indian constitution. Annual Rs. : 260/- notorious Robert Clive, first Three Years : 750/- Governor General of Bengal, and his I hope the Lokpal Bill, which is successor, Warren Hastings, who pending before parliament, will be Demand Draft / Cheque exploited the country and used their passed soon by both the houses of on ill-gotten wealth to invest in the UK? parliament so that even those at the Mumbai Bank The 300,000 pounds that Clive top have to show their in favour of exacted from the rich Bengalis was accountability. There should be no used to buy his membership of the vindictiveness or harassment of House of Lords, as well as huge those who have lost. JANATA TRUST property. The famous Somerset D-15, Ganesh Prasad, House in London was built with The top priority of the new Naushir Bharucha Marg, government should be how to uplift Clive’s assets. When impeachment Mumbai 400 007 proceedings were launched against the 30-crore people who are still 4 JANATA, May 18, 2014 Gender issues in manifestos

Vibhuti Patel

A manifesto by women groups regularisation of contract labour and that covers offences of sexual released in English and Hindi on increase in minimum wages. CPIML assault, sexual harassment and March 8, 2014, was translated by has also stressed upon the long- pornography. INC has promised women’s rights groups into Hindi, standing demand of the women’s strict implementation of the Bengali, Marathi, and . It workers employed in work of Prohibition of Child Labour Act. has been endorsed by thousands of perennial nature to be regularised, The election manifesto of Socialist women’s groups across India and the principle of equal pay for equal Party (India) for the 16th Lok Sabha has provided a rallying point for work to be upheld in every field, Election promises to strive “to ‘Know Thy Candidate’ ASHA, Anganwadi, mid-day meal eliminate gender discrimination programmes across country, in workers are to be treated as regular and will support affirmative action terms of making women conscious employees with proper pay scales in favour of women in all legislative of how different parties deal with and minimum wages are to be raised and other institutions.” women’s issues. Aam Admi Party to Rs 15000 per month, as per its (AAP) was the first political party manifesto. Social Security for CPIML has highlighted access to endorse it. All the national and women has been promised by a to clean toilets for all women, in majority of regional political veteran feminist and founder of homes as well as in public spaces, parties have included six points of Women’s Voice (WV), National and access to regular, safe public the manifesto; educate for equality, Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW) transport to be ensured. make laws count, put women in and president of National Alliance (Secular) has also promised to stop power, police for the people, swift, of Women (NAWO) Ruth Manorama manual scavenging in which certain justice and support to who is contesting Lok Sabha election women are predominantly survivors of violence in their on Janata Dal (Secular) seat of employed. INC had made a declaration for the Lok Sabha Bangalore. declaration for eradication of open Election and election speeches. defecation, though not a gender INC, BJP, AAP and Communist specific issue, it robs women of In the 16th Lok Sabha Election Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) their basic dignity given the Manifesto Bharatiya Janata Party have proclaimed to implement cultural milieu. (BJP) has promised to launch a women related laws to stop sex national campaign to save the girl selective abortions by strict INC has declared women’s child and promote education of girls. implementation of PCPNDT Act, reservation as a top priority. While Indian National Congress (INC) and 2002, Prevention of Domestic BJP, CPI (M), CPI (ML) have AAP manifestos have demanded Violence Act-2005, Sexual demanded 33 per cent reservation for strict implementation of PCPNDT Harassment of women at work- women in Parliament and Act to stop sex selective abortions place (Prevention, Prohibition and assemblies, Trinammol Congress has of female foetuses. Trinamool Redressal) Act of April, 2013, Rape given a genenralised statement of Congress manifesto declares: “A laws- the Criminal Law empowering women in every walk special thrust will be given on (Amendment) Act, 2013 that makes of society, economy and polity. empowering the ‘girl child’.” stalking and cyber stalking (Section (BSP) and 354 D), voyeurism (Section 354 C) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have The Election Manifesto of and sexual harassment a crime and asked for reservation within Communist Party of India-Marxist also provides for the death penalty reservation for ST, SC and OBC Leninist (CPIML) has promised for repeat offenders or for rape women. In its agenda for immediate secure, dignified, remunerative attacks that lead to the victim’s action, the Socialist Party has employment for women and has death and Protection of Children demanded passing of Women’s given great emphasis on from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Reservation Bill. JANATA, May 18, 2014 5

The INC has promised to pass gender-just family laws governing by candidates associated with their Citizens’ Charter for safety of marriage, divorce, property rights, party. Association of Democratic women, special protection for Dalit maintenance, alimony, right to equal Reforms (ADR) based in Delhi has women and fast track courts to deal share in matrimonial or parental revealed hundreds of men accused with crimes against women. Both, homes, guardianship of children etc. of sexual violence towards women INC and CPIML have supported 24- At the same time they believe that have been allowed to contest Hour-One-stop Crisis centres to be demand of UCC does not ensure elections, including more than 32 established in the government gender justice, it only creates candidates charged of rape. hospitals. CPI (ML) has stated in its polarisation on religious grounds manifesto that safe shelters must be and divides women of different It is a matter of deep regret that instituted in each police district for religious beliefs. in the manifesto, none of the women survivors of violence, political parties has demanded speedy justice, compensation and While talking about gender ‘code of conduct’ of decent rehabilitation be ensured for concerns in election manifestos of behaviour from their candidates survivors of rape and acid attacks the national and regional political and activists in their personal lives, and gender-sensitive police and parties, we must remember that while dealing with their women prosecutorial procedures must be none of them has implemented a colleagues and in the rallies and strictly followed, and the number of code of conduct to disqualify political gatherings. Even while judges and courts should be electoral candidates who have allocating seats to contest election, expanded to ensure speedy justice committed crimes of gender- they have not promoted veteran in every case related to sexual violence, made misogynistic women political activists of their violence. comments or shown such own party. Most of the political behaviour, nor have they ensured parties have used their women BJP has promised strict zero tolerance for moral policing workers only as foot soldiers. implementation of laws related to violence against women. CPI (M) has emphasised enactment of laws Mukul Sinha against honour crimes and trafficking of girls and women, laws On May 12, Mukul Sinha, a Mukul Sinha was instinctively for joint matrimonial property rights tireless crusader for justice and just drawn towards taking up the most just and strengthening of maintenance causes, breathed his last in causes, including the most difficult and Act to ensure safe survival of women Ahmedabad. Mukul was a scientist challenging cases. Many such causes and children. Janata Dal (Secular) and a scientist-activist who in mid- were helped and salvaged by his candidate Ruth Manorama has life took up a new role as public fearless and dedicated commitment. focused in her election campaign on interest lawyer and labour activist to stringent implementation of laws for fight long legal battles for many just His work, helped greatly by the a safe and secure city for women - causes, particularly for victims of many-sided and invaluable support of violence free homes and a violence communal violence, encounter his wife Nirjhari, will be remembered free community. INC manifesto asks killings and unjust labour practices for long because of its great for all police stations to have at least in Gujarat. democratic role in helping those 25 per cent women staffers. Socialist causes which most needed such Party has promised Special After obtaining a Master’s degree support. This work helped to expose Tribunals to be set up to ensure from IIT Kanpur, Mukul Sinha very powerful persons and was carried justice in long-pending cases of joined the prestigious Physical out in very difficult conditions. custodial rapes. Research Laboratory where he was soon involved in a struggle to save Mukul Sinha played a leading BJP is the only mainstream the livelihoods of arbitrarily sacked role in forming the Jan Sangarsh political party that has demanded employees. This struggle led to the Manch and held out the vision of a Uniform Civil Code that has a formation of a federation of the new socialist movement. history of bitter identity politics. employees of scientific and technical Women’s organisations support institutes. –Bharat Dogra 6 JANATA, May 18, 2014 Lok Sabha Elections 2014 Analysis of criminal background and financial details of candidates

National Election Watch and CPI(M) been fielded by BJP, BSP and SP Association for Democratic Reforms • Candidates with cases related to each, 3 candidates by AAP, 2 have analysed the self-sworn Attempt to Murder: 173 candidates by INC, JD(U) and affidavits of 8163 candidates out of candidates have declared cases of RJD each, 1 candidate by AITC, 8230 candidates who have contested attempt to murder. Out of these, CPI(M), DMK and MNS each in the Lok Sabha 2014 Elections. 19 candidates have been fielded and 9 candidates are The rest of the candidates were not by BJP and CPI(ML)L each, 18 independents. analysed due to unclear/incomplete candidates by BSP, 14 candidates • Candidates with cases related to affidavits uploaded on the ECI by SP, 7 candidates by AAP and Kidnapping: 40 candidates have website at the time of making of this JD(U) each, 6 candidates by declared cases related to report. AITC and INC, 5 candidates by kidnapping. Out of these, 6 Criminal Background RJD, 4 candidates by JVM(P), 2 candidates have been fielded by • Candidates with Criminal Cases: candidates by CPI(M) and DMK BSP and SP, 4 candidates by INC, Out of the 8163 candidates each and 28 candidates are 3 candidates by BJP and DMK analysed, 1398 (17%) candidates independents. each, 2 candidates by AITC and have declared criminal cases • Candidates with cases related to CPI(ML)L each, 1 candidate by against themselves. Out of 7810 Crimes against Women: 58 AAP, JD(U), LJP, MNS and RJD candidates analysed during Lok candidates have declared cases each and 5 candidates are Sabha 2009 elections, 1158 related to crimes against women. independents. (15%) candidates had declared 6 candidates have declared cases • Party wise Candidates with criminal cases against of rape. Out of 58 candidates with Criminal Cases: 128 (28%) out themselves. cases related to crimes against of 462 candidates from INC, 140 • Candidates with Serious women, 6 candidates have been (33%) out of 426 candidates from Criminal Cases: 889 (11%) fielded by BSP, 3 candidates by BJP, 65 (15%) out of 427 candidates have declared serious AITC, BJP, INC and SP each, 2 candidates from AAP, 114 (23%) criminal cases including cases candidates by JD(U), 1 candidate out of 501 candidates fielded by related to murder, attempt to by AAP, CPI, CPI(ML)L, MNS, BSP and 307 (10%) out of 3182 murder, communal disharmony, RJD, Shiv Sena and YSRCP each independent candidates have kidnapping, crimes against and 18 candidates are declared criminal cases against women etc. Out of 7810 independents. themselves in their affidavits. candidates analysed during Lok • Candidates with cases related to • Party wise Candidates with Sabha 2009 elections, 608 (8%) causing Communal Disharmony: Serious Criminal Cases: 61 candidates had declared serious 54 candidates with cases related (13%) out of 462 candidates from criminal cases against to causing communal INC, 89 (21%) out of 426 themselves. disharmony. Out of these, 18 candidates from BJP, 42 (10%) • Candidates with cases related to candidates were fielded by BJP, out of 427 candidates from AAP, murder: 57 candidates have 3 candidates by CPI(ML)L and 75 (15%) out of 501 candidates declared cases related to murder. BSP each, 2 candidates by AAP, fielded by BSP and 188 (6%) out Out of these 12 candidates have SP and INC each, 1 candidate by of 3182 independent candidates been fielded by BSP, 4 candidates RLD, YSRCP and TRS each and have declared serious criminal have been fielded by BJP, 6 candidates are independents. cases against themselves in their CPI(ML)L and SP each, 3 • Candidates with cases related to affidavits. candidates by RJD and JD(U) Robbery and Dacoity: 57 • Red Alert Constituencies: 245 each, 1 candidate by INC, AAP, candidates have declared cases constituencies have at least 3 AITC, and each and 12 related to robbery and dacoity. candidates with declared criminal candidates are independents. Out of these, 10 candidates have cases. Vaishali constituency, JANATA, May 18, 2014 7

Bihar and Raver Constituency, West Bengal with Rs. 2000 crores Chevella constituency with Maharashtra have the highest of total assets, Anil Kumar Rs. 528.62 crores of total assets. number of contesting candidates Sharma of JD(U) from Jahanabad • Party-wise Asset Rank: 348 (75%) i.e. 10 with criminal cases against constituency, Bihar with Rs. out of 462 INC candidates occupy them. 196 constituencies during 849.98 crores of total assets, the top three highest assets Lok Sabha 2009 elections had Jayadev Galla of TDP from positions amongst all the atleast 3 candidates with declared Guntur constituency, Andhra contesting candidates in their criminal cases. Pradesh, Rs. 683.05 crores of total respective constituencies. Financial Background assets, Ayodhya Rama Reddy Similarly, 283 (66%) out of 426 • Crorepati Candidates: Out of the Alla of YSRCP from BJP candidates, 109 (22%) out of 8163 candidates analysed, 2208 Narasaraopet constituency, 501 BSP candidates and 115 (27%) are crorepatis. Out of 7810 Andhra Pradesh with Rs. 654.33 (27%) out of 427 AAP candidates candidates analysed during Lok crores of total assets and Konda occupy the top three highest assets Sabha 2009 elections, 1249 Vishweshwar Reddy of TRS from positions in their constituency. (16%) candidates were crorepatis. • Party-wise Crorepati How committed are Indian political parties on science and research? Candidates: 365 (79%) out of Not much, if one is to go by their manifestoes. 462 candidates in INC, 309 (73%) Even as the curtains come down on the election campaign, a report in out of 426 candidates in BJP, 192 ‘Nature’ magazine has noted that two of the three main political parties (45%) out of 427 candidates in make “scant mention of science in their manifestoes”. AAP, 161 (32%) out of 501 And on that evidence, it concludes that Indian science will not get the candidates in BSP and 342 (11%) boost it needs to become internationally competitive.” out of 3182 Independent Unfortunately, in the value system of both the government and our candidates have declared assets society at large, science is not at the top - in fact, it may be at the bottom,” worth more than Rs. 1 crore. C.N.R. Rao, chairman of the Indian Scientific Advisory Council to the • Average Assets*: The average prime minister, has been quoted as saying in the report. assets per candidate contesting in While the Congress party manifesto promises a spend of at least two the Lok Sabha 2014 elections is percent of the gross domestic product on science and technology if elected Rs.3.16 crores. to power, scientists say this is not sufficient keeping the rapid pace of • Party-wise Average Assets*: research and development in countries like China and South Korea.” Among major parties, the average We have still not crossed 1 percent for over two decades now, whereas assets per candidate for 461 INC others, such as (South) Korea, China are rapidly moving towards, or have candidates is Rs 13.27 crores, 426 already moved to, 3 percent and beyond in the same period,” R.A. BJP candidates have average Mashelkar, former director general of the Indian Council of Scientific and assets of Rs.10.32 crores, 427 Industrial Research, was quoted as saying. AAP candidates have average The BJP, according to the report, has devoted the most space to science assets worth of Rs.2.77 crores and and technology, health, energy and environment in its manifesto.” 501 BSP candidates have average It promises to set up world-class centres for nanotechnology, brain assets of Rs. 3.53 crores. research and thorium-reactor technology for India’s nuclear-power *The following outliers were programme,” the Nature report said. removed from the average assets The new entrant Aam Aadmi Party’s manifesto is largely silent on science analysis to give a true and technology. However, it does focus on management of natural resources representation of the party-wise such as coal and minerals, the report said. average assets distribution; India currently contributes no more than 1 percent of the top 1 percent of INC from of global research, Rao noted.” Bangalore South Constituency, If India can make careful investments in particular areas of scientific Karnataka with Rs. 7710.29 research, it will be able to compete with countries such as China and South crores of total assets, Shamali Das Korea in terms of patents acquired and high-quality publications produced,” an Independent candidate from he maintained. Jadavpur Constituency and –SiliconIndia Kolkata Dakshin constituency, 8 JANATA, May 18, 2014 Urgency of electoral reforms

Pannalal Surana

It seems the campaigning of main while number of proposers be representation. Today, many parties political parties during the 2014 Lok increased to fifty or hundred so that are denied any representation in spite Sabha elections were very an independent candidate will find of getting significant percentage of expensive. Use of air-borne vehicles it hard to rope in so many supporters. vote polled in a State or a number of must have cost crores and crores of In the interest of equity, some sort States in Lok Sabha elections. rupees while the cost of of State funding be made available Democracy can be strengthened by advertisements on electronic and to the candidates, sponsored by a strengthening political parties who print media must have been in registered political party of meager stand for some ideology or set of multiples of that. And not a single means,( say those whose annual policies and also can enforce some paisa of that will be entered into the income is less than one lakh rupees discipline in the legislatures as well accounts of the candidates. That is or so) in the form of providing a as public life in general. because all those expenses would be facility, in the form of dispatching Tarkunde Committee, in 1976, shown as incurred by the respective of one appeal for the candidate of, had made one suggestion which can parties. And there is no legal ceiling say, 500 words to all the voters in serve as basis for discussion and on that. his/her constituency by the State. further improvement. The I think some legal provision must There will be no room for pilferage suggestion was like this: There are be made so that Election in this kind of arrangement. It may 70 constituencies of Delhi State Commission and also citizens be be recalled that, in the eighties of the Assembly. Voting may be held as entitled to ask for the details of last century, Indrajit Gupta per the current system. At the time expenses incurred by the parties on committee had made of counting, however, only those election campaigning .They should recommendation for providing State candidates who have polled more also be entitled to know the sources funding to political parties, than fifty per cent of valid votes be of donations to various parties. In Recently, it has been observed that declared as elected. Rest of the fact, the Right to Information Act parties ruling at the Centre or a State, constituencies be taken as available must be made applicable to all incur huge expenditure on for distribution between the parties registered political parties. advertisements which include in proportion to the votes secured by Political activists feel that amount pictures of ministers and/ or their each party. Parties may be called to of security deposit at the time of leaders. This is unfair and unjustified submit a list of their candidates, to filing nomination is also beyond from the wider public interest be nominated to the seats that would reach of many of them. While perspective. Objective of be allocated to that party for enhancing that amount an argument government advertisement can be to proportional representation. Such was advanced by some individuals invite tenders, etc. or supplying lists must be deposited with the that the number of independent information about specific scheme Election Office before the election candidates was increasing at a high of the government to the targeted process starts and cannot be amended rate. Preponderance of independent groups or general public. For that, afterwords. This will encourage candidates entails great cost to the mentioning the name of the parties to include such names in those Election Commission. It also causes concerned officer would be enough. lists which would help them get more unnecessary confusion in the minds Putting in names of ministers or votes. of the voters. It was felt that if the leaders and their pictures is totally It may be noted that even small amount of security deposit is uncalled for. It is prudent to save that nations like Switzerland, Germany enhanced, it will serve as a much public money. and Nepal have adopted Proportional restraining factor. Experience of the No voter be allowed to contest Representation and their experience last ten-fifteen years belies that hope. from more than one constituency. is good. India should take some For dedicated but poor activists, Expenses to be incurred on election innovative steps in this direction. however, it has become a big to the vacated seat can thus be saved. It may be stated that electoral stumbling block. Some via media Most important point of electoral reforms are not to be looked down will have to be devised. It may be form is to amend the present first- upon as intellectual luxury of a few. suggested that amount of deposit be past-the –post system and embrace reduced to five thousand rupees some variant of proportional (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, May 18, 2014 9 A Socialist Intellectual among the Oppressed

Anil Sadgopal

“The three months that we spent together in the prison last year brought us closer even further. . . . Throughout our prison term, we ate together in the same pots. In the name of pots, all what we had been given was one thali each. We would, therefore, jointly take daal in one thali for both of us and similarly vegetables in another and thus eat together. The beard, spectacles, overall attire, similar looking chappals made out of tyre, the lean frame and other such features had given us quite similar looks. People would often confuse me with Rajnarayan and Rajnarayan with Sunil.” (Sunil in ‘Ladat Ja Re’, 1991; translated from Hindi). This statement was recorded almost 24 years ago by Sunil after his then 30-year old comrade-in-arms Rajnarayan of Kisan Adivasi Sangathan met his most untimely death due to a road accident in April 1990. Kisan Adivasi Sangathan (KAS), jointly organized by Rajnarayan and Sunil in mid-1980 in Kesla Block, Distt. Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, was allied with Samata Sangathan led by Kishen Patnaik, the formidable socialist thinker.

No less untimely and tragic was the demise of Sunil (born on 4th November 1959) himself on 21st April 2014 in the neuro-sciences ICU of AIIMS, New Delhi following massive brain hemorrhage five days earlier at his home at Village Bhumkapura, near Kesla. On 16th April afternoon, Sunil was brought to Bhopal by his wife Smita and local Samajwadi Jan Parishad and KAS activists from Kesla and Itarsi after a two-hour road journey in a state of unconsciousness and admitted in a private hospital where he underwent brain surgery. Two days later, he was airlifted to AIIMS. He remained unconscious with full life-support system until his demise, while his hundreds of friends, co-workers and admirers kept their fingers crossed from all over the country – from places as far away as Bhubaneswar, , Delhi, Guntur, Kannur, Jalpaiguri, Kolhapur, Ranchi, Sambalpur and Shillong, apart from the villages of Betul, Harda, Hoshangabad, Khandwa, and other Districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The much-expected ‘miracle’ did not happen and the country lost a truly committed and visionary ‘socialist intellectual working among the oppressed’. As a footnote, it must be recorded here that Sunil had no place for ‘miracles’ of any kind in his karma-filled life. His strategy and vision of social transformation was rooted firmly in a scientific understanding of the objective political, socio-economic and cultural conditions prevailing in the society.

An intellectual-cum-activist students and faculty alike for his profound analytical understanding of the subject and its relationship with Let us return to early 1980s and the formative years socio-political issues. In early 1980s, like Rajnarayan, of Sunil’s relationship with Rajnarayan. Sunil completed Sunil, too, joined Samata Yuvjan Sabha, the student-cum- his education until B.A. in government schools and youth wing of Samata Sangathan and started visiting college of Rampura, a small remote kasba of District Kesla from time to time. He showed his early leadership Mandsaur, M.P, on the border of Rajasthan. His father, qualities by leading a Cycle Yatra from Delhi to Guwahati Dr. Ram Prasad Gupta taught economics in the Rampura in 1982-83 in support of the Assam student movement college. Undoubtedly, Sunil’s later abiding interest in and a Delhi-Amritsar Yatra in 1984 against the anti-Sikh economics for the wider social good must have been wave of violence in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s influenced by his father who himself continues to date assassination. to be a widely acknowledged writer on the economic and developmental issues impacting the masses, his From Delhi to Kesla advanced age notwithstanding. Interestingly, some contend that Sunil had no less reverse influence on his In April 1985, while pursuing his Ph.D. work at JNU father’s thinking. under the guidance of the indomitable economist Late Prof. Krishna Bhardwaj, Sunil received the news of the In late 1970s, Sunil joined M.A. programme in Rajnarayan-led movement of tribals in Kesla on the issue economics at Jawaharlal University (JNU), New Delhi. of scarcity of water during which the people broke During this period, Sunil won the respect from his fellow- matkas (earthen pots) as a mark of protest. This was the 10 JANATA, May 18, 2014 signal Sunil needed to take the decisive turn in his life. The visionary creation of a workers’ hospital, elementary On 1st May 1985, he quit his JNU research work and schools and semi-mechanised technology of iron ore shifted his social base to Kesla for the rest of his life. extraction as organic part of the trade union struggle The Kesla region suffered from a severe draught in 1986, inspired people’s movements nation-wide and defined leading to a major loss of the kharif crop. Repeated an alternative model of development controlled by the appeals to the government for relief brought no response. workers, rather than the ruling capitalist class. Taking In November 1986, KAS organized a historic six-day cue from this experience, Sunil in early 1990s organized foot march (pad yatra) from Bhauran Village of the Kesla’s displaced tribals to fight for retrieving their eroded neighbouring Betul District to Bhopal under the joint rights to jal-jangal-zameen and jeevika. Following a leadership of Rajnarayan and Sunil. The central theme sustained struggle, the then Congress government of of the foot march was ‘freedom from drought and Madhya Pradesh was finally persuaded to concede a five- poverty’. When the Chief Minister refused to meet the year rehabilitation package on 24th October, 1996 with padyatris, a chakka jam (causing traffic jam) followed regard to the Tawa Reservoir. The package included, by forced entry into his official residence was used to among other things, right to draw-down cultivation (i.e. compel him to discuss the demands. The Chief Minister cultivating the reservoir banks when the water recedes) yielded to six demands promising small-scale irrigation and right to fishing on a cooperative basis for the displaced schemes, undertaking relief works, lifting ban on fuel persons. For this purpose, KAS constituted Tawa Matsya wood collection from the forest and non-collection of Sangh (TMS) – a duly registered federation of 37 primary dues and loans for the time being. Yet, the state co-operative societies of displaced tribals residing in the government continued to dilly-dally on its promises. The villages surrounding the reservoir. Fish was sold locally agitation, too, continued, addressing new forms of as well as packed and transported to markets as far away oppression relating to forest, water, electricity and local as Howrah. TMS not only protected the reservoir from corruption. Exactly a year after the meeting in Bhopal illegal fishing and poaching, but even undertook rearing with the Chief Minister, KAS gave a call for observing of fish-seed fingerlings to replenish stocks in the reservoir. a ‘Betrayal Day’ (Dhokha Diwas) on 25th November During the next five years, the management by displaced 1987 at Kesla but to no avail. tribals led to a significant increase in fish production and fisherpersons’ income, even as various imaginative and By this time, the local situation had become desperate scientific ways and means were adopted to ensure due to three independent successive government schemes, conservation of fish resources and the reservoir itself. It each having caused major displacement in the Kesla created an alternative model of ecologically sustainable Block in 1970s. First, the Tawa Dam had submerged 44 fisheries in big reservoirs with community participation villages and 21,000 hectares of thick forest. Second, the and control. This alternative model attracted nation-wide army proof range for testing weaponry and ammunition attention. displaced 25 villages. Third, the Ordinance Factory near Itarsi occupied nine more villages and the surrounding Yet, the KAS had to launch a struggle again when the forest. The whole region suffered from extreme five-year contract came up for renewal in December deprivation and impoverishment. The primary cause was 2001. The public pressure, including testimonies from displacement followed by non-settlement of the economists and environmentalists, forced the democratic rights of the tribals with respect to their jal- government to renew the contract in early January 2002. jangal-zameen (water, forest and land) and jeevika However, by the time this contract came up for renewal (livelihood). After the death of Rajnarayan in 1990 due in 2006, the Congress government stood replaced by BJP. to road accident, the responsibility of engaging with this The democratic space for negotiations was further dire situation fell upon Sunil’s shoulders. shrunk. The state government, using the false pretext of inclusion of Tawa Reservoir in the proposed Satpura Struggle and Reconstruction Tiger Reserve, refused to renew the contract for the second time. The official stand, towing the conventional Shaheed Shankar Guha Niyogi, the radical leader of ‘conservationist’ line, held that that the very presence of the mine workers’ trade union movement in human beings in the Tiger Reserve would endanger during the period from 1977 to 1991 had established the wildlife. KAS had no option but to launch an intense concept of ‘Sangharsh aur Nirman’ (Struggle and agitation once again to protect the hard-won democratic Reconstruction) as a new political philosophy in India. rights of the tribals. Showing unusual imagination, Sunil JANATA, May 18, 2014 11 took recourse to yet another strategy of recovering the government and TMS. The Expert Committee further democratic space. He approached some of us in Bhopal advised the state government that, “Only such a rational, to organise a public study of the TMS experiment. In ecologically viable and systematic approach would November 2006, we constituted a high profile six- resolve the current conflicts around the Tawa Reservoir member committee, called ‘Tawa Bio-Diversity and and Satpura Tiger Reserve and ensure both conservation Human Relationship Expert Committee’, under the of wildlife and the security of livelihoods of the villagers, chairpersonship of the reputed environmental scientist apart from being in consonance with the Fundamental Prof. Madhav Gaqdgil of Indian Institute of Science, Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy as Bangalore. Other members of the expert committee enshrined in the Constitution.” included well-known scientists and experts in aquaculture and fisheries from Barkatullah University, As could be anticipated, the Expert Bhopal and other government institutions. Committee Report did not fit within the capitalist model of development pursued by the state government. Since Capitalist Development Model the initial contract between TMS and the M.P. Matsya Mahasangha in 1996, the neo-liberal policies of post- While confirming the afore-mentioned TMS claims globalisation India were pushing the various of increased fish production and income levels of the governments to exclude people from its development tribals along with improved conservation of the fish paradigm. The false presumptions of the capitalist model stocks, the Madhav Gadgil Expert Committee Report, juxtaposing ‘conservation against the people and their submitted to the state government in April 2007 observed, democratic rights of livelihood’ dominated the official “Thus, it is clear that reservoir fisheries is a crucial discourse. The state government did not only refuse to resource for the people displaced form the dam, especially take cognizance of the Expert Committee Report but also if harvested under a democratic, participative and denied any space for negotiations with KAS or TMS. transparent framework, which TMS has been able to Thus the displaced tribals of Kesla Block stood displaced provide.” once again and, this time, for ever!

More importantly, citing from various national and Alternative Politics for Political Alternative international studies of the experience of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, the Expert Committee Following the TMS experience, Sunil engaged himself questioned the official conventional stand, based on with building a movement for ‘alternative politics for a untested presumptions, as follows, “The new paradigm political alternative’ across the country. At a seminar in of conservation views local communities as partners or held in Indore in February 2008, he observed, “No as conservers in their own right, rather than as ‘enemies’ movement can make much headway as long as there is a or ‘problems’. Without diminishing focus on lack of readiness to undertake analysis all the way, from conservation, including strict protection where needed, the modern development policy, modern governance to it also gives attention to the livelihood security, cultural capitalism and build alternative of each of them along sustenance, and other needs of the local people. Finally, with ideological preparedness...The most crucial issue it also makes explicit links between conservation and in this context is whether you have a sense of urgency to elimination of poverty as well as achievement of transform this world or not. Inter-linked with the same is sustainable development across the land (and sea) scape.” the question whether you can see any alternative or not. Or whether you have concluded that there is no alternative Finally, the Expert Committee concluded that “there to capitalism and globalization...If this is your well- seems to be no scientific evidence whatsoever regarding considered view, you can then neither build alternative the [adverse] impact of fishing and draw-down cultivation politics nor a political alternative. [Ref. 3, p. 5]” on the tiger or other threatened species in the Satpura Tiger Reserve” and recommended “extension of the Sunil takes an unambiguous stand, “This ideological fishing lease of the Tawa Matsya Sangh in the Tawa vacuum is indeed very dangerous. There are many who Reservoir on a long-term sustainable basis” under certain pooh-pooh the very mention of ideology. . . . . such additional provisions for undertaking of systematic mindset renders us directionless. . . . . But we can’t escape dialogue with the tribals and long-term scientific impact the criticality of building a framework for first assessment studies of impact on wildlife jointly by the comprehending and then transforming the world around 12 JANATA, May 18, 2014 us. This framework may be viewed as an ideology. It ideological understanding, holistic perspective and a may be a socialist ideology or Sarvodaya ideology or a vision of new India; second, reliable organizational base Marxist one or, for that matter, any other ideology. What amongst the masses at the grassroots level; third, wide- is dangerous is the vacuum of ideology since it ultimately ranging experience and capacity to undertake both ends up reinforcing the status quo. [ibid, p. 5]” He further ‘Struggle and Reconstruction’ (‘Sangharsh aur Nirman’), elaborates, “The most fundamental question is whether just to use Shankar Guha Niyogi’s idiomatic expression; it is possible to transform the world and build instead a and fourth, patience and commitment for a protracted new egalitarian and just society. If you grant this struggle. [Ref. 4, p. 14]” Without mincing words, Sunil possibility, an alternative politics shall emerge. However hammers his critique of the anti-corruption movement, if you are not even willing to grant such a possibility, “The roots of the demonic problem of corruption in India there shall not be any alternative politics. . . the so-called are hidden deep in the capitalist system’s extreme alternative shall then remain confined within only the inequality, cut throat competition, greed, consumerist prevailing political domain – BJP shall continue to culture, policies of globalization-liberalisation, replace Congress or Congress shall continue to replace expanding corporate regime and centralized governance. BJP or if a third party does emerge, this, too, shall only In this sense, corruption is but a superficial symptom of be a new version of the same. [ibid, p. 5]” a deeply embedded malaise...Hence, they [i.e. leaders of the anti-corruption movement] will end up treating the Sunil concluded at the Indore seminar (2008) with a symptoms while the malaise will continue as ever. [ibid, futuristic vision, “The dream of socialism has still not p. 15]” collapsed nor will it ever....There is no alternative to socialism if one is interested in resolving the present On 29th July 2012, while releasing Kejriwal’s book global crisis and saving the world. People have the entitled ‘Swaraj’ at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Anna Hazare common sense to know that this capitalism and modern heralded it as ‘the effective model for bringing the real industrial development is taking the world to its swaraj in the country’. This, however, did not prevent destruction....The alternative may be unconventional... Sunil from raising issues, “But Kejriwal’s Swaraj stops It is not necessary that we may have to wipe out the idea here [i.e. at decentralization to Gram Sabhas and Mohalla of private property altogether nor will it be necessary to Sabhas] and does not go beyond this. He overlooks the build a huge state-centred dictatorship. Such experiments fact that administrative decentralization shall not succeed have collapsed in China and Soviet Union but the failure as long as it is not accompanied by economic of old experiments do become the source of new lessons. decentralization; economic and social inequality is not Let us, therefore, conceive a new form of socialism, diminished; and the country’s economic system and wherein, while seeking an alternative to the capitalist development model is not transformed. All such elements system, we shall concomitantly conceive a new model were inherent in Gandhi’s swaraj. . . . . Everything will of development as well as a new civilization. . . This be set right by devolving power to the local people – issue of alternative politics is not just of a political hunger and unemployment shall be eliminated; education alternative but it is inextricably linked to the conception and health services shall improve; naxalism shall end; of socialism and its ideology. [ibid, p. 5-6]” prohibition shall succeed – this book makes several such claims. This is not only over-simplification but also one- ‘Political Alternatives’ lacking Ideology sided and misleading. [ibid, p. 15]”

Four years later, Sunil dared to tread on a path where Sunil goes on to ask whether the neo-liberal capitalism’s the vast majority of university-based academics would assault on India deserves consideration or not in building dither. In September 2012, Sunil’s conception of the much-hyped political alternative, “During the past ‘alternative politics for political alternative’ had matured few decades, the world has entered a new phase of enough for him to make sense out of the confusing signals capitalism-imperialism along with financial globalization coming out of the anti-corruption movement led by Anna which itself is undergoing a crisis...The dominance of Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal and their rushed pursuit of domestic and foreign corporate bodies has been a political alternative. Sunil cautions, “It is relatively established on India’s economy, politics, society and easy to build yet another version of contemporary politics. culture. Education and health have undergone unbridled However, there are four essential elements of alternative privatization, commercialization and distortion. Modern politics aimed at radical systemic transformation : first, development has led to a series of economic, social and JANATA, May 18, 2014 13 environmental crises...It won’t suffice anymore to claim representatives, participated in a dialogue on education that inflation, poverty and all other problems are but a policy organized by Shiksha Adhikar Manch, Bhopal. consequence of corruption. We will have to make up our Representing Samajwadi Jan Parishad, his articulation mind regarding the economic policies. You can’t even was the ideologically sound and made immense sense conceive of a political alternative without taking a clear (available on YouTube: http://youtu.be/MfD_-2Jlgyg). stand on the question of livelihood of peasantry, workers, Incidentally, he was also a founder-member of the All fisherpersons, dalits, tribals, women and youth and India Forum for Right to Education and guided the without engaging with their respective struggles. [ibid, movement closely as its Member, Presidium. p. 15-16]” Sunil concludes by issuing a polite but stern reminder from history, “No revolution can take place Sunil’s writings and speeches on ‘alternative politics without ideology. No major transformative movement for political alternative’ are indeed path-breaking and would move forward without an ideological provide us with a tool to assess the contemporary politics. understanding. This principle holds true for all–from Sunil’s analysis of the anti-corruption movement’s move Gandhi, Jayaprakash, Lohia and Ambedkar to Lenin, Mao, in recent years to build a political alternative without Nelson Mandela, Che Guvera and Chavez. [ibid, p. 17]” defining its ideology is insightful. This also explains why, unlike many of his dear and senior colleagues in the Organic Intellectual Among the Oppressed socialist movement, he chose to remain in Samajwadi Jan Parishad, even though this choice significantly Undoubtedly, Sunil, to use Mao’s words, went to the limited his political options. He would rather pursue a oppressed people, worked with them, learnt from them lonely path, rather than do what he is not ideologically and returned what he learnt back to them. However, he comfortable with. did not spend his life merely romanticizing this experience which he could very well have done – just Finally, even at the risk of inviting a debate, I would like the majority of NGOs tend to do by forming math- dare to pay my tribute to Sunil as an organic intellectual like life-long institutions. He was primarily a political among the oppressed in the Gramscian sense. He was person, uncompromisingly dedicated to socialism. When one of the leaders in the country in building a sustained the experience of building an alternative model of counter-hegemonic discourse on neo-liberal capitalism development through Tawa Matsya Sangh would not be and its assaults on India and her people by advocating a allowed to move forward due to the politics of capitalist socialist model of development as an alternative. model of development, Sunil realized the limits of this process. From then onwards, he focused on theorizing References his experience and knowledge and built upon his 1. ‘Ladat Ja Re’, Samata Sangathan, Distt. ideological training in Lohia’s socialism as elaborated Hoshangabad, M.P., April 1991, p. 13. and enriched by Kishen Patnaik. 2. ‘Livelihood and Conservation: The Case Of Tawa Sunil would also be remembered for his numerous Reservoir’, Report of the six-member ‘Tawa Bio- essays and booklets, mostly in Hindi. He wrote on an Diversity and Human Relationship Expert Committee’ amazing range of contemporary issues of socio-political submitted to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, or developmental concern, even while most of us would Chairperson: Prof. Madhav Gaqdgil, Constituted by be engaged in decoding the issue itself. His writings Satpura Anchal Sangharsh Samarthak Samooh, revealed an unusual grasp of data, facts and narratives Gandhi Bhawan, Bhopal, April 2007. and his insistence on using simple language and expressions to articulate the most complex ideas was 3. Sunil, in ‘Rajneeti Ka Vikalp aur Vikalp Ki Rajneeti’ exemplary. Two recent examples will testify to this (Ed.: Chinmay Mishra), Sw. Omprakash Rawal Smruti distinction. In September 2013, he delivered a one-hour Nidhi Evam Sarvodaya Press Service, Indore, 2008, lecture in Hindi at Bargarh, Odisha which presented a pp. 5-6 [English rendering of extracts by this article’s profound analysis of India’s economic policy, explaining author]. the neo-liberal trap India is in and what kind of alternative 4. Sunil, ‘Rajnaitik Vikalp Ya Vaikalpik Rajneeti’, action is required to liberate ourselves from it (available Samayik Varta, Itarsi, M.P., September 2012, pp., 14- on YouTube: http://youtu.be/-sagcT1rveE). On 7th April 17 [English rendering of extracts by this article’s this year, Sunil, along with various political party author]. 14 JANATA, May 18, 2014 Defeat of Neo-liberalism will be the true tribute to Sunil

Prem Singh

Sathi Sunil is no more. He had a sudden brain There have been many people in India as well as hemorrhage and lost consciousness. After four days of elsewhere, who have never aspired to have their own struggling with death in that condition, he eventually families or have subsisted on very little along with their passed away on the 21st of April 2014. For years Sunil families in their commitment to a life of thought and had been planning to travel throughout the country to struggle. But it is not necessary that they choose such a raise awareness among people about socialism. This wish path in order to oppose the core of the capitalist system. of his could not be realized, and Time claimed him as Knowingly or unknowingly, their very austerity can even his own co-traveler! strengthen capitalism. Capitalism has opened its coffers of wealth and consumerism for all its votaries. People in Sunil’s last rites were conducted the next day in Delhi. high offices like us also get our wages-allowances from Condolence meetings were held at the AIIMS on the the same coffers now. In the third phase of globalization 23rd and at the Gandhi Peace Foundation on the 24th April. (following the Washington Agreement between British Dr. Lohia, whose ideas influenced Sunil deeply, believed Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher and US President that if a leader were to pass away abroad, his last rites Ronald Reagan in the eighties), if one looks behind the should be concluded there only. Within the country this curtains of all the people/organizations committed to ought to be taken care of as a matter of course. Sunil’s ‘service’, one will find that they are all indeed serving kin and colleagues did not insist on having the last rites capitalism. As an integral part of the pervasive neo-liberal in his birthplace or at the place where he stayed and order in the third world this is the age of NGOs. Sunil worked for three decades. It seemed appropriate that he was very much aware and cautious of this phenomenon. bid farewell in Delhi since he had died there. He could not be appropriated: certainly not in his entirety; in fact, not even in bits and parts. This, of course, had to However, I was struck by the irony that Delhi, which do with his ideological commitment, but, perhaps, his had been scoffed at by a poet like Ramdhari Singh fakeer-instinct also helped the cause. Well before he Dinkar and a thinker like Rammanohar Lohia; and became a fulltime activist in the socialist movement, he which Sunil had abandoned for good after his brief had been named ‘JNU’s Gandhi’. stint as a student of M.A. Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University almost three decades ago; was the It is wrong to say that Sunil was an idealist. If one city where he breathed his last and was returned to the could manage to descend from the ground of neo- elements. When Sunil was brought to Delhi following liberalism to the utterly devastated ground of the deprived his brain hemorrhage in a state of unconsciousness, I masses, one would realize that Sunil was a committed was reminded of the poet, Muktibodh. He too had been realist. It is also wrong to suggest that he believed politics brought to the AIIMS from Madhya Pradesh. He too and idealism can co-exist and remained engaged in had never regained consciousness. He too was cremated attempting this reconciliation. In Sunil’s perception in Delhi. Muktibodh’s times were different. ‘kahan politics and ideal(ism) were not two separate categories. jaaun/dilli ya ujjain?’ (Where to go? Delhi or Ujjain?) Such misconceptions are often generated to hide one’s - his predicament involved an ambivalence - conflict deviation from the socialist ideals while aspiring for of choice. In Sunil’s time, five decades later, Delhi has power. been reduced to a full-fledged mandi (market) of corporate brokers, unashamedly parading its Without ideals, no efforts are ever possible in life. brazenness! The ‘ideal’ for a majority of Indian and world politics today is neo-liberalism. That is why it is prospering in I kept feeling that even though Sunil had breathed his the whole world. The ideal of the pre-independence last in Delhi, his last rites should have been performed politics was freedom. People were prepared to suffer and in his chosen village, Bhumkapura in Kesla tehsil in the even lay down their lives for that ideal. The ideal for midst of his own people, in the presence of Guliyabai post-independence politics was socialism, towards which and Phagram. certain provisions were made in the Constitution. Sunil JANATA, May 18, 2014 15 was someone who treaded the path towards the socialist writing the editorial of Varta when he felt the paralytic ideal in politics. stroke. Not only must all the comrades bring out a very good issue in Sunilji’s memory; they must also ensure I worked in the Samajwadi Jan Parishad (SJP) for regular publication of Varta. fifteen years. I left the SJP in 2009 and till the formation of the Socialist Party in May of 2011, I continued to A major part of Sunil’s writing has happened in Hindi work for it as a like-minded comrade. I never had any through Varta. He competed with that English which ideological differences with Sunil. Even though Sunil emerges from the high echelons of corporate capitalism never directly criticized the World Social Forum (WSF), and openly robs away nation’s resources along with all he was in agreement with my criticism of it. Both of us possibilities of independence, self-reliance and original disagreed with NAPM’s anti-political stance. We were talent. From his first booklet titled Dunkel prastavon ko both opposed to the organization of the Commonwealth kaise samjhein (1991) to the recent one titled Games and the corruption therein. When Chandra Bhrashtachar ko kaise samjhein (2013), his work is Shekhar passed away, I wrote a piece of tribute for him immensely important from this perspective. A few years which appeared in Mainstream. Sunil wrote to me stating back I had delivered a lecture in a seminar at Hindi his disagreement with my tribute. He sent the same Akademi, Delhi, on the merit of the Hindi prose written comment to other colleagues as well. Kumkumji by Sunil, Sachidanand Sinha and Kishan Patnayak. suggested that I should respond to it, since she is the one who finalizes my writings in English and also looks out Sunil was a scholar of economics and we used to call for any ideological lapses in any article or proposal. I of him a ‘zameeni arthshastri’ (grass-root economist). He course believed, and so did she that there was no praise always wrote about the complex discipline like for ’s ‘socialism’ in the tribute; rather economics in Hindi, thereby challenging the assumptions it was a homage to Chandra Shekhar’s bid to oppose of globalization. Challenging globalization was the gist globalization in the Parliament and outside. I told of his personality, thoughts and work. There is absolutely Kumkumji that if Sunilji had made a comment, he was no contradiction to be seen in it. likely to say something again on the issue. Soon enough he wrote again to say that he had had a lot of things on He worked extensively on the question of education his mind lately and that he had written his initial too. Prof. Madhu Prasad of All India Forum for Right to comment in a hurry. He wrote that after a re-reading of Education while offering her tribute to Sunil, submitted the piece he realized that he agreed with whatever had that she learnt a lot from him and Prof. Anil Sadgopal been said in the tribute. on education related issues in the era of globalization. We must keep the spirit of Sunilbhai alive in order to However, on India Against Corruption and the anti- meet the challenges confronting us. Remembering corruption movement including Anna Hazare, Ramdev Sunil’s contribution in this field, Swami Agnivesh said and the likes, we disagreed. A few months before the in a tribute to Sunilji, should not remain a ritual. He beginning of the anti-corruption movement, I had a suggested that first and foremost a common school discussion with him about this issue, on our way to system must be enforced all over the country. These are Kanjhawala camp in Delhi. I submitted to him clearly right suggestions. We can all rally together under the that it would not be proper for either him or the SJP to aegis of All India Forum for Right to Education, of which get into this muddle. He had listened to me carefully. Sunil was an active member, and fight for equal, free Whatever followed is known to everybody. and quality education, to be provided by the state, for all. If we can thwart the neo-liberal assault on education, For the past two years he had been editing Samayik it will not take long to oust it from economy and polity. Varta from Kesla-Itarasi on his own. He had a very That shall be the true tribute to Sunilji. positive gesture towards the routine memorial lectures, political, cultural, literary seminars/conventions/ (Continued from Page 8) workshops/study circles we hold in Delhi and always Those reforms are necessary if genuine opinions and votes asked us to send reports of them for Samayik Varta. That of the majority of the people are to be reflected in the Varta must continue regularly and retain its edge, was composition of legislative bodies which are expected to something that even Kishanji wished for. Sunilji took address problems of the multitude and find out equitable its entire responsibility upon himself. He, in fact, was solutions. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, May 18, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, May 18, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday May 21, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 18 Challenges facing Modi government June 1, 2014 Rajindar Sachar Future of Congress Kuldip Nayar Importance of being Nawaz Sharif The public disgust with the Constitution. On this matter the SocialKuldip Justice Nayar and Congress(UPA) government of the people’s immediate resistance would Empowerment in BJP’s last decade has seen to it that it is be on the UPA-sponsored Japanese- Risky nod tomanifesto hazardous crops defeated – no, it is decimated. But financed Amritsar–Calcutta and P.Bharat S. Krishnan Dogra the Bharatiya Janata Party must not Delhi–Bombay corridors over-exult by assuming that the development plan (which Modi is AbrogationContours of of Secularism Article 370 majority has endorsed its policies. likely to follow up because this plan Irfannot possibleEngineer It should be politically honest fits in with his developmental Rajindar Sachar enough to admit that it is the pattern) which is going displace Victory for political corporate created TV, SMS, millions of small landholders and ‘Umch’-marketing ‘Neech’ in twenty-firstIndia Publicity image of Modi that has poor citizens. centuryK. S. Chalam India scored. K. S. Chalam But the biggest challenge facing A delusional image of Modi is as to how to act in a manner Farmers’Human suicides security in India is trueVijay ‘development’ Kumar development being unleashed by so as to avoid divisive conflicts in M. G. Devasahayam Narendra Modi has somehow the society – this is dependent on Arrest of Prof. Saibaba temporarily sanitized the young into how he acts towards the minorities, Climate change Modi club. BJP electoral expense of especially the Muslims. This is Leftdeath-wish decimated of incapitalism elections... Rs. 20,000 to 40,000 crores is because under our Constitution no Renfrey Clarke considered a modest estimate. This religion can claim superiority of Struggle for socialism strengthens the demand for status against any other religion. All prohibition of corporate funding in religions under our Constitution elections. have equal acceptance and status. Editor : G. G. Parikh As far Modi developmental It is a truism that in any country model, which is similar to the the faith and the confidence of the Managing Editor : Guddi Congress model, is concerned there minorities in the impartial and even is obviously going to be deep functioning of the State is the acid D-15, Ganesh Prasad, conflict – between the neo-liberal test of its being a civilized State. This Naushir Bharucha Marg, strategy of development and that of is accepted wisdom, and was Mumbai - 400 007. decentralized development as expressed succinctly by Lord Acton: envisaged by 73rd and 74th “A state which is incompetent to Email : [email protected] Constitutional Amendments of our satisfy different races condemns 2 JANATA, June 1, 2014 itself; a state which labours to Between the lines neutralize, to absorb or to expel them is destitute of the chief basis of self- government”. We need only Importance of being Nawaz Sharif substitute ‘minorities’ for ‘races’ in the above quotation to apply the test Kuldip Nayar in India. Thus inclusive development in India and for that I followed the visit of Prime two sides had taken from the time matter in any country alone is the Minister Nawaz Sharif to India the two countries had parted path to prosperity. It is an undeniable from his arrival to the departure. I company in August 1947. In fact, truth and needs to be irrevocably did not find any false note either I have sensed more optimism on accepted by all in India, namely that in his observations or meetings. He earlier meetings between the Prime minorities, Muslims and Christians, did not mention Kashmir. Nor did Ministers on both sides. Nothing are not outsiders. They are an he meet the separatists who are concrete has come out because the integral part of India. This was always keen to have talks with the establishments in India and emphasized by , Pakistani leaders, not the Indians. Pakistan are basically hostile to (whom Modi will certainly accept as From all angles, it was a positive each other. No passage of time has one of the greatest Indians we have and constructive visit. lessened their influence or attitude. produced) thus; “He also told Hindus not to talk of the superiority That Nawaz Sharif’s advisor Yet the relationship of love and of one religion over another. Even Sartaj Aziz reignited the embers of hate smoulders all the time. People toleration of other faiths was not bitter hostility by briefing in in the two countries yearn for right; it smacked of blasphemy”. Pakistan on Kashmir and several friendship or at least normalcy. The other counts is not understandable. meeting between Prime Ministers Modi often purports to show his He had to indulge in rhetoric for Modi and Sharif has once again neutrality by proclaiming that he domestic consumption. Lobbies of has evoked hope for better days. does not recognize any special rights the armed forces and maulvis were Once again, foreign secretaries of for minorities – he treats all people assured that Nawaz Sharif vented the two governments are to as Gujaratis or Indians. This his annoyance in private while pinpoint what keeps the countries apparently impartial approach for all talking to Prime Minister Narendra apart. If the past is any guide, the is similar to the taunt by French Modi. goodwill will not fructify into author, Anatole France, who normal relations. The reason why ironically commented at the neglect Still I wish Sartaj Aziz had not I say so is the enmity which has of the poor by the French State thus: done so because the meeting had been fostered in the minds of “Law in its majesty gives equal changed the climate of opposition people. rights to the rich and poor to sleep in India. Even the rightists in the under the bridges”. Thus to say that country had conceded that a new It was to be seen and believed minorities who are admittedly far chapter of equation had begun in the enthusiasm with which the visit behind in the race of development the and Pakistan of Nawaz Sharif was awaited in as against the others should not be relations. Sartaj Aziz, whatever his India. The nation should have been given special treatment is not only compulsions, did not have to be a engaged in Narendra Modi’s sheer injustice but violative of the hawk to take us all back to square resounding victory or the mandate of report of U. N. Human one. Foreign Secretary Sujatha decimation of the Congress party Right council, Forum on Minority Singh’s statement may have which has ruled India for several issued on December 14th, 15th, queered the pitch, but Sartaj Aziz decades. Instead the attention was 2010 which has said; “Consequently, is not a bureaucrat and he should focused on Islamabad. the right of minorities to participate have kept India-Pakistan relations effectively in economic life must be at a higher level. Four or five days between fully taken into account by Modi’s unexpected invitation and Therefore, do not see a acceptance by Sharif dominated (Continued on Page 3) breakthrough in the stand that the the Indian media and the drawing JANATA, June 1, 2014 3 rooms with discussions on whether SAARC nations. Nawaz Sharif linguistic. The first heartening step the Pakistan Prime Minister would was inclined to accept it. Yet the of his government to appoint a come to Delhi at all. And it was all India-Pakistan animosity came in Special Investigation Team to positive. People wanted him to the way. The army and the unearth black money is a good come and literally prayed that he extremists exerted so much omen. We should give him time to would. That he had to bring round pressure that the visit seemed fulfill the aspirations of people he the armed forces and the extremist abandoned. Ultimately, Sharif has aroused. elements in his own country was asserted himself to attend conceded. But it was argued that swearing-in ceremony. His was not (Continued from Page 2) his arrival would be an apt step to only a gesture because after strengthen democratic ideas in meeting Modi, Sharif said that a governments seeking to promote Pakistan. Therefore, when he new chapter had begun in the equality at every level. Governments telephoned to say yes, a wave of history of the two countries. should gather and regularly relief swept through the country. publicize disaggregated data to Most newspapers made his The fear that Modi is anti- measure and monitor the effective acceptance as the first lead. Muslim was allayed when the two participation of minorities in met. Modi realizes that he has to economic life.” I recall how at the time of take the Muslims along to traverse partition there was so much the path of development, the Modi rightly reveres Gandhiji. bloodshed—nearly 10 lakh people slogan which has given him and his Surely he would remember what were massacred on both sides. Yet Bhartiya Janata Party a majority, Gandhiji said in 1921 and again in a few weeks later when I bought a 282 seats in a 543-member Lok March 1947, namely: “I would say few tapes of Noorjehan at Lahore, Sabha. It is churlish on the part of that Hindus and Muslims are the two the shopkeeper refused to take Pakistan to question the credentials eyes of mother India - just as the money since I was from India. A of a person whom the people of trouble in one eye affects the other similar treatment was meted out to India have elected in fair and free too, similarly the whole of India the Pakistanis. The days of killing polls. There are enough voices in suffers when either Hindu or Muslim were only a few, an aberration of India to force Modi not to go away suffer.” Will Modi like to be sort. from secularism, part of the basic remembered as a statesman or as a structure of the Constitution that partisan leader – he alone can decide, It is beyond me to make out why even parliament cannot change. because this victory has given him Pakistan has unilaterally ended the an unparalleled position amongst his agreement to post two journalists True, Modi’s party and its colleagues. from either country to cover the mentor, the RSS, are known for situation. Pakistan did not have its their Hindutva approach. Yet they Madhu Dandavate journalists in position for more would put the country in a big than a year. I could have turmoil if they exerted pressure on By understood the reason if the two Modi to build a temple where the B. Vivekanandan Indian journalists had violated any Babri masjid stood or to tinker law or sent a dispatch which had with Article 370 which Price: Rs. 20/- hurt Pakistan’s sentiments. There constitutionally gives a special was nothing like that. Regretfully, status to Jammu and Kashmir news agencies and correspondents when it acceded to India. from the West are free to report. What kind of country Modi Janata Trust Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s wants to build is the question. The D-15, Ganesh Prasad, visit to India took a similar zigzag cabinet he has constituted gives a Naushir Bharucha Marg, path. Prime Minister Modi, message that he wants the different considered a hawk, surprised even elements to feel that he will not Grant Road (W), hardliners in both the countries discriminate against any segment Mumbai 400 007. when he invited all heads of of the society, religious or 4 JANATA, June 1, 2014 Risky nod to hazardous crops

Bharat Dogra

It should be amply clear by now crops, unlike the self-pollinating food which fetches the farmer that the multinational companies ones, require isolation distance of better price. This market will also which are determined to spread GM three to four kms. The be lost with the introduction of GM (genetically modified) crops in India implementation of these foods.” have very powerful friends in high requirements is impossible under places in India. This is why despite Indian conditions. Farmers would As worldwide concern for food increasing worldwide evidence of not keep their lands fallow. Crops safety grows, it is likely that there high hazards of GM crops as well in adjoining fields are almost always will be increasing demand for as the availability of safe aternatives, planted up to the boundaries. The organically grown crops and crops GM crops continue to get one trials needed to be in greenhouses which are not contaminated by GM approval nod after another. In controlled by independent crops. Therefore we will be February the Union Ministry of institutions.” surrendering premium world Environment allowed ‘confined markets if we allow our crops to be field trials’ of many GM varieties. At the time of the Bt brinjal contaminated. This is why Then on March 21, in a move which debate Dr. Pushpa M. Bhargava, organisations like those of rice was hailed by GM crop industry former Vice-Chairman of the exporters have also got involved in sources as ‘a progressive push to the National Knowledge Commission, the campaigns against GM crops. march of GM technology’, the had explained how Indian farmers Star Link (corn engineered to Genetic Engineering Appraisal will suffer if GM crops like Bt contain a Bt toxin pesticide) was Committee (GEAC) decided to brinjal are allowed to spread in planted on less than 0.5 per cent of ‘revalidate’ ten transgenic varieties, India, “Eighty four percent of our US corn acereage, but its recall cost clearing the way for their field trial farmer community consists of hundreds of millions of dollars, and after their earlier validatory period small or marginal farmers with a even then the recall was not entirely had lapsed. However the further holding of less than four hectares successful. approval of state governments will land. According to Monsanto data, An eminent group of scientists still be required. Bt. brinjal pollen can travel for 30 who constitute the Independent metres and could thus easily Science Panel have said, In this context it is important to contaminate the neighbouring non- “Transgenic contamination is now point out that the threat of genetic Bt brinjal field. In course of time, widely acknowledged to be contamination exists not only in the we would be left with no non-Bt unavoidable, and hence there can be case of commercial spread of GM yield even if the farmers do not no co-existence of GM and non-GM crops, but also in the case of field- want the transgenic crop. Unlike agriculture. Most important of all, trials. As prominent in Europe, Britain and many other GM crops have not been proven environmentalist Sailendra Nath countries, India has no labeling safe. On the contrary, sufficient Ghosh wrote about earlier trials, - laws. In these countries, any food evidence has emerged to raise “In view of the virtual impossibility product which has more than 0.9 serious safety concerns, that if of preventing contamination, even per cent of GM material must be ignored could result in irreversible the open-field trials ought not to labelled as genetically modified damage to health and the have been permitted. According to item. Therefore, we would neither environment. independent geneticists, the isolation be able to export our vegetables distance needed to be both in time stock nor exercise choice with This panel of scientists further and space. The land on which the regard to GM brinjal or a non-GM stated, “New research shows that GM crop is to be grown should not brinjal. There is an ever-increasing transgenic pollen, wind-blown and sow a crop in the previous or the demand everywhere, including our succeeding year. Cross-pollinating country, for organically grown (Continued on Page 8) JANATA, June 1, 2014 5 Contours of Secularism

Irfan Engineer

Triumphant and victorious in the security of minorities, and in this too opportunist secularism to their 16th general elections for the Lok they failed miserably. There were advantage and sought to blame and Sabha, the Hindu nationalists are more than hundred riots in UP stigmatize the minorities as a whole attributing their victory to rejection during the Samajwadi Party regime as if they were responsible and of secularism by the Indian and likewise under the Congress in blameworthy for the opportunist electorate. Modi in one of his other states. Security and secularism of these national and election campaign speeches came up intelligence forces victimized and regional parties. The HNOs well with a new definition of secularism even staged murders and organized as they are, mobilized and – “India First”. BJP in its election incarcerated scores of innocent instilled dislike not only against the manifesto explains that “India First Muslim youth in the name of political parties subscribing to simply means nurturing and counter-terrorism operations in what opportunist secularism, but also protecting all the elements, which has come to be called the cow belt against the members of the minority India is made of… It also means that of India and Hyderabad. They failed communities. The HNOs laid the whatever is in the interest of India to check the growth of communal primary blame for opportunistic will be in the interest of all the forces and did not counter the secularism not on the “secular” elements that India is made up of, stigmatization of the minorities. political parties but on the existence including its citizens”. “India First” of the minorities within the nation, visualizes India being made up of Opportunistic secularism of the particularly those having their holy some (unspecified) elements in so-called secular parties meant lands outside. They primarily which citizens are also included! joining hands with fundamentalist problematize Islam and Christianity And, some vague interest of India forces within the minority and their presumed separatist will have to be in the interest of all community in the hope that they mindset rather than opportunistic elements! What are the non-citizen would be able to deliver at the secularism. So long as Muslims and abstract sounding elements? The polling booths. The fundamentalist Christians exist, there will be secular manifesto is quiet. tendencies within the minority parties to propound and benefit communities are as marginal as the politically from opportunistic The election results have cultural nationalists are within the secularism. The solution desired by unwittingly started sort of majority community, and, well the HN ideologues therefore is either questioning on the desirability of organized and vocal as in the expel the minorities if possible from using the term secularism. It is true majority. They deftly use media the nation, or subdue them to second that secularism has become a much coverage to create their larger than class citizenship without any rights. abused term in India. Regional life image on issues like preventing It is the opportunistic secularism that parties like the Samajwadi Party in Salman Rushdie from visiting India needs to be problematized rather UP and the RJD in Bihar and Indian or problematizing Taslima Nasreen’s than locating the problem within any National Congress misused the visa extension or getting various community as all communities have slogan of secularism to cover up books, films, websites and artistic diverse traditions, customs and their mis-governance and expressions banned just like the cultures and are being made and corruption. The slogan of secularism Hindu nationalists do so (use media unmade through social, economic was used opportunistically to garner coverage) demolishing Babri Masjid and political changes and each votes of the minority communities. and opposing freedom of expression individual responds dynamically to They would not have any policies on the ground that it offends their the changes occurring. or programmes to ensure equal faith. opportunities or ensuring fair stake Religious ethos in India of the minorities in the development. The Hindu nationalist Secularism then meant ensuring organizations (HNOs) used this The HNOs have problematized 6 JANATA, June 1, 2014 secularism itself as a western notion community signified people living consciousness of Muslims as well as to be discarded. The first step on the southern and eastern banks Hindu devotees who were attracted towards discrediting secularism as a of river Sindhu and was inclusive of to their shrines. Sufi Islam like the value is to give it confusing followers of diverse religious bhakti saints emphasizes on love of definitions like “India first”, practices. Religious consciousness at compassionate and merciful God “pseudo secularism v/s. positive popular level evolved from the believing in inclusive traditions of secularism” etc. However, one must resistance to the dominant upper worship. Sufis like Mazhar Jan-e- accept that there is no universally castes, particularly the Brahmins, Janaan believed that Vedas too were accepted understanding of and their monopoly over notions of revealed book of Allah and secularism. While in France, USSR purity and pollution and structuring Nizamuddin Auliya would render and Turkey, secularism has meant society into rigid hierarchies. The recitation of bhajans in praise of uneasy tension between church and popular resistance was led by many Rama and Krishna every morning. the state. In India the dominant bhakti saints, including Tuslidas, discourse of secularism was more Kabir, Ravidas, Mirabai, The priestly class of Brahmins inclusive in its formulation of “sarva Gyaneshwar, Namdeo, Tukaram, and Ulemas aligned with the state dharma samabhav”, where state Chokha Mela, Bahinabai, the seeking state patronage and blessing indulges all religions equally and Warkari Sampradaya, Nanak, coronation ceremonies of the rulers citizens are at liberty to practice, Basveshwara, Narayan Guru, advising them on “right path” profess and propagate their religion. Shankar Dev (Assam), the Bauls of of shari’at (Muslim law) and rules State is often called upon to mediate Bengal and so on. of worship, purity and pollution. during conflicts between different The popular religious consciousness religious communities without The popular religious of the subalterns on the other hand favouring any religion. consciousness of the subalterns was inclusive, respecting all paths developed due to popular to reach God and respecting all HNOs are also Hindu compositions of the bhakti saints religions as true. Religion was more supremacists though they pay lip who opposed the notions of purity of a path that taught them to be service to the Hindu ethos of and pollution and believed in humble, humane, and to live tolerance. They want privileged equality of all before one God. God harmoniously in society and with status for Hinduism (or rather re- was not a power who punished the nature. The priestly class catered invented and selective traditions of deviants with lower status during to the elite and were supremacist upper caste elite). Golwalkar, the cycles of re-births or to be feared. in their notions of religion and revered ideologue of HNOs, wanted God was benign compassionate blessed violence and wars. that minorities should dream of power to whom one should devote Subalterns constituted roughly nothing but the glory of Hindu to and derive ecstasy from devotion. about 90 per cent of the people and rashtra and Hindu traditions and Devotion to God meant loving all therefore the dominant ethos in symbols. Even in the manifesto of God’s creation – all humans India were not defining religious the BJP for the 2014 elections, it practicing diverse traditions of boundaries and recruiting followers calls for return to “civilizational worship, from any ethnic exclusively and then governing on consciousness” that was lost during community, belonging to any the basis of religion of majority or the colonial rule. The BJP manifesto culture. Loving and being non- minority but having ambivalent further states, that after the violent towards even animals and attitude towards religion. Drawing independence, the new state was nature. Muslim bhakti poet Salbeg from this ambivalent attitude, constructed on western notions. The was credited with numerous the formulation of sarva dharma democratic notion of liberty, compositions in praise of Lord samabhava aptly described equality, human dignity and Jagannath and as tradition has it, the nature of secularism desirable citizenship sound western ideas, Lord Jagannath’s rath could not be to Indian people. Indian experience alien to Hindu culture. moved on its annual yatra till Salbeg of secularism did not come from could join the yatra. Raskhan struggle between the church and Usage of the term Hinduism in the similarly composed on Lord the state where one or the other sense of religion was popularized Krishna. Sufi Islam was as inclusive had to be a victor and other during the colonial rule. Hindu and contributed to the religious vanquished. JANATA, June 1, 2014 7

The HNOs mislead the people of identities, forcing people to behave Secular state treats all its citizens India when they claim that in conformity with their identity. even-handedly and equally secularism is a Nehruvian concept Without constructing a totalitarian irrespective of the religion they borrowed from the west and in the state, the HNOs cannot eliminate the profess. The HNOs and the same breath claim Hinduism to be a liberal space where citizens are not fundamentalist/communalists within tolerant religion. The religion of reduced to their religio-cultural minorities on the other hand seek to subaltern Hindus is more than identities but are dynamic beings, negotiate with the state space for tolerant – it respects all faiths and agents of change, re-ordering their their group/community. The for them truth is multi-dimensional. cultural spaces and their lives. The fundamentalists derive their power However, HNOs stoke intolerance. HNOs are constructing their cultural- from state recognition as Diverse as it is, the HNOs realize totalitarian state on the pretext of representatives of their respective that Hindus can be united only if defending non-negotiable symbols communities which they are not. A they can be made disapprove of of patriarchal upper-caste secular state is not even supposed to something in other religious hierarchical social order. recognize the community and base communities and therefore are its policies on such recognition. Any involved in the project of Secularism and state such recognition triggers off stigmatizing the minorities. competitive communalism/ We must then reject opportunistic fundamentalism and competition for Reclaiming secularism secularism as well as “India First” more group/communal rights and notion as not being secularism in any greater share in power and state Opportunistic secularism of sense. Secularism is the outcome of resources. Citizens are then pushed Congress and certain regional parties process of secularisation wherein into tighter hold of the group as their vies for Muslim votes and in the institutions are liberated from the rights and entitlements are process gives in to the demands of hold of the Church or essentially based on membership of fundamentalists and communalists institutionalized clergy. For example, group/community and they are not within the minority community. That knowledge and education was free to choose, their memberships strengthens and empowers the tiny liberated from the Brahmins, being more or less birth-based. The but well organized fundamentalists Madrasas and Church. For state is reduced to protecting and and enables them to impose their secularism, we have to have a secular promoting the hegemony of the hegemony over the community and state and a secular society. A secular fundamentalist/communal elite or define the community on their terms. state is one which is not based on the cultural entrepreneurs. The fundamentalist sections appear religious scriptures, theological to be much larger than their actual dogmas or doctrines nor sponsored A secular state should rather strength and often the only voice by church or any religious institution. protect the rights and liberties of the within the minority community. It Though the state does not profess any dissenters, however weak or enables them to victimize weaker religion, it gives freedom to its minority within the group they may and marginalized sections, citizen to profess practice and be. However, a secular state may particularly women within the propagate any religion of their choice frame a policy for a group to address community, and weed out or even atheism. HNOs want the state any adversity arising merely from dissenting/alternative opinions. to privilege Hindu religion and group membership. Right to dissent, Strengthening of hegemony of the Hindu religious symbols. disagreement and dialogue is sine fundamentalists within the minority qua non of progress in knowledge community strengthens HNOs. The The secular state is not concerned and our understanding of truth. neutral political and cultural space with the religion which its citizens Similarly, dialogue of cultures, faith is greatly reduced. profess and practice. In framing and religion is essential for cultural public policies and laws, in advancement. The HNOs also reduce the liberal executive actions, public space within the society; pose a threat employment, education, and in Secularism and society to the religio-cultural diversity and dispensing justice religion of the pluralism and polarize attitudes and citizen becomes irrelevant. They are Secular state does not emerge behaviour of people on issues of based only on welfare of the citizens. from a vacuum. Though Indian 8 JANATA, June 1, 2014

Constitution is secular, state in India secularisation and liberties. Religion secularisation of the society as the ends up strengthening cultural and egalitarian values associated bhakti and sufi understandings of entrepreneurs and as the majority in with religion can be a resource in religion are. the scenario are more influential and powerful, those belonging to the (Continued from Page 4) majority end up with larger share in social space and national resources. deposited elsewhere, or fallen conflicts of interest, which are For example, Supreme Court directly to the ground, is a major clearly justified, based on published judgment stating Hindutva as being source of transgenic evidence of bias in the research the way of life, or anti-cow slaughter contamination.” conducted by industry that is and anti-conversion legislations contrary to accepted normal euphemistically named as Freedom What this statement says very scientific conduct. of Religion Acts or non-protection clearly is that GM crops are not safe of minorities by security forces and these can contaminate all other “The biological testing required during riots and targeting minorities normal crops as well. In other words is not adequate to detect either in police encounters. all farmers will be affected by these acute or chronic toxic effects of hazardous crops. Even those farmers GM foods. At best, only 90-day Whereas the real demand should who totally reject GM crops will feeding studies are required by the be requiring state action not based have to face their hazards. government’s SOPs without an on group identity, the response from obligatory requirement for cultural entrepreneurs of the This threat becomes very serious toxicological and histological minority community is to demand and of a permanent nature when we evaluation. In order to assess more protected and secure space for remember that it is almost medium and long-term (life-long) the group and tighter hold over the impossible to fully recall GM crops health impacts it is necessary to community resistance to any change which have been released once. As conduct lifetime and in their Personal Laws, tighter Professor Susan Bardocz has noted, multigenerational feeding studies. control over women from the “GM is the first irreversible Only these will reliably determine community and banishment of technology in human history. When fertility and chronic health individuals like Salman Rushdie and a GMO (Genetically Modified impacts, which is essential because Taslima Nasreen and restriction over Organism) is released it is out of our it is the intension that people will their freedom of expression. control; we have no means to call it be eating GM foods for their whole back.” lifetime. Secular state is on firmer footing with secularisation within society. Apart from inherent problems “Experimental data is One of the most important outcomes of GM crops, we should also invariably not made publicly of secularisation process was not look at the problems and available for independent atheism, but de-sacralization of limitations of the present-day scientific scrutiny under the religion and religious symbol. research and trials. pretext of commercial Nothing is so sacred that it should confidentiality. This has required be put beyond the rational scrutiny. A group of 17 distinguished court action (both in Europe and But that does not mean disrespecting scientists from the USA, Canada, India) in order to obtain the the sentiments of the believers. One Europe and New Zealand wrote to information needed to assess the has to be not only rational, but also India’s Prime Minister in 2009, quality of the research submitted reasonable person when we share “India’s regulators do not require by industry to be scrutinised by political space with members independent bio-safety tests, but authoritative bio-safety experts. belonging to different communities. uncritically accept as evidence of Such independent re-evaluation Religion is often conceived as a safety, research conducted by the of submitted industry data has threat to secularisation. It is not company who is applying for repeatedly found that this religion but cultural entrepreneurs commercial clearance of the research and its interpretation misusing religion and religious product. This raises serious thereof to be flawed, inadequate, institutions that oppose questions regarding impartiality and biased and thus misleading.” JANATA, June 1, 2014 9 Victory for political marketing in India

K. S. Chalam

Political marketing as a sub- ‘Business Today’ gave the names of in political game, we may also attain discipline of political management the firms of McCann World and that status soon. At the same time, it course in some Western universities Ogilvy & Mather. The left, which is is possible to make them imitate became an academic success after averse to the idea of market, is some of our institutions so that we globalisation and the expansion of devastated. In other words, it is now can proudly say later that we are market democracy. It looks like that a full scale service activity that can parallel in our structures and tastes. the subject has not yet attracted the be hired by political parties. This is a win win situation that mainstream academic disciplines pleases most of our leaders in Delhi, like political science, political Market is understood as a place Hyderabad, etc. It is in this context economy and public policy in India. where buyers and sellers meet not that political marketing is relevant The recent amazing landslide of BJP necessarily in a physical set up to here. particularly through its PM designee transact business. It is now possible is a marker to be noted by every to interact on the net, E-marketing. Political marketing requires social scientist. Though there is a Political marketing is about political some basic things like the product, small study on political marketing organisations (such as political brand image, political consumer, of BJP in Delhi elections, it has not parties) adapting techniques (such as communication, delivery, etc. attracted the attention of many. The market research and product design) Among the above fundamentals, roles of media, internet, technology, and concepts (such as the desire to product design is very important. In consultants, etc. are very important satisfy voter demands), originally order to get to the brass-tacks, the in understanding the concept of used in the business world, to help analysts are supposed to get the feel political marketing. The subject of them achieve their goals (such as of market demands by talking to commercial marketing is relevant win in elections). Ever since party members, focused group here. This is how scholars Kotler and Anthony Downs published his discussions, opinion polls, Levy, MacGinnis and others, in the famous book on ‘Economic Theory segmentation of voters/consumers, 1960s and 1970s, produced studies of Democracy’ that stimulated views of public, etc. to design the on the subject. It is now a thriving Buchanan, Gordon Tullok, Stigler, product. The product design and business for consulting firms in the Jagadish Bhagwati and others who development based on market USA. It is noted that the services of attacked the institution of state and intelligence is crucial here. It is said famous political marketing made it vulnerable, market has that Reagan made his product on consultants like James Carville, who entered all human activities. India is ‘peace and economy’, Bush on ‘no was the strategist for Bill Clinton in credited as one of the developing tax rises’, Clinton on ‘change and 1992, Karl Rover for George W countries to have followed the model economy’, and Obama on ‘yes, we Bush in 2000, Philip Goulder for of growth prescribed by funding can’. We have seen Narendra Bhai Tony Blair in the UK, Mark Penn agencies. Though some of our using the similar language in several for Hillary Clinton in 2007 have commentators acclaim our leaders campaigns, including the one in the been accessed to win elections and policy makers for this, it is not L.B. stadium. After the product is mostly in the market democracies. their ingenuity that facilitated the designed like ‘development and We are told that our PM designee turnaround of the economy, but change’ ‘Congress mukta Bharat,’, Narendrabhai Modi has employed meekly following the model set by etc, branding is very vital. Branding some famous consulting firms some the agencies. However, it has almost is about how the political time after 2012 elections in Gujarat reached the status of a western organisation or Individual is with an aim to seize power in Delhi economy ending some of the perceived overall. If the organisation while the Congress party has relied traditional institutions that shaped is found to be redundant, it is better on some bureaucrats who had our identity except caste, religion to rely on individual and focus all degrees in business management, and diversity. Now, it is anticipated resources for making him/her the and AAP has psephologists, etc. that with the involvement of market brand equity. Brands are essential in 10 JANATA, June 1, 2014 the electronic age to create a feeling Human security is true ‘development’ of identity, help consumers/voters about the party and its policies, and distinguish the brand from another M. G. Devasahayam brand of a competing party. Above all it is possible to examine the life Sriperumbudur Parliamentary Development and Human cycle of the product and make constituency in Tamil Nadu Security’(Pluto Press-2000). It was changes when better products adjoining Chennai is a ‘developed’ well before the warped concepts, dominate the market. In the recent one if the neo-liberal ‘development’ ideologies and methodologies that elections, Narendra Modi is found criteria are adopted. This is the dominated Liberalisation, to be a robust brand that captured home of some of the state-of-the art Privatisation and Globalisation the market, compared to others. We ‘infrastructure’ projects, Special (LPG) made an unrelenting have seen the media honchos using Economic Zones and giant MNCs- onslaught on the Indian economy the above terms in their election Motorola, Samsung, Dell, Ford, due to the predatory policies and coverage. Hyundai, BMW, Nokia, Saint practices unleashed by UPA II Gobain, Nissan, Caterpillar to supposedly under an ‘economist’ It is said that there are two mention a few. But as pre-election Prime Minister. These policies, categories of parties, the sales surveys show, the locals are left perceived mostly in a macro and oriented party (SOP) and the market wondering as to what the material context related to structural oriented party (MOP). The former ‘development’ is all about! For reforms, allocation of natural relies on the method of persuasion them the roads are bad, bus services resources, big-ticket projects, to change the mind-set of voters are poor, power cuts are frequent, foreign investment, GDP growth and while the latter, responds to the environment has sharply degraded, world trade. Poverty alleviation was views and demands of the voters. water sources are drying up and expected to take place as a ‘trickle However, both depend on the market pollution is on the increase. What is down’ and spin-off. strategies of communicating with the worse, there are hardly any job or voter through brand image. The 4Ps income opportunities for the poor. The book dealt with the of product (campaign platform), Bereft of ‘human security’ they fall “growing inequality and widespread push marketing (grass roots efforts), back on the freebies and charity poverty that characterises the era of pull marketing (mass media) and handed down by the state ‘neo-liberal’ development” and polling (research) are used to government. ‘uneven distribution of the benefits communicate with the voter by using of the globalisation process, and the all means of communication. We To propitiate such ‘development’ general failure of that process to have seen the use of not only internet central and state governments attend to the human security of the and electronic screens, but also extend massive concessions and majority of humanity.’ The UPA massive live in programmes using facilities to the MNCs who in turn triumvirate of Sonia Gandhi, TV channels and print media. The pay fabulous salaries to their Manmohan Singh and Palaniappan glamour of film stars as in the case expatriate managers and are earning Chidambaram had no use for this of consumer products has been profits in billions, most of which is book or what is written in it. In the extensively used to improve the repatriated to their home countries. event, by their LPG policies they brand image of parties in recent This is ‘neo-liberal’ development at have created an India of ‘growing elections. The technique is of course work! This is true, perhaps in a larger inequality, widespread poverty, very expensive involving expert measure to , adjoining galloping prices and increasing teams from abroad. However, parties Delhi that has morphed in to a unemployment.’ For the with corporate support alone can ‘monstrous city’. overwhelming majority prosperity afford this as in the USA. In a way, never came, only poverty it is good that elections and political At the height of globalisation accelerated. At the hustings they parties are slowly moving into a rampage, late Caroline Thomas, paid for it very dearly. regime that makes all this process Professor of Global Politics at the University of Southampton wrote a At the global level UNDP Report, (Continued on Page 15) Book ‘Global Governance, 1997 describes the ‘uneven JANATA, June 1, 2014 11 distribution of the benefits of the which human dignity, including The blatant manifestation of this globalisation process’. It depicts a meaningful participation in the life crony capitalism was described the global society bereft of conscience of the community, can be met. other day by former West Bengal or concern for human suffering and Governor Gopalakrishna Gandhi deprivation. While one third of the While material sufficiency lies at while delivering the 15th D.P. Kohli human race was reeling in poverty the core of human security, in Memorial Lecture at the conclusion and penury, microscopic minority of addition the concept encompasses of the CBI’s year-long Golden global population wallowed in non-material dimension to form a Jubilee celebrations: “Corporate opulent wealth and splendour. qualitative whole. Human security greed has crossed all bounds.... We Subsequently things got worse as is oriented towards an active and used to talk of black money as a ‘global governance’ tightened its substantive notion of democracy, parallel economy and so it continues grip on the hapless third world and is directly engaged with to be. But Reliance is a parallel State. nations. In an inhuman system where discussions of democracy at all I do not know of any country where over one third of world’s population levels, from the local to the global. one single firm exercises such power does not have a secure life, harping This is fresh and positive thinking, so brazenly, over the natural merely on ‘GDP growth’ and harnessing four vital elements- resources, financial resources, ‘unrestricted world trade’ as the material sufficiency, human dignity, professional resources and, central theme of LPG is indeed democracy and participatory ultimately, over human resources as perverse and blinkered. This is governance - that constitute the core the company of the Ambanis. From precisely what happened in India of a civilised human society. One Ambedkar who spoke of economic during the last ten years resulting in without the other is incomplete and democracy, to Ambani who nearly two-third of the population unsustainable. represents a techno-commercial living in near poverty and penury. monopoly of unprecedented scale, is It is time ‘human security’ a far cry indeed.” With a new government coming replaced ‘threat’ centered ‘security’, in there is need for a realistic and which is the obsession of all This is the kind of ‘parallel state’ holistic approach to evaluate the countries, big and small. This makes that has facilitated one person living LPG regime of ‘development’ and sense because for most people today, in a Rs. 5000 crore mind-boggling the system of Governance that went a feeling of insecurity arises more mansion in Mumbai with all security with it and provide a talisman that from worries about daily life than money can buy while millions sleep could measure its effectiveness. from the dread of war or any on pavements and in abandoned ‘Human security’ could be the cataclysmic event. Job security, pipes deprived of even basic safety talisman with individual dignity and income security, health security, and dignity. poverty reductions as the core environmental security, security theme. from crime, safety for women-these Substituting Ambani with Adani are the emerging concerns of human is not the solution. India needs to go The ‘human security’ talisman security. back to the basics - the economic idea makes a fine distinction between of India envisaged by the Founding ‘income poverty’ and ‘human LPG/neo-liberal model of Fathers of our Republic. In this poverty’. The neo-liberal reforms development will never be able to ‘idea’, ‘development’ of under LPG regime seek to address achieve such security because by Independent India would be sui only the ‘income poverty’ while nature it is exploitative with its very generis, a society unlike any other, virtually ignoring ‘human poverty’. roots in crony capitalism - in a class of its own that would not This is what has led to the skewed, an economy that is nominally free follow the Western pattern of mega unsustainable ‘development’ that market, but works on preferential industrialisation, urbanisation and has taken place in India. ‘human regulation and other favorable individuation. India’s would be a security’ is much more than government intervention based on people’s economy that would chart ‘material growth and sufficiency’ money-power and personal out a distinct course in economic [income security] and is described relationships. This is what has been development. India would pursue as “a condition of existence in which in practice in India ever since the basic material needs are met and in LPG era of early nineties. (Continued on Page 15) 12 JANATA, June 1, 2014 Climate change is evidence of the death-wish of capitalism

Renfrey Clarke

If modern industrial capitalism commitments of governments ecosystems must soon collapse. were a person, he or she would be around the world, and spelling out Without the services provided by on suicide watch. The system that the implications for global warming. these ecosystems, human beings will has brought us quantum physics and The most recent report, from last not survive in large numbers. reality television, modern medicine November, concludes: “Weak and the columns of Andrew Bolt is government action on climate Largely responsible for this set on a course which, by all the best change will lead to a projected 3.7°C “population crash” would be a reckoning, points directly to its doing of warming by 2100.” Almost collapse of food supplies. In a four- itself in. certainly, though, the warming that degree world, weather would be far will result if action is limited to more erratic, veering between mega- If capitalism goes on — current promises will be much floods and severe, extended everything goes. Climate, coastlines, greater than this. Like the reports droughts. Key food-bowl regions most living species, food supplies, issued in recent months by the would on average be markedly drier, the great bulk of humanity. And United Nations Intergovernmental while fertile coastal lowlands would certainly, the preconditions for Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), be affected by sea-level rise. advanced civilisation, perhaps the Climate Action Tracker figures Following the extinction of countless forever. do not take account of so-called species, the remnant ecosystems Moreover, we’re not just talking “slow feedbacks”. These are factors, would be chaotically unstable, risk, in the sense of an off-chance. such as the melting of polar ice and further restricting agriculture. These are the most likely outcomes releases of greenhouse gases from for capitalism’s current policies and melting permafrost, that cut in only One of the recent IPCC performance in the area of climate on a time-frame of decades to summaries predicts declining crop change. centuries. yields from about 2030. An analysis of 1700 datasets for wheat, rice and As far back as 2010 the famed US The world at 4°C maize, performed by researchers at paleoclimatologist Lonnie the University of Leeds, points to Thompson told a gathering of Supposing, however, that the widespread reductions in yields of scientists in Phoenix, Arizona: temperature rise late in the century 25% later in the century. These “Climatologists, like other scientists, was a mere 4°C, what would the reductions, however, would be tend to be a stolid group … Why then resulting world be like? In 2010, multiplied by the effects of extreme are climatologists speaking out about climatologist Rachel Warren, of social crisis. the dangers of global warming? The Britain’s Tyndall Centre for Climate answer is that virtually all of us are Change Research, made this Food insecurity, as it became now convinced that global warming prediction: “In such a 4°C world, the acute, could be expected to set off poses a clear and present danger to limits for human adaptation are wars over water supplies and civilization.” likely to be exceeded in many parts remaining patches of viable of the world, while the limits for farmland. These conflicts would take Rulers in the capitalist world are adaptation for natural systems would a horrific toll not just on populations, not remotely contemplating action largely be exceeded throughout the but also on technology and on the scale needed to contain the world. Hence, the ecosystem infrastructure, further reducing crisis. In recent years, the Climate services upon which human agricultural output. Action Tracker, a scientific livelihoods depend would not be partnership that includes Germany’s preserved.” The “5% by 2020” emissions high-powered Potsdam Institute for reduction target shared by the Labor Climate Impact Research, has issued If the limits for adaptation of Party and the Coalition in Australia an annual report detailing the climate natural systems are crossed, the is laughable. The Climate Action JANATA, June 1, 2014 13

Tracker says this target is consistent greenhouse gas emissions. change than the one that now rules with a global pathway leading to • This reorientation of the economy us. temperature rises of 3.5-4°C. will need to include a large element of direct state spending, Capitalist firms have no choice Both major parties in Australia structured around long-term but to try to maximise profits and plan to fail on climate change, planning and backed by growth rather than address social overseeing a climate disaster. But it tightening regulation. Schemes needs. If they fail to concentrate on is the Coalition’s death-wish that is such as carbon pricing cannot play these private priorities, they are soon perhaps the more fervent. Analysing more than a limited, subsidiary outcompeted and ruined. In strictly Australian climate policies, the role. private terms, carbon polluting can Climate Action Tracker observes: • To keep mass living standards at make for a killer bottom line. But this “The Abbott Government’s proposed the highest levels consistent with privately rational choice will, in Direct Action programme lacks the these measures, and ensure time, be collectively catastrophic. resources to meet the 5 per cent from popular support, the main costs of 2000 reduction goal and instead the reorientation need to be levied Something of the same logic could lead to emissions of about 12 on the wealthy. applies on the international scale. per cent above 2000 levels by 2020.” National capitalist classes are Can anyone imagine the world’s compelled to compete against one These calculations leave out the capitalist elites agreeing to such another. Defending the collective greenhouse impacts of Australia’s measures, except perhaps under the profitability of their backers, each coal exports on the basis that the most extreme popular pressure? capitalist government seeks to be the emissions will be released overseas. last to sign on to emissions But Australia’s recoverable reserves To address just the first point, the abatement agreements, while of black coal alone contain more underground reserves of fossil fuels making the weakest undertakings. carbon than is ever likely to be owned by energy companies make extracted from the Canadian tar up a large slice of the capitalisation Under fire from sands. of stock markets around the world. environmentalists, capitalist If the bulk of these assets were governments promote measures The compulsions of capitalism written off, the shock to global designed to make “green” investing What is it about capitalism that the capitalism would be cataclysmic. more profitable than the alternatives. system wilfully pursues strategies The capitalists as a class would resist But these schemes are not remotely that look certain to bring about its such a move furiously, and indeed adequate. Climate scientist Kevin own demise? violently. Anderson argues convincingly that the marginal changes in investment The answer lies in the fact that Ironically, saving the climate that result from ploys such as carbon while an unaddressed climate crisis would not be particularly expensive markets are completely insufficient will be lethal to capitalism, the compared with outlays the capitalist for bringing about the cuts in solutions to the crisis also promise system regularly makes — emissions — as much as 10 per cent to bring the system down — and particularly on its armed forces. The a year in the case of advanced sooner. The capitalists’ dilemma IPCC calculates that the “cost” of countries — that are needed. becomes clearer if we list some of keeping global temperature rises to the key measures required: 2°C would be to reduce the median A further reason why capitalism • At least two-thirds of proven annual growth of consumption over is so poorly suited to dealing with fossil fuel reserves need to be left this century by a mere 0.06 per cent. climate change is the system’s in the ground. That is billions of inherent short-termism. Typically, dollars effectively written off. The problem is not the overall companies aim to invest capital and • Material and financial resources cost, but the priorities and secure returns over a cycle lasting need to be reoriented, in a compulsions of capitalism. At the five years or less. If firms spend big concerted way, from the pursuit core of humanity’s climate quandary sums on long-term goals, their of maximum profit toward is the fact that it is hard to imagine a overall capital turnover tends to be achieving rapid declines in system less suited to halting climate slower than that of their rivals, and 14 JANATA, June 1, 2014 their profitability falls. Before long they are out of business. It is 50 years since the passing of Jawaharlal Nehru on May 27, 1964. Can one ever imagine him instigating or conniving in a pogrom? Or Dealing with climate change, becoming a plaything in the hands of corporate capital? Or spending on a however, requires investing now to general election amounts bearing comparison with American Presidential halt processes whose effects may elections? only become lethal in another half- I hope there will be remembrances everywhere this time of Nehru and century. Capitalism has great the quality of decency that he represented. difficulty looking that far ahead. I concluded an article I wrote a decade ago thus: Of course, the system has a collective instrument — the state — There was a creative tension in the Gandhi-Nehru relationship. They designed to referee conflicts between had differences. Gandhi’s religiosity was not shared by Nehru. Both often capitalists and ensure that the gave expression to differences publicly, in private letters to one another, overriding interests of their class are and, in the case of an incarcerated Nehru, in his diary. Some writers have defended. But what if most magnified these or focussed primarily on these. But they had strong mutual capitalists decide that long-term synergies on vital issues when the two would spring to each other’s side. action to combat climate change Gandhi ‘s positions on the secular state are Nehruvian in character. would threaten their near-term Likewise, Nehru’s positions on the definition of the Indian nation are the profits? And what if the state itself same as Gandhi’s. Both stand for territorial nationalism, thus clearly is captured by a few huge demarcating themselves from those in the Hindu Mahasabha, the Muslim corporations that are also big League and the pre-independence CPI of the 1940s which would define polluters? nation or nationality on the basis of religion. It is difficult to work together even for a while if differences overshadow commonalities. Gandhi and What if a decision of the US Nehru pulled together for decades. Gandhi as Congress president in 1924 Supreme Court allows big fossil fuel retained Nehru as general secretary. He suggested Nehru’s name for corporations to buy the Congress? Congress presidentship on at least four occasions–1929, 1935 (for 1936), What if Clive Palmer takes his coal 1938-39 (on this occasion along with the Marxist Socialist Narendra Deva’s billions and sets out to win the name) and finally in 1946. balance of power in the Australian Senate? Nevertheless, a Gandhi-Nehru divide was projected from various ideological platforms, some of them seeking to widen it into a chasm. The The timelines of climate Hindutva forces, already stained with Gandhi’s blood, projected the divide catastrophe are long, and in because, separated from Gandhi, Nehru made for them an isolated and capitalism’s systemic suicide it is therefore easier ideological target. The dichotomy was further emphasised not, on the whole, today’s corporate within the post-1969 Congress because of a perceived need to assert chiefs who are fated to perish. Theirs specific loyalties. This perhaps enabled even leaders like, for instance, is strictly a proxy death-wish. The Vasant Sathe, who had been in the RSS in 1939-41, to present themselves brief, unhappy lives and early graves as Nehruvian. Those tied to the pre-Independence CPI tradition of the are to be the lot, mostly, of future 1940s, (not necessarily or always identical with the contemporary Left), generations. also ‘theoremised’ the Gandhi-Nehru divide. Some of them styled As the renowned American themselves as Nehruvians in relation to Gandhi; but not all of them held philosopher and linguist Noam to the Nehruvian position where the choice was between the Gandhi- Chomsky put it recently, “In the Nehru view of the nation and the Muslim League notions of nation or moral calculus of capitalism, greater nationality. Some of the Gandhians too promoted the separation of Gandhi profits in the next quarter outweigh from Nehru. They picked on specific differences between Gandhi and the fate of your grandchildren.” All Nehru and converted them into their own defining characteristic. For the more reason for working people, several years this enabled many of them to wash their hands of who have no stake in the survival of contemporary developments. But the hour of reckoning now approaches. capitalism, to consign the system to - The Hindu, October 22, 2003 the historical dumpster. –Anil Nauriya - greenleft.org JANATA, June 1, 2014 15

(Continued from Page 10) standardised so that it can be the response of the voter and his suitable in countries where party monitored or regulated from any part needs seem to be lost forever. It is membership and voting are of the world. considered like a use-and-throw dwindling, traditional consumerism that influences the segmentation like class, family Branding of political leader and whole political process that may eroded, TV and internet are prime the product image of the party not be suitable for a country like sources of information and where involve investment to be made to India. At home, we have seen TRS voters are critical about parties. Do attract the young smart phone in Telangana using the traditional the recent elections convey any wielders, web surfers, TV addicts. method of reaching out the voters symptom of the coming of age But, what is missing in the whole to empathise with them through its where we can outsource our polls exercise is that the message that manifesto, is a grand success. including Election Commission to the leader wanted to convey and Political marketing may be an MNC?

(Continued from Page 11) need-based, human-scale, balanced opportunity to stand on their feet and charity. God-given resources - land, development while conserving earn his/her livelihood with honour water, jungle and minerals–belong nature and livelihoods. In a self- and dignity instead of endlessly to the people and these must be respecting nation every citizen depending on corporate trickle- managed as such. Only then there should get the strength, resource and downs and government freebies and would be human security. No salvation

Jashodaben says, ‘’I am grateful Sharma. He was proved right by the She also burnt Madurai city for this to Modi that he has accepted me as judiciary after a painful and turncoat’s death. A mythological his wife”. SC’s dictate to EC before protracted legal battle. Recently character Nalayini carried her the election only forced Modi to Ujjwala married Tiwari. In the leprosy affected husband in a basket accept her as his wife. Her gratitude glorious Tamil epic to a prostitute. Sita underwent an legitimately should go to the Apex Silappathigaram, Kovalan deserted Agni Pariksha to prove her chastity. Court. A young Rohit Shekar his wife Kannagi and ran away with Jashodaben, Ujjwala, Kannagi, claimed Narain Dutt Tiwari as his a dancer Madhavi. When he returned Nalayini and Sita belong to a herd. biological father and accused Tiwari after years losing all his wealth, Won’t they ever change? of cheating his mother Ujjwala Kannagi gracefully accepted him. –Sankara Narayanan

Saving planet The recent May11 2014 issue of Mankind has God and law to pray cannot really do anything to save the Janata carries suggestions about and for protection on their side. planet except limit its numbers. saving the planet. All media and Unfortunately nature has no such But the people who sell magazines experts always seem to have privileges. It is unfortunate that even or newspapers or anything can’t afford solutions to save the planet. religions couldn’t educate mankind to advise people to produce fewer But never anyone has the guts to about relevance of nature in our lives. kids. And the reasons are obvious. suggest trimming the population. Maybe religion is the earliest of I hope my point is well taken and For according to me every human mankind’s manipulative innovations. I would be the happiest to see the birth is just another burden for earth. world having fewer and happier If earth has to be a better place it Our modern lifestyle always puts humans. can do with fewer humans. us in conflict with nature. So mankind –Abhijeet Warrier R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 1, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, June 1, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday June 4, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 19 Lawless Uttar Pradesh June 8, 2014 Viswam S

The gang rape and murder by While the people were shocked hanging of two minor girls in Badaun by the callousness of the Future of Congress in Uttar Pradesh has shocked the administration in dealing with the Corporatization of media conscience of India. The abominable post-Muzaffarnagar situation, Kuldip Nayar crime has also attracted the attention Mulayam Singh chose to fuel the of United Nations which has reacted public’s anger even more. He by saying that women and girls from justified rape and made the facetious lower caste communities are targeted but thoughtless remark that “boys Bhagana Atrocities and raped in “rural India”. Even if will be boys”. The UP government’s Neha Dixit we ignore the generalization, the fact handling of the post-Badaun remains that UP has brought situation is no less flattering. There disrepute to India which is forced to was good cause for public concern Is rejection of UPA the hang its head in shame by the as two more horrifying cases of rape administration under the leadership surfaced, one in Bareilley involving rejection of secularism, of a young, educated and promising a 22-year-old woman who was welfarism? leader, Akhilesh Yadav, son of criminally assaulted, forced to drink Harsh Mander former chief minister Mulayam acid, and the second in Meerut Singh Yadav. These hopes began where a ten year old minor was fading when lawlessness returned to allegedly abducted from her house Two Ordinances the state after initial promise of a and was gangraped. change. The administration of Akhilesh The Akhilesh government drew a appears to be far too casual. Reports lot of flak for its insensitive and suggest that the local police aided incompetent handling of the and abetted the Badaun crime. A incidence of communal riots in witness who saw one of the minor Editor : Muzaffarnagar. Some 40,000 girls being dragged by the hair G. G. Parikh Muslims were uprooted and forced complained to the police chowki into refugee camps. It was not so which refused to register the Managing Editor : Guddi much the failure of the complaint. Instead, the police there administration to inspire confidence threatened the families of the two D-15, Ganesh Prasad, in the citizenry, particularly the girls with further violence and police Naushir Bharucha Marg, minorities, but the overall attitude of action. The girls had gone to the field Mumbai - 400 007. the leadership to the sensitive issue at night to answer calls of nature of law and order that was found so when the hoodlums pounced on Email : [email protected] galling. them, raped the two, and strung them 2 JANATA, June 8, 2014 from the branch of a tree after Between the lines strangulating them. It is only in a state where the police administration is itself an abettor of crimes that such Corporatization of media incidents are allowed to happen. The state’s size itself is a handicap. The Kuldip Nayar administration gets away with the excuse that UP is too big to I was not surprised when air is difficult to control. The administer and that the police force television channels did not cover the principle of curtailing the ownership is too inadequate to oversee law and taking over of a large television news of outsiders is understandable. order. network by Mukesh Ambani’s If foreign equity—a Trojan Reliance Industries Limited. Most The Centre is not happy with the horse—cannot go beyond a limit the channels—roughly around 300—are handling of the post-Badaun Indian corporations too should have owned by property dealers who can situation by the Akhilesh Yadav a Lakshman rekha which they should afford to spend Rs. one crore, an regime and has raised some queries not cross. But then they are too average monthly expenditure, which seem pertinent on the face of powerful because politicians depend through money laundering. Every it. It was irked by the inordinate on them for their luxurious living and one of them wants to be the Reliance delay on Lucknow’s part to seek a for fighting elections. Needless to one day. CBI probe. The state had almost to say that there is quid pro qua. Some be bullied. The Centre also What has taken me aback is that politicians are also said to own or wondered why no case was the press has reported the deal but having some shares in television registered by UP under the SC/ST has preferred to keep quiet. Even channels. Act. The Centre has said that it though journalism has ceased to be a observed federal principles while For some reasons, successive profession and has become an dealing with Lucknow and did not governments at the centre have industry, I was expecting some want to give the impression that it rejected the demand for a press or reactions, at least from the Editors’ was interfering in the state’s affairs. media commission. Since Guild of India. However, the initial reluctance of the independence there have been only chief minister to involve the CBI is But then it is understandable when two. One was soon after the truly intriguing, given the it has rejected my proposal that independence and the other after the consistently bad performance of the editors should also declare their Emergency in 1977. The state police where law and order assets to public, the demand which recommendations of the latter were issues were involved. It is this bad they voice for politicians. Double not even considered because Indira performance that brought UP and the standards make a mockery of the Gandhi refused to look at any step Samajwadi Party an unflattering high pedestal on which the media sit. suggested during the post- reputation as a lawless state. Emergency period. (The I am not against corporations commendable Police Reforms report The state government will do well investing in the media. Rising costs also became a casualty). to revamp its entire police structure, and shrinking advertisements have intensify supervision in rural areas famished the media. Still, ideally, the The government headed by and change its casual attitude media should be self-sufficient. But, Narendra Modi is a complete towards rape and violence against since it is not possible for most in departure from the past and should women. That the lackadaisical the print and electronic media, there appoint a commission to assess the approach of the leadership has has to be a limit on how far the position of media since Smt. stirred even United Nations into an corporations should go. Gandhi’s rule. There has been no adverse comment that does no good appraisal of the role of television to India’s overall image is a black Former Prime Minister Indira because India, not even mark against UP and Akhilesh Gandhi had put a ceiling on foreign Doordarshan, was not familiar with Yadav. The time is now for changing equity, 26 percent, in newspapers. the electronic media at that time. UP’s image as a first step towards For some reasons, this limit was not changing India’s image. extended to television. Maybe, the The most important aspect is the JANATA, June 8, 2014 3 ownership of newspapers, television the media which, without doubt, now come when some qualification and radio by the same houses or influence politics as well. should be prescribed by law.” individuals. Even America has some Bangladesh has more TV channels, Regretfully, the attention of the kind of control over cross ownership. almost all in Bengali, than daily media is focused more on marketing But there is no such bar in India newspapers. But for a few exceptions and packing. Indeed, they are where it is like putting up yet another more in the print medium than the important, but the contents should factory. electronic one, the opinion is in have the priority. Alas, that is favour of the government in power. I am all for the freedom of the receding farther and farther. press. In fact, I have been disturbed Pakistan, still a feudal state in by the statement of the new many ways, has more assertive Footprints of A Crusader Information and Broadcasting media in the subcontinent. Hamid (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) Minister, Prakash Javadekar. He has, Mir of a television channel was by no doubt, assured the continuance of physically assaulted. But there are Rohini Gawankar the press freedom but has put a caveat numerous journalists who brave The life story of Mrunal Gore, that it demands responsibility. every day threats. A few are also a one of the leading socialist activists, target of extremists and the Inter Why this reminder, is beyond me. is an inspiration to men and women Services Intelligence (ISI). The Indian press has been inferior to none alike, but it is especially a model for media men and women still cover activists, social workers and in upholding the value system which events boldly and by and large truly. politicians. Coming from a middle politicians have destroyed. There is class family with no political no example of irresponsible behavior What the media can say with connections, Mrunal Gore blazed a of the press since independence. This authenticity is that the owners of the unique path, beginning as a cannot be said about the government press and TV channels are no more grassroots organizer of women in which had imposed censorship foreigners in the entire subcontinent. suburban Mumbai, a people’s representative at the lowest level of during the Emergency in 1975. India’s first Prime Minister self-government and moving ever Jawaharlal Nehru sought the help of Even now, newspapers in several higher, till she rose to the ranks of a big industrial houses to oust the states have to withstand the pressure Member of Parliament. Throughout British ownership of leading the course of this amazing journey, and punishment of chief ministers. newspapers. Bennett Coleman she stayed true to values and Advertisements, the main source of publishing , principles, never using her power for income for small newspapers, are foreign owners of The Mail in personal or narrow gains, but always distributed to reward supporters and striving to do the maximum good for Madras and The Pioneer at Lucknow denied to the critics. And whatever the majority of the people. The changed hands. The Statesman was is spent by the government, it is tax suffering and deprivations of the taken over by a consortium of payers’ money. common man became the sparks that industrialists blessed by Nehru. inspired numerous agitations and The carrot of advertisements fights which Mrunal undertook True, the media has come a long works in Pakistan and Bangladesh against injustice and inequity. Told way. Still current annual report of through the eyes of a personal friend, as well. Governments dangle it the Press Council of India is the story recounts all the important without hesitation. Thus crores of helplessly demanding the television events and achievements of her life, rupees are at the disposal of rulers to channels to come under its purview. while also highlighting the sterling exert influence. The story of qualities that made Mrunal Gore a The rulers continue to turn a deaf ear corporations and individuals role model for the generations that to what is asked. controlling the media is no different followed in her footsteps. from that of India. The Council says: “For quite some Published by time an issue has arisen about the Kamalakar Subhedar, Secretary, In the last few weeks, I have had need for qualification for entry into Samata Shikshan Sanstha, an opportunity to visit Bangladesh Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, the profession of journalism. Since and Pakistan in that order. Their Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), the media is a fully developed field Mumbai 400072. messy politics and the sway of and has an important influence on Mobile: 9820092255 military in governance deserve a full Charity contribution: Rs.300+ the lives of the people, the time has article. I am limiting my column to 4 JANATA, June 8, 2014 Two Ordinances

Within 72 hours of assuming respectively, makes it clear that that while announcing important power and even before any of its power is meant to be exercised in decisions to the public under Section elected representatives were sworn order to deal with emergent 4(1) of the Right to Information Act, in formally as Members of situations irrespective of the distance 2005. These twin Ordinances very Parliament, the National Democratic in time that the next session of the well qualify as important decisions Alliance (NDA) Government concerned legislature may be from of the Central Government, but all advised the to the date of such promulgation. facts necessitating their promulgate two Ordinances. The However, an eleven-judge promulgation have not been placed first notified in the Official Gazette, Constitution Bench of the Supreme in the public domain. Further, on 28th February, removes the bar Court in R C Cooper has held that Cabinet papers including Cabinet on ex-Chairpersons and Members of the exercise of the Ordinance- notes may be sought for by any the Telecom Regulatory Authority of making power is justiciable on citizen under the RTI Act and they India (TRAI) from being appointed grounds of mala fide intention or will have to be disclosed after a to any other position under the corrupt motive. This Bench and the decision has been taken and if the Government. The second Ordinance five-judge Constitution Bench in A matter is complete or over and no seeks to amend the Andhra Pradesh K Roy have unequivocally kept the other exemption listed in Section Reorganisation Act passed by door open for justiciablity on the 8(1) of the Act is applicable. I have Parliament earlier this year to carve ground that circumstances did not successfully obtained copies of out India’s 29th State – Telangana necessitate the promulgation of the Cabinet Notes under the RTI Act and from the erstwhile undivided State Ordinance. The burden of proof also argued for Appellants of Andhra Pradesh. This Ordinance however is on the challenger to such successfully to obtain materials that makes certain amendments to the action. After “S P Gupta”, the Courts formed the basis of the advice of territories covered by the Khammam are no longer hampered by Article Ministers tendered to the President district under this State bifurcation 74(2) of the Constitution which on the manner of disposal of mercy law. Both Gazette notifications do prevents a Court from inquiring into petitions not contain a Statement of Objects advice tendered by Ministers to the and Reasons as to why it has become President or Sections 123-124 of the So it is possible to obtain copies necessary to promulgate these Indian Evidence Act, 1872 which of the Cabinet Notes pertaining to Ordinances. There is only a cursory prohibit the government from the twin Ordinances under the RTI mention in the notifications that the submitting evidence from its Act. One could reasonably expect Hon’ble President of India is unpublished official papers to a them to reveal the justification for satisfied that circumstances exist court. It is well established that the the promulgation of these which necessitate the promulgation materials that formed the basis of the Ordinances as in their absence, the of these Ordinances. What these ministerial advice can be disclosed exercise of this power would circumstances are we do not know to both Courts and Petitioners if the become arbitrary. The justification except for some reporting in the Court determines that no injury to recorded in these Cabinet Notes may mass media. A brief summary of the the public interest would be caused indicate some details of the discussion of some landmark by such disclosure. So a Petitioner circumstances that existed for the judgements delivered by the may demand production of promulgation of the Ordinances. Supreme Court on the subject is documents relating to the This information could then be given below. determination of the concerned assessed to make a decision whether Government/President/Governor, as nor not to challenge in Court the The jurisprudence that has the case may be that circumstances ‘circumstances’ claim made by the developed on the subject of the exist for the promulgation of an Government. However, the delay power of the President and the Ordinance. After October 2005, the likely to be caused by the Governors to Promulgate position in law has radically Government in disclosing Cabinet Ordinances under Articles 123 and changed. The Government has a Notes under the RTI Act (after two 213 of the Constitution of India duty to voluntarily publish all facts very likely rounds of rejections JANATA, June 8, 2014 5 internally – one by the public information officer and the other by Socialist Party to launch a public the first appellate authority) and then awareness campaign about the long wait at the concerned Information Commission for a Education, Water, Electoral Reforms resolution of the second appeal, may simply put a dampener on any effort and Betterment of Minorities to make the action of the President under Article 123 and that of the The two-day national executive constitutional and anti-social Governor under Article 213 committee meeting of the Socialist communal agenda. One can see that justiciable in court. Nevertheless if Party was held in Delhi under the the government has already started Courts were to act swiftly and chairmanship of the party’s implementing its neo-liberal and invoke their powers to summon the president Bhai Vaidya. In the communal agenda openly from the materials on the basis of which the meeting, the results of the Lok Sabha very first day. This will further decision to promulgate an Ordinance 2014 elections were analyzed, increase the predicament of the was taken, the arbitrary use of political and economic resolutions deprived masses. In order to Articles 123 and 213 may be were passed and party’s agenda for challenge this neo-liberal-communal checked. It is respectfully submitted the next five years was set. The nexus, he has called for a socialist- that when the Supreme Court and the meeting was attended by the communist unity. High Courts are the appointed members of the national executive guardians of the Constitution and committee as well as by presidents Justice Rajindar Sachar, speaking fundamental rights of citizens, they of the state units. Also present were on the occasion, said that it is a cannot and must not leave such Dr. G. G. Parikh (Editor, Janata matter of grave concern that the matters to the legislatures to decide Weekly), Ravikiran Jain (senior faction which opposed the freedom where there is strong public advocate and office bearer of movement and was responsible for perception that the Ordinance- PUCL), Dr. Sunilam (senior socialist the murder of Gandhiji has come to making power has been exercised leader from Madhya Pradesh), power with absolute majority. The without sufficient and just cause. If Shyam Gambhir (senior socialist members of the Socialist Party need the Governments themselves re- leader from Delhi) and Anil Nauriya to work at the grass roots level to establish the practice of mentioning (senior advocate and scholar of strengthen the democratic details of the circumstances that modern Indian history) as special institutions as well as for the values necessitate the promulgation of an invitees. of the freedom movement and the Ordinance, in the form of Statement Constitution. He categorically asked of Objects and Reasons, prefixed to Bhai Vaidya in his presidential the young activists of the party to the text of the Ordinance, and also address said that the RSS has won go amidst the public, whose lives disclose the relevant Cabinet Note this election on the basis of have been destroyed because of the in toto, soon after the decision is communal polarization achieved neo-liberal policies, and explain to taken and the matter is complete or with the help of corporate and media. them that their basic needs like over, citizens will have an If a stable third front could have been education, health, water, electricity opportunity to make an assessment constituted against the neo-liberal etc. can never be met as long as for themselves about the motives of policies and corruption of the UPA privatization is there. the Government. Where necessary government then the BJP would not they may elect to challenge the have got absolute majority. Despite Through the resolution passed in Ordinance in court. Transparency of having spent money in torrents, only the meeting, the Socialist Party again this kind will lead to greater 31 percent of the voters have demanded the introduction of a ‘Full accountability even before the supported the BJP. Bhai Vaidya also Employment Guarantee Law’ matter reaches Parliament or the cautioned that the BJP-led NDA making employment a Fundamental State Legislatures, as the case may government will further accelerate Right. Reiterating its commitment to be. Opacity in the decision-making the neo-liberal policies of the the Public Sector, the party learnt Congress. At the same time, the RSS with alarm the announcements by (Continued on Page 6) will try its best to push its anti- the newly formed central 6 JANATA, June 8, 2014 government to dismantle and for Irom Sharmila’s satyagrah, the protection and betterment of the discourage Public Sector by demand to remove the AFSPA was minority communities. allowing even 100 percent of FDI repeated. in a sensitive sector like Defense, The Socialist Party believes that directly responsible for the country’s In the resolution regarding the the model of alternate development sovereignty and independence. The electoral reforms, it was demanded can be based on the ideas of Gandhi Socialist Party expressed complete that the practice of the donations and Lohia. With the view to develop opposition to this decision. The party from corporate houses to political the Socialist Party as the ‘green also opposed the privatization of the parties for election expenses party’ of India, a special session on departments/undertakings should be stopped; not only the ‘Development and Climate Change’ associated with the basic needs of candidates but the party should was organized. Professor Sanat the public like Power and Railways also submit accounts of election Mohanty, Bharat Dogra, Sandeep as also the disinvestment of expenses; the security deposit for Pandey and Monish Babbar companies like BALCO and BHEL. candidates should be rupees two addressed the session. The Socialist Party has also warned thousand in the legislative the nation that the proposal of the assembly elections and rupees five A special session was organized government to bring the Public thousand in the Lok Sabha under the aegis of Lok Rajneeti Sector Undertakings under single elections; and the government Manch (Peoples Political Front) ‘holding company’ might be a ploy should bear the election expenses which was formed before the 2009 to sell them to the private sector. so that poor citizens can also Lok Sabha elections. This session contest elections. According to the was addressed by many peoples’ In the resolution, the party has current voting system, the party movement activists and public severely criticized and opposed the which gets 33 percent vote share intellectuals including Ravikiran anti-Constitutional statement of gets about 60 percent of the seats Jain, Shamsher Singh Bisht, Kamla, Najma Heptullah, Minister for whereas the party which gets about Manjoo Mohan, Minority Affairs, in the current 8-10 percent of the vote share does and Dr. Prem Singh. After the government, that the Muslims are not get even a single seat. The discussion it was decided that not a minority. The statement Socialist Party in its resolution has considering the existing political shows total ignorance of the demanded that a new system challenges, the Lok Rajneeti Manch constitutional principles and should be adopted according to should be made active and settled position of the Supreme which the political parties should influential. Court that religious minorities, get seats in proportion to their vote including Muslims, are recognized share. Especially the electronic –Renu Gambhir features of the Constitution. The media has played a key role in party further condemned the these elections. It is commonly (Continued from Page 6) statement of the minister that the believed that its role has been process only leaves Ordinances as 15 point program for the partisan and misleading instead of fait accompli because Courts have minorities, which has been in being neutral and factual. In order refused to look into matters that are operation for the last three to prevent this from happening in of academic import only. This is not decades, should be discontinued. future, an institution akin to the how a transparent and accountable The party rather is of the strong Press Council of India should be Government must function. The opinion that this program needs to formed to regulate the electronic NDA Government has a real be strengthened and properly media. opportunity to move away from the outlined with the active practices of secrecy that were the consultation and participation of It was decided in the meeting hallmark of previous governments the concerned organizations and that the Socialist Party should run and set new standards by voluntarily members of the community a nation-wide public awareness disclosing the circumstances that concerned. The government’s campaign in the next five years necessitated the twin Ordinances and intention to abolish Article 370 has against the marketization of follow the same method for also been severely opposed in the education and water; in favor of promulgating any other Ordinance resolution. Reiterating the support electoral reforms and for the in future. JANATA, June 8, 2014 7 Bhagana Atrocities

Neha Dixit

On April 17, the day India was of the leaders of the dominant Jat back, she was the only one still polling at 121 constituencies in the community in Bhagana. Sunita, then managed to go to school,” joins fifth phase of the ongoing General in her half unconscious state was Ranjana. Elections, four girls and 100 families stripped, beaten and raped by the from their community parked boys one after the other. They did Bhagana village is 300 years old. themselves in protest in central the same to the other three girls. “I The houses of the four girls are Delhi. could barely open my eyes, forget diametrically opposite to each other resisting the boys,” she says. on the outskirts of the village. These four girls were gang raped Bhagana is dominated by the feudal, on March 24, this year and belong Their next memory is of the land owning Jat community that to the Dalit community of Bhagana Bhatinda railway station, a city 150 makes up for 59 percent of the village, in Hisaar, 150 km from km away from Hisaar. Their clothes village population. Dalits, which Delhi. Dalits are regarded as were torn, had injury marks on their include several sub categories like untouchables and occupy the lowest bodies and walked in pain. “I asked Dhanuks, Chamars, Kumhaars and rung in the Hindu hierarchical order. people on the platform if they knew others, make up for the 24 percent They have been identified under the who left us there but since they population. They are landless and Scheduled Caste category in the spoke in Punjabi, a language I am mostly work as agricultural Indian Constitution. unfamiliar with, I didn’t get them,” labourers in the farms of Jat recalls Ranjana, 18, with a newly community. They are also Huddled in an unhindered mass acquired maturity. Sunita, 16 and considered untouchables. People under three tents behind Jantar Kamini, 17 sit behind them and from the upper castes, including the Mantar, there is an unfamiliar spring listen intently. The four are Jat community, neither eat or drink in their demeanor. Far less demure surrounded by their mothers and at their place nor are they allowed than the stereotypes of rape women who look at me to sit next to an upper caste person. survivors, they are brimming with disapprovingly. “What is the point hope and the glow of a persistent, of you coming here? We have been In March 2012, the Jat collective struggle. sitting in this heat for a month but community under the leadership of still to no avail. I thought protests in Panghal Khap - the one of the many “I was revising my lessons while Delhi lead to result like the Damini clans of the community to which all going for a dump that evening. I had case,” asked Laajo Rani in a the Jats of the village belong, to sit for the English exam the next Haryanvi dialect. She is 80 years old. announced a ‘bandi’ on the Dalits of day,” recalls Manju, 13, a student of I tell her, “It is because of the the village. ‘Bandi’ is a social and sixth standard, one of the four girls, ongoing elections.” She answers, economic boycott. This was a with the characteristic assertion of a “So, don’t we vote and make response to the Dalit protest against teenage girl. Close to 60 percent of winning candidates?” Guilt the decision of the constitutionally the households in Bhagana village overtakes and I turn to Manju. elected panchayat headed by Rakesh still don’t have a toilet. Daily, early Manju is dressed in a white salwar Panghal, also a Jat, to allocate the in the morning or late in the evening, kameez with pink dots and a crimson common land of the village to women collect in groups to go to the scarf. The scarf is comfortably members of Jat community. This agricultural fields to defecate. It is settled on her head out of habit, like included the playground on the then, she along with three other girls many girls her age in rural Haryana outskirts, close to the Dalit were abducted and forced to sniff yet she constantly struggles to tuck inhabitation and the Dalit meeting something that made them it behind her ear to cover her face square in the centre of the village. unconscious. Out of the five who from the photojournalists outside the “In addition, the common ground abducted them, four were relatives tent. “We had to drop out two years that was divided into plots to be 8 JANATA, June 8, 2014 given away to villagers was given for free to the members of the Jat It was a day when the 16th Lok Sabha started its session with a community but not to the Dalits even condolence meeting to adjourn the house in the memory of one of its when they were forced to pay Rs members and minister. 1,000 each for allocation,” says On the other side, incidents of atrocities on homeless Dalit families Balraj Sindhu, a Dalit member of from Bhagana and other protesters marked the day with eviction, batons Centre for Trade Union from the and insulting women at the Parliament street in New Delhi. It was only 6 village. There was a massive protest am when thousand policemen barged into the tents at the Jantar Mantar, by the Dalits within the village a permanent protest site for years since the protesters and whistle blowers against this injustice which did not were banned to gather on Parliament Street. The huge barricading forces sync with the Jat-Dalit traditional people to organise their sit-in protest or hold a rally at the Jantar Mantar, power equations in the village. a site officially granted by the Delhi police and administration. The “They dissented against those who policemen came, dismantled the tents, picked the belongings of the gave them employment and means protesters including the Bhagana rape survivors and their families and for survival. Such people must leave warned them to vacate the whole area by noon. Almost more than 600 the village,” says Kundan Panghal, protesters, rallying for their demands since long time, were put on the a Jat farm owner and activist of the roadside without anything at hand. No water, not even a mat to sit or a Panghal Khap. shed to face the scorching sun.

The boycott included a ban on the By 8.30 am, news came from Hisar where 200 Bhagana families were use of all common resources in the living ourside Hisar’s mini secretariat since the last two years were evicted village including water resources in the same manner by the local police, their belongings were taken by like wells, barbers, local transport, the police, they were thrown on the street with no shelter. grocery shops, schools, access to cattle feed, access to roads passing By 11 am people, in solidarity, started gathering at the Jantar Mantar through the Jat areas and in Delhi. The protesters were in great distress. It was decided to hold a employment in the agricultural demonstration in front of Parliament Street police station at 2 pm. A fields. memorandum was sent to the Home Minister and another to the Police Commissioner of Delhi requesting them not to vacate Jantar Mantar as Like several parts in Haryana, this was the only physical space to raise voice against atrocity and there is an existing labour practice repression in the capital. At 2 pm, hundreds of men, women and children in Bhagana village which is called gathered at Parliament Street to protest the eviction drive. Seeri. Under the Seeri system, an agricultural labourer is hired by a – Kiran Shaheen land owning farmer on an annual contract for close to Rs 40,000 per ownership of non-resumable land. “The next two months, we tried year, which comes to about Rs. 110 The Seeri system negates the very hard to stay. Even NREGA a day, way below the minimum wage possibility of the proof of continuous programs which could have given us of Rs. 230 a day in Haryana. They occupation of the land as a tiller employment in spite of the boycott are paid the money in advance and since the contracts are renewed have not been functional in the are bonded for a year. Apart from every year. “Of late, the labourers village,” recalls Dharamveer, a 40 the agricultural work, the labourers had started rejecting the exploitative year old Dalit mason. NREGA is the are often made to do other household practices under Seeri like no fixed Central government sponsored related work with no fixed hours. In hours of work and the extra work scheme that guarantees 100 days of 1953, the Punjab Security of Land apart from agriculture that the employment to all. “On May 21st, Tenures Act was implemented in employers forced them to do,” says when the Jat community announced Haryana which provides complete Sindhu. This was not just a threat to another ‘bandi’ with even stricter security of tenure for tenants in the age-old social hierarchy in the norms, 137 families decided to move continuous possession of land over village but was also disturbed the to the mini secretariat in Hisaar 15 acres for 12 years and grants economic privileges the farm district to demand action from the tenants optional right of purchase of owning Jat employers enjoyed. authorities,” he adds. JANATA, June 8, 2014 9

Two years have passed and to this school. It has increased in the last the Mirzapur road, the car was day, close to 90 families still occupy two years. Some Jat boys enrolled stopped at a roadside café. The girls the protest spot in Hisaar but no in the school would kick our boys were seated on the first floor as the action has been taken. During this and humiliate them,” tells Satya others had tea on the ground floor. period, the police failed to register Narayan, the headmaster of the Rakesh Panghal walked to the first even a single complaint under the government school. “I even floor with his uncle and slapped Scheduled Caste and Scheduled threatened to shut the school but not Sunita. “Your community people Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. allow this kind of discrimination but think that they can contest the Jats? To add to it, in September 2012, the it did not help. As the protest at What was done to you is a lesson police had booked a few people Hisaar kept catching headlines in the for raising a voice against us. If you protesting at the mini secretariat for media, the aggression and enmity dare complain against anyone or sedition and ‘exciting disaffection towards the Dalit kept increasing in identify any of the boys, your towards the government established the village,” he adds. Manju was still families will be killed,” says Manju. by law’ and imprisoned them for a a student of this school, the other Soon after, they left for the village. week. This included five children, three had dropped out in 2012. The The next day, the four girls, their 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14 years old along news of their gang rape was the last fathers and some members of the with three adults. nail in the coffin. After another set Dalit community reached the police of 100 families moved to Delhi to station. On March 25, after a lot of Meanwhile, the hostility towards protest, the school is lying vacant. struggle and protest, the police 200 Dalit families still left in the The only Dalits left here are still registered a report for rape and village had increased manifold. The bonded under Seeri, who under medical tests that confirmed rape worst affected were the women pressure of the Jat community have were conducted. The five accused because all the things boycotted stopped sending their children to Sumit, Lalit, Sandeep, Dharamvir were directly related to the schoo0l. and Kuldeep-all of them Jats-were household. “Apart from fetching arrested on March 29. water from far off and managing On 24th March, while the girls groceries with limited access, the were figuring out how to go back the accusations of the Dalit biggest loss was lack of employment home from the Bhatinda railway community replies, “These girls are for us. Because of the ban imposed station, they saw the village head known to have multiple love affairs. on our community as agricultural Rakesh Panghal walking towards How can they be trusted?” When workers, the men could go to the city them with three influential Jat asked about the illegal allocation of and neighbouring villages to work leaders. “The night the girls went the land and the social boycott, he but women were confined to their missing, we went to Rakesh to says, “They are all lying. They have homes,” says Rattal Sindhu, 55, inform him and ask for help. He told left their houses on their own to grandmother of three who has been me that our girls will be extract unjustified compensation an agricultural labour for thirty years back tomorrow morning. He knew from the government.” The same in this village. “In most of the where the girls were which was justification was given by influential houses, the household income has shocking,” says Bheem Singh, father Jat leaders when the houses of been halved,” she adds. of Ranjana. Next morning, the several Dalits were burnt and two fathers of the four girls and Rakesh were killed in the Mirchpur village The schools did not remain Panghal and some others got into of Hisaar district in 2010. untouched. There are two schools in two jeeps and reached Bhatinda the village, a private one which the railway station. Panghal reached the Kaviraj, the Superintendent of children of the Jat community, who exact platform where the girls were Police, Hisaar district says, “The could afford to pay high fees waiting. When the girls saw him, police has taken every care to follow attended and the government one, they first tried to hide. “It is only legal proceedings. I cannot comment attended mostly by the children of when we saw our fathers on the other anymore since the case is now the Dalit community. “After the platform with the aides of Panghal subjudice.” ML Kaushik, the District boycott in 2012, many girls had to is when we came out,” says Kamini. Collector of Hisaar also remains drop out because of the eve teasing The four girls were rushed into a car non-committal. “The people sitting they had to face while coming to the with Panghal and their fathers. On in protest have been politically 10 JANATA, June 8, 2014 motivated. We have requested them In 1931, when Mahatma That Dalits - who represent 16 to return to their houses but to no Gandhi asked BR Ambedkar, the percent and women - who represent avail,” he says. champion of Dalit rights and the 48 percent of the Indian population father of the Indian Constitution still need to struggle at Jantar According to the National why is he so critical of the Mantar, explains what Ambedkar Crime Record Bureau, the number Congress, the leading party in the meant. of rapes of Dalit women across the freedom movement, demanding country has increased by 15.4 an independent homeland, he Names of the Rape Survivors percent in one year. Only one in replied, “ Gandhiji, I have no have been changed. eight cases of atrocities on Dalits, homeland. No untouchable worth a person gets convicted in the name will be proud of this –PMARC Haryana. land.” Union Council of Ministers

National Election Watch (NEW) themselves. (91%) are crorepatis. and Association for Democratic · Ministers with Serious Criminal · Average Assets: The average assets Reforms (ADR) had sent a letter to Cases: 8 (18%) Ministers have per minister is Rs.13.47 crores. the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri declared serious criminal cases Narendra Modi, on the 20th of May, · High Asset Ministers: 5 Ministers including cases related to attempt 2014 bringing to his notice the have declared more than Rs.30 to murder, communal disharmony, disturbing fact that the newly formed crores worth of assets: ranging kidnapping, electoral violations, etc. 16th Lok Sabha has a sizeable from Rs. 30 crore+ to Rs.113 crore+ number of MPs (112 i.e. 21%) facing · Ministers with cases related to · Low Asset Ministers: A total serious criminal charges and causing Communal Dishar- of 4 Ministers have declared requesting him to include only clean mony: from Jhansi constituency, Uttar Pradesh of assets less than Rs. 1 crore: from representatives in his Cabinet. Shri Rs. 65 lacs+ to Rs. 96 lacs+ Narendra Modi committed to BJP has declared a case Promoting critically examine MPs with self- enmity between different groups on · Education Details of declared criminal cases and fast grounds of religion, race, place of Ministers: 8(18%) Ministers have tracking cases against them during birth, residence, language, etc., and declared that have an education the recent Lok Sabha campaign said, doing acts prejudicial to qualification of 12th pass or “the next Parliament would be maintenance of harmony (IPC below while 35(80%) Ministers cleaned by punishing the guilty”. Section-153A) have declared having an · Ministers with cases related to educational qualification National Election Watch (NEW) Electoral Violations: Uma of graduate or above. and Association for Democratic Bharti of BJP from Jhansi · Age Details of Reforms (ADR) have analysed the constituency, Uttar Pradesh, has Ministers : 9(20%) Ministers have self-sworn affidavits of 44 Ministers declared a case related to Illegal declared their age to be between 31 out of 46 Ministers (including Prime payments in connection with an to 50 years while 33 (75%) the Minister) from Lok Sabha 2014 election (IPC Section- Ministers have declared their age and current Rajya Sabha. The details 171H). Upendra Kushwaha of to be between 51 to 70 years and 2 of Prakash Javadekar and Nirmala Rashtriya Lok Samta Party from Ministers have declared their age Sitharaman were not analysed as Karakat constituency, Bihar to be above 70 years. they are not currently members of and of LJP from either house. Hajipur constituency, Bihar have · Gender Details of Ministers: There are 7 (15%) · Ministers with Criminal each declared a case related to women ministers out of a total of Cases: Out of the 44 Ministers Bribery (IPC Section – 171E) 46 ministers. analysed, 13 (30%) Ministers have · Crorepati Ministers: Out of declared criminal cases against the 44 Ministers analysed, 40 For more details visit www.myneta.info –Association for Democratic Reforms JANATA, June 8, 2014 11 Confused, or dangerous priorities?

Prakash Javadekar, the new Environment, Labour and Industry proposals without delay.” This spells Minister for Environment, Forest & individually and collectively are out assurance of Modi Government Climate Change while taking over more and more concerned about to the industrialist that they should the charge promised to ensure “Fast better environment for industries and not worry about environment laws. Environment Clearances”. This is its profitability, industrial-friendly just beginning of the implementation labour laws and the prosperity of This capitalist development has of “Money-Festo – Modi-Festo” for industry so that industrialists can never tried to arrive at even a the ministry of environment. A new concentrate only on their production realistic estimate of loss of system for online submission of and profits in the “interest of GDP”. livelihood, land acquisition, applications for environmental There are other ministries also displacement, irreversible damage to clearances has been launched. But, equally concerned about the environment and permanent loss of what about online submission of industries and their profitability but natural resources figures but the complaints against pollution? now Environment, Labour and magnitude of the loss can be guessed Javadekar also said that there shall Industry Ministries have exclusively from some of the facts emerging be a maximum time limit for the dedicated themselves to these from various important research entire approval process, with stage- concerns. works on status of environment in wise timelines and promised Gujarat. continuous efforts to bring down the Modi government’s main timelines for each stage. But what priority is speedy environment We should understand this new about the time limit to resolve clearance for the industries and not challenge and it is the time for the complaints against polluting the environment protection. Its all the environment and trade union industries? manifesto clearly states “Frame the movements to launch collective environment laws in a manner that struggle against this move of the Now we are in the era where all provides no scope for confusion and present government. the three ministries the will lead to speedy clearance of the - Rohit Prajapati Gujarat Textbooks

The Father of the Nation, Mahatma schools of Gujarat board, even of the social science textbook ratify Gandhi, was assassinated on October suggests that leaders like Dadabhai that the Mahatma set up his first 30, 1948. And it was Japan that nuked Navroji, Surendranath Bannerjee Satyagraha Ashram at Kochrab in US during World War II! These are and were Ahmedabad in May 1925 (instead of just two of the ‘nuggets of wisdom’ among leaders considered 1915).– The Times of India out of an inexhaustible mine of ‘extremists’ within the Congress factual errors in Social Science during the Indian freedom Madhu Dandavate English medium textbook for movement. (They were, in fact, the By Standard 8 published by the Gujarat moderate faces of the party.) Council of Educational Research and B. Vivekanandan Training ( GCERT). The textbook also teaches Price: Rs. 20/- impressionable minds that after In this information age, when the Partition in 1947, a new nation was answer to any question is just a born called, ‘Islamic Islamabad’, Janata Trust mouse click away, such errors are and that its capital was Khyber Ghat unacceptable. in the Hindukush mountains. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, The textbook, which is being Two chapters of the textbook are Grant Road (W), studied by more than 50,000 dedicated to Gandhiji. In these children in the English medium sections, the authors and reviewers Mumbai 400 007. 12 JANATA, June 8, 2014 Black Day

We call for all people’s construction of steel plant. Villagers all the members gathered determined movements and organizations, of Hansua Bachao Sanghrash Samiti to end the struggle by protecting political parties, activists, are organising a mass demonstration their motherland, natural resources intellectuals and people at large to before district collectorate office at and the ancestral territory and commemorate the “Black Day” on Jagatsinghpur office on 21 June habitat of the Paudi Bhuyan Adima June 22, 2014. As you may know 2014 against this unjust and illegal Janjati and other forest dwelling this is the 9th anniversary of the day declaration. We also came to know populations. when the MOU was signed between from the media that the officials are The leaders of various anti- Government of Odisha and POSCO. planning to convene the meeting displacement movements in For the last nine years, the with few villagers for discussion on Odisha were also joined in POSCO and the state government compensation package. PPSS is solidarity like Abhay Sahoo, Posco has employed n number of tactics strongly determined to oppose such Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, Parfulla to sabotage our peaceful democratic illegal and arbitrary moves and to Samantara President, Lok Shakti movement. It started influencing our fight tooth and nail for any such Abhiyan and Lingaraj, Convener, people through declaring packages attempt of the administration of the Western Odisha Farmers as a part of Corporate Social Government. Organisations’ Coordination Responsibility (CSR), continuous On 5th June, at village Budhabhui, Committee besides, Talsara atrocities on our peaceful protesters, Lahunipara block, thousands of Congress MLA Prafulla Majhi and uncalled for and illegal arrests, false tribal communities including the Banamali Dhupal, Secretary, CPM police cases, unleashing of a reign Paudi Bhuiyan and Munda, PVTGs Sundargarh attended on behalf of of terror by using private goons and coming from far-flung villages, its Bonai legislator Laxman so on. They want our people and gathered under the aegis of Munda. In the meeting, members solidarity groups to get tired and Khandadhar Suraksha Sangram appealed to the Central and State leave up the struggle. We are Samiti (KSSS) daring the baking Governments to ensure that mining determined to continue our fight till heat, with their traditional weapons. operation is not allowed in 25 km POSCO withdraw the project. To They pledged to save the bio-rich radius of the waterfall and accord make this struggle a success, we Khandadhar from mining and vowed national natural heritage status to earnestly request you to support our to lay down their lives to save their the site. Besides, it also demanded cause despite continuous and ancestral land from POSCO. The strict implementation of the Forest misleading propaganda made by head of Paudi Bhuiyan Adima Rights Act in the region to POSCO. Janajati, Bilua Naik administered the recognise the forest dwellers’ As per the last update, the water oath in this regard and the World community ownership and habitat resource department has given an Environment Day was observed as rights of Paudi Bhuyan and Munda unwarranted permission to POSCO Save Khandadhar Day. A protest ( PVTGs). to draw water from Hansua River for march was taken to the venue and –Prashant Paikary, POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti Dangers Country

Surprise but true, India has turned violence afflicted Syria fare far major blasts in the country between out to be the ‘third most dangerous ‘better’ than India. In India, around 2004 and 2013, the data revealed, country in the world’ in terms of 212 bombs rocked the country in the “There has been an average of 298 bomb blast only after Iraq and year 2013 itself, which is twice of blasts and 1,337 casualties in India,” Pakistan, said a latest data from what Afghanistan (with 108 blasts) reports Rediff. This turns out to be National Bomb Data Centre. witnessed. much more than what Afghanistan According to the data, even war-torn witnessed in the last five years that countries like Afghanistan and Examining the frequency of (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, June 8, 2014 13 Is rejection of UPA the rejection of secularism, welfarism?

Harsh Mander

The dust has settled on India’s and significant recruitment even from their depleting forests, farmers most massive, noisy, expensive and from the subaltern castes. driven to despair and suicide, bitterly fought election. This was no weavers and artisans threatened to ordinary election. What was waged Who then are the losers of this extinction, and women in unpaid or was no less than a battle for India’s election, the two in three voters who under-paid work, over 200 million soul. opposed the victorious political people who still sleep hungry, over formation? There is first the secular 100 million people condemned to No election in the country’s Indian; an anguished friend wrote to the squalor of slums, young people history has left the moral, social and me that she hoped history would who never had the chance to go to political landscape of India so forgive us for what we have become. school, and people for whom each profoundly divided. Never has the I do not mean just the numerically health emergency is a catastrophe triumphalism and euphoria of the small upper-class liberal elite, but which pushes them further into supporters of the winning side millions of ordinary Indians in the penury. These forgotten exiles from contrasted so starkly with such small towns and villages of the hope are also exiles from the despair and desolation of the people, country who — in the ways they live triumphs and promises of this who feel that it is they — and not their lives — oppose ideologies of election. merely the parties they support — difference and divisiveness and who have been vanquished. uphold an unequal but intensely The emphatic rejection by pluralist civilisation. significant sections of the voters of In the puzzling arithmetic of the out-going Congress-led India’s first-past-the-post election The second set of losers are government is interpreted by the system, only one in three voters India’s minorities, especially winners as the decisive rejection of backed the winning side, whereas Muslims but also Christians, who – maybe even the deathblow to – two voted against it. Who are the are stunned and frightened by the ideas of both secularism and the winners of the 2014 elections, who scale of majoritarian consolidation, welfare State. I believe that this is a voted for the ascendant political unmatched even by the aftermath of grave misreading of the message of formation and who celebrate its Partition and the demolition of the the voters. It is the performance of conquest as their own? They include Babri Masjid, the two lowest points the government on these two not just large numbers of India’s in communal relations in yardsticks of secularism and welfare urban middle and upper classes — independent India. Muslim friends which have been rightly rejected by its influential cheerleaders — but confessed to have wept when they the electorate. But the ideas also people Narendra Modi heard the results. In a low-income themselves remain critical for the describes as the ‘neo-middle class’ Muslim settlement in Delhi, there survival and well-being of a country or the aspirational class: Those who was an unusual air of uneasy of such immense diversity of belief- have not yet entered the middle quietude the evening of the results. systems and ways of life, and of so class, but are hopeful, impatient and ‘Mussalman khauf kha gaya hai’ many million residents who still live ambitious to benefit from India’s (Muslims are in fear), a resident in abject and hopeless poverty and growth story, dreaming of well-paid explained. Also in dread of a want. jobs, plastic cards, bulging renewed homophobic backlash are shopping-bags and mounting EMIs. India’s sexual minorities. I grieve not at the blow to the Many among these are first-time opportunistic secularism of all the voters, between 18 and 22 years. The The third set of losers are India’s political parties which lay claim to third and most decisive support has very poor people — footloose this ideology, but to the secularism been of a unified Hindu vote bank, migrant workers, landless farm of Gandhi and the freedom with a blurring of most caste-lines labourers, forest dwellers displaced movement, and the pluralism in the 14 JANATA, June 8, 2014 lived reality of the majority of between people of diverse faiths, minds of our young people must and ordinary Indians, their instinctive cultures, castes, classes and social will be won in the end by the ideas respect for all cultures and religions mores. of justice, solidarity, public (including even the rejection of compassion and reason. I am religion). It was an article of faith Ideologies centered on convinced that today’s masses of for many of us that the BJP could majoritarian domination and the losers are ultimately — in the battle never secure a majority on its own individualist material progress may for the soul of India — on the right because the majority of Indians — have won this round of battle. But side of history. Hindu, Muslim and of other faiths the larger battle for the hearts and — are opposed to divisive – Aman Biradari ideologies. But in this election, not It’s widely known that income inequality varies a great deal among still a majority but sufficient advanced countries. In particular, disposable income in the United States numbers voted for the aggressive and Britain is much more unequally distributed than it is in France, majoritarianism of the BJP to give Germany or Scandinavia. It’s less well known that this difference is it a mandate to rule on its own. primarily the result of government policies. Data assembled by the Luxembourg Income Study (with which I will be associated starting this Many also interpret the election summer) show that primary income — income from wages, salaries, assets, mandate as the death-knell of the and so on — is very unequally distributed in almost all countries. But idea of welfare and social protection. taxes and transfers (aid in cash or kind) reduce this underlying inequality In the development model on offer, to varying degrees: some but not a lot in America, much more in many other countries. the State will encourage private So does reducing inequality through redistribution hurt economic investment and pull back on direct growth? Not according to two landmark studies by economists at the State interventions for good-quality International Monetary Fund, which is hardly a leftist organization. The universal government schools and first study looked at the historical relationship between inequality and health centres, direct job creation growth, and found that nations with relatively low income inequality do and nutrition. But India’s high- better at achieving a sustained economic growth as opposed to occasional growth years threw up few jobs. The “spurts.” The second, released last month, looked directly at the effect of experience of no country in the income redistribution, and found that “redistribution appears generally world demonstrates that the health benign in terms of its impact on growth.” and educational needs of poor At this point someone is sure to say, “But doesn’t the crisis in Europe households can be met adequately show the destructive effects of the welfare state?” No, it doesn’t. Europe by private profit-led enterprises is paying a heavy price for creating monetary union without political instead of the State. union. But within the euro area, countries doing a lot of redistribution have, if anything, weathered the crisis better than those that do less. Many people who regard But how can the effects of redistribution on growth be benign? Doesn’t themselves as the losers of this generous aid to the poor reduce their incentive to work? Don’t taxes on the rich reduce their incentive to get even richer? Yes and yes — but election are bracing for a long and incentives aren’t the only things that matter. Resources matter too — and dark winter, of majoritarian State in a highly unequal society, many people don’t have them. and social domination, of active Think, in particular, about the ever-popular slogan that we should seek State discrimination against equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. That may sound good religious, sexual and other to people with no idea what life is like for tens of millions of Americans; minorities, and of the rigours caused but for those with any reality sense, it’s a cruel joke. Almost 40 percent of by the dismantling of the American children live in poverty or near-poverty. Do you really think architecture of welfare and social they have the same access to education and jobs as the children of the protection. I believe instead that this affluent? is a time for critical reflection and In fact, low-income children are much less likely to complete college regrouping, for reclaiming and re- than their affluent counterparts, with the gap widening rapidly. And this energising the ideas and practice of isn’t just bad for those unlucky enough to be born to the wrong parents; it pluralism and social democracy, and represents a huge and growing waste of human potential — a waste that for new social and political surely acts as a powerful if invisible drag on economic growth. movements for social solidarities –Paul Krugman JANATA, June 8, 2014 15 More with Less

Doing more with less: Reducing Doing more with less becomes a He wanted individual production total cost of ownership With the ever focal point of IT manager who had by spinning wheel at homes to be growing IT infrastructure, it is hitherto been looking for more multiplied in many folds across the estimated that approximately 80% of projects with more cost. Lowering country which would give both mass the expenses in the IT firms is the TCO lowers the costs in staffing, production of a tremendous scale targeted towards maintenance and infrastructures and regains the lost and even distribution of the support for the existing productivity. Keeping it below 35% produced. In his own words, “… if infrastructure. It has become is a challenging task but it is a there is production and distribution apparent with the decades of hundred percent assurance on both in the respective areas where experience in setting up permanent success of any project. things are required, it is and temporary locations, resources automatically regulated and there is and fixed assets that most of the Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of less chance for fraud, none for funds are going towards maintaining mass production reflects the similar speculation.” and supporting these installations management technique of reducing rather than reallocating them to more total cost of ownership (TCO) but Huge costs on power-driven essential projects. with slightly different variants. machinery, even if state-owned, will be of no avail. Today’s business Many IT pros are always battling Machinery based mass conditions and infrastructure are to maintain balance between production concentrates only on resulting out of hunger for profits productivity and budget pressures. large scale production without and racing for a competitive edge. Even as the better infrastructure and considering the requirement of the Mass production, mass utilization of facility management increases the consumer and regulating the man hours and mass accumulation productivity it is becoming distribution channels. It increases of profits drives today’s business increasingly important to throw big the cost of setting up of houses destructive and dependent. fund for enhancing them regularly infrastructure, spending on and on a frequent basis. Thus, it resources. It reduces the human A paradigm shift is required in the creates pressure on allocating heavy labour giving room only for their business environment to promote budget to start-ups and high end leisure and psychological disorders. production by the masses, optimal projects increasing the total cost of Gandhiji believed that such kind of work hours and evenly distributed ownership (TCO). mechanization is meant either to profits so as to develop more enrich the few at the expense of the constructive and conducive It has now become an art of how many, or cause to displace the useful atmosphere for the common good. to keep budget low to do more. labour of many. – Techni-Gandhi-Center

(Continued from Page 12) Janata Subscription is a maximum of 209 such attacks Eastern states (Assam and Annual Rs. : 260/- in 2010. are worst affected) and Maoist- Three Years : 750/- infested states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh Demand Draft / Cheque The three most dangerous and Jharkhand) contributing to over on countries - Pakistan, Iraq and India 80 percent of IED attacks emerges Mumbai Bank - account for almost 75 percent of as the most affected states by in favour of bomb blasts suffered in the world. bomb blasts. Another disturbed But, when it comes to attacks state like Jammu and Kashmir JANATA TRUST targeted at common public, India suffered 50 percent increase in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, is much better. In terms of state- Naushir Bharucha Marg, bomb blasts in 2013 when Mumbai 400 007 wise analysis in India, North compared with 2012. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 8, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, June 8, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday June 11, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 20 So far, so good June 15, 2014 Viswam S

Modi back to his agenda No other government in the post- disciplinary action if the babus were Kuldip Nayar independence decades has aroused found guilty of nepotism, such high hopes and expectations as absenteeism, unpunctuality and if he Does NaMo Need the Modi dispensation has. Apart found the Secretariat walls splashed a Social Agenda? from the assurances of “minimum with paan stains and if the North government, maximum governance” Block-South Block toilets stank. K. S. Chalam which Modi himself offered during One of his dictats was particularly his vigorous and lively campaign, welcome. He asked babus, and Kerala deviates the fact that the BJP commands a through them the public, to stop from national politics Lok Sabha seat tally of 282 on its touching his feet. Veteran journalist P. Viswambharan own and 335 as part of the NDA M. C. Chalapati Rau famously helped push popular expectations described the “Congress culture” as Resisting Modi sky high. It was only to be expected “lick-booting and touch-feeting”, through mass struggles therefore that the actions and and nothing is more deplorable in the Praful Bidwai utterances of the new government present-day national politics than the would be subjected to intense and sycophancy and hero-worshipping Election reforms critical public scrutiny. The outcome in the Congress which has made a S. V. Nadkarni of the scrutiny between Modi’s cult out of personality-cum-dynastic assumption of office and now has styles. Modi’s implied rejection of entirely been in Modi’s favour. But the cult and touch-feeting culture is The Corporate is these are early days. Whether the a refreshing change. the only winner current momentum is sustained or Javed Jamil whether it falls by the wayside Modi captured public depends on how far Modi is able to imagination with his (first) decision Editor : maintain the pressure on his team to to invite the leaders of neighbouring G. G. Parikh “perform or perish.” countries to his swearing-in ceremony. This was a highly Managing Editor : Guddi Like a village school headmaster innovative move and indicated that Modi has been trying to discipline India’s new prime minister was D-15, Ganesh Prasad, not only his staff and students but capable of launching new initiatives Naushir Bharucha Marg, the villagers themselves while trying in promoting its foreign policy. The Mumbai - 400 007. to impart the three R’s to them. He visits of Saarc leaders has laid a good tried to put the fear of the Lord into foundation of mutual cordiality and Email : [email protected] the officialdom by hinting at understanding on which Modi can 2 JANATA, June 15, 2014 build. With Pakistan the ball is Between the lines rolling, with the two prime ministers having established personal rapport and directing their foreign Modi back to his agenda secretaries to initiative the bilateral interaction process which aims at Kuldip Nayar expanding the level of understanding and cooperation. When Narendra Modi broke manager, following the posting of Promoting good neighourliness and down during the election campaign derogatory photographs of Shivaji cooperation as a state policy is while hailing the Bhartiya Janata and Bal Thackerey, the founder of obviously the Prime Minister’s Party (BJP), a pro-Hindu outfit, as extremist Shiv Sena. Mohsin was thrust in foreign policy. Shri Modi his mother I thought it was an a suspect, with no evidence and is concentrating on the region first, emotional outburst. And I felt proof. before getting ready to turn his sights assured when he said after to the west. With the western world, becoming India’s Prime Minister True, the BJP condemned the Modi’s interaction is set for that he would take along with him murder. But this was an ideal September when he will meet all the 125 crore Indians on the opportunity for Prime Minister Modi President Obama on the sidelines of path to development. to assure the Muslims, feeling the UN General Assembly. Perhaps insecure, that his government would other bilateral visits may follow, but But as the party unfolds its see to it that the perpetrators were his choice of Bhutan for his first programme, I find that it is only a brought to book quickly. Even when foreign visit is a good pointer to his cover up of the divisive strategy that specifically requested for a word of interest in firming up India’s the RSS has formulated. Modi sympathy for the victim’s families regional interests. It is not without projects an image of unbiased person Modi kept quiet. significance that he will go to Japan while the BJP-cum-RSS takes steps in July, for strong ties with the two to dilute pluralism. The RSS is This attitude should not come as major Asian powers, China and already posting its trusted men as a surprise. As Gujarat chief Japan, are very important for India’s members of different commissions minister in 2002 when more than long-term foreign policy goals. or at key positions. The youth from 200 Muslims were killed with the the cadres are being recruited for complicity of the administration, Every prime minister brings to his lower assignments. Since including the police, he never administration his own style of bureaucracy tilts in the direction to expressed regret. In fact, Modi operations. Modi is no different. His which the wind blows the BJP and threw at the face of criticism a first few actions show that he prefers RSS are finding no resistance in clean chit he got from a magistrate to deal directly with the bureaucrats implementing their agenda. court at home. Till today he has not and that he is temperamentally said sorry. His regret at the murder inclined to centralize powers in his Sharad Pawar, former in Pune would have gone a long own hands or in his own office. A Agriculture Minister, who was also way to assuage the feelings of strong PMO is nothing new for the chief minister of Maharashtra, Muslims and strengthen the idea of India, Indira ran one all her prime is justified in his remark that after India based on the concept of ministerial tenure, but poor Dr. the BJP’s victory communalism is pluralism. Manmohan Singh had to suffer beginning to be visible all over. external domination in the person of And this is only in the first People like me want to assure the the super-prime minister Sonia fortnight of Modi’s government. It Muslim community, roughly 15 to Gandhi. The danger of promoting a is yet to run the full course of five- 16 crore, that it has nothing to fear super-strong PMO is that Cabinet year term. What happened in Pune, because India follows the ministers are reduced to mere the most liberal city in Constitution which guarantees to ornaments while all decisions vest Maharashtra, indicates the forces every citizen equality before the law. in the PMO bureaucracy. It remains which have run amuck. An There are courts, the media and extremist Hindu group killed liberal voices which are on the side (Continued on Page 4) Mohsin Sheikh, a 28-year-old IT of the Muslims if the community JANATA, June 15, 2014 3 becomes a target. This was seen when the Babri masjid was Does NaMo Need demolished and the Gujarat anti- a Social Agenda for Peace? Muslim riots took place.

Those who have asked for K. S. Chalam Article 370 giving a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir Now PM NaMo has taken the similar jolt. There could be are the same elements which are reins of power in Delhi in his different creations of boards or anti-Muslim. Article 370 is as old hands, it is time to reflect on the cells to provide unsolicited advice as the Constitution, more than 65 issues that are significant to be and also paid guidance to the years. But since Jammu and prioritised for good governance. It current dispensation as the content Kashmir is a Muslim majority seems the consultants made him to of reforms has remained the same. state, they have found the send strong signals that he is not What is significant here is that the atmosphere during the Modi different from the previous so-called ideology or principles regime conducive to challenge the governments in allowing FDIs and that are considered as distinct seem state’s status. They do not know other economic policies. He has to be disappearing. the history; nor are they interested gone a step forward in telling the in finding out the facts. world that the propaganda against On the second day of assuming his party and his coalition as being charge as Prime Minister, When the British paramountcy divergent is not true and that in fact Narendra Modi has given a list of lapsed in August 1947, the choice they are alike in colour and taste 10 points to indicate his priorities. before roughly 560 princely states except the language. The This reminds one of what P V was either to integrate with India or protagonists are expert linguists Narasimha Rao had mandated in go with the newly constituted who have been controlling the 1991. This is a very interesting and Pakistan, taking into consideration nation with gift of their gab and robust system of continuity of the religion of the majority of are not fundamentalist either in economic policy without the prime subjects. The ruler could stay economic or in belief systems. movers or political leadership. independent if he so desired. They can hoodwink any critic with This has been done in some countries through the so-called Jammu and Kashmir’s ruler their compatriots in the media and permanent government or belatedly therefore, it is not a problem to bureaucracy, but in India we have joined the Indian union even though continue the agenda of reform. seen diverse opinions expressed by the state’s majority population was Modi has also got the nod of them through their writings. Muslims. My reading is that approval of his agenda from the Interestingly none of them has Kashmir would have gone to headquarters. Therefore, the decks opted out while in service (few Pakistan if it had been patient. But it are cleared to embark upon an old exceptions) and boasts of so many first sent tribal and then the regular agenda initiated and implemented things later. But, our concern here forces to annex the state. The by the previous regime, to carry it is about the common man and how maharaja signed the instrument of further. these reforms are going to benefit accession in favour of India to get The road to easy flow of them? its forces to stop the murders. He reforms has already been laid by transferred only three subjects— the experts while the previous Out of the ten points, only one - Defence, Foreign Affairs and regime was in power. Some of prioritise education, health, water, Communications—to India. them have first left for the Mecca energy and roads - is directly concerned with people or Aam The state retained other subjects. of reforms by critiquing the slow Admi. In fact these are the sectors Article 370 is the codification of that pace of governance sensing regime that are totally in shambles due to understanding. If the Union of India change after relishing the benefits the priority given to policies that wants more subjects, it is for Jammu and perks. They are going to re- join the present dispensation soon are based on market recipes. There (Continued on Page 14) and Modi must be prepared to face was utter confusion both in the 4 JANATA, June 15, 2014 bureaucracy and in the Planning bodies, know very well what several factors for reckoning to Commission about the outcomes matters in action. It is very provide relief in considering that and strategies to achieve the simplistic to dismiss that it is all of a region, language, religion, identified results. There seemed to due to the inefficient functioning caste, gender, age, distance and so be no sage advice offered to the of the state or the rent seekers. In on. Therefore, Modi government government on these issues though fact one could attribute the same should concentrate on social policy there were competent persons to motives to the academics, who are that takes care of the consequences contribute to the efficient blind to the situation on the of Western models of growth and functioning of the sectors, may be ground, and are pleased with the bring peace. due to parallel structures working manufactured empirical results. In with no accountability. The the recent past there have been It seems that Modi has realised arrogance and self-indulgence of very few studies as to how the enormity of burden of the job some of the ex-bureaucrats turned corporations like Reliance, Adani, within three days of taking charge NGOs who guided the previous Tata, etc. have manipulated in Delhi as his experience with regime received the ugliest retort records, technology and even Gujarat was limited to only seven from the common man who never government machinery to remain per cent of GDP and restricted to a had an access to power centre. Of profitable. There is a possibility small geographical area. India is so course, it has not affected the rich that some of the experts might say vast, diversified and the forces are and the privileged that could get that this is due to the inefficient so well entrenched that can blow education abroad, world class functioning of CAG, a bureaucrat. off anyone or policy with their health care, sparkling urban roads The best or efficient governance, total control of 3Ms - money, mafia and unlimited supply of most as per experts is one where and media. The humble personal hygienic water. At present, we government dissolves, leaving the and physical gestures that Modi expect that Modi government way for wolves. displayed to the public would would learn from the past make him a successful PM experience of his predecessors and We are all aware that most of the provided he limits himself to social change the direction particularly in problems in our society are policy leaving economic issues to withdrawing Education and other interrelated. Inequality of the real regulators. Otherwise how pending draconian Bills. opportunity, economic deprivation could he or his NDA be different and structural rigidities are from the previous regime? Most of the social tensions encroaching on our social either in advanced countries or in institutions perpetuating some of (Continued from Page 2) India are related to the factors that our inapt traditions. Modi, more are economic in nature. than anyone in the past who had to be seen how far Modi wants to Academics, who are critical about occupied the chair, knows the pain carry the centralization process. Amartya Sen and his theories, do of discrimination, deprivation, also know the intensity of the divide and despair that lay On current showing it would problems and instinctively discern deserved persons excluded. It is seem that India is entering an era of that in reality their own theoretical collusion of crooks that go with the a strong prime minister who will frameworks do not work. The so-called success in market and it expect results from the bureaucracy, animal spirits about which the would create more agony if a cabinet whose performance will be economists are so fond of do land corrective measures are not monitored, a strong PMO which will us in the animal kingdom in our initiated by a competent person. oversee programme-policy imple- mad run for a share in limited Further, most of the Western mentation and an officialdom geared resources. It is not efficiency or advisers know very little about our to a new harsher regimen of longer merits that guide the distribution social tensions that are intertwined working hours and prompt or sharing of resources or with economic policies. For deliveries. Not a bad scenario at all. accumulation of capital. Those instance, social security they think We only hope that the system, which who are in jails and those who are is same as giving doles, means has turned sluggish in the last one behind politicians sponsoring tested allowances and the decade can endure the new demands candidates on policy making corresponding laws. But, we have and new pressures. Best of luck! JANATA, June 15, 2014 5 Kerala deviates from national politics

P. Viswambharan

Very often Kerala State deviates governments, setting example to Christians. All the four LDF from the rest of the nation’s politics. other states and the Centre. The first members belonged to CPI(M). Now, This time also it happened like that. coalition government in India was a peculiar position has emerged in In the 2014 Election while the BJP formed in 1960 in Kerala with the the 2014 election in which both the has made history by winning Congress and Praja Socialist Party UDF and LDF claim credit of absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, (PSP) as partners. This coalition victory and at the same time allege Kerala is the only major state in the lasted for 21/2 years and then the PSP defeat against each other. This time country which has not returned even quit the coalition. For the next two UDF has won 12 seats, the break up a single BJP member. Kerala years there was a single-party being Congress 8, Muslim League remains the only state from where Congress Government, the only 2, Kerala Congress(M) l and BJP is yet to open its account both instance of Congress running its own Revolutionary Socialist Party(RSP) in Parliament and in the State party government in Kerala. Then 1. RSP is a new entrant to UDF. This Legislature. for 21/2 years there was President’s party broke away from the LDF just Rule. This is also a record. In no before the poll and joined UDF This feature of Kerala - deviating other state there has been President’s because the CPI(M) refused any from mainstream national politics – Rule for such a long period. The next constituency to it. Among the eight was evident from the very formation election took place in 1967 which LDF winners five are CPI{M), two of the state. It may be noted that resulted in a seven-party coalition CPI(M) supported independents and Kerala state was formed in 1956 by led by the CPI(M) forming the one CPI . The ruling UDF claims integration of former - ministry. Since then there have been that winning 12 seats out of the total Cochin state and the Malabar district only coalition governments of of 20 in the state is a grand victory of former Madras state. The first Congress-led United Democratic in the background of the most election to the Kerala Legislative Front (UDF) and CPI(M)-led Left humiliating defeat of UPA and the Assembly was held in 1957 as part Democratic Front (LDF). These two Congress at all India level and a vote of the second general election in fronts seize alternate chances. of confidence on the state India. Then, Kerala was the only government. At the same time the state in the country which defeated In elections to the Parliament also LDF also claims credit for doubling the mighty Indian National the above pattern has been followed. its strength from four to eight, even Congress, enabling a non-Congress In 2004 out of the 20 seats Kerala though it expected more seats. The party to secure a majority in the State had the LDF sent 18 members to the CPI(M) regrets very much the defeat Legislature and to form its ministry. Lok Sabha while UDF could return of its Polit Bureau member M.A More important is the fact that the only one (and that too a Muslim Baby at the hands of the RSP winning party was the Communist League member ). The 20th seat went candidate. Baby, a sitting MLA, a Party of India and it was the first to an independent supported by the former state minister and former instance in the world of a communist National Democratic Alliance Rajya Sabha member was the only party taking over power through (NDA). Thus there was not a single Polit Bureau member to contest in ballot. Since then the history of Congress member from Kerala in the this election and it was reported that Kerala has been that of the Congress 14th Lok Sabha . But in 2009 there he was set up by the party with the and Communist Party-Marxist was a U-turn, the UDF winning 16 idea of elevating him as the leader (CPIM) taking over power seats leaving only 4 to the LDF. Of of the CPI(M) in Lok Sabha. alternately, not single handed, but by the 16 UDF members l3 belonged leading coalitions. to the Congress, two to the Indian The 2014 election exhibits some Union Muslim League (IUML) and other interesting features for the Kerala has also the distinction of one to the Kerala Congress(M), a small state of Kerala, having just establishing the practice of coalition regional party dominated by three percent of the population of 6 JANATA, June 15, 2014

India. State-wise it has sent the in elections. Religion-wise Party days. When the Janata Party largest contingent of 12 to UPA (if composition of the state’s population was formed, in the Kerala unit of that that formation is still there) and the is as follows: Hindus 55%, Muslims party the socialists were the leading second largest team (8) to the 25% and Christians 20%. Hindus are group and continued to be so in the Congress party in Parliament, the divided into a quite a large number Janata Dal. When the Janata Dal at first position going to Karnataka (9). of castes and never stand ‘united’. the all India level broke into several In the same vein CPI(M) in Kerala During the elections, and in matters parties the Kerala unit remained in can claim the credit of sending relating to government service, Janata Dal(S). Five years ago this majority members (5+2 reservations, etc. Hindu backward JD(S) unit split into two and one Independents) to its Lok Sabha team. castes make alliances cutting across group under the leadership of M. P. Similarly Kerala has saved CPI from religious barriers. On the other hand Veerendrakumar formed a new state total extinction in Lok Sabha by Muslims and Christians generally party called Socialist Party sending one member. Same is the stand united. In the elections (Democratic) and the other group case with RSP. It has to be noted that Muslims almost unitedly vote for continues in JD(S) with Mathew T. Kerala is the only state that has either the Muslim League candidates Thomas as state chief. returned Muslim League members or those supported by that party. Veerendrakumar’s party defected to the 16th Lok Sabha (2). Muslim League is the number two from LDF and joined the Congress- party in the UDF. The Christian led UDF. In the last Lok Sabha poll But, the most outstanding feature votes generally go either to the both the above mentioned leaders of Kerala politics is that it is the only Congress or the Kerala Congress contested, Veerendrakumar as UDF major state in the country where BJP which is actually a breakaway group candidate from Palakkad has failed to open its account in both of Indian National Congress and constituency and Mathew T. Thomas Houses of Parliament as well as in controlled by the Church. Kerala as LDF candidate from Kottayam . the State Legislature in spite of the Congress also is in the UDF. Both got defeated with margins of fact that the party is quite active in Regarding Hindu votes, they go over one lakh votes. Thus, while all the 14 districts and has acquired dividedly to all big and small parties generally Kerala state deviates from nearly 11 per cent votes in the latest belonging to both the fronts (UDF mainstream national politics, the poll. BJP’s seniormost Kerala leader and LDF) and also to the BJP. In Socialists here still follows the and a former minister in Vajpayee other words BJP gets only a fraction traditional all-India trend of their Government, O. Rajagopal came a of Hindu votes. Muslims and folk viz. splitting and abusing each very close number two in Christians take a firm anti-BJP stand other and getting ridiculed by the constituency, and in constituencies where BJP has people at large. to be defeated by the sitting member a fare chance of victory, they cross and Union Minister Shashi Tharoor even their front loyalty and vote for by a narrow margin of 15000 votes. the strongest candidate opposing the During the previous NDA regime BJP, with a view to ensure the defeat Madhu Dandavate Rajagopal was elected to the Rajya of the BJP. Rajagopal has been a By Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and victim of this strategy more than B. Vivekanandan was elevated to the position of once. In short, a combination of the Minister of State in the Railways and religious minorities who account 45 Urban Development Ministries. lt is per cent of the population and a large a well accepted fact that as a Union section of Hindus loyal to various Price: Rs. 20/- Minister he was of great service to secular parties ensure BJP’s defeat. Kerala. Why even such a senior and Yet, the BJP is consistently popular leader with unblemished increasing its strength in the local Janata Trust character and image as Rajagopal bodies. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, could not win the election? Naushir Bharucha Marg, Lastly, a word about Socialists. Despite the high level The Socialists were a considerably Grant Road (W), politicization of Kerala citizens, strong political force in Kerala Mumbai 400 007. religion and caste play a major role during the PSP, SSP and Socialist JANATA, June 15, 2014 7 Resisting Modi through mass struggles

Praful Bidwai

As Narendra Modi chooses his underprivileged religious-minority Misra’s is clearly a political team of advisers and top bureaucrats, groups against majoritarianism, the appointment. He is no ordinary some commentators are appealing to ministry’s liberal-democratic bureaucrat. He was until recently on him to follow proper appointment rationale. the executive council of the procedures, adopt the dharma of Vivekananda International inclusion, and “reach out” to the 69 Modi has shown no respect for Foundation, a well-funded Right- percent of the electorate who didn’t settled democratic conventions in wing think-tank located in vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party making appointments. Thus, instead , New Delhi’s – and especially assure Muslims that of choosing someone with scholarly diplomatic enclave. they should feel safe under him gravitas, interest in academic despite the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. pursuits, or a deep understanding of VIF (www.vifindia.org) is an the challenges education faces in offshoot of the , These commentators are India, he allotted the weighty started in 1972 by Eknath Ranade, unpardonably naïve in asking Modi cabinet-rank human resource former RSS general secretary. VIF to do the opposite of what he stands development portfolio to former played a crucial, if silent, role in for. If Modi wanted to send a actress Smriti Irani who has shown Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare’s message of conciliation to Muslims, no interest in or aptitude for anti-corruption protests beginning he would have long ago mourned education, and who filed 2011. It runs several security-and and expressed sincere regret for the contradictory affidavits about her foreign policy-related and 2002 killings. He hasn’t done so, and educational qualifications, which “historical and civilisational studies” defiantly says there’s nothing to may be a criminal offence. programmes. apologise for: “If I’m guilty, I should be punished, but I won’t say sorry.” Worse, Modi used the ordinance VIF’s website carries hysterical route to override the Telecom pro-Hindutva and ultra-nationalist While canvassing, he wore every Regulatory Authority Act, which articles. One article describes US type of headgear, including a Sikh bars the TRAI chairman from ever scholar Wendy Doniger as someone turban and an Arunachali hat with holding government office. This who delights in “denigrating horns and petals, but pointedly, and public-interest bar – enacted, Hinduism. Most of her own and her repeatedly, refused to don a ironically, by a BJP-led government students’ dissertations/books … skullcap! in 2000 – is meant to prevent have often been described as pure favouritism and promote pornography…” Doniger’s book on The Modi government’s moral impartiality, and should have been Hinduism was recently pulped – apathy towards Muslims was even respected. setting a nasty precedent of more eloquently conveyed by the successful intimidation by the RSS- sole Muslim in the cabinet, minority Modi was in a rush to appoint sponsored Shiksha Bachao Andolan, affairs minister Najma Heptullah, former TRAI chairman Nripendra since carried over. through her first public speech Misra as his principal secretary. He declaring that India’s Muslims are refused to wait for parliament to VIF’s director is former too numerous to be a minority; that convene and amend the act. The Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval, term best applies to Parsis – India’s ordinance violates the Supreme now appointed the National Security wealthiest and most educated Court judgement in a 1987 case, Adviser. As I discovered during a community. which says the ordinance power “is television debate a few years ago, to be used to meet an extraordinary Doval belongs to a school of This makes nonsense of the idea situation and cannot be allowed to policing that believes “in shooting of protecting the rights of be perverted to serve political ends”. first and asking questions later – 8 JANATA, June 15, 2014 that’s the only way to deal with have suffered their worst-ever The solution lies in radical, terrorists”, real or imagined. defeats, winning respectively 44 and painfully critical introspection, 12 Lok Sabha seats (including two abandoning the democratic Doval rationalises fake Left-backed independents from centralism, organisational doctrine, ‘encounter killings’ and advocates a Kerala). The AAP, which showed which prevents healthy debate, and militarist approach towards Maoists great promise in December, has joining grassroots struggles. This is – regardless of legality and human come a cropper, winning only four a tall order, but the Left has no soft rights consequences. He calls for a seats, all in Punjab. options. hard line against India’s neighbours, including friendly Bangladesh, who These parties face an existential As for the AAP, it must reinvent he believes, are bent on subverting crisis. The Congress still deludes itself not as a political party, but as India’s security. itself that the Gandhi family will a political movement which offers somehow rescue it. The family new forms of participatory activity Many VIF leading lights discount refuses to own up to its leadership not narrowly focused on corruption the potential for peaceful failure. Yet, no one demands that the or “crony capitalism”. The AAP coexistence between India and party frees itself from this millstone must practise what it preaches – Pakistan. India, they demand, should and start afresh. transparency, political honesty and stop being overly “generous” inner-party consultation. It’s the lack towards its neighbours in economic Unless the Congress rebuilds its of these that aggravated the AAP’s cooperation, trade, visas, even base among the Dalits, Adivasis, crisis, leading to Shazia Ilmi’s and water-sharing. lower OBCs and the urban poor, by Yogendra Yadav’s resignations, and agitating for their livelihood rights, to Arvind Kejriwal’s discrediting as VIF, with other pro-Sangh Parivar it’s likely to go into steep, possibly an egoistic, unreliable leader. outfits such as Deendayal Research terminal, decline – especially if it Institute, Niti Central, Public Policy loses the coming assembly elections The AAP must not shy away from Research Centre, Friends of the BJP, in Maharashtra and Haryana, as ideology. It must link ‘crony Centre for Policy Studies and seems likely. capitalism’ to communal-neoliberal Rashtriya , will provide authoritarianism. The BJP embodies policy inputs to Modi. The Left’s base has been eroding all these and is the main enemy. everywhere, especially in its former Rather than concentrate excessively Under their influence, we are bastion West Bengal, where it won on the coming Delhi Assembly likely to witness a well-orchestrated the same number of seats (two) as elections, the AAP must join a campaign to shift India’s foreign, the BJP. Its leadership should have broad-based national campaign security, economic, social and responded to this with alacrity; against neoliberal Hindutva- cultural policies rightwards, in several heads should have rolled, capitalism. That’s the way forward. keeping with Modi’s own and the Left should have returned to orientation, but with disastrous vigorous mass activity instead of consequences. doing “politics from the top” based Janata Subscription on unstable, sterile electoral It’s hard to see how the feeble and alliances. Annual Rs. : 260/- demoralised parliamentary Three Years : 750/- opposition can resist this onslaught. Unless the Left urgently corrects Demand Draft / Cheque Many regional outfits like the course, updates its programmatic on Samajwadi Party buy into the BJP’s perspectives, and develops a mass- Mumbai Bank paranoid ultra-nationalist premises based mobilisation strategy by in favour of and hard line approaches. taking up issues like healthcare, food security, employment, education and JANATA TRUST Where does that leave the recent defence of people’s livelihoods D-15, Ganesh Prasad, elections’ greatest losers – the threatened by predatory industrial, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Congress, the Left, the BSP and the mining and water and power Mumbai 400 007 Aam Aadmi Party? The first two projects, it too will be doomed. JANATA, June 15, 2014 9 Election reforms

S. V. Nadkarni

General elections are over and central/ state government or any soaring near 80 thousand crores and BJP, as an individual party and NDA, municipal body or zilla-parishad/ the government debts rising to nearly as an allied group, got an absolute gram panchayat - cannot propose 3 lakh crores already. This would not majority in the 543-seated any pay rise or additional allowances have been possible if the code of Parliament of the country. There are nor any schemes involving conduct had been modified as stated no two opinions that elections are additional expenses which will above. held impartially in India and the create a deficit in the last budget of Election Commission deserves all the state body e.g. the 5th year of the Also, the rule of taking permission credit for that, considering that more state assembly. However, all for every meeting and restrictions on than 800 million voters take part in activities specifically provided in the the very contents of what is such an election. But it does not said budget could continue without permissible to be uttered, appear mean that there is no scope for the need of taking permission of the highly exaggerated. Corner improvement. In fact, there is Election Commission - as is required meetings are the back bone of real tremendous scope for improvement to-day. These are “government propaganda and should be condoned in our democratic system to make it activities” and therefore no minister from the rule. While all utterances more effective and efficient. or political person will be involved that can cause hatred or animosity in inaugurating such activities during among various sections of society The Code of Conduct, usually the entire year. All relevant must be strictly prohibited, it was enforced three months before the information will be given by the ridiculous that personal comments or actual date of voting leaves much to government officers - strictly as a sly comments were also scrutinized be desired. As it is, we have a “state activity” without reference to by the Commission. A certain benefit bureaucracy which is most lethargic any political party. Similarly, no top of doubt must be allowed during the and needs to be whipped - literally - post will be filled without the debates of electioneering. After all, to get any work done. The present specific permission of the Election we must have faith in the intelligence code of conduct nearly paralyses all Commission during this year. Even of the common man - he/she cannot government activities for the period if the elections become inevitable be led away by clumsy speeches and of three months as soon as election suddenly, before the stipulated time, sly comments. On the other hand, the is announced in the region. And there the same rules will apply forthwith Election Commission will be fully are elections after elections; the and all new projects, new justified in banning all “Road Maharashtra state assembly elections increments, or new (additional) Shows”. Road shows are very will be held in just four months grants announced in the previous expensive exercises to show off the hence. Then there will be elections three months will get automatically strength of the candidate in the for Municipalities, Zilla Parishads cancelled, unless specifically constituency with hired persons from and Gram Panchayats. How can approved by the Election outside and hired vehicles.They government functioning be virtually Commission. Such an amendment to serve no democratic function; yet stopped each time for a period of the “Code of Conduct” will allow all increase the expenses phenomenally. three months? The bureaucrats are budgeted routine activities to be waiting for an excuse to stop doing conducted unabated while all Politics is the art and science of even what is not really prohibited by attempts to “bribe” or “please” will governance, of making laws and the Election Commission. We need be curbed effectively. The decision implementing them. In USA, the to find an alternate method to prevent of the Maharashtra state government, senate members are called “Law- the government of the day from announced on 6th June, of filling 1, makers”. Can any Tom, Dick and giving “gifts” - without stopping the 32, 000 vacant posts in the sate Harry become a “law-maker”? day-to-day functioning. Is it government is a classic example of Should not there be some eligibility possible? It can be done if it is such attempts to “please” - in the face criteria for becoming a legislator or stipulated that the state body - be it of establishment costs already a parliamentarian? Rabridevi is the 10 JANATA, June 15, 2014 most glaring example- a woman who Unfortunately, instead of for the benefit of the common man. could not even sign becoming the humanizing the bureaucracy, it is Politics may not remain the “last chief minister of a state. She openly found almost invariably that resort of the scoundrels”, more confessed that she did not know politicians get bureaucratized. It educated workers may join this anything beyond cooking and becomes difficult to meet them and profession and some of them may rearing cows. Criteria do not mean they start talking the language of the eventually become better legislators. educational qualifications alone. secretaries within months of There can be many other criteria. For assuming power. The link between Similar support at the central instance: a) any one can contest the rulers and the people at large gets government will provide for another elections in local self- government snapped and even important 50000 political workers, at a cost of bodies but for contesting for state decisions of the government are not Rs. 600 crores. Together, a whopping legislation, the aspirant must get at properly explained to the common army of a lakh of political workers least 20 per cent votes in the former man. This is one major reason why will be created in the country to elections; b)The aspirant should have democracy fails; the people soon feel provide an important link between held an executive post (like that they are under dictators. The the people and the legislators. They secretary, treasurer, president at the main link between the government will belong to different political taluka level party structure for at and the people ought to be the party parties proportionate to the voting least two years; or c) the aspirant workers but they are the ones most percentage each party secures. should have managed any post neglected; nor are they trained. It is which controls a minimum of necessary to support these grass root Addition of “experts” in various hundred personnel or financially workers and train them and the fields would enliven the debates in controls a turn-over of five lakhs of easiest way to do that is to pay the parliament. It is suggested that rupees. Such criteria will prove that them around Rs. 10,000 per month 10 per cent of the seats may be added he/she is popular enough or capable through the government. If party to Rajya Sabha and these be filled enough to play the role of a law workers were paid an honorarium of by nomination from among the maker. The criteria for a Rs. 10,000 per month per every experts in various social fields. The parliamentarian can similarly be 25000 population by the allotment of seats to each party will decided – minimum 20 per cent votes government, for a population of 12 be as per the percentage of votes in state level contest or district level crores in Maharashtra state, around obtained by the party. Experts can positions or managing 1000 persons 5000 workers will benefit and the never get elected, but they are vital. or Rs. 50 lakhs turn-over. (The burden on the ex-checker will be They will give valuable advice figures are mentioned arbitrarily and around Rs. 60 crores annually. before any legislation is enacted -not are alterable in the hands of experts). Political parties could nominate comment afterwards. Once eligibility criteria are laid their candidates as per the down, all desirous of contesting the percentage of votes they have Lastly, one wonders if politics can elections will have to register their secured in the state election. Rs.60 be professionalized. It is the science names in the “eligibility register” and crores is a pittance for the of governance and the need of the only those who are registered - after government considering that it entire population. Why should not due scrutiny - will be able to contest. spends around Rs.100 crores for the entire population contribute This will eliminate all “bogus” every 1 per cent rise in D. A. of the compulsorily for the working of contestants who make the bulk in the government employees. The total political parties? A half percent turn- voting box as also prevent the absurd expenses on the employees amount over tax on all enterprises and one practice of political parties to about Rs.80,000 crores annually. percent on all employed, salaried nominating the spouse or some such Why should not the same persons will collect more than close relative when a popular leader government spend just 60 crores for enough revenue to fund all dies. An added rule that “all political workers when that can make recognized political parties. The government employees and all our democracy stronger and more distribution will be again political defectors cannot stand for meaningful? Another 15 crores could proportionate to the percentage of elections till after one year of their be spent for their training programs votes obtained by each party. (Some relinquishing office or defecting” wherein they will learn about the details need to be worked out). Both will purify the process even further. various laws and regulations made (Continued on Page 12) JANATA, June 15, 2014 11 Until Dalit women are free, no woman is free

Thenmozhi Soundararajan

This past week, the world India that has led to a first generation unsavory reality that members of the mourned with a town called Baduan of Dalit doctors, scientists, lawyers, police, judiciary, and public officials in Uttar Pradesh, India. There the and public officials. Yet the great often collude with perpetrators to raped bodies of two young girls were majority of Dalits are still keep Dalit women from filing claims found hanging in a mango tree while condemned to the margins of life. and receiving justice. behind them their grim families We live in a caste apartheid with refused to leave until justice was separate villages, places of worship, That is why we must all break the done. And as the news cycle ran and even schools. It is a lethal silence about caste-based sexual statements from International system where, according to India’s violence. We must stop talking about NGOs, UN Officials, and pundits, National Crime Records Bureau, this rape culture in terms of there was no denying that the rotting four Dalit women are raped, two individual incidents. It is more than smell of India’s strange fruit had Dalits are murdered, and two Dalit Baduan, Delhi, Bagahana, or come front and center to the world homes are torched every day. Mumbai. It is in fact the India of stage. today. We must look at this as a Baduan has woken up the world systemic, structural problem. We I am a Dalit woman, I’m here to to this reality. India’s culture of caste must look at the culpability of the tell you that this Strange Fruit has a is a culture of rape. Both for Indian state, from the police to the name and its name is caste. Just as oppression and opportunism, caste- courts. The shame intended for there is no way to understand sexual based sexual violence is meant to Dalits by these acts is actually the violence in the history of the United silence our communities. Each shame of a country that refuses to States without understanding racism, attempt to achieve equality— going protect all its citizens. From the there is no way to understand the to school, getting a job, or voting— corrupt, rural police outpost to the frequency and lack of punishment of brings greater risk of reprisal. politicians in Delhi, the culture of violence against Because at its heart, caste-based impunity protects perpetrators and right now without understanding sexual violence is about creating a denies justice for our women. caste. climate of terror so that Dalits will With such a failure of the rule of fear challenging this system. This This system ranks human beings law, the only legitimate response we reprisal violence though has now at birth, with your family’s caste have now is to fight. Dalit women reached record numbers with a determining the whole of your life— in all spheres— activists, thinkers, recent study by the National your job, your level of spiritual artists— are leading historic Campaign on Dalit Human Rights purity, and your social standing. movements all over South Asia to reporting that over 67 per cent of Those at the bottom are branded end caste and caste-based sexual Dalit women have faced some form “Untouchables”, untouchable violence. Because the world stood of sexual violence. because we are spiritually defiling with the civil rights movement in the to others and thus condemned to a United Sates and the anti-apartheid This culture of rape is also a life of exploitation. movement in South Africa, these culture of impunity where upper- movements succeeded. So too, we We are 200 million people caste Hindu perpetrators of these ask for the world to stand shoulder struggling against this unjust system. crimes are protected within India’s to shoulder with Dalit women and We are not a small fringe group, we rape culture at all levels of the justice our families to end this violence. We are a critical mass. We reject this system. UN Special Rapporteur, do not fight only for ourselves, we heinous system and call ourselves Rashida Manjoo relays in her recent fight for all who have suffered from “Dalits.” Dalit meaning broken by report on the status of women in this rape culture. oppression, but defined by struggle. India that there is a “deeply entrenched patriarchal attitude of So we ask you. Stand with us. For Since independence there has police officers, prosecutors, judicial this is our final truth: Until Dalit been an affirmative action policy in officers.” This coupled with the women are free, no woman is free. 12 JANATA, June 15, 2014 The Corporate is the only winner

Javed Jamil

On the surface Narendra Modi it was this time to bring one single and smaller towns. If he fails to curb has emerged the victor in the 2014 leader to the helm of affairs. inflation effectively, the masses will elections. The name Modi has Congress and BJP used to be of course become disenchanted vanquished every other name – that favourites with the corporate India sooner than later. Once he starts of individual, organization or but the other parties also had some failing on the economic front, he political party. People may tend to support. This time, the two other may again look towards the forces think that Hindutva, RSS or BJP leaders at the national level, Rahul of Hindutva. But the problem with have won. But the analysts have Gandhi and Arvind Kehriwal were him is that the hardcore loyalists of been quick to point out that Modi perceived as the enemies of the BJP are no more than 18 percent in hardly bothers about any of them. interests of the corporate. The the country. It means that more than He wants all of them to be nothing former showed increasing fondness 13 percent of the people who voted more than his obedient slaves. What for Welfare Economics, which the for him this time in the hope of better is however being missed altogether corporate loves to loath, and the governance may easily shift their is that even Modi is not the real latter challenged the biggest faces in allegiance as soon as the Hindutva victor. If anyone has won the 2014 the corporate India. Modi of course agenda starts coming to the fore. WAR, it is the Corporate India with was seen as a true friend, and the the backing of the Corporate corporate does not disappoint its Modi’s friends argue that Modi International. friends. The money flowed, the aims for a long innings, and would media systematically destroyed the therefore keep Hindutva at bay. But It was long back in 1997 that my image of all his adversaries, Rahul the bigger challenge for him is to book, “The Devil of Economic and Kejriwal being the favourite keep the corporate at bay. If he Fundamentalism” had shown how targets, and a kind of hype was ignores them, the media and other the forces of economics have created which brought every other market driven institutions will dump subjugated every field of human factor to naught. him. If he ignores the aspirations of existence, politics being its main the people, the other parties will source of monopolization. In the How Modi will address the jump back into reckoning. chapter entitled, “State or Estate” I corporate challenge is the moot had written: “Democracy literally question. He cannot ignore the hopes (Continued from Page 10) means ‘a government by the people, of the people which have reached individuals and enterprises could be of the people and for the people’. In unprecedented heights. The problem allowed to contribute another 1 per truth it is a corporatocracy, the is that as soon as he tries to do cent or ½ per cent resp. to any party government of the corporate, by the something that disfavours the of their choice. As this is “expense”, corporate and for the corporate. The interests of the market forces, the all the amount will be totally result is that in most of the cases it media will start questioning his Income-tax free. This will rid the is not the best among the people that intentions and methods. He would parties of the need to depend on the ascend the ladder of politics but the like to control inflation but any long “black money” from one quarter or ones chosen by the corporate, who term curb on inflation is not possible the other. Their dependence on black often prove to be the worst for the without an intervention in the money is one of the major causes people. The irony is that it is the tendency of the market to make why politicians are hesitant to take people who appear to be voting them unjustifiable profits. If he tries to put action against it - it appears to me. to power; they have no option but to the whole onus on the people elect from among those chosen by involved in the production and If democracy must flourish, we their rich masters.” supply of the agricultural products, must improve its working pattern. This election was unique in the not only this will yield only a short Here are some suggestions which sense that never in the past, the term reprieve, it will also make him can make it more efficient to deliver corporate has been as determined as an unpopular figure in the villages the goods. JANATA, June 15, 2014 13 Dams and human safety flash flood in the river Beas

The unfortunate death of 25 Water Commission (CWC) shows thickly populated village students in the flash flood in the at least 114 dams in this category. communities in the submergence of river Beas caused by sudden release There are roughly 400 dams which a single dam (SSP), the valley with of water from the 120 MW Laarji are 50-100 years old. According to a cascade of mega and medium Hydropower project has once again Madhya Pradesh government, the dams, is a disaster-in-waiting. With brought in focus the question of dam state has 168 dams which can be flawed back water level surveys, safety in the country. However, it is called “distressed dams”, out of imminent seismic risks, unregulated not yet clear on what prompted the which 63 are less than 50 years old. release of water from upstream sudden opening of the dam gates, Since 1917, 29 dams have dams; the valley is facing a virtual but one can assume it must be rains reportedly been damaged. Such death noose - the Union and state in the higher altitude. However, this breaches of dams have affected the governments have a critical role to is not new. Incidents like this keep lives and property of hundreds of play – if human life, nature and the happening and our systems to people, and, the number of those exchequer matter. manage dam gates, water release, killed and injured in such accidents warning systems, upkeep of dam has reached thousands. There is a draft Dam Safety Bill and so on continue to be neglected brought by the UPA government in and unplanned in the absence of In 1979 about 2000 persons lost 2010, on which Parliamentary monitoring from Central Water their lives when the Machhu II (in Standing Committee gave its report Commission or Ministry of Gujarat) dam gave way. Other dam in June 2011 but it was never taken Environment and Forests. This failures in the country include Ashti up after that. The Bill needs to be incident reminds us of the flash Dam in Maharashtra (this dam gave taken up again, however, it needs floods in Uttarakhand in 2012 and way twice, first in 1883 and then in to be changed to include these kinds 2013, which claimed countless lives. 1933), Tigra Dam in Madhya of operational failures and also While, whenever incidents like this Pradesh (1970), Panchait Dam on bring in independent monitoring happen there is an attempt made at Damodar River in Jharkhand in and reporting at each stage. Today portraying them as natural disasters, 1961, Khadakwasala Dam in Pune there is none. We also need as with last years’ Uttarakhand (Maharashtra) in 1961, Nanak Sagar operational rules for each project floods, the role of unbridled Dam (Uttarakhand) in 1967 and in monitoring of which the constructions, dams, deforestation Chikkahole Dam (Karnataka) in 1972. downstream community and other measures creating such representatives must have a role. It situations is not discussed. The incident has once again is then only that existing dams will Monsoons are approaching and one thrown up an opportunity for the be safe and not act as a death threat can only pray that nothing like last Central and State governments to for downstream communities. year will be repeated, given that we seriously address the issue of dam Meanwhile, we urge the refuse to learn and implement safety and ongoing construction of government that the concerned dam lessons thrown up by these disasters. various dams in the country. The authorities must be made to face serious crisis at the door step of criminal and civil charges for Till date, more than 4,500 dams the Narmada Valley must be an deliberate murder and levied have been constructed in India, out opportunity for holistic review, not exemplary fines to be paid to the of which approximately 4,000 are just from the angle of dam safety families of the deceased students. operational, and, roughly 400 new but from the wider perspective of NAPM mourns the loss of precious dams are coming up. A fair number costs and benefits of mega projects human lives and offers its of India’s dams are over 100 years like the Sardar Sarovar. With a condolences to the families and old. A list compiled by the Central population of 2.5 lakh in 245 shares their grief.

–National Alliance of People’s Movements 14 JANATA, June 15, 2014 Tragedy of drowning of 24 students

Coordination Committee of time. Fires in schools, like, the death we need to be more caring so that Associations of Teachers in Delhi of 93 students in a fire in a school in precious lives are not lost due to (CCATD) expresses deep anguish at Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu in 2004, callousness. Further, accountability the washing away of 24 young school bus accidents like, when a needs to be fixed in each case of a students of Vignan Jyothi school bus fell into a canal killing tragedy so that they are not repeated Engineering College, Hyderabad in 16 students in Andhra Pradesh in time and again. a tragic mishap downstream of the 2012, death of 5 girls in a stampede Larji dam in . in a Delhi school in 2009 and so on. CCATD demands that Ministries Collectively, we seem to lack a of Education at the Centre and the CCATD offers its heartfelt memory of these tragedies and that States must have a department which condolence to the bereaved families leads to there occurrence in different looks after the enforcement of and wishes them strength to bear this forms from time to time. mandatory safety measures in tragedy. This irreparable loss is not educational institutions in the just of the families of the students CCATD suggests that as a nation country. or the College but of the entire –Arun Kumar, President, JNU Teachers Association and others nation. We would like all those in authority to learn a lesson from this (Continued from Page 3) tragedy so that such events do not occur in the future. and Kashmir to decide because it RSS man, assassinated Mahatma joined the union on that condition. Gandhi. Then in 1949 when Reports suggest that this The Union cannot have more negotiations in response to the incident is a result of the utterly subjects without the state’s consent. appeals from the RSS to lift the ban callous attitude of the authorities Therefore, the RSS which has led to an agreement between then in charge of the matters in propelled the demand for the Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Himachal. The dam authorities abolition of Article 370 is acting Patel and the RSS in which the latter who released massive amounts of illegally. gave an undertaking that “RSS will water suddenly, without warning, not engage in political activity” and rather than slowly over a period of In fact, things have now come to that “RSS will engage only in time deserve to be condemned and such a pass that the settlement has cultural activities.” punished for their callousness. If, to have consent of three parties— as reports suggest, this was done India, Pakistan and the people of But then Patel, not satisfied with to benefit the mining mafia, then Jammu and Kashmir. If a referendum the RSS undertaking, demanded that the authorities and those of the were to be held today, the valley of it incorporate the promise not to mining mafia need to be charged Kashmir would vote for an engage in political activities in their with murder. Reports also suggest independent state. Jammu with the (Sangh’s) constitution, to seal the inordinate delay in mounting majority of Hindus would like to agreement and to freeze RSS rescue operations and for this the integrate with India and the Ladakh, permanently from political activities. local administration needs to be with the Buddhists’ majority, would That was in 1949 and subsequent to held responsible. Last but not the want to have the status of a union that the government lifted the ban on least, the attitude of the CM while territory directly under New Delhi. the organization. However, in a briefing the media about the All these considerations have made shocking betrayal, the RSS led by its tragedy must also be condemned. the problem intractable. sarsanghchalak chief, , indulged in aggressive CCATD feels that in India, In any case, the RSS should not political activity from June 2013 in educational institutions have not play politics when it claims to be a efforts to foist Modi, formerly a RSS paid enough attention to safety of cultural organization. I am reminded pracharak, in the post of Prime young lives which is resulting in of the ban imposed on it on January Minister of India. The result is before tragedies taking place from time to 30, 1948, after Nathuram Godse, an you. JANATA, June 15, 2014 15 Will Latadidi stand for the poor, made homeless?

While the housing rights of that the well-to-do families can’t eligibility of the people involved... residents of Campa-Cola compound become homeless by losing current yet their houses were bulldozed. have once again become a matter of house and most of them may have public debate and Bharatratna Lata already made alternative arrangements. Those who purchased or built Mangeshkarji, herself owner of one houses prior to 1995 or 2000 are out of the flats there, has come out in Whatever it’s, we wish Lataji on streets. Why so? support of protection to them, we could use her social and political welcome the debate. Let the debate weight in favor of all those who are When even though as a pe- and deliberation, however, get poor and hence compelled to live in election lollipop, Slum Act was focused on the wider issues related the so-called illegal houses. amended to change the cut-off date to common people striving for from 1995 to 2000, it was and it is shelter yet getting either bulldozed Meet the real homeless in Azad the duty of the State to protect them or cheated. At least now when the Maidan. Support them. The case of all, as per the notification dated May rich, elite families in Campa Cola are Ambedkar nagar in Mulund is 2, 2014. Yet the contrary happened. also facing betrayal, at the hands of typical of many other slums. The On the 19th of the last month there ‘Pure Drinks’ with impure, illegal land which they were residing on, was the brutal eviction of 130 actions of raising storeys which were since years was handed over with no families, when even some of their not permitted within the FSI limit, price tag, to cooperatives of ex- belongings got damaged. the builders-officials nexus should bureaucrats and other upper-to- come to the fore. middle class citizens but with a The agitation is on since May condition to add “Slum Rehab” to 20th till date. All promises by the Why were the builders permitted the eight societies’ federal projects. Minister of State for Housing and to carry out work beyond what was Samarth Spark Developers with officials have proved to be partial, permissible, after paying fine in society’s promoter’s son as a partner, not fulfilled and the illegality 1986 itself? How was the formation could accommodate only 50 per cent involved in demolition goes of co-operative societies permitted? of 600 families. “Why couldn’t our unattended. Have the officials of the corporation Right to Shelter be protected”, those who didn’t take action all these years declared ineligible began asking. How many, if not Lataji and such and builders been held responsible? Meanwhile the societies’ project eminent persons, common people - Why should only the residents who came under scanner. The statutory Aam Aadmis - have time and claim their ignorance be treated as enquiry was carried out and the sensitivity to come forward and meet the culprits and cheaters? Whom report is now out. The report the real homeless at Azad Maidan have they cheated personally when recommends enquiry into the in Mumbai? all the sanctions and deals were –Medha Patkar, Sumit Wajale, Ali Shaikh, between the developers and Poonam Kanojiya, Anwari Shaikh, Ramesh Kode authorities? Footprints of A Crusader These questions need to be asked (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) and the judiciary is expected to look into the same. While no one can by disrespect law, justice appears to be distant in this case. Lata Rohini Gawankar Mangeshkar’s comment that her concern is because the residents, Published by with children and aged, are being Kamalakar Subhedar, rendered homeless is, however, Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, exaggerated. Whether or not she is Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), Mumbai 400072. only for saving her own apartment Mobile: 9820092255 (which is in one of the buildings as per media reports), Lataji also knows Contribution: Rs.300+ R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 15, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, June 15, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday June 18, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 21 Vendetta politics June 22, 2014 S. Viswam

Modi back to his agenda One wishes that the Modi accommodating many BJP leaders in Kuldip Nayar government had not succumbed to various other departments and the temptation of playing vendetta offices under the government. Does NaMo Need politics by easing out the UPA- Interestingly, the Modi government a Social Agenda? appointed governors out of office. is not the first, nor will it be the last, The prime minister had raised high to indulge in the luxury of vendetta K. S. Chalam expectations in the country for politics. Predecessor governments ushering in a new style of have set the pattern which Shri Modi Kerala deviates governance. His initial actions and has also chosen to follow. Some from national politics utterances had lent flesh and blood governments in the past have not P. Viswambharan to such expectations. One gained the only got rid of governors but have impression that Narendra Modi dismissed duly elected and Resisting Modi would set new conventions and established governments of the rival through mass struggles traditions and not resort to narrow- party. The dismissal of governors Praful Bidwai minded politics which the country and governments in office is a has got used to in the last few symbol of vendetta politics played Election reforms decades. Unfortunately, such hopes by leaders like Charan Singh, V. P. S. V. Nadkarni have been belied. Singh, and Indira Gandhi. Not long ago, in 2004 the From all accounts it would seem first UPA government dismissed The Corporate is that Shri Modi has come under four governors for the only fault that the only winner tremendous pressure from his party they were appointed by the BJP and Javed Jamil to create some sinecures for its were supporters of that party. It was senior leaders who need to be in that year that the propriety, and Editor : rewarded for loyalty. Left to himself, more important the constitutionality G. G. Parikh Shri Modi may not have acted so of the action was taken to the court. precipitously and sought to get rid Centre was not a reason compelling Managing Editor : Guddi of some of the governors who are enough to get rid of a governor due to demit office in a few days/ nominated by or supportive of the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, weeks/ months in any case. The BJP political adversary. In every case, Naushir Bharucha Marg, seniors waiting in the wings to enter dismissal could be justified only by Mumbai - 400 007. the various Raj Bhavans are a source special and compelling reasons of high pressure. Shri Modi must which must satisfy the demand for Email : [email protected] also be under pressure for fairness and reasonableness. 2 JANATA, June 22, 2014 Predictably, the Congress is How billions of rupees have been snatched protesting against the Modi from the poorest construction workers and accident victims government’s targeting the Bharat Dogra governors, forgetting that when it was in office it also was intolerant Reena Mehta of governors appointed by the We see them standing workers - the Building and political rival. The BJP also shouted precariously at a height of over one Construction Workers (Regulation itself hoarse when its nominees were hundred feet or perhaps two hundred of Employment and Conditions of eased out by Sonia Gandhi in 2004. feet, contributing to the creation of Service) Act, 1996 and The Building The sad truth is that the spoils system yet another sky scraper, and shudder and Other Construction Workers has crept into the political culture of to think of the consequences that can Welfare Cess Act, 1996. These all our parties. All of them milk it result from a single wrong step. We legislations came about only after a when it suits them, but condemn it see their children crying amidst the 12 years’ long sustained campaign when it does not. dirt and dust of construction sites, by the National Campaign as working mothers find it difficult Committee for Construction Labour The mid-term ousting of to get a short break even to feed their (NCC-CL) in which various central governors - and other political babies. Far away from the trade unions campaigned unitedly. appointees - will continue as long as observation of most of us, they also Among other things, these politicians are committed to the toil at the most distant and deserted legislations provide for a cess to be spoils system one of the core features places to construct dams and power- collected on all new construction of which is rewarding partymen for plants, tunnels and bridges, roads activity at the rate of one percent of their loyalty. Now is perhaps the time and defence works, bravely facing the total budget of the construction when our political class examines the a frightening combination of being taken up. The amount thus possibility of setting up some occupational hazards, natural collected has to be deposited with healthy conventions to be followed disasters and more recently violence the Construction Workers’ Welfare by all parties when there is change by terrorists. Board for many-sided welfare of governments at the centre. There activities of construction workers are already some constitutional According to official estimates including pension, assistance in case offices well identified where there are 45 million construction of accident, housing loan, insurance incumbents change along with the workers in India - men, women and scheme, maternity benefits, change at the centre, like the office children who themselves endure the education of children, etc. of the attorney general and solicitor most wretched housing conditions to general. More offices can be named create skyscrapers and shopping These legislations apply to every ands brought under the convention. malls of ‘shining’ India. They are building or any other construction also among the most vulnerable in activity which employs ten or more It is a sad truth, however, that terms of occupational accidents and workers. It covers all Central and most of the political appointees, other hazards. State government establishments. regardless of the ideology of the parties nominating them, acted in a Instead of extending a helping These central Acts have to be partisan manner and as political tools hand to them, during the past 18 implemented by the government of of the ruling party. This brought a years ‘shining’ India has deprived every state and Union Territory. bad name to the institution of them of billions of Rupees. (at the Even after almost 18 years, the governors and made each appointee rate of millions of Rupees per implementation the Acts at the a suspect. Governors need to place day). Here is how the plunder of national level is highly inadequate. the Constitution higher than narrow this poorest section has taken Construction workers under the party interests but they seldom do. place relentlessly during the last guidance of NCL-CL have been There is no remedy for this as long decade. campaigning for the implementation as it is left to the ruling party to do of the 1996 Acts but there has to be favours to its leaders and ranks under In 1996, after a long delay, two a bigger effort at the national level the spoils system. In the ultimate important legislations were passed for satisfactory implementation. It is (Continued on Page 3) by the Parliament for construction clear that if the rules of these JANATA, June 22, 2014 3 legislations had been framed and crores (or Rs. 100 billion) during registration of construction workers their implementation had started in the last 17 years. as beneficiaries was also delayed. true spirit within one year of the passing of these legislations, then In Delhi this period has seen a So far it is only in a few places during the last 17 years or so billions great spurt in construction activity (where efforts for the welfare of of Rupees would have become as a result of the construction of workers had started much before the available for the welfare of the several fly-overs and the metro enacting of national legislations) that construction workers. This rightful project. Just imagine what a reasonable amounts have been share of workers, provided for them difference just one or two percent of collected for the welfare of workers. by Parliament 18 years back, has these project outlays could have However, this is peanuts compared been held back from them because made to the welfare of construction to the amount which should have of avoidable delays in the workers if only the already enacted become available as per the implementation of these legislations legislations had been implemented legislated norms. This grave which are of crucial importance for soon in the right spirit. In Delhi rules injustice to construction workers the welfare of over 41 million of the were notified in January 2002, board should be corrected as early as poorest workers in India. was constituted in September possible to ensure that their faith in 2002and hence the collection of cess the justice of our democratic system For example as per affidavit for welfare of workers and is not shattered. submitted to Supreme Court, Uttar Pradesh had not collected any cess A young Muslim engineer writes a blog post describing an encounter under the Construction Workers Act in his office cafeteria after the news of Mohsin’s death became general. till 2009. According to the affidavit, Over tea a non-Muslim colleague says, directly, “I am sad at his death, rough estimate of cess collection is but they should dress appropriately and be clean shaven. This religious Rs. 50 crores per year. So keeping symbolism is offensive.” in view the non-collection of cess for 12 years this means that workers This two-step response, first the cursory expression of regret and have been deprived of Rs. 600 then the suggestion that ‘they’ bring it upon themselves in some way, crores. This is as per the has become something of a formula. Thus, the newly elected BJP MP government’s under-estimate of the from Pune, Anil Shirole, in a conversation with reporters outside likely collection of cess. UP is a Parliament, condemned the damage done to property and the very big state. In smaller states like inconvenience caused by the rioters in Pune and then said, “What Delhi and Gujarat the rough appeared on Facebook was very painful. Some amount of repercussions estimates of cess collection (as was natural.” given by state government) is Rs. 100 crores per year. If we make a Both the young engineer’s colleague and the BJP MP normalize conservative estimate that the violence by treating it as a symptom of something else. By describing collection in a big state should be the violence as a reflex they effectively absolve the rioters of at least one and a half times of this, responsibility by depriving them of volition. Shirole, in a later statement, then the minimum likely estimate of complained that he had been misquoted, that he hadn’t intended to cess collection for UP should be Rs. justify the attack on Mohsin but offered no alternative reading of 150 crores per year. If we use this ‘natural’ repercussions. estimate, then during 12 years the construction workers of Uttar –Mukul Kesavan, in The Telegraph Pradesh were deprived of Rs. 1800 crores. (Continued from Page 2) On this basis if we make a analysis, it is left to the individual then there is a responsibility on the national estimate then we can say concerned whether or not he should party also for choosing men of with confidence that construction remain true to the Constitution or to integrity and probity so that they will workers in India have been the organization doing him favours. think twice before saying ‘yes’ to the deprived of at least Rs. 10000 Men of honesty will act honestly, but offer of a gubernatorial reward. 4 JANATA, June 22, 2014 Akshardham Judgment The Law at Work

Ravi Nair

Incredible India it certainly is. On caught innocent people and got as flawed. It held the sanction the day that a majoritarian imposed the grievous charges granted as “void” and illustrative of, governmentled by luminaries who against them which resulted in their “clear non-application of mind by are no friends of democratic conviction and subsequent the Home Minister in granting freedoms and civil liberties was sentencing (p 280, para 136). sanction” (p 109, para 77). The home voted in by one-third of the voters in portfolio was held at that time by the the recent Lok Sabha elections, there It further declared, Here, we then chief minister of Gujarat, was some cold comfort for those who intend to take note of the perversity Narendra Damodardas Modi. His would like to believe in the rule of in conducting this case at various minister of state for home was a law. The Supreme Court in its order stages, right from the investigation worthy by the name of Amit Shah. of 16 May struck half a blow for the level to the granting of sanction by rule of law when it ordered the the state government to prosecute The apex court even held the acquittal of all the innocents framed the accused persons under POTA, confessional statements obtained in the Akshardham temple attack the conviction and awarding of under torture and duress as “highly case.1 Four of the six acquitted were sentence to the accused persons by contradictory and improbable in released after being in prison for 11 the Special Court (POTA) and nature” (p 255, para 125). years. Three of them, Adambhai confirmation of the same by the Ajmeri, Abdul Qaiyum Muftisaab High Court. We, being the apex The Supreme Court is conscious Mohmed Bhai and Chand Khan were court cannot afford to sit with folded that Parliament has placed the under sentence of death since July hands when such gross violation of judiciary and the citizen in a 2006. The fourth, Mohammad Salim fundamental rights and basic human situation that borders on the theatre Hanif Sheikh, was serving a life rights of the citizens of this country of the absurd. It states, POTA was imprisonment. The fifth, were presented before us... (p 261, repealed in 2004. Yet, the trials, its Abdullamiya Yasinmiya, was on bail para 131). implementation has entailed, are after having been in prison for seven continuing till date. POTA was years of the 10-year sentence And yet the reliefs it provided to repealed for the gross violation of imposed on him by the trial court. the acquitted fell far short of what it human rights it caused to the accused The sixth, Altaf Malek, was out after loftily claimed. There was no court persons due to abuse of power by having served his five year sentence. order granting monetary the police. This is an important compensation or other restitution for aspect to be kept in mind while The Supreme Court in its those who had lost 11 years of their deciding this case and hence, it was judgment expressed itself in no lives for a crime they did not pertinent to mention this in the uncertain terms about how innocents commit. No orders were given for beginning to say that we are wary are framed and the shoddy nature of the prosecution of those who had of the abuse the provisions of this investigations, conveying its held these men in illegal police Act might bring… (p 97, para 90). anguish about the incompetence custody, concealed evidence, with which the investigating fabricated evidence, and committed The initial investigation was done agencies conducted the investigation torture. Nor were there orders by V R Tolia of the Crime Branch, of the case of such a grievous nature, against elected and other public , and later by K K Patel involving the integrity and security officials for dereliction of duty. of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). of the Nation. Instead of booking the It was later taken over by G L real culprits responsible for taking The Supreme Court saw the Singhal, Assistant Commissioner of so many precious lives, the police process adopted by the prosecution Police (ACP), Crime Branch on 28 JANATA, June 22, 2014 5

August 2003 (p 17, para 8). On the Kindly do not involve me. He permitting them to effect summary same day Ashfaq Bhavnagri (PW- immediately called five or six dismissal of the official. 50) “was interrogated, and he persons and told me to have revealed the entire conspiracy as handcuffs and fetters. Vanar Saheb The defence brought out the role well as the role of A-1 [Malek] and beat me on soles. Shri Singhal Saheb of D G Vanzara. It stated that there A-3 [Sheikh] in committing the told me that I agree with the crime was serious doubt about the manner dastardly offences” (p 58, para 41). of Askhardham (sic), they shall not in which the evidence was sought to beat me and have some benefits. be fabricated by police officer, D G Singhal was accused of torture by Then they beat me in such a way that Vanzara whose entrusting of the case all the defendants. All six accused I became unconscious and fell down. to the Crime Branch on 28.08.2003 in their retraction statements, ....When I became conscious I was suddenly resulted in feverish activity, complained of having been beaten near Vanar Saheb office. I suffered whereupon the accused persons were up by ACP Singhal, V D Vanar and much difficulty. I was weeping. It arrested and their confessional R I Patel, because of which they was night. At that time one constable statements were recorded. could not stand up on their feet. On came and told me that superior sahib denying their complicity in the was calling. I had no strength to walk Vanzara was not produced as a Akshardham attack, they were or stand. I was caught and taken to prosecution witness. This was not threatened of being encountered. Vanzara Saheb office. All four surprising as he went public with his Each accused persons said that every officers were present there. sense of hurt at being let down by day they were called either by his political gods. Singhal, V D Vanar or by R I Patel “They told me to agree the crime, and were forced to admit their otherwise I shall be encountered. But His cross-examination, had it complicity in the Akshardham attack I did not believe. Then they brutally taken place, would have proved most (p 45, para 32). beat me. There was bleeding in back interesting. portion....They gave me currents. When the accused persons were Then I told them, sir, have mercy on The apex court is scathing about produced before the Special Court me. I am not culprit. Pardon me. the statements of the accomplices: (POTA) on 5 November 2003 all of Please don’t make me criminal “we fear that the story against the them made an oral complaint of wrongly. I do not know anything in accused persons and its police atrocities during the police this regard. They threatened me to corroboration through the statements custody and also complained of harass me and my family members. of accomplices is an act of having been in police custody for Even though I have not committed concoction to make up a case against long time. According to each any crime, they wanted to agree them. It was recorded in the accused person, he was made to sign Akshardham crime” (p 231, para statement of [ACP Singhal] that the the confessional statement prepared 115). information regarding PW-50 was by the police under coercion and given to him by D G Vanzara. duress and had not made the same Singhal, who was also an accused However, D G Vanzara had not even of his own free will (p 46, para 32). in the Ishrat Jehan case was been examined in this case and there reinstated in service in the last week is no information as to how he came The retraction statement of the of May. Earlier, he was enlarged on to know about [Bhavnagari] after accused Ajmeri Suleman Adam says bail by the court after the Central almost a year of the attack on it all. Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed Akshardham. This very important to chargesheet him within the aspect of the lapse in investigation “Then Singhal Sahib abused me mandatory 90-day period. Singhal had been ignored by the courts and told that should agree to what also figured prominently in the below. The learned senior counsel they say. I should agree that I am the Snoopgate controversy. Clearly, for the accused persons have criminal of Akshardham carnage. I both the governments of Gujarat and contended that there has been a delay told them that I have never gone to India had conveniently forgotten of around a year from the time of Akshardgam (sic) nor have I seen it. about Article 311 of the Constitution the attack on Akshardham in 6 JANATA, June 22, 2014 recording the statements of the minds of the accused persons which we cannot accept the recording of accomplices which shrouds the case was bound to be present, especially the High Court that the secret behind of the prosecution. when their confessional statements the crease-free unsoiled and were recorded by PW-78 [Sanjay unstained letter lies in the divine We have to accept the contention Gadhvi, Deputy Commissioner of philosophy of ‘Truth is stranger than of the learned senior counsel for the Police] in his office without them fiction’ for this renowned epithet by accused persons in this regard as being assured of being sent to judicial the author Mark Twain comes with there is an inordinate delay in custody immediately after making a caveat that says, ‘Truth is stranger recording of the statements of the their statements (p 67, para 49). than fiction. Fiction must make accomplices and this casts a grave sense’ and rejected these letters as suspicion on the reliability of the The defence also drew the evidence (p 204, para 103). testimony of the accomplices” (pp attention of the apex court to the fact 182-83, para 96). that the confessions were retracted It also discounted the at the earliest available opportunity prosecution’s contention that the car The role of the lower courts was and that there had to be independent already in the possession of the not a happy one. They failed in not evidence corroborating the Jammu and Kashmir police at the considering the deposition of some confessional statements if they had Special Operations Group camp was brave doctors who deposed in favour been retracted (p 71, para 51). The the car used to carry weapons from of the accused pointing out that they Supreme Court held that the Jammu and Kashmir to Bareilly for “had complained of severe beating evidence of the accomplices could carrying out the attack on by the police prior to recording of not be used to corroborate the Akshardham (p 222, para 111). the confessional statements” (p 65, confessional statements of the para 48). As is expected in such accused persons in the absence of If the Akshardham judgment is to situations the medical records such independent evidence. Moreover, it be taken forward the Supreme Court as the X-ray plates were missing stated, “the delay of more than one must be asked to revisit the tenability from the file (p 65, para 48). It is year in recording their statements of all existing prosecutions under distressing that the lower court and causes us to disregard their POTA. Moreover, its attention the high court did not take umbrage evidence” (pp 188-89, para 97). should be drawn to the fact that the at the suppression of both evidence amendments to the Unlawful and documents by the prosecution. Two letters written in Urdu were Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) allegedly found in the trouser in 2008 incorporate many of the The defence counsel in the pockets of the alleged militants who POTA provisions. Justice was served Supreme Court drew attention to the were killed during the Akshardham in this particular case by the confessional statements of the attack, the post mortem report of the extraordinary fortitude of the accused which “were recorded fidayeens stated that all their clothes accused and their families and credit without sufficient time being given were stained with blood and mud goes to the exemplary work of the for reflection” and was thus in gross and all clothes bore multiple tears defence lawyers in the lower court violation of the principle laid down and holes due to perforation by and the Supreme Court. Clearly, we by the apex court in a plethora of bullets. In such a case, the fact that rejoice in the acquittals in the cases (p 67, para 49). the letters remained clean, without Akshardham judgment by the any tear, soiling or stains of blood Supreme Court but the bench, the The attention of the apex court and soil is highly unnatural and bar and citizens need to ask for more was also drawn to the failure of the improbable... (p 204, para 103). whilst also doing more. All of us lower courts, to take into should emulate Oliver Twist and ask consideration the element of fear of The Supreme Court also chided the courts and Parliament to please further torture by the police, in the the Gujarat High Court pointing out do some more.

1 Adambhai Sulemanbhai Ajmeri & Ors Appellants vs State of Gujarat ...Respondent with criminal appeal No 45 of 2011, http://www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in/outtoday/Crl.Appeal No 2295-2296of2010.pdf. JANATA, June 22, 2014 7 Tackling India’s economic headwinds

Arun Kumar

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s high compared to the figure of deficit and CAD and a decline in dramatic electoral victory is partly around 20-23 per cent in the 1990s. demand in the economy. This has the result of the United Progressive It rapidly increased in the 2000s also been accompanied by a reduced Alliance’s failure to tackle the leading to the boom of 2003-2008. inflow of foreign investments so that problems affecting India’s economy. The rapid increase in investment was the value of the rupee vis-à-vis the A high rate of inflation that persists, engineered by allowing national dollar declined sharply in the last declining growth, inadequate income to shift rapidly in favour of few years. This added to the employment generation, fiscal the high savers — those who have imbalance on the external front with deficit, current account deficit high property incomes. This was speculation and a flight of capital (CAD) and corruption all evident from the direct tax data aggravating it. The threat by credit contributed to public which showed that corporate tax rating agencies to downgrade the disenchantment with the UPA. collections boomed after 1999. This country has been looming large Therefore, expectations are high that trend has led to a rapid increase in which could lead to an increase in the new government will tackle inequality in society and a slow rise cost of borrowing abroad and a rise these problems decisively and bring in mass consumption so that the in CAD. relief to the public. growth of the economy has depended more than before on rising Foreign investment has slowed The economy’s rate of growth has investment levels. down but it only constitutes around declined every quarter since the end 10 per cent of the total investment of 2010-11, i.e., for the last 12 Hence the crucial determinant of in the economy. The bulk of quarters. The industrial sector has growth in the economy in the period investment is internal and this has shown negative or near zero rates of after 2000 has been investment. As slowed down due to several factors. growth. The services sector, the the investment rate declined after One of them has been the engine of growth for the economy, 2010-11, the rate of growth of the unravelling of scams since 2009 and has experienced declining rates of economy fell. Investment in the the subsequent intervention of growth. So has agriculture. In turn, economy depends on private courts. This has impacted the this has led to sluggish employment investment, both foreign and confidence of the business generation. The problem has been domestic and on public investment. community which was used to compounded by the capital intensive There has been a problem with each employing crooked means to nature of current investment which one of them. manage its investments and the uses less labour and more capital, so markets. After the court that even when output rises, The situation has been aggravated interventions, there have been employment hardly grows. Most are by developments on the external and question marks over many decisions forced to work in the informal sector the fiscal fronts. The green shoots like allotment of spectrum, coal at low wages which when coupled in the United States did not bloom, blocks and iron ore mining. This has with high persisting inflation, causes Eurozone went into a double dip unnerved businessmen who have economic distress and political recession, Japan continued its lost the confidence that they can unrest. sluggish growth and the Chinese and manage the business environment the other BRICS economies slowed the old way. This state of affairs is due to the down. Thus, the growth rate of decline in the rate of investment exports has been low. But, imports Their confidence has also been from its peak of 38 per cent in 2007- rose sharply due to the high import shattered by widespread public 08 because of the global economic bill for petro products and the protest against large-scale crisis. It went up in 2009-10 but is increase in the gold import bill. The acquisition of land needed for major down to about 32 per cent. It is still consequence has been a high trade projects. This goes back to the days 8 JANATA, June 22, 2014 even before Singur. Resistance has tends to rise, both of which lead to a telecom, water, small irrigation and continued in Jaitapur, Kudankulam, loss of confidence and a further so on are needed urgently in rural POSCO, Tata Mundra and so on. slowdown. India. This has the potential to create Some big ticket investment projects lots of jobs unlike the big like the $12-billion project by the Can the new government tackle investments and would be much less Mittals have been called off. The the difficult economic situation? expensive than in urban areas problem remains unresolved Prime Minister Narendra Modi is because land is less expensive. Thus, because the public perceives a loot reputed to be a “man of action” but it would benefit many more people of natural resources — land, air, the issue here is what action? The and slow down the expensive and water, spectrum, forests and mines corporate sector has backed him in environmentally damaging — at its expense. So, the execution the hope that he will reverse the urbanisation currently taking place. of big projects has slowed down. The misfortunes of industry. The stock But this requires efficient private corporate sector has been markets have risen sharply in the last governance. flush with funds which it has not few weeks. Can the new government invested due to the uncertainty and simultaneously fulfil the hopes of In brief, the problems of the sluggish demand in the economy. In business and those of economy stem from the brief, the slowdown in internal underemployed youth hoping for a macroeconomic imbalances and investment is a result of the miracle? corruption and unless they are discredited model of investment in addressed, the economy will not the country which has been based on While the rise in the stock recover. The need today is not only collusion between businessmen, markets signals the flow of funds for decisive leadership but also for politicians and the bureaucracy. from FII, it does not mean that a new, holistic macroeconomic Thus, for different reasons, both foreign direct investment will approach - a break from the UPA’s foreign and domestic private suddenly increase. Further, there is policies. Unfortunately, the BJP investment has slowed down. the danger of a speculative bubble manifesto only presents a hint of its building up - as in the past - which macroeconomic plan and that too The last element, public could collapse and adversely impact towards the end of the manifesto, as investment has also slowed down the investment climate. This could if like an afterthought. Hopefully, because of policy paralysis in the be triggered by the continuing easing the Union Budget will help clarify government and even more of the Fed intervention in the U.S. - matters. importantly due to the sharp cutback something that is ongoing. Even if in Plan size in each of the last five foreign investment increases, it is a years so as to keep the fiscal deficit small part of the total investment so down; compared to budget it cannot be the major stimulus estimates, the actual has been less needed. Domestic investment - by Rs.5 lakh crore in these five public and private - needs to be years. This has led to a slowdown in revived. Large investment is going investment in infrastructure and an to remain hamstrung by aggravation of shortages. environmental and other clearances and difficulties in acquisition of land Because of the slowdown in the unless laws are changed but that economy, tax revenue increase has would take time. Transparency in suffered. That is why the fiscal business decisions is needed to deficit has tended to increase. To revive investment, which also needs keep it in check, the Plan size has time. So, the only thing that can be been curtailed. But that sets up a done soon is to increase public vicious negative cycle. As the investment, especially in rural areas economy slows down, the threat of where infrastructure is woefully a downgrade by credit rating inadequate. agencies increases, revenues of the government rise less and the deficit Schools, dispensaries, roads, JANATA, June 22, 2014 9 Contours of Secularism

Irfan Engineer

Triumphant and victorious in the at the polling booths. The opportunistic secularism. The 16th general elections for the Lok fundamentalist tendencies within the solution desired by the HN Sabha, the Hindu nationalists are minority communities are as ideologues therefore is either expel attributing their victory as rejection marginal as the cultural nationalists the minorities if possible from the of secularism by the Indian are within the majority community. nation, or subdue them to second electorate. The election results have As well organized and vocal as in the class citizenship without any rights. unwittingly started sort of majority community. They deftly use It is the opportunistic secularism that questioning on the desirability of media coverage to create their larger needs to be problematized rather using the term secularism. It is true than life image on issues like than locating the problem within any that secularism has become a much preventing Salman Rushdie from community as all communities are abused term in India. Regional visiting India or problematizing diverse and have diverse traditions, parties like the Samajwadi Party in Taslima Nasreen’s visa extension or customs and cultures. Cultures are UP and the RJD in Bihar and Indian getting various books, films, websites being made and unmade through National Congress misused the and artistic expressions banned just social, economic and political slogan of secularism to cover up like the Hindu nationalists do so (i.e. changes and each individual their mis-governance and use media coverage) demolishing responds dynamically to the changes corruption. The slogan of secularism Babri Masjid and opposing freedom occurring. was used opportunistically to garner of expression on the ground that it votes of the minority communities. offends their faith. The HNOs have problematized They would not have any policies secularism itself as a western notion or programmes to ensure equal The Hindu nationalist to be discarded. However, one must opportunities or ensuring fair stake organizations (HNOs) used this accept that there is no universally of the minorities in the development. opportunistic secularism to their accepted understanding of To them, secularism meant ensuring advantage and sought to blame and secularism. While in France, USSR security of minorities, and they stigmatize the minorities as a whole and Turkey, secularism has meant failed miserably in this too. There as if they were responsible. The uneasy tension between church and were more than hundred riots in UP HNOs, well organized as they are, the state. In India the dominant during the Samajwadi Party regime mobilized and instilled dislike not discourse of secularism was more and likewise under the Congress in only against the political parties inclusive in its formulation of “sarva other states. Security and subscribing to opportunist dharma samabhav”, where state intelligence forces victimized and secularism, but also against the indulges all religions equally and even staged murders and members of the minority citizens are at liberty to practice, incarcerated scores of innocent communities. The HNOs laid the profess and propagate their religion. Muslim youth in the name of primary blame for opportunistic State is often called upon to counter-terrorism operations in what secularism not on the “secular” impartially mediate during conflicts has come to be called the cow belt political parties but on the very between different religious of India and Hyderabad. They failed existence of the minorities within the communities. to check the growth of communal nation, particularly those having forces and did not counter the their holy lands outside. They HNOs are also Hindu stigmatization of the minorities. primarily problematize Islam and supremacists though they pay lip Christianity and their presumed service to the Hindu ethos of Opportunistic secularism of the so- separatist mindset rather than tolerance. They want privileged called secular parties meant joining opportunistic secularism. HNOs status for Hinduism (or rather re- hands with fundamentalist forces propound that so long as Muslims invented and selective traditions of within the minority community in the and Christians exist, there will be upper caste elite). Golwalkar, the hope that they would be able to deliver parties to benefit politically from revered ideologue of HNOs, wanted 10 JANATA, June 22, 2014

minorities should dream of nothing practicing diverse traditions of then governing on the basis of but the glory of Hindu rashtra and worship, from any ethnic religion of majority or minority. Hindu traditions and symbols. Even community, belonging to any Subalterns had ambivalent attitude in the Manifesto of the BJP for the culture. Loving and being non- towards religion. To be Hindu did 2014 elections, it calls for return to violent towards even animals and not exclude them from being a “civilizational consciousness” that nature. Muslim bhakti poet Salbeg Muslim or a Christian. Drawing was lost during the colonial rule. The is credited with numerous from this ambivalent attitude, the democratic notion of liberty, compositions in praise of Lord formulation of sarva dharma equality, human dignity and Jagannath and as tradition has it, samabhava aptly described the citizenship sound western ideas, Lord Jagannath’s rath could not be nature of secularism desirable to alien to Hindu culture. moved on its annual yatra till Salbeg Indian people. Indian experience of could join the yatra. Raskhan secularism did not come from Usage of the term Hinduism in the similarly composed on Lord struggle between the church and the sense of religion was popularized Krishna. Sufi Islam was as inclusive state where one or the other had to during the colonial rule. Hindu and contributed to the religious be a victor and other vanquished. community signified people living consciousness of Muslims as well as on the southern and eastern banks Hindu devotees who were attracted The HNOs mislead the people of of river Sindhu and was inclusive of to their shrines. Sufi Islam like the India when they claim that followers of diverse religious bhakti saints emphasizes on love of secularism is a Nehruvian concept practices. Religious consciousness at compassionate and merciful God borrowed from the west and in the popular level evolved from the believing in inclusive traditions of same breath claim Hinduism to be a resistance to the dominant upper worship. Sufis like Mazhar Jan-e- tolerant religion. The religion of castes, particularly the Brahmins, Janaan believed that Vedas too were subaltern Hindus is more than and their monopoly over notions of revealed book of Allah and tolerant – it respects all faiths and purity and pollution and structuring Nizamuddin Auliya would have for them truth is multi-dimensional. society into rigid hierarchies. The recitation of bhajans in praise of However, HNOs stoke intolerance. popular resistance was led by many Ram and Krishna every morning. Diverse as it is, the HNOs realize bhakti saints, including Tuslidas, that Hindus can be united only if Kabir, Ravidas, Mirabai, The priestly class of Brahmins they can be made disapprove of Gyaneshwar, Namdeo, Tukaram, and Ulemas aligned with the state something in other religious Chokha Mela, the Warkari seeking state patronage, blessed communities and therefore are Sampradaya, Bahinabai, Guru coronation ceremonies of the rulers involved in the project of Nanak, Basveshwara, Narayan advised them on “right path” of stigmatizing the minorities. Guru, the Bauls in the Bengal, shari’at (Muslim Law) and rules of Shankar Deva in Assam and so on. worship, purity and pollution. The Opportunistic secularism vies for popular religious consciousness of Muslim votes and in the process The popular religious the subalterns on the other hand was gives in to the demands of consciousness of the subalterns inclusive, for them all paths reached fundamentalists and communalists developed due to popular God and respected all religions as within the minority community. That compositions of the bhakti saints true. Religion was more of a path strengthens and empowers the tiny who opposed the notions of purity that taught them to be humble, but well organized fundamentalists and pollution and believed in human, and to live harmoniously in and enables them to impose their equality of all before one God. God society with others and with nature. hegemony over the community and was not a power who punished the The priestly class catered to the elite redefine the community on their deviants with lower status during and were supremacist in their terms. The fundamentalist sections cycles of re-births or to be feared. notions of religion. Subalterns appear to be much larger than their God was benign compassionate constituted roughly about 90 per actual strength and often the only power to whom one should devote cent of the people. Therefore, the voice within the minority to and derive ecstasy from devotion. dominant ethos in India were not community. It enables them to Devotion to God meant loving all defining religious boundaries, victimize weaker and marginalized God’s creation – all humans recruiting followers exclusively and sections, particularly women within JANATA, June 22, 2014 11 the community, and weed out to privilege Hindu religion and Similarly, dialogue of cultures, faith dissenting/alternative opinions. religious symbols. and religion is essential for cultural Strengthening of hegemony of the advancement. fundamentalists within the minority A secular state is not concerned community strengthens HNOs. The with the religion which its citizens Secular state does not emerge neutral political and cultural space profess and practice. In framing from the vacuum. Though Indian is greatly reduced. public policies and laws, in executive Constitution is secular, state in actions, public employment, India strengthens cultural The HNOs also reduce the education, and in dispensing justice, entrepreneurs. As the majority in liberal space within the society; religion of the citizen is irrelevant. the scenario are more influential pose a threat to the religio-cultural Public policies are based only on and powerful, they corner larger diversity and pluralism and welfare of the citizens. Secular state share in social space and national polarize attitudes and behaviour of treats all its citizens even handedly resources. For example, Supreme people on issues of identities, irrespective of the religion they Court Judgment stating Hindutva forcing people to behave in profess. The HNOs and the is way of life, or anti-cow conformity with their identity. fundamentalist/communalists within slaughter and anti-conversion Without constructing a totalitarian minorities on the other hand seek to legislations euphemistically state, the HNOs cannot eliminate negotiate with the state space for their named as Freedom of Religion the liberal space where citizens are community. The fundamentalists Acts or non-protection of not reduced to their religio-cultural derive their power from state minorities by security forces identities but are dynamic beings, recognizing them as representatives during riots and targeting agents of change, re-ordering their of their respective communities minorities in police encounters. cultural spaces and their lives. The which they are not. A secular state is HNOs desire to construct cultural- not even supposed to recognize any State action should not be based totalitarian state to defend non- community. Any such recognition on group identity. The cultural negotiable symbols of patriarchal triggers off competitive entrepreneurs of the minority upper-caste hierarchical social communalism/fundamentalism and community demand more protected order. competition for more communal and secure space for themselves and rights and greater share in power and tighter hold over the community We must then reject opportunistic state resources. Citizens are then resistance to any change in their secularism as well as “India First” pushed into tighter hold of the Personal Laws, tighter control over as not being secularism in any sense. community as their rights and women from the community. Secularism is the outcome of a entitlements are essentially based on process of secularisation wherein membership of community. Nothing is so sacred that it should institutions are liberated from the Communal membership is more or be put beyond the rational scrutiny. hold of the church and less birth based. The state is reduced But that does not mean disrespecting institutionalized clergy. For example, to protecting and promoting the the sentiments of the believers. One knowledge and education was hegemony of the fundamentalist/ has to be not only rational, but also liberated from the Brahmins, communal elite. reasonable person when we share Madrasas and Church. For political space with members secularism, we have to have a secular A secular state should rather belonging to different communities. state and a secular society. A secular protect the rights and liberties of the Religion is often conceived as a threat state is one which is not based on dissenters, however weak or to secularisation. It is not religion but religious scriptures, theological minority within the group they may cultural entrepreneurs misusing dogmas or doctrines nor sponsored be. However, a secular state may religion and religious institutions that by church or any religious institution. frame policies for a group to address oppose secularisation and liberties. Though the state does not profess any any adversity arising merely from Religion and egalitarian values religion, it gives freedom to its group membership. Right to dissent, associated with religion can be a citizen to profess practice and disagreement and dialogue is sine resource in secularisation of the propagate any religion of their choice qua non of progress in knowledge society as the bhakti and sufi or even atheism. HNOs want the state and our understanding of truth. understanding of religion are. 12 JANATA, June 22, 2014 It’s time to promote illiteracy

K. S. Chalam

Yes, you are reading it right that Western economic order in India. colonial and feudal in nature. we predict the introduction of laws They talk less about corruption, Fascinatingly, the so-called that might prohibit literate learning frauds, economic and religious, knowledge police of India who boast in India so that access to knowledge technology and oppose all that is part of their nationalistic passion can be regulated. This is the message of natural process of human brazenly adopt the outlook of the we get from the recent books progress. West in matters of history and banning spree score. philosophy. Democratisation of education has The punchisset not only for made India to enter the modern era Sekhar Bandopadhyay’s books, but There seems to be a misreading shedding its past vulgar record. In whatever they consider as about the attitude and militancy of this context, the editorial of a leading blasphemous including the well- some of the right wing activists. English daily has sarcastically researched studies that may They have become virile after the argued for a ban on reading and challenge some of their outmoded partition. They had carved the idea writing so that books might join the beliefs and old-fashioned values, are of Hindu Rashtra when Pakistan and ranks of endangered species. This is branded as anti-Hindu, a concept Afghanistan and South Asia were written with reference to a demand invented for their convenience. In part of British India. Even their ideas for banning of noted historian fact, Bandopadhyaya is one of our were fabricated by the colonists. Sekhar Bandopadhyay’s decade old topmost historians teaching in New This has facilitated their justification book ‘ From Plassey to Partition: A Zeeland and is considered as an of their argument that the aliens History of Modern India’ by a right authority on Modern Bengal. All his (Aryans) were Indians and the wing academic. Interestingly, the so- publications by prestigious protagonists are the kinship relatives called right wing Shiksha Andolan publishing houses are used as text or what is called the ‘long lost not only subsisted, but even thrived books or reference material in the brethren’. In other words, they had on the alleged grants from the UPA university system. We know that placed their claim on the legacy of schemes. But, the policy makers of Bandopadhyay being the Director of Vedic ethos (in fact it belongs to the previous regime started now Indian studies in New Zeeland is humanity) and not for those who declaring lip sympathy, rather with helping to establish academic links would reside east of Sindhu and bleak voice, for the victims of with India through adequate grants. mount Meru. Therefore, the false knowledge policing. It seems the The academics particularly social propaganda based on the myth is newspaper is right in saying that it scientists have become fragile shattered once the borders are is better to remain in ignorance beings due to the hegemony of neo- created. It is quite natural for them rather than know something that liberal agenda of teaching in to change their attitude like the opens vistas to modern living as part universities where subjects like parted brethren hatching jealousy of a process of human civilization. history, sociology, anthropology, etc. and hatred to show that they are Some of the ideas and actions of the are given a tepid treatment. It is independent and rightful inheritors right wing radicals are so depraved alleged that the West, particularly the of the legacy. You do not find this that it almost deprives Indians as a USA, had a limited course of history outlook in the south as they are nation of being a part of the comity with no ancient past, they being considered different. The problem of nations of rational beings. We can constituted by settlers. They adopt persists due to the fact that majority see the double standards of these their native history and stare at of the Indians do not care for this gentlemen who are always on the others who have a rich and glorious and love to live in peace under mercy of the West in getting past with derision. Some of them diversity. It is only the fringe groups recognition, education, service, discourage studies in ancient past of with the above mind-set conditioned FDIs, etc. for the survival of their countries that provide them an by dishonest schooling with treason kith and kin and encourage the identity. The mind-set is that of and hegemony at heart that create JANATA, June 22, 2014 13 problems for the majority. It is time Reinforcing the welfare agenda that they should be brought under the mainstream society with adequate education and real Harsh Mander nationalistic commitment.

The modernists in India do not There are many who interpret the schools including government have an agenda of reform or emphatic rejection of the Congress- schools; but this nationwide restructuring of the society including led United Progressive Alliance quantum upgrading of public its culture. They simply make some (UPA) and the significant elementary education becoming a noise when incidents of such blatant endorsement of the Bharatiya Janata reality entailed a substantial increase retrograde steps or actions are taken Party (BJP) in the elections of 2014 in public spending on school up by the select bigots take place. as a mandate to end the architecture education, which was promised but They seem to have no agency to of rights-based legislation for social never delivered. Therefore the Act counter the attempts to hoodwink the and economic welfare constructed remained unfulfilled aspirations on genuine scholarship, publishing during the 10-year UPA regime. paper, and even poor parents houses etc to encourage rational and Commentators opposed to the switched to low-cost private schools scientific literature. The general regime of social protection see in the in droves because at least these publishing firms, who have electoral outcomes its decisive schools opened every morning with developed some benchmarks of their defeat and celebrate what they a full contingent of teachers who own, are vulnerable to simple threats describe as the “end of doles”. took classes. and are withdrawing the questioned publications. The secularists and so- I do not agree. The voters who Legitimate claims to land called leftists who claim to be non- have given the Indian National ownership under the Forest Rights partisan have failed to develop an Congress its worst drubbing in Act of millions of tribal people were alternative secular ethos and allowed elections since it was instituted 129 crushed by a hostile administration. religious fundamentalists to flourish years ago did not reject its welfare Under the flagship Mahatma Gandhi with the aid of modern technology. agenda, but its performance. In fact, National Rural Employment We have seen debates by some in states in which rights-based Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which Marxists defending religion on welfare programmes have been is believed to have contributed to the dubious grounds as they have failed implemented creditably—such as unexpectedly good showing of the to practice what they preach.This is Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Odisha, UPA in 2009, wages were pegged contrary to the theories that religion and indeed the BJP-ruled states of below minimum wages and will disappear with the advent of Chhattisgarh and Madhya routinely paid months late, which led capitalism and modernization. But, Pradesh—voters have to a sharp decline in person-days in both religion and capitalism are not enthusiastically endorsed the many states. The loan-waiver for only surviving but even incumbent state governments. farmers in the first innings of the collaboratingwith each other for government was never followed up their conquest over nations. Voters were weary and angry with by increased public spending in the the UPA government because in its countryside in rural infrastructure The creamy layer of all political second term, the government failed and rural credit, therefore agriculture parties in India shares a common to implement its own programmes sank deeper in its sickness and bondage and tradition in with conviction. A diluted National farmers continued to kill themselves collaborating with each other in Food Security Bill was passed barely in despair. The Jawahar Rozgar times of crisis. They appear to be eight months before the end of the Yojana which for the first time fighting for the public eye, but in government’s term, which indicated recognized the rights of slum practice do not move into contested no seriousness in actually dwellers to be settled in their present issues that govern our modern living. implementing its provisions. The locations with in situ upgrading of None of them has realised the fact Right of Children to Free and public services rather than that Hinduism is a term invented in Compulsory Education Act, 2009 demolition was never implemented; the 19th century(Continued (RomilaThapar) on Page for14) laid minimum standards for all demolitions remained the norm, and convenience is different from sanatana dhrama. Hinduism, more than any other religion stands for diversity incorporating in it other belief systems such as Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism as per the 14 JANATA, June 22, 2014 slums remained starved of clean but investments in human beings, and services sectors, promoting and water and sanitation. both as a worthy end in itself and protecting small-farmers, dependent also to derive the best economic on rain-fed agriculture, through The government announced outcomes from India’s burgeoning public wage-guarantee will allow a direct benefit transfers of wages, young population. Also that even form of dignified survival. pensions and school scholarships to small amounts of more money in people’s bank accounts, but it never millions of more people’s hands can It is also not my suggestion that first installed a countrywide spur growth from below, by the answer to mass hunger is that the architecture of universal financial creating new and larger markets. state feeds people in perpetuity. Far inclusion which was necessary However, measures such as wage- from it, we need a range of measures before it could be implemented. Like guarantees and food transfers are to tackle the causes of poverty, and many of the government’s promises not envisaged as solutions to these include stimulating inclusive to India’s mass of poor people, this poverty, unemployment and hunger. economic growth, but many other one too was frustratingly forgotten These must be seen as measures of steps as well. But while all of this along the way. social protection. Of course I do not unfolds, it is economically (and laud a future in which poor people morally) unacceptable for people to It was a strangely divided will depend on government for have to live with hunger and its schizophrenic government, with one unskilled labour employment in consequences, therefore the state part of its leadership championing perpetuity. Until the economy is must provision food as long—and a comprehensive regime of social able to generate enough labour- only as long—as it remains protection and another consistently intensive jobs in the manufacturing necessary. inimical to it. The result was a government at war with itself, one which diluted and often actively subverted its own declared key What a coincidence that two same Rae Bareilly. policies. The end result after five democratic actions of disciples of Dr years was that the government had Rammanohar Lohia debarred Indira Indira Gandhi lost her Lok Sabha no credible story to tell about either Nehru Gandhi from her membership membership again in a privilege its priorities or its performance to its from Lok Sabha. motion moved by another disciple voters. It neither promoted welfare of Dr Lohia, a veteran nor markets with conviction. While Rajnarain first contested parliamentarian Madhu Limaye in Heaped on this was the ignominy of against her in 1971 mid-term general the fifth Lok Sabha. After her defeat gigantic corruption scandals, a elections from Rae Bareilly. He was in 1977, Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi public sense of policy paralysis and defeated, but he filed a petition got elected to sixth Lok Sabha in a fatal malfunction of against Smt. in Allahabad High 1978 from a bye-election from communication, which was Court where she was found guilty Chikmanglur in Karnataka but the interpreted not as diffidence and of electoral malpractices and her sixth Lok Sabha disqualified her modesty but as an amalgam of election was set aside on 12th June when it was proved by Madhu insensitivity and arrogance. None of 1975 and as a consequence she was Limaye through his privilege motion this adds up to a decisive rejection— barred from holding electoral office that she had to the Parliament on a or endorsement—of a regime of for six years and she imposed question asked by him in the fifth welfare and rights, based on state Emergency on 25th June 1975. Later Lok Sabha related to Smt. Gandhi’s provisioning of public goods such on Rajnarain defeated her during son Sanjay’s Maruti Company! as education, healthcare, social 1977 general elections from the security, food and nutrition, and –Qurban Ali possibly even shelter.

But I am convinced that public expenditure in public education, public health, social security, decent housing and nutrition are not doles JANATA, June 22, 2014 15 When the battle’s lost and won

Jawed Naqvi

In the baking heat of Delhi, the water-rich land was a ruthless way question was a familiar point of squirrels are lying flat on their belly to reap private profits during the discord. Or had the Congress in flowerpots I had watered in the country’s ongoing economic abandoned its secular sheen, as some morning, cooling their bodies with downturn. It only projects the others argued, to become a B team the residual moisture that takes its Maoists as a nuisance. of the Hindu revivalist Bharatiya time to evaporate. Janata Party? We have seen this before. “It is There were no cooling flowerpots the dream of every merchant to be The BJP had got an absolute at the meeting I attended of grass- able to sell without having to buy,” majority in the Lok Sabha after a roots workers from across India. wrote historian Irfan Habib about long, unrelenting journey since its They ranged from earnest Clive’s plunder of Bengal. A inception as the political arm of the environment experts and opponents bloodless way to send the Maoists Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in of big dams to anti-nuclear packing was to terminate what the 1952. campaigners who fear a Fukushima- local people have for decades called like disaster could not be ruled out “the bania-contractor-politician Should the defeated left parties in India, not least because foreign nexus”. The nexus, they say, has link up with the Aam Aadmi Party? collaborators of nuclear plants they exploited tribal women, land, water, There was a dispute among the build will not accept responsibility timber and minerals mercilessly. The discussants about the AAP. Was it a if things go wrong. What are they state doesn’t want to hear that. standard-bearer of secularism and afraid of? economic populism, even if it was The men and women I met were somewhat inexperienced to fill the The meeting included critics of no Maoists, of course. On the vacuum created by the left’s India’s recent economic policies that contrary, the Maoists have targeted absence? Or should the vanquished have widened the rich-poor divide some of the environment activists comrades go back to the Congress, and now, in a payback moment for gathered there. The motley group cap in hand, even if they felt businesses that supported Prime was, in fact, meeting to figure out betrayed by it at times, given the Minister Narendra Modi’s election, the challenges its members faced enviable physical reach of India’s threaten to evict millions from their from the nation’s first unadulterated oldest political behemoth? ancestral mineral-rich forestlands, right-wing government. abodes of predominantly tribal Some comrades suggested that people in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, The meeting consisted of eager, the AAP was a Hindutva ploy to and the north-eastern states. experienced, patriotic and extremely weaken the Congress. Others saw its worried but equally hardy activists involvement with electoral politics An eerie apprehension was up for a fight. What struck me as counterproductive. They wanted palpable among the discussants of a though from their discussion were AAP and themselves to go back to state-directed assault, aborted by familiar disputes over what needed leading and organising people’s Manmohan Singh under public to be done to get things back on campaigns. pressure. A military campaign was track. It was tempting to share the imminent, if the discussants had it assumption that there would be Someone brought up the subject right, to uproot the tribespeople’s another chance to redeem their of doctored EVMs (electronic voting resistance, which according to the pledge as humanists. machines) to shore up a suspicion Indian state is led by the “most first articulated by the BJP about the serious internal security challenge” Were some of the participants veracity of the voting system that - the Maoists. The state doesn’t want right in abandoning the Congress India has adopted for elections. to admit how exploiting mineral and party as unworthy of their trust? The R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 15, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014 Published on Sunday, June 15, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday June 18, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 22 A helpless pursuit? June 29, 2014 S. Viswam

Switching over to Hindi? Kuldip Nayar There is something odd and assured India that Switzerland will pathetic in the latest Indian efforts work with India in support of the Cash casts its shadow over polls to bring back money stashed away campaign against tax evaders. Some Madabhushi Sridhar in foreign (mostly Swiss) banks by rules are likely to be changed soon so Indian citizens. Odd, because no that the Indian government’s steps to From Baghdad to Bolangir new development warrants the hope curb tax crimes could receive vital Labour Laws in India Saba Sharma that the latest efforts will succeed inputs from the Swiss. This perhaps where the earlier ones failed. Pathetic, relates to specific demands on specific That darkness because no such effort can succeed accounts by New Delhi. still stalks our dreams till the Swiss dilute, relax or do away M.G. Devasahayam with secrecy provisions relating to the There were some newspaper reports operations of their banks. There is no earlier that the Swiss government had We need freeways, but we also indication that they propose to do any decided to share information with need forests. such thing. India on Indians having unaccounted Kalpana Sharma money in Swiss banks. These reports It is because of the strict Swiss however were subsequently denied. How GM crops harm farmers scientific evidence grows secrecy laws that no effort to The Swiss do not propose to share Bharat Dogra obtain information about deposits any information. by foreigners in Swiss banks has Life story of a crusader succeeded so far. The only difference The chairman of the SIT Justice M. Sonal Shah between the new attempts and the B. Shah has candidly acknowledged earlier ones is that the Supreme that the Swiss denial is a setback Court has now set up a special to the efforts at investigating the investigation team on black money phenomenon. The helplessness Editor : to probe the phenomenon and come inherent in the situation has not G. G. Parikh up with solutions. Whether the SIT escaped his attention. He is aware that Managing Editor : Guddi will succeed is a matter of conjecture without Swiss co-operation no effort right now. will succeed. “As of now,” he said, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, “even if an official SIT team is sent Naushir Bharucha Marg, However, one encouraging factor in to Switzerland, nothing can be done Mumbai - 400 007. this regard is that the Swiss authorities without Swiss cooperation.” seem more sympathetic to the requests Email : [email protected] by foreign countries to share vital According to newspaper reports, information with them. They have accessing information on tax crimes 2 JANATA, June 29, 2014 from Switzerland may become easier Between the lines with a proposed revision in their Tax Administrative Assistance Act to do Switching over to Hindi? away with a requirement to inform individuals prior to sharing their Kuldip Nayar details with a foreign jurisdiction for alleged tax crimes. This again I am convinced that the Narendra convey his refusal to accept Hindi. perhaps relates to individual cases. Modi government is guided, if not Even the old slogan of secession got There is however no doubt that goaded, by the Hindi chauvinists. renewed. India is now keen that the campaign The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has for unearthing unaccounted money several liberal leaders who realize The then Prime Minister, is taken a step forward. Finance that the pace of switch over to Hindi Jawaharlal Nehru, was unhappy but Minister has written to would have to be slow, keeping in did not want to interfere. However, the Swiss authorities, the government mind unity in diversity. Apparently, when he saw the fire spreading, has set up a SIT on the prodding of they do not have much say. he gave an assurance on the floor the Apex Court and the BJP election of parliament that there would be manifesto has accorded highest Within the very first fortnight no switchover until the non-Hindi priority to bringing the black money of the Modi’s regime, the central speaking people themselves said hoarded abroad. The Reserve Bank government offices have received that they were ready for Hindi to has directed all banks to ensure that a circular that Hindi should be used be an exclusive language of Union information sought by the SIT is on social media. This is an entrance administration. This categorical promptly made available to it. through the backdoor. Non-Hindi statement disappointed Hindi speaking states spotted the fugitive fanatics but the nation on the whole Although in terms of the total move and protested against it. New heaved a sigh of relief that India had foreign deposits in Swiss banks, an Delhi readily withdrew its step and retrieved from the brink. estimated at 1.6 trillion US dollars, declared that the circular was meant Indian deposits are only around two for the Hindi-speaking states. No doubt, Modi feels at home billion US dollars , an equivalent with Hindi and his sweep in the Lok of Rs. 14000 crores. Not much in This belated realization does Sabha elections is primarily because global scales but substantial enough not convince anyone. I think the of the campaign he led in Hindi, for a country whose economy is yet government was testing the waters. somewhat Sanskritised for northern to take off. If even half the amount When it found that what it considered Indians. But he should remember stashed is brought back it will make an innocuous step has evoked strong Nehru’s promise made in 1963 a difference, even if peripheral, to opposition, it changed its stance. But that both Hindi and English would India’s fast-growing economy. the circular has done the damage. continue to be the link languages Time was when the extent of black The fears of non-Hindi speaking for administration throughout the money circulating domestically was people have got rekindled. And country. He did not fix any deadline so large that India was virtually they are afraid of what may happen for the exclusive use of Hindi. in the grip of a parallel economy, tomorrow. with fears that the black money was I wish this bilingualism should even more voluminous than the India has gone through large have continued without anyone white money. Things have improved linguistic riots in the late ‘50s and tinkering with it. But then the Modi’s now, thanks largely to the fact that early ‘60s. At that time also the Home men were in a hurry. They wanted to India’s developing economy has Ministry had issued instructions restrict the use of English to certain sought investments from a variety to different departments to make fields. Yet they realize that their haste of investors, many of whom have preparations for a switchover from can tell upon the country’s unity. Non- undoubtedly converted black into English to Hindi as laid down in Hindi speaking states, particularly white while “investing” in projects. the Constitution. Riots took place Tamil Nadu, have accepted the However, even now, the volume of in southern states and one man constitutional provision that Hindi (Continued on Page 8) immolated himself in Tamil Nadu to is the Indian Union’s language. But JANATA, June 29, 2014 3 they want time to learn it and come up to the standards of people living Cash casts its shadow over polls in the like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan. Madabhushi Sridhar

Already some candidates from It is strange that corruption was Thus from Dillee to Gallee, the Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh not at all an issue in the current money monitored and the currency and Karnataka, whose mother elections; may be because it is shocked like current of electricity. tongue is not Hindi, have excelled difficult to say who is not corrupt, The sacred Dhanalakshmi was in competitive examinations. India including the ‘voters’! stuffed in bayonets, by the side of burning engine, under carpets, etc. of today is very different from what But every political party leader One did not mind if some of stashed it was 50 years ago, each linguistic talked about corruption of the other cash destroyed in fire or lifted by group asserting for its identity. party. Recent scams were highlights onlookers when left out by those who The turmoil during the States’ of all the public speeches. Besides fled the scene for fear of prosecution Reorganization process should be some filthy abuses, rest of the talk and publicity. a warning. The idea of India can be was about ‘the nation being looted jeopardized. The entire fabric can get by ...” Almost each political leader The bribery percolated through torn if the sensitivities of the people accused the other for ‘selling’ tickets top leaders, to distributors, to workers are not allayed. What is the hurry? A i.e., ‘B’ Forms to the candidates. It and ultimately to voters. The families few more decades’ wait is too small was also whispered and strongly and groups demanded a particular a price to pay for preserving the alleged in internal discussions that rate for voting favourably. While nation’s cohesion. those who could influence ‘high some stinking rich candidates were command’ were on high demand enthusiastic to distribute the cash, I recall how the Hindi fanatics and made lots of money in enabling others who were in the middle range offered quotas in jobs in cases where alliances between two political found it difficult to cope up with the use of English was stopped. This parties and disabling them in some. voters’ demands for specific price approach by ex-speaker Purshotam From the synchronization of political and ran for debts. Most strikingly Das Tandon from Uttar Pradesh was wave length, Congress and TRS who the educated have put their votes to ridiculed by a parliament member in were for creating Telangana should auction and bargained to get better Kerala. He warned him not to open have aligned in Telangana and BJP price. They shocked some MPs the floodgates of quota lest there could not have shook hands with who really worked for people’s should be a demand for such an TDP as they stood on extreme ends development, helped certain sections arrangement in every field. All other members from non-Hindi speaking so far as division of Andhra Pradesh and stood by a cause, when those areas also supported him. Finally, the was concerned. Why it happened? who received such helps turned proposal was dropped. What influenced? New political around to demand money. An parties appeared on the eve of polls educated voter bargained with an There are 22 languages recognized and stormed with abuses, why? For a MP candidate in Telangana; “We are in the Constitution, each with its matinee idol it was more a call sheet four in our family, we are interested own script. True, Hindi is a link than a campaign trail. in your party and you in particular. So we came to you. You know the language along with English, but all Hundreds of crores of Rupees prevailing rate. Rs 1000 per vote, the 22 languages are national. This in cash was caught while being we will adjust, though other party is was conceded by the parliamentary transported. None knows how much ready to pay more, we do not give committee on language commission, was transferred by hawala and to them...” The price varies with the although the committee gave Hindi other invisible means. The VVIP fierceness of competition, the rate the status of principal language and campaigners were busy with election offered by other candidate and the additional language status to English. tours, though most of them did not richness of the candidate. address public meeting! What were The purpose of my narration is they doing? Why did they come? Most revealing factor is: Education that the status quo should continue Whether they used their VVIP did not add any value to the voter, but (Continued on Page 9) immunity cover to hide anything? increased the price like dowry rate 4 JANATA, June 29, 2014 of post-graduate groom. Most of the Candidate (MP): I wrote villages. Education begets more educated voters preferred selling off several letters, forwarded your enrichment, alas! their votes. It is proved with postal representations, met the minister and ballots. Those posted to perform pleaded to sanction road, school etc. There are MPs who pledged election duties had applied for postal for your village, and still you want everything and ran into debts worth ballots and got them. Their concern me to pay money? crores to meet their rivals in battle for democracy is great. But the truth for ballot. Rich candidates with is different. Those teachers gazetted Voter (MA): Sir, did we ask you undisclosed money were more officers and engineers, etc have put to do all that? Why did you do? If at comfortable. They were neither tense those ballots before the ‘candidates’ all, it was for your name and fame. nor worried to get the rates reduced. for sale and secured highest price Now again for five years you will possible. There were officers who be in the fame. ... You know how the Less said is better about media walked away with 40 to 60 thousand system runs... (most of them, if not all) and its rate Rupees for their ten votes (both for paid news and paid bulletins The MP candidate was upset, did for MP and MLA). Candidate too on TV screen. Broadsheet is full not want to purchase the votes from has a justification. He says: we are of ads in camouflage of news or thankless voters. But elders around sure that these votes will poll for us constituency analysis. The package him and their ‘better sense’ prevailed because they handed over the ballots deals have assumed the shape of ultimately. to them. We only mark them and compulsions rather than consensual post. Secrecy of vote has gone with Voter too had a strong argument: contracts. At times there was no winds. Such ‘facility’ is not available when you are remunerated why not bargain at all. ‘They fixed the rates for other ballots. The candidates are I? When there is no honest candidate and hence no bargain please...’ was at risk as the educated or uneducated in the field, why should you expect the curt reply to politicians from voter could change his mind at any voter to be pure? journalists. Scene has been reversed moment. An MP candidate agent for a while as MPs were trying to said “but you know, rural voter is A senior leader of a prominent lobby to influence managing editors more credible.” It is open secret that political party told me: “please for rebates in package deals. Rich secrecy of voting is no more a secret. do not think otherwise, let me tell MP candidates was taxed with Rs you that these so-called educated 25 lakhs minimum while journalists After the postal voters, it was voters are highly corrupt, more than were sympathetic with some who group voters who demanded anybody...the illiterate were honest were given a special price of 20 or substantial money to vote en masse. and decisive”. 15 lakh rupees. The reciprocal benefit It was pathetic that contestants could is regular favourable appraisal of not dare to come back home even at Yet another open secret is: the poll situation or at least no adverse late night for fear of women groups people will not attend any public publicity. Though not a blackmail, it and self help groups demanding meeting unless their TA and DA is was a thorough exploitation of fear huge amounts of money for their arranged. Rs one crore is minimum of losing that enriched the media bulk votes. However they could not the party has to shell down for organizations, whether organized or escape. “If you also demand like organizing a fairly ‘big’ meeting individually operated. Somewhere this where we go, sister...” pleaded so that media coverage conveys a in AP journalists got brand new a candidate. Answer was immediate: message that they still remain a force. Maruthi Swift cars for their objective ‘Anna should women not ask money, The cars or taxis have to be sent performance of duties. because they are female? We surely based on the rate per seat, like Rs five vote you unlike male members who to ten thousand per vehicle, which The question is who is corrupt, or get influenced by liquor or false include money for food, travel and who is not? Whether Representation promises.” The candidate has to keep also liquor if demand is high. Days of of People’s Act, the Constitution quiet and pay. truck carrying people have gone. We of India, moral (model) code of generally find the same audience in conduct, the Election Commission A journalist quoted the following different meeting. (What’s wrong?) of India or any other force under sky conversation between a candidate Whether empowered or not, the voter can prevent influence of money over and an educated voter: is certainly enriched in most of the the minds of people? JANATA, June 29, 2014 5 From Baghdad to Bolangir Labour Laws in India

Saba Sharma

From the crisis in Iraq, a story is requirements of the laws’, as one often going through middlemen emerging of 40 construction workers report put it. who negotiate the terms of their in Mosul who have gone missing, engagement. Even in the formal some reports claim because they As the story slowly shifts from the sector, however, there are new were trying to escape from the city workers to the impact of the crisis employment practices that reduce and were captured by militants in on our supply of oil from Iraq, it is the security of a formal job. Over the process. Many of these workers, an important moment to examine half (51 per cent) of workers in the feared kidnapped by ISIS, refused why so many Indians go to the formal sector do not have tenured both their employers’ and the Indian middle east for work, and why they employment but are employed government’s help to evacuate, continue to stay despite the widely on a contractual basis, implying as many have not been paid up reported abuse and exploitation of a high degree of ‘informality’ in to five months’ wages. Another many unskilled and semi-skilled their employment. Among those report reveals that a group of 46 workers in the region, including non- employed on a contractual basis, nurses from Kerala, working in a payment of wages. This is not the employers often artificially diminish hospital in Tikrit, have refused to story of well-travelled businessmen working hours, or move workers leave despite an offer from Delhi to and corporate employees who have from one location to another so help them evacuate. They need the the opportunity to live and work in that they fall outside the scope of money, as do their families back at countries like Dubai and Kuwait in legislation. home, so they would rather move conditions of their choosing, it is to a safe zone in Iraq than return. the less acknowledged and far more A m o n g t h e R a j a s t h a n Two nurses in the same hospital, prevalent tale of domestic workers government’s amendments to labour laws is the provision that increases who are on holiday in India, told who have their passports taken away, the percentage of workers needed for the BBC that they would return and construction workers who would the formation of a union from 15 per despite the travel advisory issued by rather risk their lives than come cent to 30 per cent. Trade unions in India advising citizens not to travel home without nearly half a year’s Rajasthan have protested this move, to Iraq. For them, failing to return worth of wages. alleging that these moves have been means defaulting on loans taken to undertaken without their consent. pay recruitment agents. In the India Exclusion Report, an examination of labour rights in India At present, only one in every five workers in India have trade union A few days before, on June 16, (written, among others, by Coen membership, reasons for which are the NDA government announced Kompier of the ILO), paints a very the high rate of migration, as well that it was looking at liberalizing different situation of the regulation as the preference of employers for labour laws, primarily to make easier of working conditions in India than outstation workers, which dampens the retrenchment of workers. The what is imagined and portrayed chances of collectivization. Labour UPA, and former PM Manmohan by industry and governments. To authorities often refuse to register Singh in particular, also had labour begin with, labour laws, however unions, without which they have no ‘obsolete’, primarily apply to those law reform as an agenda, propelled bargaining power with employers, by constant laments from industry in the formal sector, and a vast who are not bound by the law saying ‘obsolete’ labour laws majority of workers, 86 per cent to recognize such unions, even hindering growth and holding back (or 400 million workers), are in though it is not a prerequisite for the economy. The Vansundhara Raje the informal sector, and have little their establishment. Because of government is already amending protection under existing labour definitional issues, informally some state-level acts in Rajasthan laws. Most of these workers, if employed domestic workers or to ‘liberate the corporate sector not self-employed, work as casual from the shackles of stringent labourers or on a contractual basis, (Continued on Page 12) 6 JANATA, June 29, 2014 home-based workers, among others, do not have the legal status of That darkness still stalks our dreams ‘employee’ to form recognized unions. M.G. Devasahayam

Despite the constant bad press that ‘stringent’ labour laws have On the midnight of June 25, Singh. These efforts were repeatedly received, facts reveal that not only 1975, prime minister Indira Gandhi sabotaged by an extra-constitutional are they implemented poorly, but nearly destroyed India’s democratic authority at Delhi’s pinnacle of that even where law and judiciary framework with a piece of paper that power. Mysteriously, starting early do act, it is in favour of employers, proclaimed a state of emergency. It November, the health of JP, who was not workers. Conviction rate for was carried by her private secretary lodged at the Postgraduate Institute violation of labour laws is under 2 to the President, who meekly signed of Medical Education and Research per cent, as employers lobby against it. The misgovernance that followed in Chandigarh, began to deteriorate compliance with law terming it extinguished freedom, suspended sharply. I had every reason to ‘inspector raj’. Since 2001, a series fundamental rights, fettered the suspect that a conspiracy was on of court judgments, beginning with press, suppressed dissent. More to incapacitate JP by damaging his SAIL (Steel Authority of India than one lakh citizens were illegally kidneys and put him out of harm’s Ltd and Ors. v. National Union detained. Draconian laws followed. way if not eliminate him. Probably, Waterfront Workers and Ors.), Democratic governance collapsed. Delhi felt that JP was the only did away with many entitlements person of moral stature who could of contract workers, allowing At that time, I was the district challenge the dynasty. Later events employers to have more ‘flexible’ magistrate of Chandigarh, a Union proved me right. workforces. Further court judgments Territory governed by the Centre. ruled that workers employed for long The home ministry and the PMO By divine grace, I could defeat periods did not have to be made were directly monitoring my the conspiracy by playing hardball permanent, employers were not “eminent prisoner”, Jayaprakash with the Centre with a pointed poser: obliged to keep employment records, Narayan, India’s tallest leader after “What if JP dies in detention?” That the right to strike was restricted, Mohandas Gandhi, and then Enemy sent shivers in the PMO, for just and workers terminated illegally No. 1 of the state. He’d been arrested a few weeks earlier, sleuths had were not entitled to reinstatement. by the of Delhi rehearsed a “death-in-detention” In essence, employers are freed and sent to me for safe custody. drill. Within a week, JP was released from most responsibilities towards So I had a ringside view of the on unconditional parole. In defiance employees within the framework Emergency, right from the corridors of Delhi durbar, I commandeered of the law. Since the emergence, in of power in Delhi to the streets of seats on a flight and sent JP to Jaslok particular, of middlemen to handle Chandigarh. Everyone could see the Hospital in Bombay with his brother contract labour, not only are many Emergency drama around them, but Rajeshwar Prasad and friend Minoo administrative costs driven down, I—a member of the elite IAS, but Masani. We were just in time for but employers also do not have a primarily a freedom-loving citizen— his kidneys to be saved. JP lived for direct relationship with employees, had the opportunity to witness, feel four more years, albeit on dialysis effectively creating uncertainty and be a part of the intense struggle twice a week. For this audacity, I about who is ultimately responsible of JP, the “revolutionary in chains”. did incur the wrath of the ‘dynasty’ for workers’ rights. scion and his minions. But I had the In my own humble way, I initiated honour of JP calling me “the son I It is not hard to imagine why certain moves for reconciliation never had” and Dr Manmohan Singh working in Iraq is as good as or between JP and Indira Gandhi so that complimenting me, saying, “Deva, preferable to trying one’s luck in the Emergency would be lifted and you did not merely save JP, you the labour law lottery of India. Even democracy restored at the earliest. I’d saved Indian democracy.” where provisions for workers exist even roped in Sheikh Abdullah for the purpose through the good offices In the 1977 election, JP led (Continued on Page 12) of Punjab chief minister Giani Zail the Janata combine and threw the JANATA, June 29, 2014 7

Congress out of power. Needless to six personnel were seriously injured NGOs are advancing. Intriguingly, say, the conspiracy to damage JP’s at the Koodankulam plant because the IB report was leaked the very kidneys was never fully investigated of malfunctioning valves. I oppose day after this speech. Is it to scuttle and the Alva commission set up by the project because the Modi’s pro-poor agenda? The jury Janata government was wound up 320 cusecs of Bhakra canal water is out! under intense pressure from vested allotted to this plant would deprive interests still owing allegiance to the 1.4 lakh acres of farmland of water. Back to the Emergency. Even Congress dynasty. The region is semi-arid and the after four decades, this dark era cotton, wheat, pulses and oilseeds continues to haunt the nation. Be that as it may, a ‘secret’ grown here depend on irrigation Writing in Outlook in June 2010, IB report leaked on June 11 lists from the canal. Farming supports wrote: “June 26 is the me among ‘eminent persons’ the lives of about a million directly 35th anniversary of the Emergency. who are part of an anti-national, engaged in it here. Villages here Perhaps the Indian people should foreign-funded “Superior Network are also the habitat of blackbuck declare that this country is still in of pan-India NGOs”, including (a “near-threatened” species) and a state of Emergency.” When the Greenpeace and People’s Union the project will cause the animals UPA government threatened Maoist for Civil Liberties (PUCL). These immense harm. Another reason I sympathisers with imprisonment NGOs are allegedly “taking down oppose nuclear reactors is because under the Unlawful Activities development”, impacting GDP by post-Fukushima, they raise great (Prevention) Act, rights activists three per cent and endangering worries about being a threat to retorted: “We consider this as an “national economic security” by life itself. Nuclear energy, which attack on civil society reminiscent articulating people-centric issues. generates just one per cent of the of the Emergency era.” Anchoring Is that not the sort of language country’s needs, is not the answer to CNN-IBN’s Face the Nation debate used during the Emergency? The India’s electricity problems. It is also on the censorship of Prakash PUCL, founded by that great patriot very expensive, if all costs—capital, Jha’s movie Raajneeti, Sagarika JP, responded that the report was construction, commissioning, Ghosh’s poser was, “Are we under an attempt to intimidate and kill operation, decommissioning and Emergency?” What now, with some dissent from those who raise an safe storage of spent-fuel—are top guns pushing for a harsher POTA often lonely voice against life-and honestly factored in. and the decimation of ‘Maoists’ by livelihood-destroying development deploying the military? programmes. This ‘development’ model is Indeed, I have been speaking up anti-poor. Opposing them, in fact, is Despite the fact that the against big-ticket, forest-destroying, in consonance with Prime Minister Emergency is remembered and coast-ravaging and livelihood- Narendra Modi’s governance recalled whenever any blatantly killing projects such as Vedanta agenda, unveiled in the President’s unlawful act or excess is committed, and Posco. Also against resource- address to Parliament on June 9. people at large, particularly those of guzzling, secretive and extremely It swears by ‘sabka saath, sabka the younger generation, have no idea expensive nuclear projects such as vikas’ or inclusive development and as to what it was all about. On the the 2,000 MW Koodankulam plant goes on to say: “...my government eve of the 36th anniversary of the (to be expanded to 6,000 MW) and commits itself to the goal of poverty Emergency, veteran journalist Kuldip the 2,800 MW Gorakhpur plant (in elimination. With a firm belief that Nayar wrote: “The new generation Haryana). the first claim on development must understand that today’s non- belongs to the poor, the government governance or misgovernance is the I oppose the Koodankulam will focus its attention on those who fallout of what Indira Gandhi had project because it has devastated the need the basic necessities of life most done 36 years ago by destroying an southeastern seabed and would rob urgently. It will take necessary steps established democratic order.... How lakhs of fisherfolk of a livelihood. to provide security in its entirety do you make the new generation It could also hang like a sword of to all citizens, through empathy, relate to the Emergency imposed Damocles over millions of project- support and empowerment.” It is some 36 years ago this week? I affected people because of unsafe precisely these people-centric issues have been asked this question many equipment. As recently as May 14, that the ‘listed’ individuals and a time...I do not have an answer.” 8 JANATA, June 29, 2014

Nayar’s anguish is proof enough as Book Review to how this crucial part of India’s freedom-killing post-­Independence Life story of a crusader history has been pushed under the carpet! It is a book that needed to be life to the empowerment of women written. It is a book that needs to be and ameliorating the everyday At the peak of the Emergency, read. Penned by Rohini Gawankar, hardships of the common man. when Indira Gandhi proclaimed Mrinal Gore’s close friend and Of an incorruptible politician’s that “food is more important than colleague of over six decades, fight for equality and justice, who freedom”, JP had thundered: it is an inspiring, virtually eye- did not compromise the socialist “Freedom became one of the beacon witness account of one of India’s values she believed in till her last. lights of my life and it has remained tallest women leaders. Yet the book Of a socialist leader who rose so ever since. Freedom...transcended - published on the International from the ranks to become the first the mere freedom of my country Women’s Day, 2014 - is much more woman Leader of the Opposition and embraced freedom of man than that - to an extent it is the in the Maharashtra assembly and everywhere and from every sort quintessential life story of that band went on to become a Member of of trammel—above all it meant of Indian Socialists that participated Parliament and had the courage freedom of the human personality, in the freedom struggle and who of her convictions to turn down freedom of the mind, freedom of were staunch practitioners of their ministership at the Centre, not once the spirit. This freedom has become “spade-prison-vote” philosophy to but twice. Of a brave young woman a passion of my life and I shall not achieve “complete economic, social widowed at 30, with a five-year-old see it compromised for bread, for and political equality.” I can think daughter, who despite stringent security, for prosperity, for the glory of Pramila and Madhu Dandavate, financial circumstances and parental of the state or for anything else.” Champa and Madhu Limaye, Sudha duties fulfilled the dream she and and Sadanandu Varde, Pramila and her husband Keshav had set out to According to some accounts, JP Prabhubhai Sanghvi, Veena and achieve. Of a pair of young socialists was Modi’s guiding beacon during Pannalal Surana, Ratan and Baban belonging to different castes, (she, his long sociopolitical journey. D’souza or Mangla and GG Parikh, a woman from the Chandraseniya Will Modi—who worshipped at and scores of other such socialist Kayastha Prabhu caste and medical the ‘temple of democracy’ before couples for whom sacrifice for their student; he, a Brahmin and full- entering it—honour his icon’s beliefs has been a way of life. time party worker) who got married freedom agenda or let petty minds despite parental disapproval - and Written with great warmth and belittle it? This is the billion people how his conservative parents died affection, Rohini Gawankar recounts question for Modi! without ever setting eyes on their the various stages in Mrinal’s life, “accomplished daughter-in-law”. (Continued from Page 2) “without resorting to any kind of black or Number Two money floating exaggeration, or making the subject Dr Gawankar divides the tome about is frightening. Unfortunately, larger than life…” as Bhai Vaidya, into chapters chronologically, the existence and circulation of President of the Socialist Party dealing with various stages of number two money has become a (India) states in the Preface. Mrinal’s life from her birth on June 24th, 1928 till her death on July 17th, fact of life in India and is taken for At the outset the author admits 2012. granted. The circulation of black that the book was written in English money domestically and the volume at the behest of many, who felt that It was towards the end of her of unaccounted stashes abroad this would ensure a wider readership. school days that Mrinal Gore came together constitute a great danger to It is immediately apparent that this into contact with Rashtra Seva the Indian economy. The two have is not a medium that she is very Dal – the cultural and social wing to be addressed simultaneously. comfortable with. Yet, go beyond the of the Socialist Party. Sane Guruji The Modi government’s next target lacunae of language and you find a became her inspiration and Mrinal’s should be the black money in motion very moving and enriching story of intense involvement in the RSD at home and an assault on it brooks a determined, generous and warm- activities brought her in close touch no delay. hearted woman who dedicated her with dynamic leaders like S M JANATA, June 29, 2014 9

Joshi, Rammanohar Lohia, N G book are somewhat eroded due officer in the Mantralaya who was Goray, Madhu Limaye and Keshav to the inadequate or incomplete helpful to Mrinal while she was Gore who mentored the young introduction of several characters in the Assembly and was her old recruits in those idealistic pre- and this is evident throughout the classmate as “Saletoor”. There Independence days. This was the volume. For instance, the Principal are too many such instances to crucible of zealous commitment to of Poddar High School is simply enumerate here. True, the author principles, lofty intellectualism and mentioned as “Bakshi sir” or the states in her introduction that fiery nationalism that forged the the book is based on personal Footprints of A Crusader Mrinal Gore that we so admire. knowledge and interviews and is (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) “not intended as a work of reference The biography is aptly titled Pps XVI+250 but my personal tribute”. However, “Footprints of a Crusader”, as Author it would surely have not been too Bhai Vaidya describes Mrinal as a Dr. Rohini Gawankar difficult for younger associates of “socialist warrior” and goes on to Publisher Mrinal to obtain complete names, state that the secret of her popularity Sathi Kamlakar Subhedar, designations or correct details. I was her “integrity, sincerity, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, sincerely hope this shortfall will be simplicity, and genuine love for Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, rectified by the publishers in the next common people especially the Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), edition. A bit more careful editing down-trodden….fighting so bravely Mumbai 400072. and proofreading will enhance for simple needs like water, shelter, Mobile: 9820092255 the readability of this admirable ration and price rise.” Charity contribution: Rs.300 biographical tribute. Rohini Gawankar deals systematically with Mrinal’s work –Sonal Shah with women in the Goregaon (Continued from Page 3) neighbourhood, the vision she Language is a very potent force. and Bandu, as her husband was Urdu in preference to Bengali gave until the nation can have a consensus affectionately called, shared, her birth to Bangladesh. The step- on some other formula. This means slum rehabilitation efforts through motherly treatment meted out to that the push currently given to Hindi Nagari Niwara Parishad, how she Baluchi is at the back of demand earned the famed moniker “paaniwali will have to take into consideration for an autonomous Baluchistan in bai” and how she spearheaded the the feelings and aspirations of each neighbouring Pakistan. anti-price rise agitation in the early area and assure that there is no 1970s using the rolling pin as a alienation of any language of any In fact, the rulers’ worry should dramatic symbol of women power. linguistic community. Modi’s fiats be how to save regional languages She also provides a graphic account to quicken the pace of switchover to like Punjabi which is being gradually of Mrinal’s torturous incarceration Hindi have created the alarm. discarded at Punjabi homes. The during the Emergency and her new generation is indifferent to their continued dedication to public good Meanwhile, the chauvinist mother tongue and for them English, and social work even when virtually supporters of Hindi should patiently which brightens their employment bedridden. wait till people all over the country prospects, comes first because it are proficient in Hindi. Already, it is helps them to secure bread and butter. This book needs to be read for another reason also. It provides a compulsory subject in all the states Heritage is linked with languages an important account of Indian except Tamil Nadu. Job seekers from and therefore leaders all over the politics of the last six decades, of different states too have underlined country will have to devise ways and the travails of the Socialists in their the necessity of learning Hindi. Films means whereby regional languages attempts to stamp their legacy on have spread the language throughout get succor. Without a long-term Indian public life and an insight into the country and one can converse in plan to reinvigorate them, some the dynamics of politics, especially the south in Hindi or Hindustani. A regional languages would fall by in Maharashtra. Unfortunately, few more years will see the entire the wayside as the days go by. How the importance and value of this non-Hindi speaking population many regional languages will survive speaking the language fluently. 50 years hence is anybody’s guess. 10 JANATA, June 29, 2014 We need freeways, but we also need forests.

Kalpana Sharma

Crimes against women have spoke of the need for toilets rather million people in 173,000 villages been constantly in the news. But than temples. Will anyone now say live within forests, or depend on crimes against nature remain largely that India needs more forests not them. That is not a small number. unreported. freeways? That even if factories, So if forests are destroyed, to make roads and railways, airports and way for a mine, a factory, a dam, a Given the current climate, with sea ports are essential, so is a tree power plant, there are people whose the Intelligence Bureau claiming cover that saves the soil, replenishes lives are also destroyed. The previous that non-governmental organisations the water, provides sustenance to government passed laws protecting like the crusading international millions of forest dwellers, cleans their rights, giving them the power environmental group Greenpeace, are the air and absorbs some of the filth to decide whether a forest area can detrimental to India’s progress, and and poisons being generated by our be diverted to other uses. with the ubiquitous ‘foreign hand’ modern lifestyles, poisons that will making a serendipitous comeback, accumulate in the atmosphere and What will happen to these rights? such crimes are likely to become ruin the health of future generations. In the name of ‘progress’ and fast- invisible, noticed only by those who tracking environmental clearances, have been damned as ‘obstructionist’ The new environment minister, will laws like the Forest Rights Act or worse still, ‘anti-national’. Prakash Javadekar, whose ministry be revised or negated? If and when As I tend to identify with that is also supposed to take care of this happens, will the voices of those tribe, let me address this column forests and address climate change, who have fought for the rights of to the elements that ensure that is a man in a hurry. He wants to clear forest dwellers, and for the protection our physical environment does ‘obstacles’ to progress in the form of of our remaining forests, be heard? not become an endless landscape pending environmental clearances. of roads and buildings, leaving no To do that, he wants to change the These are questions that need to be space for the unregulated, the wild, old criteria that classified forested asked now, not after policies are put the unexpected that only the natural areas as ‘violate’ or ‘inviolate’. The in place that facilitate the destruction environment, left inviolate, provides. latter category was formulated to of the natural environment and ensure that nothing - no project, no that deprive nature-dependent A big part of this unregulated mine, no dam - could disturb certain communities of their rights. If environment is trees. Today, they forested areas. environmentalists are apprehensive are in danger. They will drown as about the future, they are justified. more dams are built, or the height of The parameters set out to decide So far, nothing has been said or done existing dams is raised. They will be whether a forest area is ‘violate’ to assuage their fears. razed to make way for infrastructure or ‘inviolate’ are the quality of the — roads and highways, airports, forest area, the produce it generates, Despite this, what they can electric power stations. They will its biodiversity, hydrological, social, and must do is document the be stifled and killed by the concrete aesthetic and economic value. All importance of fighting to preserve pavements surrounding them in these are essential. So in what way the environment - in the way the our expanding cities. They will be can this list be ‘rationalised’ or TreesIndia Group is doing on the excavated from our forests to make altered by the new minister? Why India Biodiversity Portal (http:// way for open-pit mines producing should these parameters be changed? treesindia.indiabiodiversity.org/). the minerals considered essential for The only reason would be to find a Spend a few minutes on this site. It a ‘modern’ India. way to grant clearances to projects that will go against these criteria. will give you a sense of the wealth The former environment minister that we have in India and what could Jairam Ramesh and the current Forests are also about people, disappear without a trace if we don’t Prime Minister Narendra Modi both not just trees. An estimated 350-400 speak up now on behalf of nature. JANATA, June 29, 2014 11 Anti-Emergency Day

Every year we observe 25th /26th the victim had no avenue of redress. year to include threat to ‘economic June as Anti-Emergency Day to security’ within the definition of the remember those dark days when On this day we also take stock ‘terrorist act’ and thereafter the I.B. internal emergency was imposed of the prevailing situation to see has dutifully brought out a report in the country on the mid-night of as to what extent human rights are listing organizations which are th th 25 /26 June 1975 which continued secure and what should be done posing threats to the ‘economy ’ of for 19 months. Fundamental rights to check the growing authoritarian India. Around 150 Maruti workers were suspended, press was gagged, tendencies in the governmental still languish in jail for the last two voice of dissent throttled and more set up. At present the attack on and half years which basically is than one lakh opposition leaders the rights of the minorities, dalits, and critics were detained without tribals, human right activists and a labour-management dispute in trial. Dictatorship was in full swing. other people’s rights organizations which around 2500 workers were Supreme Court, the highest seat of are on increase in spite of the change rendered jobless and their families justice, ruled that even if a policeman of the government at the Centre. on starvation. News of large scale shot dead a citizen without any cause Unlawful Activities (Prevention) retrenchments are pouring in. Such - or even with malafide intention, Act i.e. UAPA was amended last instances are only tip of the iceberg. - PUCL-CFD Anti-Fascist Day

The June 25 / 26 observance For June 25/26 marks not only the and his cavalcade by Hindu right- needs to be reformulated so as to declaration of Emergency in 1975. wingers in Pune when he was on his mark it as a day against political and June 25 is also the Day in 1934 when anti-untouchability tour. social fascism. a lethal bomb was hurled at Gandhi –Anil Nauriya Chetavani Dharna The two day ‘Chetavni Dharna’ of Briefing two key concerned It was learned that Shri Gehlot was hundreds of Sardar Sarovar Project Union Ministers Uma Bharti, Water wrongly briefed by officials that the affected families at Jantar Mantar Resources Ministry and Thavaar recent decision was in “compliance” in Delhi concluded on June 25 Chand Gehlot, Social Justice and of the Supreme court judgement with a strong warning to the Prime Empowerment Ministry, Medha while the reality is diametrically Minister and NDA Governmentt. to Patkar and delegates exposed the opposite and clearance to the dam undertake a serious review of the illegality of decisions of NCA and is utter violation of the court. illegal decision to raise the height clearance to the project by the sub- groups (Environment and R&R), Earlier in the day, Medha Patkar, of the Sardar Sarovar Project and on the basis of official documents, Yogendra Yadav, AAP; Prashant assess the true costs and benefits of court orders and Ministerial Bhushan, Supreme Court lawyer, the roject, which is to cost Rs. 90000 correspondence and in violation of Nikhil Dey of National Campaign crores, while the Government has Court order. for People’s Right to Information decided to submerge 2.5 lakh people addressed the press. Shri Bhushan in the valley. In the name of Kutch Smt. Bharti directed the officials condemned the fast-track clearance and Saurashtra, Gujarat plans to dole of the Narmada Control Authority to approach of the Modi Government out lakhs of hectares of command look into the serious issues pointed in all matters and attempt to quell area land and water to the corporates out by the delegation and review the the voice of people’s movements, and industries. decisions in a participatory manner. who are actually trying to raise real 12 JANATA, June 29, 2014 people’s issues in the country and Nikhil Dey of NCPRI denounced Speaking at the protest, Supreme challenge undemocratic decisions, those ministers who call themselves Court Lawyer Sanjay Parikh stated as also loot Yogendra Yadav pointed deshbhakts but actually work against that the stipulation of the Narmada out that the SSP decision is not just the interests of the people, if acche Award and Supreme Court has been one step by the NDA Government. din would come then it will be for fully violated by the Governments, but is fully indicative of the approach a few people at the cost of bure especially in Madhya Pradesh where of Shri Modi, which they would din for millions of poor people. He the illegal policy of encashment has like to continue for five years. expressed hope that the time is not led to absolute loot of tribasls and This means decisions would be far away when they will rise against poor people and massive corruption. this tyranny. towards destroying environment, Alok Agrawal, struggling for the suppressing the legitimate rights Brinda Karat of CPIM challenged rights of oustees for Indira Sagar, and voice of people. He challenged the arbitrary and anti-people Omkareshwar etc for more than the Government against submerging decisions of Modi Sarkar, be it the 20 years challenged the illegality hundreds of villages while 1000 14 per cent rail fare hike, proposals in dam after dam including SSP crore judicial inquiry into R&R to dilute labour laws of the country and called for a complete review corruption is ongoing and called as also the move to drown 2.5 lakh of the cascade of dams on the the country’s aam aadmi and aam people in the three states organized Narmada which is displacing aurat to stand up against every under a three decade old non-violent lakhs of family and submerging undemocratic decision of the new social movement.. lakhs of hectares of forest and government. agricultural land. Advocate Clifton Gautam Mody, Secretary of D’Rozario, Organising Secretary Medha Patkar expressed shock NTUI lent support to the struggle AICCTTU, told the gathering that at the fact that decision of the and called for coming together of time has come again for the tillers Narmada Control Authority, is farmers, workers and industrial and toilers to stand up against the basically a political decision pushed labour to challenge the corporate ihuman displacement and provide by Narendra Modi, in violation agenda and the time has come an example to movements of this of not just law and in contempt of when every people’s movement in country. court, but also by bypassing the three the country have to start talking to concerned Union Ministers, Uma each other and understand the deep A team of MPs and distinguished citizens would visit the Narmada Bharti, Thavaar Chand Gehlot and rooted inter-linkages of the issues and tyranny of the political class. valley very soon, mostly before the Prakash Javdekar, all from Madhya beginning of the monsoon session of Pradesh who had virtually no role People raised slogans that the Parliament. in the decision making process. She country does not belong to Ambanis urged Shri Modi to face the reality, and Adanis but to aam aadmi and Concluding the two-day dharna, hear the people and come forward adivsis, the farmers, fisherpeople, a mashaal juloos was taken out by for a comprehensive review of the workers, small traders and toiling the protesters and it was resolved entire project, which is his duty as masses,who represent 90 per cent of that satyagraha will be held in every the Prime Minister of India. the country’s population. village of the submergence area. –Meera (Continued from Page 5) in the law, such as the Minimum likely to result in imprisonment or at home, while continuing to be Wages Act, or the Inter-State being branded Maoists and terrorists, deemed an obstruction to economic Migrant Workmen Act, which makes than it is grievance redressal. For growth. it mandatory for workers to be those who can, the payoff from registered when migrating across going abroad, often in massive debt, For more data and details of court states, they are rarely enforced. and living amidst, war, hardship, judgments, see the India Exclusion There is a very low conviction rate and exploitation is higher than Report 2013–14, released on 25 for violating laws, and protesting, experiencing diminishing security June 2014. unionizing, and striking is more from labour authorities and courts JANATA, June 29, 2014 13 How GM crops harm farmers scientific evidence grows

Bharat Dogra

As the controversy over GM lines has plagued the industry from of genetic engineering got together (genetically modified) or GE the beginning, and this may be at the International Conference (genetically engineered) crops has responsible for a string of major crop on ‘Redefining of Life Sciences’ peaked in recent years, so has the failures.” organised at Penang, Malaysia, by the scientific evidence regarding how Third World Network. They issued a harmful these crops can be for Summarising the evidences of statement (the Penang Statement, or farmers and farming, as well as more the last three decades on GM crops PS) which questioned the scientific Prof Jack A. Heinemann, Director, broadly for health and environment. basis of genetic engineering. This Centre for Integrated Research in These issues are inter-linked as any statement said: claim of increase in yield of food Biosafety, University of Canterbury, crops is meaningless, if the food Christchurch, New Zealand recently “The new biotechnology based produced is unsafe or unhealthy. wrote, “Those countries choosing to upon genetic engineering makes innovate in agriculture using GM are the assumption that each specific An eminent group of scientists demonstrating lower productivity feature of an organism is encoded in from various countries who increases and greater dependence on one or a few specific, stable genes, constitute the Independent Science chemical inputs in all crops compared so that the transfer of these genes Panel have said in their conclusion to economically and environmentally results in the transfer of a discrete after examining all aspects of GM comparable countries choosing to not feature. This extreme form of genetic crops: “GM crops have failed to use GM crops.” reductionism has already been deliver the promised benefits and Prof. Heinemann continues, “The rejected by the majority of biologists are posing escalating problems on cost of GM seeds is the fastest and many other members of the the farm. Transgenic contamination growing expense for U.S. farmers intellectual community because it is now widely acknowledged to be who are simultaneously suffering fails to take into account the complex unavoidable, and hence there can be from weeds resistant to the herbicides interactions between genes and their no co-existence of GM and non-GM excessively used on GM crops and cellular, extracellular and external agriculture. Most important of all, pests resistant to the insecticides environments that are involved in the GM crops have not been proven safe. over-used in Bt crops. That likely development of all traits. On the contrary, sufficient evidence would be India’s experience had it has emerged to raise serious safety “It has thus been impossible commercialised Bt brinjal which was concerns, that if ignored could result to predict the consequences of developed with the least effective transferring a gene from one type of in irreversible damage to health and form of Bt for the target pest.” the environment. GM crops should organism to another in a significant be firmly rejected now.” These statements on overall number of cases. The limited ability world-level experience of GM crops to transfer identifiable molecular According to the report of the should be heeded by those who make characteristics between organisms Independent Science Panel, “The high claims on behalf of GM crops through genetic engineering does not consistent finding from independent on the basis of highly manipulated constitute the demonstration of any research and on-farm surveys data. Before coming to more detailed comprehensive or reliable system for since 1999 is that genetically evidence on yields and safety, let’s predicting all the significant effects modified (GM) crops have failed first look at the some inherent of transposing genes.” to deliver the promised benefits of weaknesses of GM technology. significantly increasing yields or In a widely quoted paper titled reducing herbicide and pesticide Several scientists involved in ‘The Biotechnology Bubble’ Dr. use. The instability of transgenic studying the implications and impacts Mae-Wan Ho (who heads Bio- 14 JANATA, June 29, 2014

Electrodynamics lab of the Open The Independent Science like humans and sheep, we risk University in the UK), Joe Cummins Panel (ISP) has stated, “By far the breaching natural thresholds against (Professor Emeritus of Genetics most insidious dangers of genetic unexpected biological processes. in Canada) and Hartmut Meyer engineering are inherent to the process For example, an incorrectly folded have summarised the results of itself, which greatly enhances the form of an ordinary cellular protein several experiments, trials and scope and probability of horizontal can under certain circumstances be commercial releases of GMOs. gene transfer and recombination, replicative and give rise to infectious They write: “There are many signs the main route to creating viruses neurological disease.” of the problems caused in genetic and bacteria that cause disease engineering organisms. For every epidemics. This was highlighted, in Robert Mann, biochemist, product that reaches the market, there 2001, by the ‘accidental’ creation of University of Auckland, says, “The are perhaps 20 or more that fail. It a killer mouse virus in the course gene-manipulators claim they can is particularly disastrous for animal of an apparently innocent genetic foresee the evolutionary results of welfare. engineering experiment. Newer their artificial transposings of human techniques, such as DNA shuffling, genes into sheep, bovine genes into * The “superpig” engineered are allowing geneticists to create in tomatoes, altered bacterial genes into with human growth hormone gene a matter of minutes in the laboratory eggplant, etc. But such claims are a turned out arthritic, ulcerous, blind millions of recombinant viruses reflection more of arrogance than of and impotent. that have never existed in billions scientific analysis.” of years of evolution. Disease- * The ‘supersalmon” engineered, Now let’s look more closely causing viruses and bacteria and their again, to grow as fast as possible, at some safety aspects. Recently genetic material are the predominant with genes belonging to other fish, seventeen distinguished scientists materials and tools for genetic ended up with big monstrous heads from Europe, USA, Canada and engineering, as much as for the and died from not being able to see, New Zealand wrote in a letter to intentional creation of bio-weapons.” breathe or feed properly. the Prime Minister of India, “GM * The latest clones of the Marcello Buiatti (Plants Genetics transformation can produce novel transgenic sheep Dolly are abnormal Department., University of Florence), biochemical processes that are and eight times as likely to die at has concluded in an essay, “GMOs- unpredictable and for which there is birth compared with ordinary lambs. facts and fiction, “Far from being no natural history to assume are safe. the new science, which will solve all * Even products that reach the “The GM transformation process the problems of humanity in a short market are failing, including crops is highly mutagenic leading to time, present day genetic engineering that have been widely planted. is based on obsolete knowledge disruptions to host plant genetic structure and function, which in The authors of this widely quoted and an equally obsolete and wrong conception of life.” turn leads to disturbances in the paper (published in the Ecologist) biochemistry of the plant. This can concluded: “It is important to realise Cesare Gessler, The ETH Swiss lead to novel toxin and allergen that the failures are not just teething Federal Institute of Technology, says, production as well as reduced/altered problems. They are very much the “The products of genetic engineering nutritional quality. result of a reductionist science and a today are still at the level of a hit or miss technology. The transgenic dinosaur technology. We use genes, “It is not a question of if there are foods created are unwholesome, which are foreign to a species, not disturbances to gene function and because they involve stressing the knowing where they are inserted or biochemistry but to what degree developmental and metabolic system what else will change in the whole they will be present within any given of organisms out of balance. There chain from gene to protein.” GM plant. For example, the levels are bound to be unintended effects of more than 40 proteins are altered including toxins and allergens, which Dr. Peter Wills, theoretical significantly in the commercialised current risk assessments are designed biologist, Auckland University, GM MON810 corn compared to to conceal rather than reveal. The says, “By transferring genes across equivalent non-GM corn, which major problem is the instability of species barriers, which have included production of a new transgenic lines.” existed for aeons between species allergenic protein. JANATA, June 29, 2014 15

“Numerous animal feeding studies “Of greatest concern is that studies This highlights the inadequacy of the demonstrate negative health impacts show negative health effects with original criteria and set of data on the of GM feed on kidney, liver, gut, GM crops that have already been basis of which marketing approval blood cells, blood biochemistry and approved and which have been was and is still being granted.” the immune system. grown commercially for 10-13 years. (to be Concluded)

Union Council of Ministers National Election Watch (NEW) Ministers with cases related to ​Education Details of Ministers: and Association for Democratic causing Communal Disharmony: 8(18%) Ministers have declared that Reforms (ADR) had sent a letter Uma Bharti from Jhansi constituency, have an education qualification of to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Uttar Pradesh of BJP has declared a 12th pass or below while 35(80%) Narendra Modi, on the 20th of case Promoting enmity between Ministers have declared having an May, 2014 bringing to his notice the different groups on grounds of educational qualification of graduate disturbing fact that the newly formed religion, race, place of birth, or above. 16th Lok Sabha has a sizeable residence, language, etc., and doing number of MPs (112 i.e. 21%) acts prejudicial to maintenance of Age Details of Ministers: 9(20%) facing serious criminal charges harmony (IPC Section-153A) Ministers have declared their age and requesting him to include only to be between 31 to 50 years while clean representatives in his Cabinet. Ministers with cases related to 33(75%)Ministers have declared Shri Modi committed to critically Electoral Violations: Uma Bharti of their age to be between 51 to 70 examine MPs with self-declared BJP from Jhansi constituency, Uttar years and 2 Ministers have declared criminal cases and fast tracking Pradesh, has declared a case related their age to be above 70 years. cases against them during the recent to llegal payments in connection Lok Sabha campaign said, “the next with an election (IPC Section- Gender Details of Ministers: Parliament would be cleaned by 171H). Upendra Kushwaha of There are 7 (15%) women ministers punishing the guilty”. Rashtriya Lok Samta Party from out of a total of 46 ministers.​ Karakat constituency, Bihar and (NEW) and Association for Ram Vilas Paswan of LJP from ​For more details visit : Democratic Reforms (ADR) have Hajipur constituency, Bihar have www.myneta.info analysed the self-sworn affidavits each declared a case related to of 44 Ministers out of 46 Ministers Bribery (IPC Section – 171E) –Association for Democratic (including the Prime Minister) Reforms from Lok Sabha 2014 and current Crorepati Ministers : Out of the Rajya Sabha. The details of Prakash 44 Ministers analysed, 40 (91%) are Javadekar and Nirmala Sitharaman crorepatis. were not analysed as they are not Madhu Dandavate currently members of either house. Average Assets: The average assets per minister is Rs.13.47 By Ministers with Criminal Cases: crores. B. Vivekanandan Out of the 44 Ministers analysed, 13 (30%) Ministers have declared High Asset Ministers: 5 Ministers Price: Rs. 20/- criminal cases against themselves. have declared more than Rs.30 crores worth of assets: ranging from Janata Trust Ministers with Serious Criminal Rs. 30 crore+ to Rs.113 crore+ D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Cases: 8 (18%) Ministers have Naushir Bharucha Marg, declared serious criminal cases Low Asset Ministers: A total of 4 Grant Road (W), including cases related to attempt Ministers have declared assets less Mumbai 400 007. to murder, communal disharmony, than Rs. 1 crore: from Rs. 65 lacs+ kidnapping, electoral violations, etc. to Rs. 96 lacs+ R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 29, 2014 P.R. No. MCW/275/2012-2014. Published on Sunday, June 29, 2014 & Posted on Wednesday July 2, 2014 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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