Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 10 Multi to single April 5, 2015 S. Viswam

Improving police command The promise and prospect of the know the contours of its ideological Kuldip Nayar consolidation of six different parties predilections. We do know, however, into a single political entity, to begin that each of the merging parties has Land Acquisition Ordinance with at least in Parliament, has been a political history, that its leaders are Prem Singh looming large for almost six months. all political stalwarts in their own There has been much talk but little rights, that each of them has sometime Making judicial appointments action on the ground. At last, we are or the other in the recent past held Rajindar Sachar assured that the official act of uniting chief ministerial offices and that six parties, all off-springs of the each of them can still be expected Lokayat joins original Janata Party of 1977, is about to play major political roles in their Socialist Party (India) to be enacted. The time has apparently respective spheres of influence. come for a new political grouping to Can State Budgets make up? be a new addition to national politics, However, it has been reported Bharat Dogra with a left-of-centre ideology, and that the formal announcement of the with a respectful if not substantial merger is to be made this week-end. Relevance of numbers in Parliament—15 in the That means that a new party expects Ramamanohar Lohia today Lok Sabha and 30 in the Rajya Sabha. to function as a single political entity K. S. Chalam A new party means a new voice, in the second half of the budget a new representation, and a new session of parliament commencing Dynamics of intellectual input into the national on April 20 and that the formal Southeast Asian Security political discourse. Considering the announcement of the merger will Jayabrata Sarkar background of the six parties that are introduce into the national electoral merging into one, the development politics a new player, especially in UP is indeed worthy of a full-throated and Bihar, and that national politics is hail of “three cheers” and also high bound to be enriched and enlivened Editor : expectations. by the emergence of a new player. G. G. Parikh Managing Editor : Guddi The parties involved in the merger The six parties are not new to the are: the Janata Dal (United), the merger game. Each of them at one D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi time or the other has been involved Naushir Bharucha Marg, Party, the Indian National Lok Dal, in mergers and splits. The merger- Mumbai - 400 007. the Janata Dal (Secular), and the split disease is common to all parties Samajwadi Janata Party. We do not yet in our country. The six parties now Email : [email protected] know what the merged party intends planning merger were all socialist to call itself by, and we do not yet parties once, and in turn they have 2 JANATA, April 5, 2015 also aligned themselves in turn Between the lines with the Congress and the BJP, the original face of the left and the right- ultra right in the political spectrum. Improving police command Yet another common link binding them these days is that each of them has had the mortification of having Kuldip Nayar been humbled by the BJP in the Lok Sabha poll. In both UP and Bihar It is a travesty of justice. The By letting off the accused, without where all the six barring the JD court has let off all the 16 policemen, ordering a fresh probe or taking the (Secular) have a sizable base, the six belonging to the Provincial Armed police to task, the court may have parties paid a heavy price. Constabulary (PAC) of Uttar Pradesh done anything but serving the ends on the ground of lack of evidence. of justice. The case is yet another The nitty-gritty of merger was It was dark and it was difficult to example to testify that the police speedily worked out, possibly determine who from among the do not go whole hog in pursuing an because the merging parties are all policemen fired at whom, says the inquiry when it comes to its own in a hurry. Elections are due soon court. Apparently, no real hard work force’s involvement. If even after in JD (U)-ruled Bihar this year and was done to conduct the inquiry and 28 years of investigation, the police in 2017 in UP where the SP is in fix responsibility. Yet how were the have failed to produce before the control. It is a question of face and 16 accused separated from the rest, court admissible evidence it is time prestige for the two parties to do in the first instance? Some criteria to reassess the effectiveness of well in the assembly polls since they would have been adopted to reach police. The cover up is obvious. I were decimated in the 2014 Lok the verdict. wish the court had commented on Sabha polls. Indeed, the socialists that. In fact, the happening reminded represented by Mulayam Singh, Lalu one of the Jalianwala Bagh tragedies. Prasad and Sharad Yadav (JDU chief) Granted the law and order At that time, the British officers regard the coming assembly polls as is a state’s responsibility under blocked the only route of exit and the Constitution, but the central a trial of strength against the BJP killed nearly 1,000 demonstrators government is equally responsible and the saffron parivar. Indeed, the demanding independence. At for peace in the country. It was merger is getting off to a flying start Hashimpura too, the five lanes where incumbent upon New Delhi to have because the six parties are driven Muslims lived had no rear exit, so appointed an inquiry committee by the wish to avenge their defeats. there was no escape route. from its side so that the witnesses, The flag symbol, manifesto and all who are telling the media their other issues stand sorted out, and The army was also searching plight, can be asked to testify before the designated chairman Mulayam every house. Muslim men, old, it. The larger question that the Singh has only to announce the young and children were coming Hashimpura episode has posed is launch of the event. onto the road with their hands raised. the lack of recourse when the police Women were on the rooftops, crying, drag their feet and when the accusing The task is cut out for the new begging the PAC to let go of their finger is directed at the force itself. group. Its first test will be in Bihar. men. One top Army official has If it makes a good showing in Bihar, rightly demanded an inquiry. The overall control of the Union the morale of the constituents will True, the court had to let off all Home Ministry has not worked rise and further gains can be within the accused. The killings cannot, effectively. State chief ministers do reach. Now that the Congress has however, be wished away. Naturally, not care about its behests even if the virtually vacated the opposition the people are generally appalled same party is ruling in the state as well space, it is for the merged Janata over the acquittal of the accused as at the centre. Reforms proposed Party to fill it. The new party is PAC personnel. The families of by the Dharamveer Commission some 39 years ago are accumulating bound to be a welcome addition to those killed feel let down because, dust in the states which were asked to the forces fighting the saffron wave if only the perpetrators had been implement them. The Commission’s in the country. The merged party will punished, they would have got some be an asset in this regard. sort of justice. (Continued on Page 11) JANATA, April 5, 2015 3 Land Acquisition Ordinance: Government-Corporate nexus against people and democracy

Prem Singh

The Land Acquisition, and defence production projects; MNREGA, Land Acquisition Act, Rehabilitation and Resettlement industrial corridors projects; Food Security Act and the like. Act 2013 (LARR Act 2013) was rural infrastructure projects; Manmohan Singh was an economist enacted in the parliament after infrastructure/social infrastructure prime minister who followed the incorporating suggestions from the projects, mostly fall under the classicist approach towards neo- BJP and with its due support. Sumitra Public Private Partnership; and liberal reforms whereas Narendra Mahajan, presently the speaker of housing projects for the poor -will Modi is taking blind leaps. BJP’s the Lok Sabha, then had headed the not require either prior consent or propaganda against Manmohan Parliamentary Committee, which Social Impact Assessment. It is a Singh as a weak prime minister okayed the law. The LARR Act 2013 matter of speculation if any areas is misleading; but it proved to which came into effect from January are left out of these five! For these be an effective campaign in the 2014 empowers land-owners, for five areas, even fertile multi-crop general election. As the progenitor the first time, with the right to fair cultivable land can be acquired and facilitator of neo-liberalism in compensation for acquired land straightaway. India, Manmohan Singh will be along with consent right. As per remembered as the strongest prime the Act the provisions to pay fair The government decided to minister ever. He removed India’s compensation to the farmers and bring in this amendment to the economic policy and its goal from seek their prior consent were to LARR Act 2013 after the winter the axis of the Constitution and be implemented over and above session was over. When the installed it instead on the axis of the existing 13 laws in the matter President inquired into the reasons various power stations of neo- within a year’s time. The LARR Act as to the hurry regarding the matter, liberalism like World Bank, IMF, 2013 was meant to replace the Land three ministers on the part of the WTO, World Economic Forum, Acquisition Act of colonial times government clarified their reasons various multi-national companies enacted in 1894. The staggering and the President’s authorisation was and so on. He believed in all wisdom destitution of peasants and tribals, promptly obtained. Thus, whatever that the capitalist way to growth is social unrest and environmental role the peasants and tribals had the only right way. From the Harshad devastation resulting from the post- come to have in the process of the Mehta scandal to the numerous 1991 new economic policies had acquisition of their lands as per this scandals in his tenure nothing ever forced the UPA government to law was snatched by this amendment even brought the slightest shadow on enact this law. This law mandates and placed back instead into the his brow. This is because he honestly prior permissions of 70 percent hands of bureaucracy and corporate believed that the path of capitalist land-owners in cases where land is houses. Whatever justifications development has to traverse through acquired by the government, and the BJP leaders are giving for this corruption. Narendra Modi is an prior permission of 80 percent land- amendment, ought to have been extension of Manmohan Singh owners, in cases of acquisitions by given at the time of its enactment. because the same policies and private companies. Along with this, Explicitly, the government has practices are being carried forward Social Impact Assessment has also compensated for the support of the by his government too. been made mandatory. corporate houses in the Lok Sabha elections by bringing the amendment It is inherent in the spirit of the The ordinance promulgated by in such hasty manner. Constitution as well as reiterated the present government on the last by the Supreme Court in 1987 day of December 2015 adds Section It seems as if the corporate houses that amendments ought to be 10 A to the Act which undoes the have placed their bet on Narendra brought only during an emergency rights which the land-owners got in Modi instead of Manmohan Singh or an extraordinary situation. It LARR Act 2013. As per this Section and Sonia Gandhi because their will be well to remember that the five areas - national security, defence disappointment was aggravated by sequence of ordinances had begun in 4 JANATA, April 5, 2015

Manmohan Singh’s tenure as finance money of corporate houses is not opposed the ordinance as its affiliate minister. The Vajpayee government kept out of elections, it will not be trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor swiftly carried it forward. The UPA possible to keep out the ordinances Sangh participated in the token strike 2 government too was a government promulgated in their interest. of the Coal Mines Workers Union of ordinances promulgating - at along with other trade unions against least five ordinances in a year. But With this ordinance the already complicated issue of water, forest promulgation of the Coal Ordinance. the current government in its seven This protest is meaningful only if month tenure by bringing nine and land (Jal, Jungle, Jameen) will become even more confounded. all these parties and organizations ordinances during and after the identify, recognize and oppose the parliament session has delivered the Expensive compensations against acquired lands do not ensure salvation root cause. That is, the neo-liberal severest blow to the parliamentary economic policies and the capitalist democracy till date. To say that for farmers and tribals. Most farmers model of development. amendments harm parliamentary have small land holdings and that democracy is - as some other critics is their private property. With land Along with opposition to the have observed - merely a technical acquisition, they belong neither ordinance, some important measures objection. The pertinent question is here nor there. The compensation must also be taken. Political parties why did the previous governments or is usually blown up in frivolous the present one resort to Ordinances? expenditures and addictions. Very must fight for the strengthening The only possible answer is that few people are able to invest the of the LARR Act 2013, and they governments do so in the interest compensation money judiciously must also insist on the formation of the global bodies of corporate for the future. Non-land-owners of a Land Use Commission, as has capitalism, multi-national companies like dalits and craftsmen castes been demanded by the Socialist and corporate houses in the country. who depend on farming land for Party (India). This commission must Thus, it is a one-sided power play their livelihood did not receive any have comprehensive representation that ruins the already marginalized compensation amount, residential of farmers, tribals and non-land- farmers and forest-dwellers. plots or jobs right from the times of owners of villages. The farmers the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. have played an important role in In the neo-liberal times, elections In such a situation, land acquisition the freedom movement. It has have become extremely expensive. without prior consent or any social had several important leaders and impact assessment will invariably According to news reports, in the thinkers including Gandhi himself. lead to social discontent, and might last parliamentary elections, the BJP In the post-independence era, even increase naxalite violence. spent twenty to twenty five thousand from Chaudhary Charan Singh to crores and the Congress spent The important lesson in the Land Mahantha Devaru Nanjundaswamy, about ten to fifteen thousand crores. Acquisition Ordinance is that the Kishan Patnaik and Sachidanand This money comes from corporate supposedly apolitical efforts of Sinha, there have been people houses. Prime ministerial candidates a few good people (who wish to who have deeply deliberated openly participate in the conclaves bring respite to farmers-tribals- upon the nature and problems of and conferences of capitalists and labourers by working within the agriculture and agriculturists vis- solicit their support saying ‘make us fold of neo-liberalism as advisors a-vi industrialization in previously win and we will do your bidding’. to the governments) cannot be a Indian democracy has, thus, been colonized countries including India. permanent solution. They will have This unique legacy must become hijacked by corporate houses. The to understand that the awareness BJP government under the prime a part of the present discourse of and participation of the people development/progress. ministership of Narendra Modi, that they talk about in their NGO just after its formation, had made it endeavour means nothing without There are peasant movements clear that it intended to amend the active political participation. 4 months old LARR Act 2013. It and leaders world over, even in the considers the thirty percent mandate Most parties, including the Europe, who oppose the conditions to be a gift of corporate houses, not Congress, have opposed this imposed by the WTO in the interest of the voters. In such a scenario, ordinance. Many peoples’ of certain multi-national companies the interests of big business houses organizations, farmers’ unions and operating in agriculture sector. become of utmost importance to important citizens have also opposed Lessons can be learnt from these the government. The point is, if the it. The farmer cell of the BJP too has movements. JANATA, April 5, 2015 5 Making judicial appointments

Rajindar Sachar

The All India Chief Justices’ in considering the names; though in I have never understood the logic Conference, being held on April 3, actual practice the Bar comes to of transferring the senior-most judge 2015 began in a relaxed atmosphere know about the inside deliberations whose turn has come to head the as a result of the Law Minister’s even before the minutes of judges’ court in which he has worked for statement that as the National meetings are circulated! But that almost 10 to 15 years and with the Judicial Appointments Commission is no substitute for making the functioning of which and also the law is under challenge, courts can procedure formal and transparent. lower judiciary he is most familiar. till then make appointments under All that it requires is that the Chief To transfer him out of the state to a the collegium system. This is a big Justices should, before appointments, new court for a period of one or two relief because sometime earlier circulate the candidates’ names to years to which he is a total stranger, Press reports had suggested that the the High Court and Supreme Court most likely not even knowing government was taking the view Bar Associations to invite their the names of his colleagues, is a that the appointments would have comments before finally sending strange concept of advancing the to be under the new legislation. these to the authorities concerned. administration of justice. That would have been unfortunate In the matter of Supreme Court considering that of the total 895 appointments, the information needs The most adverse effect is on the posts in the High Courts, 265 are to be sent to all Bar Associations lower judiciary which is appraised lying vacant. Thirty-one of the 85 but in case of a High Court it may every year by the full court. There are posts in the Punjab and Haryana be confined to the High Court Bar hundreds of judges in each state. The High Court remain unfilled. Association concerned. Once that full High Court is expected to jointly is done, suggestions of private supervise their work and give them The situation is horrendous and confabulations within the collegium their assessments for the purpose of seems to be frozen because even (a charge which I believe is an promotion. An outside Chief Justice in 2010 there were 200 vacancies. overreaction) would not be made. will be totally unfamiliar with their Will the Chief Justices’ Conference work. How does he evaluate them? kindly issue information for the Another gravely mistaken policy The usual course adopted is to take benefit of the real masters of the is the appointment of outside Chief the advice of colleagues. He cannot country (‘we the people of India’) Justices. I have never understood get any feedback from the local as to where the real obstacle lies the logic or the rationality of this lawyers because he would not be — in the High Courts, the Supreme practice which is a sure recipe for so informal with them. Is that fair Court not recommending the names, weakening the inherent strength of to the lower judiciary? Why are we or is the government delaying the the judiciary as represented by the bent on creating this morass - as if appointments? This is necessary as Chief Justice of a High Court. the judiciary was not already under the Supreme Court itself says “public serious attack already? scrutiny is the best disinfectant.” The At the Chief Justices’ Conference court can put all this information on held in 2002 it was resolved that No one has suggested that an its website and update it regularly so the policy of having outside I.A.S. officer, when his turn comes to as to enable people to find out where Chief Justices of High Courts be be the Chief Secretary in his parent the fault lies. discontinued. Later on, however, the State, should be appointed from Supreme Court collegium yielded to outside. Why this gratuitous insult Of course, one innovation the the government suggestion of outside to the local Chief Justice? At present collegium must follow now is to Chief Justices which practice, I one watches the embarrassing publicise the names of persons being believe, is not very conducive to spectacle of a Chief Justice on recommended for appointment. One the efficient working of High Courts transfer being sent sometime to a of the grave objections raised by the and this is a view shared by the Bar State whose language is not even Bar is the utter secrecy that is adopted Associations. understood by him. 6 JANATA, April 5, 2015

Personally, I am opposed to the Chief Justices’ Conference Union Budget’s Cuts in Social Spending recommending any suggestions/ Can State Budgets make up? benefits to the judiciary because I consider such an exercise self- Bharat Dogra deprecating. But I now feel that the conference must boldly take up the question of retiring age of High The Union Budget for fiscal year Central taxes (raised from 32% to Court and Supreme Court judges. 2015-16 introduced very high and 42%), as per the recommendation of There has long been a demand by unprecedented cuts in high social the 14th Finance Commission. the public that the age of retirement priority programmes like the ICDS, should be raised to 70. There is no mid-day meals, Sarva Shiksha However some crucial questions physical or mental weakness or less Abhiyan (school education), Indira remain. Will the extra resources agility attributed to this age. As it Awas Yojna (rural housing) and accruing to the state governments is, there are a number of Tribunals women’s welfare. prove adequate to enable the to which Supreme Court judges are state governments to make up for appointed. Their age of retirement The ICDS budget has been cut the entire cuts in some crucial is 68 or 70. I cannot conceive of from Rs. 16000 crore to Rs. 8000 programmes? Even assuming that any logical reason not to increase crore, the mid-day meal budget they have enough extra resources. the retirement age of High Court from Rs. 13000 cr. to Rs. 9000 cr. Will all the state governments have or Supreme Court judges. As this while the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan the necessary social commitment to will take time because it requires budget has been reduced from 28000 ensure that these resources are used a Constitution amendment, let the crore to Rs. 22000 crore. There are only for social priority programmes? retiring judges be continued as ad reduction also in drinking water, hoc judges till the vacancies are health and family welfare. While more definite answers filled. to these crucial questions will be The outlay for Women and Child available only after some time, it An increase in the retirement age Development Ministry has been appears the cuts imposed by the of judges will also widen the field for reduced from Rs. 21193 crore in the Central government may not be selections. At present a successful previous year to Rs. 10351 crore this made up entirely in many state lawyer in the age group of 50-55 is year. The overall allocation under budgets. Hence the net effect is reluctant to accept judgeship because gender budgeting has also gone likely to be that the overall budget of early retirement. This obstacle down significantly. available for several high social would be removed, permitting priority programmes will be less more experienced lawyers to accept The budget for the scheduled than the previous years. judgeship. Members of the Bar will caste sub-plan was reduced from Rs. have no objections because it would 50548 cr. (Budget estimate 2014- This situation has to be seen in the apply uniformly to all. 15) to Rs. 33638 (Revised estimate context of the cuts imposed also in 2014-15) to Rs. 30850 cr. (Budget the last months of previous financial estimate for 2015-16). The budget year 2014-15. If these are also kept Janata Subscription for tribal sub-plan has been reduced in view, then the overall reduction from Rs. 32386 cr.) Budget Estimate for high priority social programmes Annual Rs. : 260/- 2014-15) to Rs. 20535 cr. (Revised becomes even more. Three Years : 750/- Estimate) to Rs. 19979 cr. (Budget Any cuts in high social priority Demand Draft / Cheque on Estimate 2015-16) Mumbai Bank programmes like nutrition and These and other cuts were housing aimed at meeting the basic in favour of introduced on the assumption needs of vulnerable sections will JANATA TRUST that increasing responsibility for prove very costly in human terms. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir these will be taken up by the state Even at a late stage, these cuts should Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 governments as they now have a be re-considered so that any tragic significantly higher share of the (Continued on Page 11) JANATA, April 5, 2015 7 Lokayat joins Socialist Party (India)

At a press conference held in Pune on December 18, 2014, Lokayat, an activist group based in Pune, announced its decision to affiliate with the Socialist Party (India). Lokayat has sent Janata the following article explaining the reasons for its joining Socialist Party (India). –Editor

The policies of globalisation, liberalisation and Within months of coming to power, it has opened up the privatisation implemented in the country over the last defence sector and railways to foreign direct investment. more than two decades by successive governments It has quietly dropped its opposition to FDI in retail. It is that have come to power at the Centre have pushed the bending over backwards to meet US objections to India’s Indian economy into a deep external and internal crisis. nuclear liability law, so that giant US corporations can These policies have led to rising inflation, worsening set up nuclear power plants in India without having to unemployment, a huge increase in poverty and worry about paying indemnities in case of design defects destitution, and a worsening agricultural crisis which has causing a nuclear accident—this basically means they pushed a quarter-of-a-million farmers into committing are being encouraged to supply risky equipment, which suicide over the past decade. Taken in by the massive is nothing but an invitation to disaster! The BJP has propaganda launched by the BJP, the people, hoping also got the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill passed by for 'better days' (acche din), voted the BJP to power Parliament to increase FDI inflows into the insurance in elections to the 16th Lok Sabha held in April-May sector, yet another step towards eventually handing over last year. However, after coming to power, the Modi control of India’s insurance sector to foreign insurance government is implementing the very same policies of corporations—corporations that the US government capitalist globalisation, only at a much faster pace. itself has called “crooks, scoundrels and fast operators”. It has further loosened controls on inflows of foreign External crisis speculative capital. The more the foreign capital inflows, The country is entrapped in a whirlpool of an ever the more the profit outflows; which means that all these worsening foreign debt crisis. Our external debt crossed measures are only going to further worsen our external $450 billion in September 2014, making the country one accounts situation, and push us closer to foreign exchange of the most indebted countries of the world. The Indian bankruptcy. economy has become totally dependent on foreign capital inflows, including both foreign direct investment inflows Internal Crisis and speculative capital inflows, to stay afloat. However, Internally too, the BJP government has continued with our foreign exchange reserves much less than our with the policies of the UPA government of running 'vulnerable external liabilities' (foreign capital that has the economy solely for the profit maximisation of giant come into the country that can leave the country very foreign and Indian corporations. Throwing all democratic quickly—in end-March 2014, when our forex reserves norms to the winds, the Modi Government amended the were $304 billion, our short-term liabilities were $415 Land Acquisition Act through an ordinance promulgated billion), our economy has become vulnerable to the on December 31, 2014, to facilitate acquisition of land whims of foreign investors. The claims of our country’s of urban and rural poor communities for giant private leaders and establishment intellectuals that India is sector projects. As it is, the government collects so few on its way to becoming an ‘economic superpower’ is taxes from the rich that the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio is absolute nonsense. The reality is, if foreign speculators amongst the lowest in the world; in 2014-15, Jaitley gave start withdrawing their investments in India—which they another Rs 5.49 lakh crore of tax concessions to the rich; can do at the tap of a computer key—this superpower and in his 2015-16 budget, he has announced a reduction will meltdown. in corporate taxes, a further deferral of the GAAR by two years, and several other subsidies to corporate houses And so, the new ‘Swadeshi’ BJP government, like such as transfer of thousands of crores of rupees of public its predecessor UPA government, too is going all out to funds to private investors in the infrastructural sector woo foreign investors and entice them to invest in India. under the guise of Public-Private-Partnership. After 8 JANATA, April 5, 2015 giving such mindboggling transfers and concessions Dinanath Batra, an RSS ideologue, which according to to the rich, the Finance Minister unabashedly declared historian Romila Thapar contain “not history, but fantasy” that the government’s finances are constrained, and so have been introduced into the state curriculum in Gujarat; in his budget for 2015-16, Jaitley has further cut the more recently, the newly elected BJP government in government’s already low expenditures on education, Haryana has appointed Batra as its advisor on education. health, welfare of scheduled castes and tribes, schemes The process of filling important research, educational for the welfare of women and children, even drinking and cultural institutions and committees with people water and sanitation—which Modi claims is his pet associated with the Hindutva agenda has begun. The project—by as much as 20-40 percent! This, in a country government pressurised the Indian Council of Historical where the social sector expenditures of the Government Research (ICHR) director Prof. Parvin Sinclair to resign of India are already very low—just 7 percent of the and replaced her by Y. Sudarshan Rao, who has openly GDP, as compared to 18 percent for the Latin American eulogised the caste system. Baldev Sharma, former editor countries, and 30 percent for developed countries. of the RSS mouthpiece, Panchjanya, has been appointed the Chairman of the National Book Trust. There is no doubt—in its economic policies, the BJP government is racing down the very same path traversed Even more serious, divisive, and promoting communal by the previous Congress-led UPA government. hatred are the pronouncements by BJP leaders and leaders of other wings of the RSS valorising people like Growing fascist threat Dhananjay Desai who is in jail for instigating people to What is new at the present juncture is that while murder a Muslim youth in Pune, and Nathuram Godse, implementing this regressive economic agenda, the BJP the killer of Mahatma Gandhi. While the BJP is denying is simultaneously implementing a very regressive fascist its involvement in the murders of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar social agenda. and Comrade Govind Pansare, there is no doubt that fascist goons born out of the atmosphere of hate and The RSS, that has now come out from behind the intolerance created by fascist forces are responsible for curtain and openly controls the BJP, and the dozens their cowardly killings. of organisations spawned by it, are pushing ahead their communal agenda with great speed. In complete It is important to clear the air regarding another transgression of the very foundation of India as a secular related issue here. Despite the mild admonition of the country, Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS Sarsanghchalak, divisive agenda of the BJP by the US President Obama, recently stated that “Hindutva is the identity of India the truth is, the USA and other imperialist countries and it has the capacity to swallow other identities.” actually have no problems in supporting and doing In Cuttack, he asserted that India is a Hindu state and business with fundamentalist and fascist regimes. “citizens of Hindustan should be known as Hindus.” Even a cursory look at history makes this clear. Both Leaders of the ruling party are openly demanding the US and UK did not have a principled anti-fascist that the Gita be decreed as a ‘National Book’. As if in position in the period between the two world wars; synchrony, the government too cleverly initiated a debate Churchill was actually sympathetic towards Mussolini; on removing the words ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ from the US Presidents only belatedly discovered the danger Preamble of the Indian Constitution. presented by Hitler’s Germany and imperial Japan; and Cadres of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal both showed no hesitation in rehabilitating Franco and and scores of other sister-groups have intensified their Salazar in 1945. More recently, the USA has been the intimidating campaigns like ‘Ghar Wapsi’ and ‘Love- main backer of the fascist dictatorships in Latin America, Jihad’. They are brazenly attacking places of worship of and not only actively supports Islamic fundamentalist religious minorities. Dalit and tribal Christians are being regimes like Saudi Arabia, it has even promoted Islamic physically attacked and socially ostracised. Hundreds of fundamentalism to undermine progressive regimes in incidents of communal violence have taken place since the Arab countries. The US is willing to ‘accept’ the the new government assumed power. excesses of these regimes, so long as these reactionary regimes accept exercising their power within globalised Another disturbing agenda of the Sangh Parivar neoliberalism. And so President Obama had no problems being blatantly promoted by the Modi government becoming the chief guest of the BJP government for is saffronisation of education. Text books written by India’s Republic Day function earlier this year. JANATA, April 5, 2015 9 Unite, to fight fascism and capitalist globalisation About Lokayat Neo-liberalism and fascism are twin brothers; the The Directive Principles of the Constitution direct former creates the ground for the latter, and the latter the Indian State to orient its policy towards: building by its rejection of the principles of democracy, makes an egalitarian society and a social order in which it possible for corporate houses to continue with their justice, social, economic and political, shall inform accelerated profit accumulation despite the worsening all the institutions of the national life [Article 38 (1)]; economic crisis. minimising inequalities in income and ensuring that there is no concentration of wealth [Articles 38 (2) and 39 (c)]; More than two decades of capitalist globalisation and ensuring that all citizens have the right to an adequate now the rapid growth of fascist forces are threatening the means of livelihood [Article 39 (a)] ensuring that children very conception of India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a democratic republic as visualised by our country’s healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity founders and enshrined in the Constitution of India. The [Article 39 (f)]; regard raising the standard of living of the majority of the Indian people believe in democracy and people, improvement of public health, making effective the values of the Indian Constitution; the fascists are in provision of education for all children as among the minority; but because the progressive forces are disunited primary duties of the state [Articles 41 and 47]. that the fascists appear to be so strong. Lokayat strongly feels that in this time of such serious crisis, all progressive Unfortunately, the major political parties that dominate forces who share the values of the Indian Constitution the Indian Parliament have decided to abandon this vision must join hands to fight the twin enemies of fascism and of the founding fathers of the nation, and secede from the capitalist globalisation. people of the country. Ever since they decided in 1991 to globalise the Indian economy and open it up to foreign Lokayat, since its very inception, has worked together multinationals, they have been running the economy with other progressive forces in several united fronts, solely for the profit maximisation of giant foreign and the most recent being Satyashodhak Sanskrutik Manch, Indian corporations. Jaganyacha Hakkache Andolan and All India Forum for Right to Education. But now we feel that simply working Giant corporations have launched a ferocious assault in coalitions is not enough to face the onslaught from the to dispossess the poor of their lands, forests, water and fascist Right, we need to unite with other progressive resources—in order to set up SEZs, huge infrastructural projects, golf courses, residential complexes for the groups. Furthermore, in such times of crisis, it is time to rich, etc. directly take political stands. In this, we find ourselves closest to the Socialist Party (India) led by the venerable Public sector corporations, including banks and Bhai Vaidya. The Socialist Party (India) has consistently insurance companies, are being privatised at throwaway opposed globalisation and communalisation, and has not prices. made any unprincipled compromises to somehow form coalitions and win political power. Like the Socialist Indian agriculture is being deliberately strangulated— Party (India), Lokayat too believes in democracy and so that it can be taken over by giant agribusiness that society cannot be changed forcibly by violent means. corporations. The consequence: more than 2.5 lakh farmers have committed suicide since the ‘reforms’ Therefore, Lokayat announces its decision to affiliate began. itself to the Socialist Party (India). Tens of thousands of small businesses have downed We also call upon other socialist and left organisations their shutters. to seriously think over the crisis facing the country, and work towards building a strong unified progressive Welfare services are being privatised and transformed socialist movement to counter the growth of fascist into instruments of naked profiteering: forces in the country, and provide the people a genuinely alternative model of development. government hospitals and municipal schools are being privatised; medicine prices have zoomed; college ••• ••• ••• fees have gone through the roof; electricity prices are 10 JANATA, April 5, 2015 rising; bus fares are rising; the ration As the economic system becomes accordance with the dreams of our system designed to make available more and more sick, the social and freedom struggle that are embedded foodgrains and other essential items political system is also becoming in the Directive Principles of the to the poor at affordable rates is more and more degenerate. All- Indian Constitution. And so, we have being eliminated. pervasive corruption; an educational started this forum, Lokayat. system that makes us think we are There are simply no decent jobs incompetent fools; continuation We organise a wide range of for the youth; probably nearly half of the age-old caste-based social activities/programs in Pune colleges, the population is unemployed or system because of which atrocities schools, city and slums, including: underemployed. on dalits take place almost daily, and which is exploited by politicians We organise seminars, talks, film The country is heading towards an to make the upper caste youth screenings, songs concerts, street ecological catastrophe; corporations believe that the reservation system campaigns, street plays, poster are being allowed to cut down is responsible for lack of jobs; a exhibitions, rallies–dharnas and entire forests, destroy coastal lands communal political system that even solidarity hunger fasts, on in the name of aquaculture, over- divides people in the name of various issues of deep concern exploit groundwater, pollute our religion and fills them with hatred to common people, such as: seas–rivers–soil–groundwater–air, against each other; a value system rising inflation; privatisation of damage the health of not just the that promotes crass selfishness and essential services; destruction of living but also of those yet to be unconcern and apathy for others; a the environment and livelihoods born ... society where cynicism and moral of common people in the name of bankruptcy permeate every nook and development; the dangers of GM These policies have produced the cranny—this is the reality of today. Foods; the horrifying consequences most obscene inequalities that are of nuclear power plants on human becoming worse by the day: The common people have not been health and environment; the impact silent spectators to this betrayal of of Coca-Cola and Pepsi on our health While on the one hand, the rich the Indian Constitution. Like flowers and environment; the deepening are becoming extremely rich— spring up in every nook and corner crisis of global warming; Pune’s the wealth of India’s 56 Indian with the onset of spring, people are transportation problems; etc. billionaires now equals 10% of the coming together all over the country, country’s GDP, and the wealth of getting organised, forming groups We have also staged numerous India’s richest 7800 people equals and raising their voices in protest. protests on the growing atrocities on 50% of the country’s GDP; Though these struggles are presently dalits, on the genocide of Muslims in small, scattered, without resources, Gujarat and Christians in Orissa, and On the other hand, the poor the future lies in these magnificent against the targeting of minorities in are becoming even more poor. struggles. As more and more people the name of fighting terrorism. According to Government’s own join them, they will strengthen, join statistics: hands, and become a powerful force Lokayat’s women’s wing, named which will transform society. Abhivyakti, actively campaigns and 75.5% of the rural and 73% of the organises programs on the various urban population are not able to eat We must stop being sceptics, aspects of gender inequality and two full meals a day; dream of a better future, believe that social roots of violence against it is possible to change the world. women. 50% children below the age of 5 Yes, Another World is Possible! are malnourished; But to make it a reality, we must Lokayat has a very active cultural start our own small struggles. wing which makes use of a wide 42% children drop out of school These will ultimately unite, like variety of cultural forms—including without completing basic schooling; the small rivulets hurtling down the songs, rock concerts, street plays, Himalayas which ultimately form dramas, dance and traditional Lakhs of children die every year the mighty Ganges, to transform folk art—to reach out to people, due to entirely preventable diseases; society and build a new society in raise their cultural consciousness, JANATA, April 5, 2015 11 stimulate them to question the secular, democratic republic, Contact phones: present decadent social–cultural Lokayat has decided to align with the Neeraj Jain 94222 20311 order and its decadent values, and Socialist Party (India). We strongly Abhijit A. M. 94223 08125 motivate them to come together to feel that all progressive forces act for social change. who share the values of the Indian Website and E-mail: Constitution need to join hands, and www.lokayat.org.in Recently, after the coming to so this decision. [email protected] power of the BJP-NDA government at the Centre, and with the fascist Dear friends, if you would like to Contact address: forces launching an offensive that know more about us, or participate Lokayat, opp. Syndicate Bank, Law is threatening the very conception in our activities, you may contact us College Road, of India as a sovereign, socialist, at any of the addresses given below: Near Nal Stop, Pune – 4. (Continued from Page 2) away from the problem than finding recruited kar sevaks, collected main recommendation was that the a solution. But in the prevailing funds and carried out the destruction states should have a supervisory political climate, there is little scope act at Ayodhya. It is sad that even body, including the leader of the for anything working independently. after 23 years, there is no plausible opposition, to keep an eye on the explanation how the police were It is disconcerting that things have effete to enforce the law and order. appointments and transfers of come to such a pass. Unfortunately, True, the history of the PAC is too officers from SHOs and above. even by persisting with the status well known as it had come to be However, the commission’s sole quo the system is not functioning influenced by religion and even built motive was how to separate the state properly. A new experiment is temples at the thanas. There was not from politics. required. The police force under the even a word of reprimand and it was judiciary may turn out to be a better State chief minister did not agree obvious that the top brass itself was to the proposal. Today, they interfere experiment with commitment than contaminated. But what good is salt even in the appointment of a thana the options we have at present. if it has lost is flavor? (police station) in charge. They The Shah Commission, (Continued from Page 6) want their own loyal officers in which went into the excesses of such positions so that they could the Emergency, came to the sad consequences for weaker sections make a telephone call to them conclusion that the police had can be checked in time. directly, as they do, to influence become an instrument of tyranny in the investigation of cases against the hands of rulers. The force carried On the whole it is clear that the men of their party or even out illegal orders and went out of the despite the new situation created acquaintances. way to execute what the political by the Finance Commission’s masters wanted. recommendations, the Union Budget It is too farcical an argument should not have made such big cuts that the system is to blame. The The same type of obedience is in social priority programmes. Many system cannot override the wishes of visible now that the details of the exemptions given to the corporate people. In a democracy, it ultimately Babri masjid destruction are coming and trading sectors could’ve been depends on the representatives they out. The police were willingly removed to get more resources for return to the state legislatures and cooperating with the Kalyan Singh the poor. If the massive exemptions parliament. However, no consensus government which was, despite the given on the custom duties on emerges even there because the Supreme Court’s order to maintain trade of gold and diamond had institutions have become politicized. status quo, determined to destroy been withdrawn, then this alone In such a scenario, the judiciary the masjid. It is encouraging to see would have provided the means is the only institution that still that the apex court has issued notices for avoiding many cuts. By making enjoys respect. If the police were to the top leaders of the BJP like significant efforts to raise the tax- put under its supervision, the force L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi GDP ratio and the other ways, the may act more independently than it and Uma Bharti, to explain their government could’ve raised extra involvement in the entire happening. is doing now. The police may find resources to avoid any sudden that the political interference is not The BJP leaders would have and drastic cut in social priority there. It does amount to running to explain how far months they programmes. 12 JANATA, April 5, 2015 Relevance of Ramamanohar Lohia today

K. S. Chalam

History is always dispassionate policies along with the resurrection him to draw meaningful conclusions about personalities and detached of fundamentalism, control of and in a way made him irrelevant from emotional connect. It is proved caste and corporate media and the in the Indian context. One of the time and again that individuals inconsequence of the poverty of examples that he used to attribute and personalities are mercilessly Indians in public debates call for a to Marx is about the economic thrown into oblivion when their reflection on the ideas of Lohia once crisis and the appropriation of work and ideas are menace to the again. Though some scholars have appropriators. This did not happen contemporary society and brought published fascinating papers and in the capitalist advanced countries to limelight those whose sacrifices books on Lohia during the centenary of Europe, but only occurred in Asia for the wellbeing of mankind are year in 2010, it is an occasion not and Russia. In fact this criticism is eternal though they might have burdened with any obligations to taken by some of his followers to an been desolated during their lifetime. remember him as a custom, but unconstrained extent to denounce The relevance of the ideas and to really understand his relevance Marxism. Lohia’s criticism about opinions of some intellectuals may today. Soviet Union of Stalin era did not be far reaching and visionary though last long. It is here I think we need during their lifetime those might Unlike several other Indian to revise some of our reflections on have been found incredible by their leaders, Lohia did not go to England Lohia to make him relevant. contemporaries but that does not for his higher studies as he abhorred mean they remain lay waste forever. the Anglo-Saxons (though Germans The critics and admirers of Lohia There is another group of evangelists do come under Saxons, they never should not hesitate to recognize that whose profession is to make claim so). He was trained by the limitations of Marx and Soviet irrelevant ideas significant and earn one of the foremost economic model and even China do not exist a living whether they are useful or historian of his times Sombart and anymore to extend the logic. If we useless to common people. Religion his contemporaries included the do not realize this fact we would and faith based on hypocrisy and famous Schumaker whose ‘Small be fighting only with a shadow. hegemony might make a few ideas is Beautiful’ derived ideas from Similarly the Marxists who were always appear in public domain Gandhi and Buddha. His approach critical about Lohia’s approach but with little relevance to aid the to the study of Indian problems is to Communism may consider victims of unkindness of time. We indigenous and critically drawn the changed circumstances in the have in India some great men like from Indian philosophical thought. world and the relevance of Socialist Mahatma Phuley , M. N. Roy, B. R. It is very illuminating to read his programme advocated by Lohia and Ambedkar, Rammanohar Lohia and ‘Marx, Gandhi and Socialism’ - one the need for a reassessment of his others in the modern times whose of his very important contributions ideas to bring all the progressive ideas are found relevant whenever to Indian thought. Lohia used several forces on one platform to fight the society is dragged into chaos and examples from Indian thinkers like capitalism and its Siamese twin bigotry . Lohia whose 105th birth Shankara to illustrate his point. He fundamentalism. The frequently anniversary was observed on 23rd was very critical about Marx being cited metaphor of Marxism by March is an occasion to review some at the same time being a Marxist most of our Indian activists and of his ideas along with those of one and used his theory of surplus value intellectuals is about the base and of our greatest patriots Bhagat Singh for his analysis. Lohia’s major super structure. It is gone to such an who was hanged by the imperialists criticism against Marx was that he extent that some of the materialist on 23rd March. had used his European background interpretations of history have for the study of Asian or Indian rejected the blatant reality of caste There are interesting happenings problems that are different. He and hoodwinked intellectuals like in the recent past that are significant. was of the opinion that Marx’s Ambedkar and Lohia as those who The collapse of Soviet Union lack of knowledge about the Asian squandered time and resources on a experiment, the crisis in Europe, society made him to draw extreme super structure issue that will blow the emergence of neoliberal generalizations that did not allow off once economic emancipation JANATA, April 5, 2015 13 of the poor is achieved. We know of caste and status based on birth, be further studied to make Lohia now what has really happened to revolution against colonialism, relevant today. that interpretation today. That is revolution against private capital, why some critiques attribute this revolution against armaments The greatest price the Marxists wrong or injudicious interpretation and creation of world parliament. and the so-called materialists of as mischief played by those who Unfortunately very few left thinkers India have paid for disregarding the really belong to the other camp but seem to have taken these ideas very potential of Hinduism to derail the tactically worked with the left to seriously and never interrogated agenda of socialists can be seen in give vigor to the fundamentalists. It them. However, his ardent followers terms of tolerating it. It was Lohia may not be precisely the matter of are also to an extent responsible for who has taken the Hindu ethos to fact of the criticism, but some of the this apathy who failed to raise these task by questioning the limited interpretations and marginalization issues for public debate at all India personality of Rama and making of Lohia and his ideas by the level. The followers of Lohia were him as their ideal. Lohia being a mainstream left have caused confined to Hindi belt and a few critique might have in the process great damage to the foundation of pockets of social groups, though prickled Gandhi’s Ramarajya? democracy, secularism and socialism they were supported by the bahujan The Indian intellectual class due in India. We have seen four decades majority (may be due to the Lohia to their control over media and of left active participation in the legacy). public discourse has never allowed parliamentary form of democracy any indigenous thinker to come and their demands , activities, Some of the intellectual to limelight who questioned their implementation of policies, etc that contributions of Lohia are found social hegemony. They have been are in no way different from what to be still valid after the emergence doing it from time immemorial Lohia advocated. Then where is of North Atlantic hegemony which and we could see it in the case of the point of departure? It may be Lohia detested during his lifetime. Phuley, Ambedkar, Periyar, Lohia in the analysis and interpretation Let us look at three of his important and several others during the last of Marxism. Now the objective ideas like capitalism and Imperialism, century. We are witnessing the same and subjective conditions and the limited personality of Rama and in the contemporary period as well assumptions about India have capitalist production relations. Lohia with the support of technology and changed. It seems both the left and unlike the Indian Marxists was one at the same time diabolically even the socialist groups have lost precious with the Latin American scholars questioning its credence? time and energy in coming to terms who have developed ideas as to to mitigate the miserable conditions how imperialist centre of USA was One of the important contributions of the poor and the socially deprived. responsible for underdevelopment of of Lohia in the area of mode of Is it because of the lack of realization the periphery. Lohia has questioned production debate is his criticism of this phenomenon, the space kept Marx’s formulation that imperialism of Marxist overemphasis on the open ended is now occupied by comes in at the final stage of capitalist destruction of production relations the opportunistic and hegemonic expansion. He did not agree with it rather than the productive forces. It is compradors? and said that British imperialism seen that the collapse of Soviet Union was responsible for the development could be related to the continuation Lohia has spelt out his socialist of British capitalism and both of productive forces that became agenda in terms of 6 programmes are interrelated. He was perhaps necropolis of socialist regime and as 1 maximum attainable equality, anticipating the Latin American the development of bourgeois class 2 social ownership, 3 small and scholars like Wallerstein, Gunder who diverted social surplus to USA indigenous technology, 4 four Frank, Cardos , Arrighi, etc when and Western Europe and ultimately pillars of state, 5 decetralisation of he said that the exploitation was like pulled down the system. It is to be industry, and 6 world parliament and the village being exploited by the examined to what extent Lohia was government. These goals perhaps town. Though Lenin has elaborated right in this prophecy. Lohia thought could be achieved on Imperialism as a continuation through his seven point revolution of Marxist analysis, interestingly The recent debate in the or ‘sapta kranti’. They are; equality both M N Roy and Lohia gave a Parliament about color and gender between men and women, shun different analysis to this as far as discrimination and targeting Sharad colour discrimination, annihilation India is concerned. This needs to Yadav a Lohiate seem to have been 14 JANATA, April 5, 2015 distorted in the media. But the fact of the matter is that Lohia spoke India, ASEAN and the Dynamics of about the beauty of black people Southeast Asian Security and explained the splendor of the personality of Draupadi. He was Jayabrata Sarkar right in saying had the African blacks rather than the British whites were our colonial masters, black color India, an overpopulated and poor public sector driven development could have taken the place of white nation, after independence, viewed model. The opening of the Indian in our public discourse. You can see itself as the hegemon in the South economy meant that foreign relations this now in our electronic media and Asian region and as a leader with the began to represent an economic the ad industry with which our self Non-Aligned Movement. It hardly dimension and trade became a major styled protectors of Indian culture mattered on the wider world stage foreign policy tool. are comfortable eulogizing white that was gripped by an intense Cold and European color and blondness. War rivalry between the East and By the late 1990s India’s This reminds that their primordial the West. economic interests began to focus relations with Anglo-Saxon and on Southeast Asia and the ‘Look Aryan link being displayed in their Indian foreign policy in the first East Policy’ was initiated as part subjugation to white power but four decades evolved as a dual of India’s re-assessment of its role glossed over by their caste media. pattern encompassing a global in the wider region. For the first In order to hoodwink some of these as well as a regional role. The time India was looking at Southeast ideas they bring a pet black cat from two roles were run on a very Asia as a neighbour and as a market the opposition camp. different basis as relations with for investment and trade. Closer India’s neighbours were conducted cooperation with Association of Lohia was one of the ardent on a much more realistic policy Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), supporters of democratic course as opposed to the moralistic founded in 1967, whose offer of decentralization and power to the international policy. Nehru’s global membership India had refused due victims of caste system. Perhaps it vision, more popularly known as to its anti-American worldview, was was in this context he has encouraged ‘Third World-ism’ was based on now seen as a new priority area of the lower castes in the positions of party and power politics to provide moral supremacy and leadership India’s East Asian policy. It assumed adequate representation to the real of the developing world as well as momentum in the backdrop of frosty proletariat. Unlike the Marxists economic self-sufficiency at home. relationships with neighbouring who proclaim the nonexistence of These moral principles bordering on countries and realization that South caste and the presence of class in idealism focussed on superpower Asian Association of Regional India, Lohia being an indigenous domination and anti-imperialism Cooperation (SAARC) was not thinker correctly strategized his and remained the raison detre of going to be a huge success in terms political move to bring equity and successive government’s political of multilateral trade. equanimity (samta and samtvam) position till the late 1980s. in a caste ridden Hindu society. In India became ASEAN’s ‘sectoral this process Lohia is far ahead of his In the aftermath of the Cold War partner’ in 1992 and a full-fledged caste man and mentor Gandhi and India’s foreign policy formulation member in July 1996. At the second also Marxists. Sadly both the groups began to alter and then experience ASEAN–India summit in Bali are now considered as irrelevant significant conceptual shifts in in October 2000 the two signed and there is wide spectrum of scope the mid-1990s. The backdrop to an agreement to establish a Free thrown open for building a united the changes was the economic Trade Area. Further, the presence struggle to make India a democratic reforms which started in 1991. India of India at the East Asian Summit socialist and secular country with opened its large insulated captive in December 2005 and its inclusion all the left and democratic forces market to the world for investment in the East Asia Community testify coming together. The life and for economic growth side-lining to the growing synergy and a future mission of Lohia would definitely the decades old concept of self- beckoning a greater integration in enrich all of us in this direction. sufficiency based on a predominant the region. ASEAN has certainly JANATA, April 5, 2015 15 taken note of the fact that it is in in the region. From an ASEAN designs’. At a broader level India has their best interest to include India perspective Indian presence in sought to engage ASEAN members in a regional framework and thereby Southeast Asia would provide them in the process of multiple levels capitalize on its emerging strength with additional ‘hedging options’ of dialogue spanning defence and as a large economic power with as many ‘members’ want to see ‘all counter-terrorism seeking to evolve an equal measure of economic major powers playing a role in their new multiple security structures potential and ample opportunities region so that it is not dominated and institutions in the region. for ‘economies in the region’ for by one or two players, particularly Taking forward the Indo-Pacific years to come. China’, says Ian Storey, Senior regional concept forward ASEAN Fellow of the Institute of Southeast and India should be more active Post-9/11 India and ASEAN Asian Studies, Singapore. in pursuing a greater ‘strategic have begun to evolve a structure of certainty’ by galvanizing multilateral regional peace and security in the India observes the emerging organizations such as the Asia-Pacific region. While terrorism remains security scenario within the context Economic Cooperation, East Asian a global threat, Southeast Asia, in of the Indian Ocean Region, a theatre Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum addition, faces the reality of the rise of intense rivalry of contending and various “ASEAN Plus” grouping in China power that is seeking to powers, home to two billion alongwith moves to rejuvenate the alter the balance of power in Asia people, which serves as a global Indian Ocean Rim Association for in the backdrop of the declining energy highway with nearly 50% Regional Cooperation, the Bay presence of USA from strategic of world’s container traffic and of Bengal Initiative for Multi- locations in the region. One of 70% of world’s petroleum products Sectoral Technical and Economic the considerations ASEAN has travelling through its waters. With Cooperation. It could then address taken into account while according the imperative of geo-economics specific regional issues including bigger status to India is definitely over geopolitics and the shift in energy security and face multifaceted the issue of China’s rising profile balance of power from Atlantic security risks, including those from and especially its naval incursions to the Indo-Pacific, with a strong non-traditional sources ranging into South China Sea, a waterway Chinese presence in the region, India from maritime piracy to arms through which world’s one-third has publicly avoided being drawn smuggling, illicit drug trafficking, shipping transit passes through and into endorsing a ‘safeguarding human trafficking, cyber-crime and considered to hold huge oil and gas military option’ for the Southeast threats from both state and non-state reserves beneath its seabed. China region. sponsored terrorism. historically claims it as its own casting aside protracted maritime India has vital economic interests disputes it has with Phillipines, to defend in the region. The ASEAN- Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and India Plan of Action to implement the Taiwan over the sea. Certain news ASEAN India Partnership for Peace, reports suggest that China is building Progress and Shared Prosperity a ‘South China Sea island’ big (2010-2015) has targeted USD 100 enough for military installations. billion by 2015 for ASEAN-India The Southeast Asian countries trade. On matters of security and its deem it appropriate to guard against positive impact on increasing trade pervasive Chinese influence and relations with ASEAN India has on have been making efforts to set up its part has shown its willingness to vital sea-lanes of communications accede to the Treaty of Amity and through the Taiwan, Malacca, Sunda Cooperation in Southeast Asia and and Lambhok straits. ASEAN its endorsement of the Southeast Price: Rs. 20/- countries justifiably perceive India, Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone with the largest naval forces in the to indicate its peaceful intent Janata Trust Indian Ocean and sufficient nuclear casting aside any apprehension D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir capabilities, a strategic partner to that ASEAN member states might Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), balance China’s growing power have to possible Indian ‘military Mumbai 400 007. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 5, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, April 5, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday April 8, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 11 A heart-warming story April 12, 2015 S. Viswam

Operation Rahat is appropriately touched the 4000 mark. Seven Children of democracy named. India’s rescue operations hundred of these were among others Kuldip Nayar in strife-torn Yemen have fully lifted off in air sorties of C-17 vindicated the title which roughly Globemasters clocking more than translated means succor or asylum. 150 flying hours. The Indian Navy Modi’s jibe at judiciary The world has been impressed by made its own significant contribution Rajindar Sachar what was to be later described by to the rescue efforts when its three Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ships Mumbai, Sumitra and Tarkash a “seamless operation” of helping saved hundreds of lives. Thus, the AAP, civil society, people in distress “which is India’s two major arms of the Indian armed dissent and politics ethos”. Thousands of Indians have forces successfully carried out an Neerja Chowdhury been rescued and brought to safety operation that rose to the challenge and eventually to their homes. This of the hour, the unexpected crisis in is not as noteworthy as the fact that Yemen. They demonstrated how they Defending Gandhian ideology as many as 28 nations have asked coped with the crisis and emerged Qurban Ali India for assistance in rescuing their with laurels. nationals caught in the “war” zone. Give the credit where it belongs. Withdraw In response India has evacuated Operation Rahat was headed by higher education 232 (this number has risen in the the Minister for External Affairs from WTO few days past) nationals of 25 countries including the US and Sushma Swaraj, her number two some of the major European Gen. V. K. Singh and those involved powers. Consistent with the policy were the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force, Air India, Indian Shipping, Editor : of forgetting differences at a time of crisis, Pakistan sent 11 Indians Railways, and state governments. G. G. Parikh back to India by a special plane. All worked in close co-operation, Managing Editor : Guddi These Indians were taken out of Al and this is what the Prime Minister Mukallah by Pakistan Navy along referred to as seamless operation and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, with 171 Pakistanis. India has also cooperation in his praise. Operation Naushir Bharucha Marg, helped in evacuating Pakistani Rahat brought out the best in the Mumbai - 400 007. nationals from the Yemeni portg personnel manning their respective of Al Hodeidah last week. At last charges. No wonder, other nations Email : [email protected] count, the total number of Indians were impressed enough to ask for evacuated from war-ravaged Yemen our assistance. 2 JANATA, April 12, 2015

This is only one aspect of the Between the lines Indian endeavour to save our citizens caught off guard in a crisis. In past crises in the Middle East, Children of democracy Indian nationals have managed to find safety since Indians have not always been under attack as Kuldip Nayar India is seen as a neutral country in this region. Even so, the fact Religious sensitivity has This is not the first time that remains that there are nearly six deepened since the advent of Prime such a conference has been held million Indians employed in West Minister Narendra Modi’s regime. on Good Friday. But those days Asia. Most of them are unskilled. Even though he has underlined the feeling of discrimination was Secondly, it is not always possible the principle of sarva dharma not harboured by members of for the majority of these Indians samabhava, parochialism has shown the minorities. Now the blatant to leave at a moment’s notice. In its ugly face in one field or the expression of Hindutva ideology, most cases, the local employer takes other. The judiciary is the only which the BJP represents and away their passports and visas, and institution that has been above the implements, has changed the climate in some cases, their wages also. taint. Nonetheless, the outburst of pluralism that the nation has Thirdly, most Indians do not want of Supreme Court judge Kurian inhaled since independence. to return to India leaving their jobs Joseph shows the pent up feelings True, the country has given the unprotected. Whether in West Asia, of a justice belonging to the minority BJP an absolute majority in the Lok or other countries of the region and community. Sabha. This does reflect a change the SAARC area, Indians often in the thinking of the people, who are forced to work in what can There can be no exception to have been voting for a secular plank best be described as inhospitable what he has said: “Our religious until a few years ago. However, it working and living conditions. and cultural festivals and hues, must be remembered that the basic This is partly due to the fact that irrespective of caste and creed, have structure of the Constitution, defined it is mostly the unskilled labourers contributed to the vibrancy of our by the Supreme Court, cannot be that are forced to take up such jobs rich pluralistic culture and ethos. changed. One part of that structure as come their way. Economics is The whole world jealously looks is secularism that animates the the major factor influencing their at the beauty of the secular image, Constitution. conduct. Indian workers choose communal harmony and cultural What must be disconcerting to stay on and face danger to their integrity of our great nation. India for the judiciary is the relentless lives rather than return to India and must in these trying times, safeguard effort by the extremists to change face unemployment and worse. her credentials and be a model that other nations must follow.” the very basics of our nationhood. These workers are often at the The new terminology like ghar mercy of touts back home and also However, I think that he over- wapsi (reconversion to Hinduism) in their places of work who ensure reacted to the scheduling of annual has been coined to the detriment some kind of an invulnerability in chief justices’ conference on of pluralism. The Gita has been protecting their jobs. Cases have Good Friday. Chief Justice of India introduced in the curriculum of been reported in the media in which H.L. Dattu honestly believed that Haryana schools. the workers have to part with a great the working of the court would Churches have been attacked in deal of cash - a substantial part be disturbed because of stretched of their wages - to buy the touts’ Delhi, Navi Mumbai and Jabalpur holidays. He, therefore, decided to in Madhya Pradesh. There is a ban cooperation. utilize the large weekend, which on beef in Haryana and Maharashtra. included Good Friday, to hold the After a lot of cajoling, Prime We began by lauding Operation conference of justices of state high Minister Modi deprecated the attack Rahat. However, occasions which court chief justices. Where he went on the Churches. Yet the general necessitate the institution of such wrong was that he did not fathom the perception is that he is not against schemes comes once in a while. But sensitivity of Christian judges or the the soft Hindutva that is spreading (Continued on Page 12) community. in the country. JANATA, April 12, 2015 3

The BJP-run states are worse because they are not on the national Modi’s jibe at judiciary radar and evoke a limited attention. In any case, they are already islands Rajindar Sachar of Hindu chauvinism. The fear among the minorities is, therefore, understandable. I have heard several Prime Minister Modi’s gratuitous crusader’s spirit, but in discharge of Muslims saying that they are afraid comment about the judiciary being a duty plainly laid upon them by the of their jaan aur maal (life and influenced by five-star activists was Constitution”. wealth). a cheap joke which brought down the prestige of the biggest political office The criticism of judicial The RSS leaders are sitting of the country. And he made these activism as such is, therefore, pretty. Even the liberals in the observations at the Chief Justices’ untenable. Courts have for long BJP are mum. They may want the conference, which was also attended been judicially active in giving relief domination of Hindutva ideology. by chief ministers. The diatribe in social action litigation to labour, But it is difficult to imagine that against the judiciary was uncalled to victims of custodial violence, to they could be in favour of a second for, and dangerous if allowed to be victims of excesses committed by class status for Muslims, a flagrant followed by chief ministers. the executive. But as previously violation of the Constitution which judicial targets were comparatively enunciates equality before the law The remark shows ignorance junior officials and certainly never and underlines the principle of one of the kernel philosophy of a involving politicians, the issue of man, one vote. democratic country like ours where judicial activism was not raised by three wings - the executive, the politicians. This charge of alleged It is incumbent on the Modi legislature and the judiciary -have an interference by courts has only government, which represents the equal role within our Constitution, now been made because the fire of majority that the institutions remain but still inevitably cannot help judicial activism is coming nearer without the taint of communalism. breathing down on each other’s home to the high officials and Particularly, the judiciary cannot neck. Statesmanship and sobriety politicians who had hypnotised afford to have a finger pointed require a mature response from all. themselves into believing that they towards it. The allegation by the Unfortunately, Modi, a former Chief were above the law. Prime Minister that the ‘five-star Minister, has not been able to find his activists’ are driving the courts has feet of working in the broad contours The Prime Minister has, in spite only aggravated the situation. of India’s Constitution and that alone of strong T.V. and public criticism, The Chief Justice of India has could be the excuse put forth by his chosen to keep silent about five- rightly contradicted the statement, apologists. Thankfully, the Chief star social activists from whom he adding that the judiciary and Justice of India issued a dignified alleges the judiciary is said to be parliament are like ‘siblings’ and response that “Indian judges remain threatened. Let me then share a must work together “towards a as fearless as they ever were”. few facts. The Supreme Court has truly and effective administration passed various orders to uphold the of justice.” Both the judiciary In spite of the executive’s human rights of people, especially and parliament are children of unhappiness, the judiciary right of the deprived sections, at the democracy. They have to work hand from the beginning has not shirked instance of the People’s Union of in hand for a just and egalitarian from its path as explained by Chief Civil Liberties, a human rights society. One has to correct the other Justice Patanjali Sastri (1951) thus: organisation set up in the dark whenever one of them goes wrong. “We think it right to point out, what period of the Emergency (1976) by is sometimes overlooked, that our Jayaprakash Narayan, the Socialist Still the impression that the Constitution contains an express leader. The PUCL’s constitution activists influence the court’s provision for a judicial review of forbids foreign donations. Its funds judgment has to be removed. The legislation as to its conformity are raised locally. It challenged National Judicial Appointments with the Constitution. If then, the and got some relief from draconian Commission is expected to replace courts in this country face up to laws enacted in the name of fighting the collegiums system of appointing such important and none too easy terrorism like TADA, POTA and the judges, giving a greater say to the task, it is not out of any desire Unlawful Activities Act both by the to tilt at legislative authority in a Congress and BJP governments. (Continued on Page 4) 4 JANATA, April 12, 2015

It was at the instance of the PUCL but for the Supreme Court the (Continued from Page 3) that the Supreme Court directed the independent status of the Central executive in the process. Yet there candidates to disclose information Vigilance Commission would was a time when the executive about their financial status and not have been established. Nor had its say. But it was found that criminal cases pending against them would police reforms have been the government’s interference in at the time of filing nominations for put on the anvil so as to hold the appointments and transfers of judges an election. Such was the effrontery police accountable for custodial was politically motivated. And of all political parties, including the illegalities, notwithstanding that hence the matter was left to the Congress, the BJP and even the Left, police commissions recommending judges themselves. that they unanimously passed a law police reforms in their reports specifying that, notwithstanding the submitted over decades back. This Still, both the collegiums and Supreme Court verdict, the Election was all at the instance of civic- the executive have failed to ensure Commission would not follow that conscious citizen groups. impartiality in appointments. judgment. The PUCL had to move I am willing to concede that courts Therefore, the Law Commission the Supreme Court second time to are now showing more activism than should seriously consider how have this resolution of Parliament before. But this is a consequence of to insulate the judiciary against nullified and it is only then that the misfeasance of politicians. It will be any influence and constitute some present system came to be followed. a pity if ever a climate was created mechanism to take into consideration Again, it was at the instance against the exercise of judicial what the executive says. This way of the PUCL that the government activism because such an eventuality the sensitivity of both the judiciary was prohibited from telephone may lead to the loss of faith in the and the executive which represents tapping at the executive’s pleasure law as an instrument of social change the people are taken care of. and justice - an alternative course and Parliament was forced to pass For example, the Right to cannot be viewed in equanimity even legislation. Information (RTI) has proved to be by Modi loyalists because people, useful to know the reason behind a The right to reject a candidate if denied justice through courts, at the time of an election, though particular decision. This has helped would inevitably be driven to march to bring in transparency in the recommended by the Election through the streets. Commission, was withheld by both official decisions. It has deepened the Congress and NDA governments Yes, I concede there have been democracy. The government may for over a decade till a directive was decisions made at the instance of feel embarrassed over the disclosure issued to the Central government on five-star personnel - but they are not of the truth. But there can be no a writ petition filed by the PUCL. at the instance of courts - they are compromise with the demands of an Directions to the government to the result of a direct link-up between open society. supply food to the starving people the Modi government and the big corporate sector. The decision not to To that extent, the Prime of Orissa and poor people have been Minister’s statement comes in the issued at the instance of the PUCL. appeal in the Vodafone case resulted in the loss of Rs 8,000 crore to the way of scrutiny. This cannot be the The bar on MPs and MLAs government. The Modi government purpose of his warning against the to continue as members of their pressured the State Bank of India activists. He should realize that they respective legislature after their to guarantee loans to the extent Rs are doing their job. Many scams conviction was the result of a 6,000 crore to an industrial house would not have seen the light of the petition by a citizens’ group. So was close to the present political power day if they had not questioned the the exposure of illegal allotments of for utilising funds to extract coal official decisions. Spectrum and coal blocks that were from Australian mines - ironical later set aside by the Supreme Court. The Modi government has to when our coal mines are remaining ensure that the executive does not It is not necessary for me to go idle because the government says it in any way interfere in the working into details to recapitulate where, is short of funds. of the judiciary. At the same time, but for a judicial intervention, many No, Mr Prime Minister, this cheap the judiciary has to be sensitive of the urgent public matters would joke directed at the judiciary was enough to the executive’s right to have remained in limbo. Thus the totally uncalled for - more especially frame policies from time to time. Supreme Court’s declarations in when you ignored such a wide, Ultimately, both have to adhere to gender harassment cases led to the ever-expanding mole in the Central the limits of boundary delineated by framing of legislation. Similarly Government’s own eye. the constitution. JANATA, April 12, 2015 5

Note book For Modi, the slide has started The meeting of BJP’s National the mood still to relent. And the way formula, that India is not Gujarat, Executive does not seem to have the big brother behaved has hurt the that the formula will not work much excited the press. What was noticed Marathi pride. People in the state outside Gujarat and to retain power predominantly was the silencing realize that what is happening in it will have to deal with not just of Shri Advani, whether he was the new government is a replay of the Dalits, but also the minorities silenced by the PM-Shah duo or he the earlier Congress-led coalition and appropriating Gandhiji or other himself chose to do it has become government where both parties icons of the freedom movement the a matter of speculation, but both were looking for opportunities to way it was doing was not enough. ways it did not enhance the image humiliate the other rather than run People who venerate ‘tyag’ and envy of the BJP. And the decision to go the state. And the BJP’s gamble with ‘bhog’ are difficult to please. India round the country to make farmers J&K too did not succeed either, it has not graduated as yet to accept accept that the amendments to the had to form a government with its the formula ‘to be rich is glorious’. It 2013 Land law is in their interest, polar opposition and was forced to still believes that ‘to renounce is the was to help them, was dismissed do what Vajpayee-Advani led NDA way to be happy’. No wonder then by the Press as something that had done with some grace. But the that Ambani’s magnificent home the BJP very well had to do. The hardliners have not been amused and does not impress people, it attracts Press and their owners want the the supporters have realized that the ridicule and raises questions in most land delivered and not a promise of duo cannot perform miracles. minds as to how many schools could an all India campaign. They have have been built, how many people To add to the woes of the duo is been waiting long enough and their could have been fed in the amount the realization by the RSS and its patience is getting exhausted. Did which had gone into building that several wings that, as with the earlier not a spokesperson of the India home. And the thousand dollar or BJP-led government, the time had Incorporated tell us – the people and million rupee sartorial experiment come to tame the government. The the government - that nothing has of the PM appeared vulgar, obscene. not so hidden Hindutva agenda was changed? : We made you, gave you unleashed. There was a daily dose No, Shriman Modi, the slide has your position, now very well deliver, of pro-Hindutva statements by one started; the delivering of land will that’s its message. celebrity or the other, and these did please your preferred sector, but the not go well with the press and the voters will turn their backs. And for One truth that the BJP should corporates, and in the process the all you know the moves to please the underline is that once the slide opposition got a reason to come corporate sector, will make the RSS starts in Indian politics the curve together. If what the RSS allowed think of taming you, and pleasing is unidirectional for a long time. its hardliners to do was testing of the latter, displeases the former. In The corporate sector now knows water, it boomeranged and, if it the process, the Congress is getting that the Modi-Shah duo has lost was to warn the public as to what a chance to emerge pro-farmer, that charisma which gave it famous to expect, it went home. But the and the Janata Parivar, a reason victory in the Lok Sabha elections Indian soul formed by the freedom to unite. No wonder the PM was and its capacity to get things done movement and as crystallized in so rattled in the aftermath of the for their benefit has taken a beating. the Constitution, woke up and national executive meeting that he The slide started, not in Delhi, but rebelled. Something unexpected is allowed himself to rub the judges in Maharashtra. The well calculated happening. Those who had decried in the wrong and using the five-star experiment to humble its long time the Constitution-making because activists to do so gave a chance to the partner did not succeed as expected it was being framed by a truncated activists to retort powerfully. by the BJP. The party did emerge as mandate, started defending it and a single largest party, and though it The road to east - Bihar, UP, - for the Marxists, who never tired of formed the government with the help the present seems blocked. It will denouncing Mahatma, have started of the unsought generosity of a rival get unblocked only if the Parivar praising the latter’s glorious role. party, it had to negotiate peace with falters, if the Congress wastes the its former ally. While it succeeded, The BJP has to realise – specially opportunity it has got, or the anti- the damage had been done. The ally the duo - which stormed in the Lok land agitation loses steam. felt humbled and it’s not willing to Sabha elections by annexing a large accept this development. It is not in state through the use of Gujarat –GGP 6 JANATA, April 12, 2015 AAP, civil society, dissent and politics

Neerja Chowdhury

The recent split in the Aam announced “shilanyas” in Ayodhya, corporate world came together Admi Party (AAP) stunned many antagonising the minorities. For, to form the new party in 2012. It around the country, coming as it did politicians know well that middle caught the imagination of the people immediately after its unprecedented class following by itself does not add of Delhi. In its first election in and historic win in Delhi. The up to an electoral win in a country December, 2013, AAP fell short of disappointment was all the more like India - though one must add that a majority, but when elections were because the fledgling party had Delhi is an urban melting pot. held after a year of Governor’s rule, defeated both the mainstream people gave it a runaway mandate parties, the 130-year old Congress AAP’s rise also marked a break to make sure that it would be able to and the 35-year old BJP, and halted from the past in other ways. There form a government on its own, and the Modi juggernaut on a victory run was a time not so long ago when not be at the mercy of other parties. in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls activists, respected by people they in its tracks. had worked with and for, would not It is not as if there have not been be accepted as politicians. other instances of political parties The rise of AAP represented a emerging out of a movement, but watershed in the country’s polity. The Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh they were different from AAP. The After a long period, here was a party Vahini, a group initiated by Janata Party in 1977, formed in the which had emerged out of the womb Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s, wake of the “JP movement”, was of a civil society movement against had mobilized landless Musehars, more a merger of the then existing corruption and for a cleaner and a at the bottom rung of the dalit parties in the opposition - which more accountable politics. community, to fight for their right had battled the authoritarianism of to land in Gaya district of Bihar the 1975-77 Emergency imposed Here was a party, which was and they succeeded in getting by Indira Gandhi. The youth, at “national” in its outlook, though its pattas, and that too in the names the heart of the movement led by area of operation was Delhi. What of their womenfolk. But when a Jayaprakash Narayan for a “total is more, in a caste and community Vahini worker stood for elections revolution”, found little place ridden politics, its appeal cut across from Gaya, an area which was its in this new party which came to caste, class, community, and AAP “karmabhoomi”, he lost. Among power in 1977, decimating the succeeded in reaching out to the other reasons, it was just that people Congress all over North India and bastis as well as to the high rise did not see activists in a “political” defeating Indira Gandhi herself in buildings in the city state, winning role. Many did not believe that her fiefdom. “JP”, who hoped that as many as 67 out of 70 seats in voluntary workers, dedicated as the Janata experiment would break February 2015. they were, could become successful new grounds was a broken man at politicians. the end of his life. He himself had This was no mean achievement to “swallow the bitter pill”, as he put for a party which had started out on The same has been true of it, when his request for 40 tickets to an anti-corruption plank, normally professionals who stood for elections be given to movement activists in considered a middle class issue. VP from time to time, hoping to cleanse the Bihar state elections was turned Singh, who, had in 1989 taken on public life. They too mostly came a down. Rajiv Gandhi on corruption went on cropper. to defeat him despite the whopping The Asom Gana Parishad emerged majority the Congrss had at the time AAP changed all that. Civil out of the student movement against in the Lok Sabha - 415 seats. VP society activists, professionals, foreign nationals who infiltrated had remarked once that victory had lawyers, journalists, civil servants, into Assam from Bangladesh. become possible only when Rajiv academics and those from the After six years of demanding their JANATA, April 12, 2015 7 deportation, these student leaders, The Janata government fell apart pulling up the party, virtually by its decided to form a political party in in two and half years, essentially bootstraps, and rising Phoenix- like 1985. The AGP first came to power because of the ego clashes of three of from the ashes. in Assam that year and then again its seniormost leaders—the then PM in 1996. But unlike AAP, it was an Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Normally power is a glue which Assam party, with sub-nationalism Jagjivan Ram. The AGP also broke binds even a disparate group as its focus, playing on the regional up six years after its formation, with together. But that did not happen aspirations of the Assamese. its two seniormost leaders, Prafulla in AAP. Clearly AAP leaders could Mahanta and Bhrigu Phukan, going not navigate the differences, (though There is nothing unusual about their separate ways. Subsequently this was not the first time that the parties splitting, but what makes its different factions regrouped and purist versus pragmatist conflict had the AAP different is the speed with opted for a remerger, but it was never surfaced in a party). which it is breaking up. the same again. Though a mediating group The Indian National Congress, The Janata Dal fragmented into comprising representatives from both which was a byproduct of the freedom many groups in 1990 and thereafter sides tried to effect a reconciliation, movement and also shaped it, split - into what came to be known as the and they almost succeeded - with many times—in 1907 (between Samajwadi Party, RJD, JD(U), SJP, even a draft of a statement reportedly the “naram and the “garam” dals), JD(S), RLD - but today they are readied, including an apology to in 1939, 1948, 1951, 1959, 1967, trying to refashion one formation the nation from all of them together when Subhash Chandra Bose, the again, to take on an ascendant BJP. for the open squabbling they had socialists, Acharya Kripalani, Minoo The list is only illustrative. indulged in - things came apart when Masani and those who fashioned the sting operation, with Kejriwal the Swatantra Party, and Chaudhary If truth be told, splits in Indian calling the rebels names, went viral. parties , though over issues , Charan Singh quit (in that order). Bhushan and Yadav called off the has invariably had the subtext With the advent of Indira Gandhi peace process. of personality clashes, whether and her struggle for control of the it was Indira Gandhi versus the The question many are asking Congress, the party split in 1969, “Syndicate” or JP versus Lohia, or is this: Was it really necessary for and then again in 1978. A group of VP Singh versus Rajiv Gandhi or AAP to show Prashant Bhushan Congress leaders quit the party in Sharad Pawar versus Sonia Gandhi, and Yogendra Yadav the door from 1977, as also in 1989, led by Jagjivan and so on. It is by now well known AAP’s apex decision making bodies, Ram and VP Singh respectively, and that splits are invariably precipitated and do it so soon after the victory? joined hands with the opposition by leaders, due to their failure to forces to replace the Congress at share power and take everyone From all accounts, many in the the Centre. And in the late nineties, along, or their ambitions, or their Kejriwal group felt that unless Sharad Pawar quit the Congress inflexibilities, or their inability to thrown out, the rebels would to launch his Nationalist Congress subsume their egos, all at the cost continue to “snipe”, obstructing Party and Mamata Bannerji to create of the party. Kejriwal at every turn. The Kejriwal the Trinamool Congress which loyalists mounted a crude operation has replaced the Congress in West The story is no different in AAP, against the duo at the meeting of Bengal. and it connotes an all round failure the party’s national council, when of leadership in the party. there was little reason not to stick to The Socialist Party split four democratic niceties - like giving the times, but over a period, and it is There is hardly any other instance rebels a show cause notice and to let because of the Socialist leaders’ of a party breaking two weeks after them have their say - particularly as inability to work together, despite it notched up such a spectacular Kejriwal had numbers on his side. their brilliance and dedication, victory, made even more impressive that they could not have the kind by the fact that many were writing its That the normally politically of impact they were expected to in obituary only eight months earlier, savvy Kejriwal did not do this, post-Independent India. with AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal inviting criticism from his middle 8 JANATA, April 12, 2015 class constituency, which had Just as the use of the new media they are much more emotional in decided to give him another chance and the latest technology helped AAP their responses, and have a shorter in the February 2015 election, gain followers, the sting operations fuse. They find it more difficult to showed that the personal hurt and against each other - scary because display a spirit of accommodation of distrust overshadowed political these kind of things happen in police each other’s frailties, or a readiness considerations. Ideological and states and not in open societies like to defuse tensions, and negotiate programmatic differences can be ours - became the AAP’s undoing . differences for the larger good. resolved; it is more difficult to This makes the transition from a overcome distrust. In turn, Prashant Bhushan and movement to a political party that Yogendra Yadav charged Kejriwal much more difficult. It is obvious that Arvind Kejriwal of “cutting corners”, being autocratic felt betrayed by his colleagues, that in decision making, promoting a In AAP, both sides nurse wounds they should want the defeat of AAP high command culture, and moving of being wronged, but when the dust at the height of a difficult Delhi the party away from the path of has settled, people will remember campaign, when the 3-year old party alternative politics they had come not who fired the first salvo, nor the was fighting for its very survival, on into AAP to fashion. “principles’ they differed on. They the grounds that it was the only way will only remember that AAP leaders to teach Kejriwal a lesson and bring AAP’s recent functioning has failed to hang together, when the him to his senses. The fat was in the raised questions on the issue of people of Delhi - 54 per cent of them, fire when Prashant Bhushan’s father, dissent, so desirable in any political in other words, more than one out organization so as to ensure its health Shanti Bhushan, a founder member of every second voter - had reposed and vibrancy. But it has also raised of AAP, praised Kiran Bedi as a their trust in them. questions on when dissent becomes better candidate than his own party’s indiscipline in a political outfit. And now AAP seems to be on a chief ministerial candidate Kejriwal, slippery slope. The most worrying at the height of the poll campaign, The top AAP leaders were so aspect of its recent functioning is and made a case for replacing him blinded by their sense of being let not just the removal of Bhushan and as AAP’s national convenor with down and betrayed by each other, Yadav but the way all those who Yogendra Yadav. that they forgot they had powerful disagree with the dominant line are opponents, who would only be too being removed one by one. That It was curious that the rebels happy to exacerbate the divisive does not bode well for the party, made it a fight to the finish, so soon processes which had been triggered because any popular leader also after the Delhi victory. The “five off by them in the party. needs those who do not agree with principles” they espoused could him by his side, to keep the party have been debated a little later, A senior Congress leader had on the straight path. It also goes when the Delhi government had once remarked, “When differences without saying that he/she also needs consolidated its position. crop up, the NGO type groups a core group of loyalists to function tend to wilt quickly. Politicians are smoothly. It was as if Arvind Kejriwal’s that much better at recognizing the emergence as a mass leader could writing on the wall, at running a The recent shakeup in the party not be digested by some in the party marathon, at hanging out there, when may lead to an all round shrinkage and they felt they had to settle issues the going is rough, not letting go in AAP - in terms of ideas, which that had been festering over months, of the larger picture”. That “larger colleagues will be fearful to voice then and there, before the victory picture” may be a desire for personal lest it annoy the high command, made “AK” even more powerful. gain, or power, or furtherance of an and it could discourage the entry of Before the celebratory notes had issue which brought them into the new people, and thereby is plans for died out, the sound of pot shots had fold in the first place. expansion. taken over, culminating in a bitter parting of ways, ending on a “tu tu Since those participating in Though the AAP’s relevance is main main” note - a process further movements for change sometimes limited to little Delhi, at least for the embittered by sting operations. get involved at a personal cost, time being, the ripple effects of the JANATA, April 12, 2015 9 latest turbulence will be felt beyond the national capital. Making clinics accountable

For all the setbacks he has The Delhi government aims “The Act permits health authorities suffered, Kejriwal should not be to make private clinics and to conduct inspections and penalize dismissed so easily, and he is bound hospitals in the city accountable or cancel licences of hospitals that are found to be fleecing patients, to knuckle down to delivering on by implementing the Clinical either by prescribing needless tests the promises he has made. In power Establishments Act, a Central law under which the maximum cost of and procedures, or overcharging. for the next five years, he will try medical procedures would be laid The owners of clinics and hospitals and regain lost ground, but for the out and services standardized. are obviously perturbed,” said a moment his credibility and moral senior official in the directorate of authority have taken a knocking. The law, passed by Parliament health services. in 2010 and notified two years No matter what the future later, provides for registration of He added that once enacted, the trajectory of AAP, or of the new all health facilities, clinics and law would help in standardizing platform that Prashant Bhushan and pathology labs, even if it is run by services and charges. “Today, if Yogendra Yadav may forge in the a single doctor. It also stipulates the someone complains to us about a weeks to come, the breakup, and minimum requirements for facilities particular hospital charging Rs 2 more the manner in which it has and manpower. lakh for a particular surgery which taken place, has robbed the AAP is being done at half the cost in other experiment of its sheen which will “The existing law, Delhi Nursing hospitals, we cannot do anything. be difficult to restore. Home Registration Act, 1953, is But under the new law, government outdated. It lacks the teeth to curb can put a cap on maximum charges Most important, it has dealt a large scale corruption that plagues for various services,” the official blow to the concept of “alternative the medical sector today,” said explained. politics”, and people will think Delhi health minister Satyender Jain, Dr Kameshwar Prasad, professor many times before they lend their confirming the move. and head of neurology at AIIMS, said support to such an effort. The Delhi that stricter regulatory mechanism victory, generating enthusiasm As health is a state subject, it was up to individual state governments is needed to check corruption all over the country, had raised in the medical sector. “Lab tests hopes in the educated, professional, to enact the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act. and imaging, procedures such as middle class Indians that they angioplasty, knee replacement and Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal could play a role to cleanse the caesarean section must be audited. Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim country’s political life - something The government should appoint have so far opted to implement the they had shunned as “dirty” and monitoring committees for random law. It’s also in force in all Union “untouchable”. checks of patient data to identify territories. instances where needless tests or Saddest of all, is the opportunity procedures have been prescribed. The Sheila Dikshit government that has been lost. Only but rarely That would put fear in the minds had considered enacting the law do moments come in the life of of errant doctors and hospitals,” Dr but a senior health department Prasad said. a nation, when a confluence of official said it was stalled by doctors’ events throws up forces for change, associations. with some given the chance to A recent survey carried out by TOI had revealed that most diagnostic provide leadership. Kejriwal and According to an official in the labs in the city did not have quality his colleagues were given that Delhi health department, there equipment or adequate number of opportunity. Will they retrieve lost was opposition to the clinical trained staff, and were operating out ground? Only time will tell. For the establishments Act from the Indian of congested localities. moment, both sides have lost out, Medical Association and the Delhi and so has the country. Medical Association. (Continued on Page 12) 10 JANATA, April 12, 2015 Withdraw higher education from WTO

The Government of India (GOI) will be entangled with the WTO 2015. This would prove to be most has expressed its readiness to allow regime forever and be doomed. ruinous for the least developed educational traders from all over the and developing nations and world i.e. 160 member-nations of Technically speaking, the GOI working masses of the whole World Trade Organisation (WTO) has submitted its ‘offers’ for ‘Market world. The decisions of the Tenth to establish colleges, universities Access’ in ‘Higher Education Sub- Ministerial shall cover trade in and other technical or professional Sector’ to WTO way back in August goods, including agriculture and institutions in India as commercial 2005 as a part of Doha Round Trade services such as education, health, ventures. This is done in form of Negotiations which started in 2001 drinking water, public distribution submitting ‘offers’ to WTO. Once in Doha, Qatar. However, they have system and all other entitlements India’s education sector comes not yet become ‘commitments’ of the people. The present ongoing under this regime, the people’s right as the trade negotiations could package of negotiations (Doha to education, for which the GOI not be concluded for the last 10 Round Trade Negotiations), as must be democratically accountable, years. But, now there is a fresh stated earlier, started in 2001. will be completely dismantled. momentum in the negotiations. Plans These were started in the Fourth The unbridled privatization and are on to expedite the process of the Ministerial of WTO held in commercialization demanded by ongoing trade negotiations in WTO Doha, Qatar and are hence named the WTO-GATS regime would from the forthcoming July onwards after the host city. Being clearly not only deny access to the poor and successfully conclude them predatory on the sovereignty of the but also to those who may afford in the ensuing Tenth Ministerial nations and rights of the people, to purchase it in the market since Conference to be held at Nairobi, the Doha Round has conceived even they would not get it worth Kenya from 15th to 18th December an elaborate scheme of extending the name. This is because thorough this very year. This Conference and sharpening the claws of WTO. commercialisation will result in aims at significantly widening the Anticipating the assault, fighting degradation of the very purpose jurisdiction and scope of WTO. If forces throughout the world are of education, course content and GOI do not withdraw its ‘offers’ given resolutely preparing themselves to pedagogical practices. Again, the to WTO in Higher Education Sector resist the Tenth Ministerial Meet. academic autonomy, independent well in advance of the Conference, Education-loving people cannot research and democratic spaces in these would automatically become keep silent at this critical juncture. our educational institutions will be irrevocable ‘commitments’ on the eroded. The WTO regime considers part of the nation with far-reaching Onward march of imperialism education as a tradable service implications. The countries of the world are and a commodity and student a classified by WTO as 1) Developed; customer in clear legal terms. Momentum in trade negotiations 2) Developing; and 3) Least Once, the global commitment for A special meeting of the General Developed. Economic inequalities market access in education comes Council of WTO was held in among countries referred to as into force, essentially speaking, the November 2014 in Geneva which `developed’ and `developing’ GOI would be bound to protect the culminated the process of systematic are a product of the imperialist interests of foreign and domestic suppression of the 10 year long exploitation of the latter by the corporate houses who pursue trade resistance of the least developed former. WTO was constituted to in education against the interests and developing countries to the protect the interests of the developed of the students and teachers of the encroaching agenda of Doha Round countries; it is detrimental to the country. If the people of India, Negotiations. It was decided to interest of the developing world. particularly students and teachers, finalise a ‘work programme’ of Developing countries like India fail to bring pressure on the GOI the negotiations by July 2015 and joined WTO intending to use this to withdraw the ‘offers’ given to further to hold the Tenth Ministerial membership for the benefit of its WTO in higher education sector Conference, the topmost body of corporate houses, and promising immediately, our education system WTO, as noted above, in December subsequent `trickle down’ benefits JANATA, April 12, 2015 11 for the people. The class and social Education; 3) Higher Education; make profits. Again, under this inequalities (caste, ethnic, gender, 4) Adult Education; and 5) Other agreement, it is not a must that only disability-related, linguistic) in all Education. GOI submitted ‘offers’ well-established good quality foreign countries and inequalities among in Higher Education Sub-Sector. universities come here and provide nations stand aggravated due to Further, GATS also recognizes four comparable education and research different agreements operating modes of trade in all services. In facilities. Any provider can establish under the WTO regime for the last higher education, they would work a new sub-standard university in the two decades. With the proposed as follows a) Cross border supply: country of origin and then establish expansion of WTO operations at the The students receive correspondence a branch here. A report of a survey Tenth Ministerial this process will education from a foreign supplier by World Bank in 2000 on foreign be further intensified. Ironically, this and pay the service charges; b) educational providers is on record ‘Doha Round Trade Negotiations’ Consumption abroad: The students stating that ‘well-known universities is also called Doha Development go to a foreign land to receive of Developed Countries established Agenda as it has got some palliatives education and pay service charges; c) low standard branches in backward for the poor nations in order to woo Commercial presence: The foreign countries’. them. providers can establish universities and colleges here, provide service Domestic regulation GATS-Education and collect service charges; and Accredited bodies formed Three Integrated Multilateral d) Presence of natural person: under the Trade Policy Review Agreements viz., 1) General The foreign teachers as individuals Mechanism (TPRM), one of the Agreement on Trade and Tariff can come to India render service legal instruments under WTO, (GATT-1994) which includes in institutions in India and collect would annually review the trade Agreement on Agriculture; 2) Trade- service charges. In all the four cases, policies of different countries and Related Intellectual Property Rights as India is opening its market, the ‘suggest’ to the countries to change (TRIPS); and 3) General Agreement Indian students would be customers, their respective policies. This on Trade in Services (GATS) foreign individuals get remuneration regulation of domestic policies by together constitute the main body and foreign corporate houses earn WTO bodies will prove to be an of WTO. Education, reduced to one profits. Even if we leave the question outright infringement on freedom of tradable services, is brought under of money aside, the major adverse and sovereignty of the nations in GATS which is one of the three impact will be to reduce education formulation of their respective integrated multilateral agreements to a tradable service; the trade being public policies. In all possibility, the under WTO regime as stated above. controlled by the global corporate public policy perspective of member Ironically, the trade in education forces; and, the worst aspect being countries would be controlled by is governed by GATS Council that the agreement is, essentially, WTO regime. The developing and (Council for Trade in Services) along irrevocable! the ‘least developed’ countries with and at par with services such would fall victim in an incremental as recreation clubs and night pubs Foreign providers manner to this provision. The TPRM under the same set of rules, though We need not oppose foreign personnel with full authority meet with some variations due to domestic universities if they are coming to the ministers and secretaries of the regulations of member-nations! India on the basis of educational HRD Ministry on yearly basis and The ‘offers’ and ultimately the and cultural relations between our enquire year after year about the ‘commitments’ in ‘Market Access’ country and a foreign country in order implementation of the so-called are to be given by a member country to exchange and spread knowledge. reforms agenda in education. The in Mode-wise and Sector-wise This has been a prominent feature HRD Minister would be more format for operationalisation of throughout India’s history and was accountable to TPRM personnel GATS in the country. promoted by leaders of the freedom than to the people of India! The HRD struggle including Gandhi and Ministry in UPA regime introduced Four modes of trade Tagore. But, that is not the case at six Higher Education Bills in the GATS recognized five sub-sectors all under WTO regime. Now, the Parliament to change the Domestic in ‘Education Service’ viz., 1) foreign universities are coming Regulations in conformity with Primary Education; 2) Secondary under global trade agreement to WTO demands. Though all the 12 JANATA, April 12, 2015 bills now got lapsed, there is every Commitments’ provision under have been organising campaign possibility that the present BJP GATS. These IRAs are established against inclusion of Higher lead NDA regime introduce their clearly to divest the representative Education Sector of India in WTO equivalent ones and try to pass them. governments of their power and from 1998 as a back ground paper Thus, the ‘domestic regulation’ by accountability of decision making. was circulated by WTO in Sept 1998 WTO and its organs can lead to The already established IRAs in in favor of bringing education under infringement on sovereignty of the different services as well as that its regime. However, the campaign member countries, more particularly to be established in the field of was not strong enough to stop the of the developing and the ‘least education will be ‘independent’ of ‘offers’ being given to WTO by developed’ ones. public pressure and thus be free the Government of India in Higher to ‘regulate’ the respective sectors Education Sector in 2005. It is time Independent Regulatory in favor of domestic and foreign now time to build a strong movement Authorities capital. As on date, a Bill which demanding the withdrawal of the In the recent times, we find was introduced by the previous UPA offers for market access lest they Independent Regulatory Authorities government to establish an IRA in become irrevocable commitments (IRAs) are established in many education under the nomenclature on the part of the nation. a service sectors. We have IRA of NCHER stands lapsed along for Power, IRA for water, IRA with the other higher education –All India Forum For Right for Insurance, IRA for Tele- Bills. However, the present BJP-led To Education communication and IRAs for government has already declared (Continued from Page 2) many other services. Sam Pitroda in its Election Manifesto (2014) its the question of ensuring affordable and, unfortunately, Prof. Yash Pal commitment to establish a ‘Higher living and working places is a too suggested an IRA for Higher Education Commission’ for the same constant. It is in ensuring that Education. Sam Pitroda, Chairperson purpose. the Indian national is made less of Knowledge Commission, vulnerable to crisis like the one in suggested in his report (November Call of the hour Yemen at present, that the Indian 2006) on Higher Education that an WTO-GATS regime reduces government has to play a part like ‘Independent Regulatory Authority education into a commodity and that of a guardian angel. It is the of Higher Education’ (IRA for student into a consumer in clear unskilled labourers that are most HE) be established to regulate legal terms. Turning education into vulnerable in crisis situations. higher education. In the same vein, a tradable commodity will lead not Prof. Yash Pal, in his report on only to the denial of education to (Continued from Page 9) ‘Renovation and Rejuvenation of the poor and disadvantaged but It also revealed that most Higher Education (2008)’ suggested also to deceiving of students and imaging centres did not follow the that the government should establish exploiting of teachers in so created Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s an overarching body to be named global market. Further, globalization guidelines on design and location ‘National Commission for Higher of education under trade rules would parameters for setting up X-ray or Education and Research’ by either lead to the degradation of the very ultrasound machines. The cost of abolishing or subsuming the various purpose, course content and research tests such as MRI also varies from all-India educational bodies working in higher education to suit to the one centre to the other. in different domains of higher needs of corporate world while education like UGC, AICTE, NCTE, repudiating the role of education as -Times of India MCI, BCI and so on. So, both one of enlightening, empowering Janata Subscription the Knowledge Commission and and transforming process which is Annual Rs. : 260/- the ‘Prof. Yash Pal Committee’ required to build citizenry with self Three Years : 750/- have recommended an independent dignity on the values of democracy, Demand Draft / Cheque on regulatory body as a high-profile plurality, social justice, secularism Mumbai Bank centre of power, often using and socialism as enshrined in the in favour of untenable logic. Establishment of constitution of India and to protect JANATA TRUST these IRAs can only be understood its sovereignty. Education loving D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir as a compliance of ‘Additional people and organisations in India Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 JANATA, April 12, 2015 13 Prof. Irfan habib defends Gandhian and Nehruvian Ideologies

Qurban Ali

The noted historian and formed nation from the forces of was during this difficult period that Marxist ideologue, Prof. Emeritus destruction and sectarianism. the newly formed cabinet of India Irfan Habib of Aligarh Muslim decided not to fulfill its obligation University has recently, on several Recently, delivering a lecture of paying Rs. 55 Crores to Pakistan occasions, spoken out in defense on “Mahatma Gandhi and the as part of the partition agreement”. of both Mahatma Gandhi and Idian Nation”, in Aligarh Prof. late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Habib said that a large amount of With millions of refugees Nehru. Some eyebrows may be criticism which has been heaped on pouring into India, there was an raised when a Marxist professor the Mahatma, especially in the last atmosphere of anger and hatred eulogizes the achievements of the few months, “is simply not history”. towards Pakistan and hence there two above mentioned 20th century’s was widespread resistance to pay giants widely accepted as blue Habib also rubbished critics of Pakistan the above mentioned blooded icons of Indian nationalism Mahatma Gandhi, including some amount. Gandhi, however, took a and Indian National Congress western authors, who have in recent principled and humanist view of the ideology. Habib, however, sees years, frequently, tried to denigrate situation and despite threats by a no contradiction between his mild the Mahatma’s achievements and his section of rightwing Hindu leaders, Marxist ideology and his laudatory contribution as one of the greatest prevailed upon Nehru to reverse the references to the above two national humanist of the 20th century. He cabinet’s decision. figures. asserted that in the years to come, “the future of India will be largely Habib said, “I lived through Habib was a teenager when influenced by the manner in which those traumatic days when this India acquired freedom in 1947. India itself treats Gandhi and the episode took place. Communal riots He carries vivid memories not doctrine of Gandhi-ism”. were raging all over Punjab and only of events connected with the present day Haryana and it appeared dawn of freedom in the country Habib, who has personal to be just a matter of hours when, but also carries painful memories memories of the traumatic events we feared, the violence would spill of the traumatic events which connected to the partition of the over into districts like Aligarh, followed the partition of India. country and early days of freedom Bulandshahr and Muzaffar Nagar”. Habib’s father, Prof. Mohd. Habib, of India, said, “If we want to truly was a prominent nationalist and understand Gandhi’s contribution Had not the Mahatma gone on a senior teacher at the Aligarh to the building of modern India, hunger strike in protest against the Muslim University at the time then we should critically examine killings of Muslims in Delhi and of India’s independence. He was the events connected to the last Punjab, and had not Pakistan been ideologically close to both Gandhi four weeks before his tragic mollified by the compensation and Nehru and there is no reason assassination”. which it received at the instance why some of his admiration for of the Mahatma, there would have the two should not have rubbed off While accepting the fact that been no stopping of violence both on the impressionable mind of his Mahatma Gandhi had his own in India and Pakistan, and the two young son. As a historian, even at share of weaknesses and failures new born nations would have found that young age, Irfan Habib could in public life, Habib pointed out, it very difficult to survive in their not have failed to appreciate and “The months immediately after present form. acknowledge the overwhelming role partition were tumultuous period played by the two national stalwarts with continued massacres taking Referring to the Mahatma’s in saving and preserving the newly place both in India and Pakistan. It assassination, Habib said, “Nobody 14 JANATA, April 12, 2015 should allow himself to believe “Sardar Patel ab badal gaye (Sardar It would be a travesty of justice if that the Mahatma’s assassination Patel has changed)”. Habib said the Mahatma’s commitment for was a conspiracy of a handful of these prophetic words uttered by the the cause of upliftment of dalits people like Godse and Apte. Let mahatma tell their own story and let is questioned or doubted by some us accept the fact that there was a no one deny this. people today. He may have missed tremendous money and power of out on some issues pertaining to an organization which planned this Habib said that he was pained justice to Dalits as viewed today, but crime”. by the fact that even a noted author it has to be borne in mind that those and humanist activist like Arundhati were very early days. It was a time Striking a personal note on Roy had in recent years questioned when dalits were not even allowed the aftermath of Mahatma’s the Mahatma’s commitment to the assassination, Habib said that to drink water at railway stations cause of racial and social justice the whole of India including all and the only water which they were in South Africa. Habib said that political parties like the communists permitted to drink was the water and socialists who had some equally unacceptable to him was which was used in steam engines. differences with the Mahatma over the charge by some Indians that some policy matters, were shocked the Mahatma was patronizing and Habib said that if India is to by the Mahatma’s killing. “The unfair in his approach towards dalits survive then people will have to only exception were some Hindu and was a votary of the upper class take it up as a mission to promote organizations connected with the “Brahman-Bania” vested interests. the ideology of Gandhi-ism. Hindu Mahasabha and others. It pains me to point out that on the Need for genuine alternative day of Mahatma’s assassination, Recent experiences reveal that the challenges can be met in a situation persons belonging to some groups search for an honest political party of peace, harmony and goodwill. whom we all can identify today, committed truly to resolving basic distributed sweets in several parts of issues should continue. One of the Any alternative political party the country including Aligarh when most important issues in India has should therefore strive for the such errant individuals were put always been to meet the basic needs integration of justice, environment on the dock and questioned about of all people and ensure sustainable protection and peace issues/ this atrocious behavior, they tried livelihoods of people. This in turn movements. to wriggle out by saying they had needs significant reduction of Such urgent concerns appear distributed sweets because of some inequalities and broad-based efforts to be missing in the cacophony function in their families including to protect environment protection. marriages and engagements”. of various warring factions of the While these basic issues were AAP. The task of creating a genuine Habib said, “The Mahatma had always there, in more recent times alternative political party to resolve signed his own death warrant the even more urgent survival issues the real issues of the country is a day he persuaded Nehru to part have emerged in the form of climate much bigger challenge which needs with the compensation to Pakistan. change, other irreversible type to be taken up with all seriousness, Certain groups could never digest of environmental problems and creativity and enthusiasm. Any such this reconciliatory move”. proliferation of weapons of mass effort should’ve an in-built system destruction. These survival issues of complete transparency, honesty, Prof. Habib went on to say that are a worldwide phenomenon but collective work and responsibility, there is strong evidence to support also have a more specific context of avoiding all problems of personality the thesis that the Mahatma was South Asia. cult. bitterly disappointed and unhappy by the role played by India’s Home All these urgent issues should Such political mobilisation cannot Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel get the highest priority. Alongside be done in isolation but should be in the months preceding his demise. social relations (including of course part of a wider social mobilisation Habib said that the Mahatma’s words gender relations) have to improve with adequate room for various regarding Sardar Patel cannot be at all levels to ensure that the above constructive activities. underplayed by fair historians – – Bharat Dogra JANATA, April 12, 2015 15 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 12, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, April 12, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday April 15, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 12 Parties and leaders April 19, 2015 S. Viswam

India is going through a phase of a zero. Whether the zero(es) will add Encounter or sheer murder relative political activity these days tails or remain zero(es) is a matter of Kuldip Nayar but the quiet will give place to interest conjecture. The proof of the pudding and action when the election mode is in the eating, as we will soon see. and mood sets in. Between now and Changing Tunisia 2016-17 end, many state assemblies The BJP is the party that is most Irfan Engineer will go to the polls to elect new heard these days. Not surprising Houses and it is during that period given that it is not only the ruling that parties will bestir themselves party at the Centre but its prime The coming crisis into action. Bihar leads the rest of minister is still riding the crest of in social sector the states, elections will be held quite the popularity wave. However, the Bharat Dogra soon there, as an indication of which approach of the elections in Bihar there is considerable political activity has brought out the signs of growing in the state and the cross-talk among dissensions within the State unit of the Why Grassroots People’s the parties has begun. party. BJP President Amit Shah has Movements Oppose Nuclear launched an offensive heralding his Power There has been a fresh round of party’s entry into the election fray but Praful Bidwai statements from some party leaders, there is definitely some discontent, the BJP has been celebrating the particularly over reports projecting development of its growing to Sushil Kumar Modi as the party’s Union Budget 2015-16 become India’s largest and one of the chief ministerial candidate. He was Arun Kumar world’s largest political parties, the Nitish Kumar’s number two when Communist Party of India (Marxist) the JD(U) and the BJP ran a coalition has had its convention, all the parties government. Much waters have flown Editor : celebrated Ambedkar’s birthday on down the Kosi and other Bihar rivers April 14 each claiming his legacy as G. G. Parikh since then. Things are due for a its own. One of the major political change when and if the Janata Parivar Managing Editor : Guddi developments has been the announced merger is followed by assertion of the merger of six Janata Parivar parties new group of its political clout. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, into one entity and stake a claim Naushir Bharucha Marg, to function as a single group in After the BJP, the party that has Mumbai - 400 007. Parliament. The BJP has been the first claimed some media attention is the to lampoon the merger and dismiss it Congress but the focus of the attention Email : [email protected] as of no consequence, as, according was not on the state of the party but to it, zero plus zero will still remain on the whereabouts of its missing 2 JANATA, April 19, 2015 leader, vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Between the lines Speculation persisted during the entire period of his absence from New Delhi on whether or not he Encounter or sheer murder will take over as the president at the AICC session two months away ie from VP to P! That speculation Kuldip Nayar has been effectively assaulted and pushed to the background. It has Yet another encounter has taken any serious attempt to stop the been replaced by a new one that place in the state of Jammu and Pandits’ exodus in 1993. Not a single says that there are reservations in Kashmir. I have lost the count. What voice was heard on the loudspeakers the party over Rahul becoming is distressing is that even the human at the mosques asking the Pandits the president and that the party is rights activists are practically quiet. not to leave, he said. divided over the proposed elevation. Hardly anyone of them goes to the Veteran Congress leader and former state to find out what happened on Some extremists have defended Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit the ground, as was the practice till their opposition to the Pandits’ return has placed the pigeon among the cats recently. on the ground that it would disturb by stating that there is skepticism the demographic balance, knowing over Rahul Gandhi’s leadership as This indicates not only the well that the valley with 98 percent the party has not seen him perform lessening of interest but also a tacit Muslims would probably bring and also, importantly, the party ranks approval of the excesses committed down the Muslim population to 96 enjoyed a feeling of comfort over by the security forces. The Mufti percent. Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. There Mohammad Sayeed government are a handful of other senior leaders which announced to provide an It is a pity that the fundamentalists in the Congress, like former Punjab accountable governance does not have the last word. But this is CM Amarinder Singh who do not come out well. the solution which people are want any change in the present increasingly accepting. That it hierarchy. Former Madhya Pradesh In this murky atmosphere, the should happen in Kashmir, which CM Digvijay Singh said that Rahul return of Kashmiri Pandits, who remained undisturbed even during needed to be seen more and that were forced to leave their homes partition, is unfortunate. Yet this is politics cannot be a part-time job. in the valley, has become more the reality. The question now remains as to uncertain. Those who are shedding whether or not Sonia will pass on tears over the composite culture The battle over the return of the the leadership to Rahul right now or which the valley enjoyed when the Pandits was lost in the valley itself. wait for another occasion when the Pandits were there are doing little to If the population does not assert reception of the news of his elevation bring them back. itself to retrieve the situation, no will be more kindly received. other force can help. The resolve The fundamentalist Syed Gillani of composite culture lovers is The differences plaguing the was at least honest when he said in weakening. Religion is having an Aam Aadmi Party have left the reply to my query a few years back upper hand. Both the Kashmiri people sad and disturbed. There that the Pandits’ return depended Pandits and Punjabi Hindus have no were high expectations from this on the solution of the Kashmir future. The valley is claimed by the group of young politicians. Now, the problems. That means waiting till Muslims and Punjab by the Sikhs. party seems to have split between eternity. The hardcore people like The extremists are corroding the pro-Kejriwal and anti-Kejriwal Yasin Malik do miss the composite common ground. groups. Kejriwal is in control, but the culture but he too has reconciled to situation is fluid and changes every the situation. Indeed, the hot wind of day. The latest is that the dissidents saffronisation blowing in the have given up the idea of forming a Former chief minister Omar country is having an adverse effect new party right now, but are keeping Farooq Abdullah is frank enough to in Kashmir as well. But we seem to (Continued on Page 7) admit that none in the valley made (Continued on Page 5) JANATA, April 19, 2015 3 Changing Tunisia

Irfan Engineer

The support of South Asian some individuals whether another to take it away and refused to take Dialogues on Ecological Democracy world is possible. money for it! (SADED) and Va s u d h a i v a Kutumbakam (VK – whole world is One of my objectives in attending Liberal society my family) enabled me to participate the WSF was to meet and interact We found Tunisian society in the World Social Forum with people from all over the quiet liberal and challenged (WSF) held in Tunisia in 2015. world as well as from Tunisia. our commonsensical and lazy I had participated in the WSF in Though language was a barrier understanding that Arabs are very Mumbai and Nairobi. The previous to communicate with Tunisian conservative and fundamentalist in experiences of participation in WSF people, they were very friendly as their religious opinions. We found were mixed. WSF brought together we travelled in trains, buses and Tunisian people very liberal and so many civil society organizations cabs. Partly relying on universal saw many women on streets wearing from all over the world working on sign language together with some dresses of their choice – right from issues that include environment, common words between English traditional to French/western. 99 rights of the marginalized sections and French, and partly relying on per cent of Tunisian people are – including indigenous peoples, observations on streets, I could to Muslims – Arab-Berbers speaking dalits, workers, gender justice, some extent overcome that barrier. Tunisain Arabic. The other 1 per organizations that worked to make cent is Christians and Jews. We large and Monopoly Corporations Tunisians were very friendly with saw women with head scarf but accountable, writing off the debts of Indians and had lot of regards and they were fewer. We observed that the third world countries, sustainable love for Indians. One of the reasons even the head scarf didn’t come in use of limited natural resources, was that Bollywood films are very way of men and women mixing de-escalating arms race in the popular and younger generations freely in public space. Many WSF world, abolishing nuclear weapons, could speak quite a few sentences volunteers were students of El opposing wars, decolonization of in Hindi. In one shop, as soon we Manar University drawn from both the world and liberation of occupied entered, the shop floor sales girl sexes. They were interacting without peoples, promoting pluralism and started singing, “I love India” for any apparent inhibition or sexual acceptance of diversity, accountable our benefit. Most Tunisians wanted restrictions – singing and dancing governance, empowered citizenship, to visit India, particularly the city together and greeting each other deepening of democracy and many of Bollywood. In Monastir (about with cheek to cheek contact. While other issues. Activists and committed 170Km from Tunis), when we the nearest Mosque was about half a academicians and delegates from entered a shop vending cereals and KM from our hotel, during my entire various countries and civil society pulses and household utility items stay, one thing was conspicuous by organizations and movements (what we call in India kirana shop), its absence – azaan – call for prayers, participate in WSF. Getting to the shopkeeper went out of his way even though I used to get up at 5.00 listen to and learn from so many to explain what a particular flour am daily and leave the hotel at about experienced and learned people was made up of, in spite of language 6.00 am for my morning walks in having experiences is itself a very barriers – he showed us sample of different directions. It is this liberal exciting prospect. Even mere being every grain that was included into section that fought for democracy in midst of so many people from the flour – what we later learnt was which movement is now popularly various movements working for “bsisa” flour to which olive oil and referred to as Arab Spring in 2011. change and with optimism that “a sweetener could be added to prepare better world is possible” is itself staple diet of Tunisians. He then Though pork and alcohol are inspiring and energizing, and it helps added olive oil to the flour, mixed haram (not permissible to consume) fight doubts that sometime creep in it himself to bsisa and gave it us in Islam, both were freely available 4 JANATA, April 19, 2015 and it was left to the individuals to Even if another and a better world profits from taxation. The Gulliver follow their religion and not the state is possible, is a better outcome also exploits cultural traditions to prohibit, prescribe or regulate of WSF process possible? Some to push its agenda to create more consumption of food and drinks. In people see WSF as a cacophony and more unequal world, poverty, the mall we saw meat looking like of voices albeit of marginalized hunger, destroying everything that pork though we could not confirm communities screaming to seek is egalitarian in people’s culture, it because the labels were in Arabic attention without resulting into traditions and customs, moral or French. tangible outcomes. In other words, values of religions and reinvent they compare WSF to a supermarket culture and traditions to promote Just as Nehru led Indian National of ideologies and perspectives where selfishness, greed, individualism Congress adopted secularism prospective “customers” visit a few that pitches self in competition and democracy as the founding shops but “buy” nothing. Other with the rest and against the whole principle of Indian state, so did critical viewpoints suggest that WSF society as a virtue; to promote Habib Bourguiba, who led the is not all that democratic and free ruthlessness, aggressiveness; to Independence Movement and space it is touted to be. The space promote consumerism; to promote the post-colonial Tunisian State. is controlled by a few North based aping the ways of socially and Education was one of the main civil society organizations who are politically dominant class; to make priorities after Independence in able to mobilize finances for the most brutal violence and manmade 1956 for Habib Bourguiba. Even in event. They set the priorities, decide disasters acceptable; to make sexual 2005-6, the Tunisian Government the agenda and are indirectly in violence and misogyny acceptable allocated more than 20 per cent of the the position to determine who can and call it all ‘modernity’. The budget for education. Education has speak at the event. It is the case of Gulliver is destroying cultures of largely been in French, particularly “march separately and strike against solidarity and values of empathy. higher education and the process of the status-quo separately” which The WSF is bringing the hundreds leads to dispersion of energies for of Liliputs together, is it helping Arabization is very slow. As a result, change in various directions and them get organized? Even if WSF Tunisia is ranked 98 out of 182 the status-quo emerges harmless in is a confluence of CSOs, if a CSO countries according to the HDI 2007. the process. If millions of Lilliputs is better prepared and organized, it (CSOs) resisting the oppression can avail of the space provided in Under the leadership of Habib of Gulliverian Status-quo with its WSF to network with other similar Bourguiba (1956–1987), Tunisia’s oppressive-destructive structures do movements and organizations. post-independence government not work in cohesion and organized pursued a program of secularization. manner to tie down and immobilize The WSF in Tunisia, as on earlier Bourguiba, was avowedly secularist Gulliver, their energies will only occasions acts more as a platform who secularized education and get dissipated without achieving and space to take our organization’s unified the legal system so that all anything substantial with Gulliver concerns, perspectives and Tunisians, regardless of religion, emerging more powerful than experiences to event and share were subject to the state courts. before. The Gulliver representing with other and also seek out others He restricted the influence of the arms industry, huge corporations, the working on similar issues or related religious University of Ez-Zitouna neo-conservative-racist-nationalist- issues and exchange perspectives and replaced it with a faculty supremacist-patriarchal ideologists and learn from others’ experiences of theology integrated into the are more organized controlling and also network for solidarities. As University of Tunis, banned media, educational and religious a SADED and VK delegate in WSF the headscarf for women, made institutions to obfuscate realities provided ample opportunities to me members of the religious hierarchy and experiences of oppression of the to meet and interact with various state employees and ordered that the people, propounding justifications for organizations and movements that expenses for the upkeep of mosques inequalities and social hegemonies had come to attend WSF in Tunisia. and the salaries of preachers to be forcing the world to open up for That Tunisia was the venue of WSF regulated. Nehru had to withdraw free movements of goods for unfair was added attraction as that was the Hindu Code Bill but Bourguiba trade, free movement of capital to place where Arab Spring – people’s introduced ‘Code du Statut Personel’ exploit global natural resources movement for democracy – had been (CSP) the laws that govern issues and cheap labour and protecting launched. JANATA, April 19, 2015 5 related to the family: marriage, Mediterranean Sea also contributes regaining its pre-Arab spring growth guardianship of children, inheritance to the economy. Of late, we were told rates. Al Qaeda’s presence in North and most importantly the abolishing that unemployment has increased. Africa has grown in the last few of polygamy and making divorce Tunisia has experienced its highest years. Instability in neighboring subject to judicial review. unemployment rates since the Libya has only added to anxiety revolution of 2011. Youth between over the security situation in Tunisia, Bourguiba clearly wanted to 15 and 29 years old constitute a country traditionally boasting undercut the religious establishment’s 72.2 per cent of the total number healthy tourism revenues. Finally, ability to prevent his secularization of unemployed people in 2012. demand for Tunisian exports has program, and although he was An article published in November dried up in the European Union, careful to locate these changes 2013 by the Center for International Tunisia’s most important trade within the framework of a modernist Private Enterprise (CIPE) explained partner.” reading of Islam and presented them the reasons behind this economic as the product of ijtihad (independent decline leading to an increase in The high rate of unemployment interpretation) and not a break with unemployment: among youth is a cause of worry Islam, he became well known for for the Tunisian rulers and a fertile his secularism. For Bourguiba, “Since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, ground for their recruitment by the Islam represented the past; the the economy has had a hard time political Islamists. west was Tunisia’s only hope for (Continued from Page 2) a modern future. The Islamists are be oblivious to the religious factor. courts. He always denied the charge fighting back for their space and Liberals believe as if they have no and said in defence that the legal exert considerable influence in the hope that they can win. system was so defective that a case people. Muslim Brotherhood found could go on for decades or so. The its influence on people of Tunisia It is a pity that the Aam Aadmi person charged with murder, rape and so did Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ennahda Party is floundering because of or worse got the bail and committed Movement or Renaissance Party, minor differences. When one set of same heinous crime during the a moderate Islamist Party, won 37 people go to the extent of having period he was out of prison. per cent of popular votes and 41 a separate convention to voice per cent (89 out of 217 seats) in their grievances, it is obvious that Strange, the killing of 20 labourers the Tunisian Constituent Assembly the atmosphere within the party is by an Andhra Police task force elections in 2011. Today Tunisia suffocating. earlier in the month has not created provides highest number of recruits the furors in the country which the to Daesh or Islamic State fighters A split among the members incident should have. Is it because and attack on foreigners outside the is unfortunate. It indicates that the victims were mere labourers, Bardo Museum is indicative of the social movements tend to split considered at the bottom of the elitist challenges faced the Tunisian State. when they enter the political field. society which lays down the law? Or, Activist Medha Patkar says that is it because they were poor, already Unemployment social movements will change the living on the margin? Economically Tunisia is facing lot complexion of politics. One wishes Eight labourers set out from their of challenges of late. The backbone this comes true. But power corrupts homes at Vettagiripalayam in Tamil of their economy is production event those who have spent the entire Nadu on a Monday afternoon. They of olives and olive oil which also life in propagating the democratic first head to Tiruttani, not far from earns export revenues. Tourism is values. the Andhra border. From Tiruttani, also important source of foreign they take a bus to Renigunta in revenues. Many Tunisians have Encounter became a familiar word Andhra Pradesh but are picked up emigrated and are working in during the militancy in Punjab when by police on the way. Encounters various countries. Their remittance the then police chief, K.P.S. Gill, was take place in Seshachalam forest is another source of foreign currency. accused of staging encounters to kill near Tirupati. Southern Tunisia has phosphate the militants to circumvent the long, mining which is another source of tedious legal procedures of having According to one of the survivors, revenue for the state. Fishing in the the verdicts against the guilty from he was with the seven in the bus 6 JANATA, April 19, 2015 when it was stopped by Andhra police. While the others were led The coming crisis in social sector out, he was spared because he was sitting next to a woman and police Bharat Dogra thought he was her husband. The Union Budget made big and and Child Development’. Incident after incident shows that unprecedented cuts in rural and the police have followed the same social sectors. This was sought to be This is a matter of grave concern, methods which were used during explained by saying that as higher particularly keeping in view the fact the British period. There is the same allocations are to be made to states as that very serious damage to crops cruelty and the same reluctance to go per the 14th Finance Commission’s has been caused by adverse weather into the matter deep and determine recommendations, these cuts will be condition in several states (including the cause. Rulers do not care as to made up through higher provisions Rajasthan). the method used so long as the force in the state budgets. delivers what they want. In the last Questions have also been raised 68 years since independence the However there are no signs of by expert analysts about whether scenario should have changed. But this promise being fulfilled in most the transfer of additional resources obviously it has not been because the state budgets. For example this can to the states has been adequate for target is to secure what suits rulers, be seen in the less than adequate them to shoulder the additional not the method to reach the goal. allocations made for these priority responsibilities. This obviously areas in the budget of the Rajasthan has longer-term implications well The Kashmiri Pandits are an government. beyond this year’s budget. affluent and influential community. If their fate can move the government Comparing the budget estimates The Centre for Budget and to solve what is the real cause, their for 2014-15 and 2015-16, there is Governance Accountability, Delhi, affliction would not go waste. If the only a very modest increase in health has stated in its analysis of this and family welfare, education, nation were to introspect, it would year’s budget, that starting from social welfare and nutrition in the realize that the excesses committed 2015-16, the centre will not cover Rajasthan budget. This is the kind of the Revenue Expenditure (especially in the name of governance are modest increase that happens almost the recurring expenditure on salaries sheer indifference and political every year (including the inflation and staff) incurred at the State aggrandizement. component). At the same time some level in 24 different Plan schemes allocations of social sector have even (e.g.. National Health Mission, Pre-meditated killings which been cut in the state budget along ICDS, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, have the name of encounter should with the central budget. For example National Rural Drinking Water not be tolerated in a democratic in the Rajasthan budget the budget Programme, Swach Bharat Abhiyan, society. The National Human estimate for welfare of SC/ST/OBC Indira Awas Yojna among others). Rights Commission summoned the has been reduced from Rs. 1542 to survivors of the Andhra encounter 1471 cr. For agriculture and allied Further this review states, and has recorded their version. In services there is a reduction from “Quite contrary to what has been due course, the verdict would be Rs. 5469 cr. to 5232 cr. For rural the common perception about the out to either chastise the police or development there is a cut from Rs. implications of the 14th Finance let them go with a warning. 13904 cr. to Rs. 12968 cr. Commission recommendations, the net increase in the spending capacity With the passage of time, the Department-wise allocations of the state Governments (resulting incident will recede from the memory reveal that comparing the budget from the changes being introduced of the people. But this should not estimates of 2014-15 and 2015- in Centre-State sharing of resources) happen. Otherwise, similar incidents 16, there is a reduction from Rs. in 2015-16 would be very modest.” will take place at some other place, at 105 cr. to Rs. 92 cr. in the case of, some other time and the police will minorities, a reduction from Rs. Hence this review concludes, “It call its action as encounters. 1957 cr. to Rs. 1678 cr. in ‘Women appears that the transfer of social JANATA, April 19, 2015 7 sector responsibilities to the state Socialist Party (India) is going to organise its National Convention governments is not going to be in Lucknow and Sitapur , U.P., during 1-3 May, 2015. Socialist Party is matched by an adequate increase in committed to ending inequality based on any of the artificial divisions their spending capacity.” created in human society and discrimination based on these inequalities in the world through peaceful and democratic means. It values the human A senior budget analyst says, “In rights of all very highly and endeavours to bring justice to the wronged. several state budgets it appears to be It wishes to promote harmony among human beings and a perfect balance business as usual. There are no signs with nature so that our development process is sustainable. It is against of any major effort to make up for over-exploitation of nature and would like to establish itself as the green the deep cuts in social sector made party on India. For more details or for joining the party please visit our in the union budget.” website at spi.org.in This is an appeal to make financial contributions to Socialist Party (India) Clearly this can lead to serious so that we’re able to organise our convention well. In order to make a resource constraints for important contribution to Socialist Party (India) please use the following details. Do social and rural programmes, causing inform us (Alok Singh, 8756222696 or [email protected]) when distress to vulnerable people. you make a donation. Name of Account: Socialist Party (India) The Union Finance Minister Name of Bank: Allahabad Bank Arun Jaitly told the Rajya Sabha on Branch: Hazratganj, Lucknow, U.P. March 19 that the resource transfer Account Number: 50084256339 to the states has been more than IFSC: ALLA0210062 (there is a zero following second A and two zeros adequate to make up for the cuts consecutively) made in social sector in the Union Socialist Party (India) National Convention budget. However, earlier a senior opposition (Congress) leader Jairam 1-3 May, 2015, Lucknow and Sitapur Ramesh insisted that there are very 1st May, 2015: 10 am to 1 pm, Meeting of National Executive; legitimate concerns about an overall 2 pm to 6 pm, Inaugural Session, Gandhi Bhawan Auditorium, opposite shortage of funds for critical social Shaheed Smarak, next to Residency, Lucknow, Contact: 9415402311 (Girish sector schemes at least during K. Pandey), 9839422521 (Chunnilal), 9795020932 (Hafeez Kidwai) a transition period from the old 2nd & 3rd May, 2015 regime to the new arrangements. He Village Kanhmau, Sidhauli-Biswan Road (5 km from Sidhauli), District suggested strongly that the Finance Sitapur Ministry and the newly set up Niti Contact: 9810319758 (Dr. Shuchita Kumar), 9450379003 (Anurag Ayog should evolve a mechanism to Agney), Deepak Sharma (8175031062) monitor this carefully and ensure that any shortages for significant social How to reach Kanhmau: sector schemes can be avoided. Kanhmau is 5 km from Sidhauli on the Sidhauli-Biswan Road. Sidhauli is 55 km from Lucknow on Lucknow-Sitapur Road which also happens (Continued from Page 2) to be the Lucknow-Delhi route. There are regular buses from Quaiserbagh the option open. This means that bus stand, next to Gandhi Bhawan, in Lucknow for Biswan which will internal stability and unity will be drop one in Kanhmau village itself. For more information please call the abovementioned numbers. absent for some time, and something quite unexpected may happen out We look forward to seeing you in Lucknow on 1st May and Kanhmau, of the churnings within the party. Dist. Sitapur on 2nd and 3rd May, 2015. If you inform us about your arrival Right now, the focus seems to be on and departure in advance we will be able to serve you better. keeping the movement that brought the AAP leaders together alive and Faisal Khan, National Organisational Secretary (9968828230), Girish work for internal cohesion again. It Kumar Pandey, Patron, U.P. (9415402311), Dr. Shuchita Kumar, U.P. remains to be seen whether Kejriwal State President (9810319758), Chunnilal, Organisational Secretary, or the dissenters will emerge stronger U.P. (9839422521), Sandeep Pandey, National Vice-President, Ph: 0522 from the crisis. 2347365, [email protected], on behalf of Socialist Party (India). 8 JANATA, April 19, 2015 Why Grassroots People’s Movements Oppose Nuclear Power

Praful Bidwai

Even before history’s worst else, especially in a technologically unlimited. India’s indigenous nuclear reactor accident happened, backward society like India, with its reserves cannot even sustain 10,000 at Fukushima in Japan on March 11, poor safety culture and a record of MW (megawatts) of atomic power 2011, the world witnessed vigorous serious nuclear accidents. generation, of today’s existing total protest movements against nuclear electricity capacity of about 240,000 power generation. Many of them Anti-nuclear Arguments MW. took the form of NIMBY (not in That’s why Koodankulam in Tamil my backyard) campaigns, which Nadu, Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Mithi Currently, India’s nuclear power highlighted the perception that Virdi in Gujarat, Kovvada in Andhra capacity is under 4,800 MW, most people and communities do Pradesh, Gorakhpur in Haryana compared to 15,000 MW in wind not regard nuclear reactors as good and Chutki in Madhya Pradesh, and 2,000 MW in solar. Nuclear or safe neighbours. India was no where new reactors are planned, reactors contribute less than three exception to this trend and saw have all witnessed huge protests, per cent to India’s total electricity sustained anti-nuclear protests from defying ferocious state repression. generation and less than one per the 1970s onwards, beginning with In Koodankulam, where the police cent to total energy consumption. the proposed plants at Kakrapar in filed First Information Reports Even if all the grandiose plans Gujarat and Narora in Uttar Pradesh. against more than 55,000 people, announced by the government for and charged 6,800 with “sedition” nuclear expansion materialise, such At Fukushima, where core and “waging war against the state”, as a tripling of capacity in eight meltdowns occurred in three the movement refuses to die down. It years, nuclear’s contribution to reactors—compared to only one at is gathering great momentum at other electricity production will still not Chernobyl in Ukraine—the crisis sites too. (For more information, exceed five per cent. continues four years on, with huge see www.cndpindia.org and www. radioactivity releases. Cleaning dianuke.org) But no target set by the Department up the site alone will take four of Atomic Energy (DAE) has ever decades and cost at least $200 What inspires the anti-nuclear materialised. In the 1960s, the DAE billion. After Fukushima, the anti- movement? The movement, to said India by 2000 would have nuclear movement has acquired a simplify matters a little, advances 43,500 MW in nuclear capacity; it more global, universal character and six arguments: Too Little, Too Late, had 2,700 MW! Tripling assumes gathered great energy. Too Centralised, Too Secretive, Too that 19 reactors would be started Expensive, Too Dangerous. They and completed in six years, when Along with the crisis of the add up to a formidable case against average global construction time is global nuclear industry, which is nuclear power. Consider each one 10 years, and in India, 12 years. turning graver by the month, popular of them. opposition could spell the end of Nuclear power is rapidly shrinking what has been promoted as the Too Little: Contrary to worldwide. Its share in global power world’s nuclear dream—the never- propaganda, nuclear power accounts generation has declined from a fulfilled promise of atomic power as for just two percent of the world’s peak of 17.6 per cent in 1996 to an abundant, manageable, clean and final primary energy consumption, 10.8 per cent. Its contribution to the safe source of cheap electricity, “too compared to the 18 per cent share of world’s commercial primary energy cheap”, it was said, “even to meter”. renewable sources, including wind production has also fallen to a new power, solar photovoltaics, solar- low (4.4 per cent). People everywhere know that thermal, biomass, hydroelectricity, if a grave accident could take etc. Nuclear’s long-term contribution The number of nuclear reactors place in a highly industrialised, to energy is severely limited by operating worldwide peaked in 2002 technologically advanced society uranium reserves, whereas the at 438. It now stands at 390. Nuclear like Japan, it can happen anywhere potential of renewables is almost has seen no major technological JANATA, April 19, 2015 9 innovation for decades: 170 reactors construction periods. By contrast, and groups of consumers), and (44 percent of total) are 30 years old/ gas-based power plants can be built so on. In a country with 600,000 older. But only 65 new reactors are in three or four years’ time. Solar or villages, and where 40 percent of under construction, four fewer than wind farms are now being routinely the population has no electricity, a year ago. built in only a few months’ time. decentralised sources and distributed This makes a vital difference given consumption must play a major role. Too Late: Given the grim reality the urgency of combating climate Nuclear power has no place here. of the climate crisis, all energy change. generation must be judged on the Too Secretive: Nuclear power criterion of how quickly and richly Too Centralised: Nuclear power comes wrapped in secrecy and it can contribute to peaking and generation is excessively centralised opacity, and often deception. That reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) in two ways. First, all decision- is partly because it is a Siamese emissions. The world must make making on nuclear energy planning, Twin of nuclear weapons. The GHG emissions peak by 2020 if investment, execution, etc is made in two programmes share a common it is to avert catastrophic global highly centralised institutions such infrastructure, personnel, training, warming, with irreversible changes as governmental apex committees funding and command structures. in the climate system, leading to and giant corporations, which are The chairman of the Nuclear Power a rapid melting of icecaps and not amenable to democratic control Corporation of India Ltd reports to glaciers, a rise in sea levels, more or rational regulation in the public the chairman of the Atomic Energy ferocious cyclones and storms, interest. Commission, also secretary to the floods alternating with droughts, and DAE, and therefore in charge of other extreme weather events. This is a serious issue. In matters both the nuclear weapons and power nuclear, the public is compelled programmes. Nuclear power scores poorly here. to submit itself to bureaucracies Although nuclear reactors do not and centralised apparatuses which The weapons programme uses directly emit greenhouse gases like are essentially unaccountable to materials produced or processed carbon dioxide, the entire nuclear fuel Parliament and other democratic in the so-called peaceful civilian cycle—including uranium mining, institutions, and which are nuclear power programme, including ore processing, fuel fabrication, insensitive to the environmental plutonium, which has dual use. reactor construction with steel and and social costs that are imposed Many countries have transferred cement, transportation of materials, on communities on account of or diverted materials and personnel storage and reprocessing of nuclear nuclear power generation. These from the civilian to the military waste, etc—generates GHGs. Their local communities are dispersed programme, including France, the life-cycle GHGs emissions per and cannot make their voice heard US, USSR, India and Iran. million units of power generated sufficiently in apex-level power are much, much higher than those of structures. For instance, India used the spent renewable energy sources, which are fuel from CIRUS (Canada-India maturing as competitive alternatives Second, nuclear reactors can at Research Reactor-US) to extract to both nuclear and fossil-fuel based best contribute to a centralised grid. the plutonium that was used in the power. They can only deliver “base-load” 1974 Pokharan blast. CIRUS was power and cannot alter their output designed and built by the Canadians, For instance, emissions per kWh according to changing demand, or and the US supplied heavy water from wind are less than one-tenth what is called “peak” power. The to it. India promised to use the of those from nuclear power, and difference between base and peak products of CIRUS for entirely from solar-PV about one-quarter to loads is huge in India: of the order “peaceful” purposes, but flagrantly one-half. of 60 to 100 percent. breached this legal commitment. That’s one reason why it called Besides, nuclear reactors take This limitation of nuclear reactors the 1974 Pokharan test a “peaceful at least 10 years to build, and is fast becoming a great disability nuclear explosion”, a blatant lie. will take even longer as safety as the world moves towards regulations are tightened in the decentralised energy generation Nuclear power operators are wake of Fukushima, and as nuclear and consumption, localised grids, secretive for another reason too. They corporations worldwide face deep “smart” grids (which can switch have a lot to hide—breach of internal financial problems, prolonging between different sources of power regulations, mishaps, accidents, 10 JANATA, April 19, 2015 excessive toxic exposure of plant Nuclear power long ago failed At this rate, nuclear electricity workers, and releases of poisonous the market test and turned to be from these imported reactors will materials and radioactivity that much more expensive than virtually cost Rs 15 plus a unit and bankrupt affect the wider public. It’s only every other energy source. In many all consumers, including industry, rarely that the operator reveals that energy-related technology areas, unit agriculture and domestic users. an accident or mishap has occurred: costs fall as electricity generation usually, the media does, or the capacity doubles—a benefit of The world over, governments affected people do. “learning by doing”. The reverse have tried to mollycoddle nuclear is true of nuclear power, itself a power by subsidising it through This is especially true of India, “mature” technology where no special liability laws, limiting where the DAE and NPCIL have major innovative breakthroughs insurance payments, etc. The Indian typically failed to reveal the have recently occurred, leading to government also tried this on the occurrence of accidents, including greater efficiency and lower costs. nuclear liability issue, but has failed fires, collapse of safety systems, so far. There was no “breakthrough” exposure of workers to tritium, Nuclear power comes with a lot on this during Barack Obama’s breakage of containers during of hidden or future costs, which are recent visit to India—only sleights- transportation, leaks from storage dumped on society, including the of-hand to substitute administrative facilities, etc. costs of “decommissioning” old memoranda for proper laws enacted after prolonged legislative debate. Secrecy has become a habit with reactors, of handling and storing the DAE and NPCIL because they high-level wastes, and so on. After This trick, meant to please US have never had an independent a reactor exhausts its economic life nuclear suppliers at the expense regulator. The Atomic Energy of 30 to 40 years, it continues to of India’s public, falls foul of Regulatory Board is a toothless seethe with radioactivity and must Parliament’s intent. But it still organisation which has no be “entombed” in concrete at a won’t work. Westinghouse and GE, independence from the agencies it cost that’s one-third to one-half the now owned by Japanese capital, is meant to regulate. Its head reports construction cost. are unlikely to sell reactors to India to the Atomic Energy Commission so long as any element of liability chief who is in charge of nuclear All reactors leave behind high- exists. power generation. The AERB has level wastes which remain hazardous no staff, budget or equipment of its for thousands of years. For instance, Too Dangerous: Nuclear power own. None of the so-called safety the half-life of plutonium-239 is is inherently hazardous because audits it carried out in Indian nuclear 24,400 years and uranium-235’s is it concentrates huge amounts of installations after Fukushima carries 710 million years. Science hasn’t energy in limited spaces. Nuclear any credibility. found a way of safely storing, power generation is the only form leave alone neutralising, radioactive Both the DAE and NPCIL of energy production which has a waste. brazenly claim exemptions from the potential for catastrophic accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, Right to Information Act, even when Even if these costs are excluded the activities in question do not have which release large amounts of toxic from calculation, nuclear power any bearing on “national security”. radioactivity and poison people and is far more costly than electricity huge tracts of land. Too Expensive: The nuclear from coal, gas and renewables. The industry has always been promoted per-kilowatt capital costs of nuclear Fukushima happened not because through huge public subsidies. reactors have risen internationally of an earthquake and tsunami, but No bank would finance it, and no from $1,000 to $6,000-9,000 (as in because these triggered mishaps in insurance company would cover the case of figures quoted for the reactors which were vulnerable to it without subsidies. It has been French company Areva’s reactors, catastrophic accidents in the first called “the greatest failure of any meant for Jaitapur). Operating costs place. Nuclear accidents happen enterprise in the industrial history of too have risen 16 percent in three because of the nature of nuclear the world”, which has lost more than years in many countries, just as technology. Natural calamities only $1 trillion in subsidies, cash losses, renewable wind-power and solar- make them more likely. All reactor abandoned projects and damage to photovoltaics get cheaper every designs are vulnerable to core- the public. month. meltdown accidents. JANATA, April 19, 2015 11

International experts say there the spread of mass-destruction The anti-nuclear movement has a will be disastrous failures at nuclear weapons which kill massively, solid, rational argument to back it power stations, and that this cannot indiscriminately and brutally, and up. It also has growing grassroots be avoided. As Edward Teller, the against which there is no military, support. It has succeeded in showing nuclear physicist, said, “If you [try civil or medical defence. Countries that continuing with nuclear power to] construct something foolproof, such as France, India, Pakistan and generation is a narrow, parochial there will always be a fool greater North Korea successfully acquired agenda of a small cabal within the than the proof.” a nuclear weapons capability at nuclear establishment and capitalist Nuclear hazards include radiation least partly through a civilian interests, which has nothing to do exposure at each step of the so-called nuclear programme. The dividing with public purpose. nuclear fuel cycle—from uranium line between civilian and military mining, to fuel fabrication, reactor facilities or operations is always 1 This formulation, made operation and maintenance, eventual thin. Nuclear installations are also popular by Achin Vanaik, is used decommissioning of reactors, to uniquely vulnerable to sabotage by the Coalition for Nuclear waste handling and storage. There is and armed attacks, with terrifying Disarmament and Peace, set up in no threshold below which radiation consequences. 2000 by more than 250 civil society is safe. Yet, for entirely expedient groups, of whom Achin and I are reasons, the nuclear industry sets These problems make nuclear founder-members. CNDP’s charter “maximum permissible” limits of power generation uniquely is available at www.cndpindia.org. exposure—simply because some hazardous, and irredeemably so. exposure is inevitable if nuclear activities are to take place. It also Fishing Ban frequently breaches these limits. The Union ministry of agriculture in western coast. The monsoon in Ionising radiation damages has instructed the state governments eastern coast is in the months of chromosomes in the body which of the east coast -Tamil Nadu, October and November. This opinion control the code for the reproduction Puducherry, Seemandara, Orisssa is based on the traditional knowledge of cells, leading to cancers, and West Bengal - that all fishing by and proper understanding of the leukaemias and genetic damage. the Mechanised Boats in territorial fisher communities of the eastern It also increases the burden of waters and the EEZ shall be banned coast regarding the fish breeding degenerative diseases and can lead for 61 days between April 15 and season, which happens around to cell death or breakdown of DNA June 14. Basing on it the government monsoon. and RNA, which affects the ability of Puducherry has announced such to cope with environmental changes, ban for 61 days. This opinion is passed on to the union and state governments and recover from diseases or illness. It is also been announced that Radiation cannot be neutralised periodically by the fisher the ban on the western coast states or fully contained. Occupational communities and also in the Bay – Gujarat, Maharshtra, Diu and workers in all nuclear facilities, Bengal level project consultation Daman, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala from uranium mines to reactors, meetings conducted in collaboration – will be for 61 day from June 15 to reprocessing and waste storage with the respective governments. till August 14th. On the western plants, are constantly exposed to But the fisher communities are radiation. coast, the fishermen welcome it as the timing synchronises with very disappointed with the decision Nuclear safety issues also pertain the monsoon. All states baring of the Union government of holding to routine emissions and effluents Kerala have welcomed the 61 days the ban period between April and from nuclear reactors which expose ban. Only Kerala wishes that it is June, without considering such valid the public to hazards. Other risks restricted to 45 days. and knowledge based opinion. from nuclear activities are equally significant, including those from On the eastern coast, there are Hence the fisher communities transportation, handling and storage different opinions about the ban demand that they should be consulted of nuclear materials. period among the fisher communities. by the concerned state governments They do not object to 61 days, but and also by the union government in Weapons of Mass Destruction they would very much like it to this regard and the ban period should Nuclear power programmes synchronise with the monsoon, as be reconsidered. pose an even graver danger: M. Ilango, National Fishworkers’ Forum 12 JANATA, April 19, 2015 Encounter kllings The erstwhile combined state of came across around 100 of them of any other law dealing with any Andhra Pradesh was notorious for felling trees in the Seshachalam Forest crimes and criminal investigation fake encounters in the country. After at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. does the expression “Encounter ten months of the bifurcation of the Members of the Task Force challenged Death” appear. It is a mere invention state into Telangana and Andhra them to surrender, but the woodcutters created by the police without any basis Pradesh, once again the police resorted responded by pelting stones. The of law. While the matter has been to killing of 25 people on a bloody Task Force in turn responded to the adjudicated several times by the courts Tuesday, April 7, 2015. raining stones by firing randomly at not only the discountenancing but also the woodcutters, which led to death of condemning the action of causing In Telangana, in the incident in 20 of them; the rest ran away. deaths of the persons in the custody Warangal district, the police escorting naming them as “Encounter Deaths” five under-trial prisoners, who were It is surprising to note that a in the latest full bench judgment of suspected terrorists, shot the prisoners “random firing” in response to stone the High Court of Andhra Pradesh dead on the pretext that one of them pelting has resulted in the death of comprising of five Judges it has been tried to snatch a firearm from one 20 woodcutters. One wonders what authoritatively laid down that in case of the escorts in a bid to flee police could have been the toll had the of every unnatural death caused by custody. Force targeted the woodcutters in the police force even under the pretext self-defense. Let us not forget how of self defense must be reported and In Andhra Pradesh, 20 men alleged disproportionate it is to use bullets made the subject of ordinary enquiry to be smugglers of red sandalwood for stones, even if the stones were under the provisions of Cr.P.C and were shot dead in the Seshachalam “raining” down. The alleged encounter also naming all the police personnel forest of Chittoor district, near took place in a jungle after all and trees causing deaths. Such police personnel Tirupati in a joint operation conducted could have given ample protection till must be left to defend themselves in by the Andhra Pradesh Police and the Task Force was able to capture all one or the other provisions contained Forest Officials. the alleged smugglers. in the Chapter relating to “General The fake encounter in Telangana Exceptions” in I.P.C. Putting in other incident took place in a prison van, Now coming to Warangal incident words, every claim made by the police where 17 security force members it has to be imagined how could Vikar personnel claiming the “self defense” were taking 5 prisoners namely Vikhar Ahmed attempt to snatch a weapon either under the guise of encounter Ahmmed Vikaaruddin, 30 years; Syed from the security personnel, as under- or otherwise, must necessarily be Amjal Ali, 29 years; Dr. Haneef, trials are never let-off alone, not even subjected to an adjudication by a 32 years; Mohammed Zakeer, 30 to use the toilet? As standard operating competent court. Otherwise, all the years; and Idaar Khan, 28 years - all procedure, security personnel always deaths caused by the police under the under-trials from Warangal Jail – on escort under trials. Furthermore, ‘fictitious’ name of encounter will be a its way to a Hyderabad court. This even if he did attempt to snatch cases of culpable homicide amounting encounter happened inside a jail van weaponry, how come a 17-member to murder. with all of the under-trials killed, security force failed to overpower him while handcuffed to their seats. The without firing? Were not remaining We demand: 1. A judicial enquiry police claims that Vikar Ahmed, one four, as per claims of the police, still headed by a former judge of of the under-trials, asked to be released handcuffed? It is impossible to believe Supreme Court on Fake Encounters. in order for him to answer nature’s this obliviously fictitious story weaved 2. To register an FIR to book all call. Upon his return he tried to snatch by the police. the police personnel involved on a weapon. The police opened fire when charges of murder (Section 302, other under-trials allegedly tried to The PUCL wishes to bring to the IPC). 3.Immediate suspension of the snatch weapons too and this led to all notice of one and all, particularly the implicated personnel pending the of them being killed. police organization that there is no investigation, and arrests with no concept much less any legal provision delay. 4. Preservation of crime scenes, The police version of the Andhra for “Encounter Death” as manifested ballistic and forensic evidence, seizure Pradesh encounter is that Red-sanders by the police. In neither the provisions of all weapons. 5. Full protection to Anti-Smuggling Task Force spotted of the IPC nor the provisions of all witnesses. footprints of the “smugglers” and the Cr.PC and nor the provisions –K. Pratap Reddy Jaya Vindhyala President General Secretary People’s Union for Civil Liberties Telangana JANATA, April 19, 2015 13 Union Budget 2015-16: Continuity with the Past Framework

Arun Kumar

Union Budget 2015-16 is in carry the burden for implementation. There are provisions for making the the same mould as the budgets in Similarly, many scheme of financial economic environment business the preceding years. The Finance inclusion like, the Jan Dhan yojana, friendly by introducing a `stable Minister’s speech announces or are dependent on the Public Sector tax policy’, likely introduction mentions a whole host of schemes for Banks. The contribution of the budget of GST next year, deferring the different sections of the population. to these schemes which look grand implementation of GAAR, changes With a projected expenditure of on paper will be minimal. But this is to reduce tax disputes, merger of Rs.17.77 lakh crore and a GDP of nothing new since every budget has Forward Markets Commission Rs.141.1 lakh crore, the expenditure resorted to such announcements. It with SEBI, proposal to amend the is slated to be 12.6% of GDP. This makes the budget speech of the FM RBI Act, changes in the Permanent is no small amount and out of this, look very promising. Establishment norm to encourage a few hundred or a few thousand return of fund managers back home crore can be given to many popular The real problem in India is and so on. schemes. Say, for women, children, that announcements are easy but old, marginalized sections, rural implementation difficult. For Playing with Numbers infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture instance, while 10 crore accounts One of the problems faced by and so on. are reported to have been opened in the public sector is that there have a short time under Jan Dhan Yojana, been large budgetary cuts in plan When massive schemes are most have no deposit or are inactive allocations. In 2014-15, Plan size announced like, setting up of 5 since the genuinely poor have was designated as Rs.5,75,000 crore Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4000 little savings to put into their new but in the revised estimates, it has MWs each, money does not have to accounts. How many overdraft have become Rs. 4,67,934 crore. This be allocated immediately. At Rs. 5 been given to the micro businesses is a shortfall of Rs.1,07,066 crore crore per MW, it would cost a total of and how much is the cost incurred and this was realised by cutting Rs. 1 lakh crore to set them up. In the on such accounts has not yet been expenditures on education, health, starting year, it may not even require revealed? The problem is one of infrastructure, etc. Those schemes Rs.5,000 crore but the impression governance. Firstly, most schemes that are new have to face the biggest created is as if a massive outlay is are ill conceived and, therefore, cuts but other schemes are also to be incurred. This would also be unimplementable. Secondly, even slowed down. true of housing for all by 2022 and when designed well, they are not other infrastructure schemes to be set executed properly and, therefore, The cuts are not done all at up over a period of time. But given they do not yield the expected once but over the years. If we look the history of stalled and delayed results. at the data on Plan expenditures projects, often allocations are made for 2013-14, the budget estimate but not spent so that delays are the There are, of course, many was Rs.5,55,322 crore but in the order of the day in most projects. policy announcements in budgets revised estimate it was brought which are of a general nature and down by about Rs.80,000 crore There is another category of have nothing to do with budgetary to Rs. 4,75,532 crore and now the announcements that will lean allotments and the present budget current budget reveals that the heavily on the financial sector to is no exception. There is a scheme actual expenditure was Rs.4,53,327 provide resources like, the pension for the monetization of country’s crore. That is a further decline in schemes. The budgetary provisions considerable holdings of gold. There Rs.22,000 crore and the total short will be small but the public sector are provisions for tackling the black fall compared to the budgeted insurance companies will have to money held abroad and in India. amount is Rs.1,02,000 crore. This 14 JANATA, April 19, 2015 has become a common pattern in of the shortfall in revenues. Since (BE) compared to last year is slated the last decade when the revised non-plan and revenue expenditures to fall by 1,10,000 crore. The Central estimates are much less than the are mostly committed ones from the assistance for States and UT Planshas budget estimates and then the final past, it is difficult to curtail them and been cut by Rs.1,30,000 crore. This actual figures are even lower. The the burden of cuts fell on the Plan is roughly of the same order of implication is that government’s account (as mentioned above) and magnitude as the additional revenue announcement of schemes have to capital account (about Rs. 41,000 accruing to the States under the be taken with a pinch of salt or often crore). Both these have implications devolution of tax revenue to them. as window dressing of the budget. for the completion of public sector projects and schemes. The result is A part of the loss of resources is These shortfalls in expenditures losses to the public sector, increased sought to be made up by forcing the apart from reflecting poor costs of setting up of projects and Public Enterprises (PE) to contribute governance are also a result of decline in government’s prestige and more to the Plan financing under the macroeconomic problems of increased pressure for privatization. the Internal and Extra Budgetary budget making based on dressing Resources (IEBR). The figure is up numbers. At the time of the But the real issue is the credibility to rise by 28% or Rs.70,000 crore. budget presentation, the FM is under of the budget numbers if they This is unprecedented and unlikely pressure to announce many things repeatedly turn out to be incorrect. to be achieved given that increased (as in the present budget speech) Further, what is the meaning of social obligations are sought to be and for this purpose, the FM shows achieving the fiscal and revenue placed on them which will lower higher revenue figures so that she/he deficits targets if they have to be their capacity to generate additional can claim a lower fiscal deficit. The achieved by cutting back essential surpluses/profits. For instance, pressure for this comes from the IMF expenditures? This is like chopping the Jan DhanYojana cannot but and the credit rating agencies. Thus, one’s nose to cure a cold. But in this impact the profitability of the Public both the revenue and expenditure the present FM is not the only one Sector Banks and the new insurance numbers are dressed up by the to blame, the earlier FMs have also schemes will dent the profitability of budget makers. Since the figures resorted to the same devices. the Insurance companies. are dressed up, revenue collection falls short and then to meet the Larger transfers to the States Comparisons with the Actuals of fiscal deficit target, the expenditures The larger transfers by the 2013-14 are telling. The most savage have to be cut. Since the non-Plan Fourteenth Finance Commission cuts in Central Plan allocations expenditures are hard to curtail as from the Centre to the States from for 2015-16 have been in Rural they are committed on the basis of 32% to 42% of the tax pool has Development, Energy and Social past commitments, it is the Plan size led to much confusion for analysts Services (consisting of education that bears the brunt of the cuts. and the public. The amount of Tax and health). Rural Development revenue going to the States has has been cut from Rs.52,000 crore In 2013-14, Tax receipts were risen from Rs.3,82,216 crore (BE) to Rs.3,000 crore and Energy from budgeted at Rs.8,84,078 crore but in 2014-15 to Rs.5,23,958 crore in Rs.1,82,000 crore to Rs1,67,000 in the revised estimates they are 2015-16, an increase of Rs.1,42,000 crore. Social Services have been cut Rs.8,36,026 crore and now the crore or by 37%. That is why the from Rs.1,51,000 crore to Rs.81,000 actual figures show them to be budget estimate of Centre’s Net crore. The cut for the Department even lower at Rs.8,15,854 crore, Tax Revenue has hardly risen over for School Education and Literacy i.e., a shortfall of about Rs.69,000 the revised estimate for 2014-15 of has been from Rs.43,700 crore to crore. Capital receipts are short Rs.9,08,463 crore and is Rs.57,000 Rs.3,000 crore and for Department of by about Rs.64,000 crore. The, crore less than the budget estimates Health and Family Welfare has been total receipts are, therefore, short for last year. from Rs.22,500 crore to Rs.6,300 of the budgeted amount by about crore. The cut in the Ministry of Rs.1,05,000 crore. Thus, to maintain This is the reason that the total Women and Child Development the target of Revenue and Fiscal estimated expenditure (BE) for has been from Rs.18,000 crore to a Deficits at about 3.3% and 4.6% 2015-16 is slated to fall compared token Rs.1,000 crore and in Ministry of GDP, respectively, expenditures to 2014-15 (BE) by Rs.17,500 crore. of Drinking Water and Sanitation had to be curtailed by the extent That is why the Plan expenditure the cut is from Rs.12,000 crore to JANATA, April 19, 2015 15

Rs.230 crore. The only big increase The macroeconomic problem often been fouled up by the human is in the allocation to Transport from faced by India in the last 25 years element. Rs.1,04,000 crore to Rs.1,93,000 has been that in spite of higher The macro-dynamics of the crore. In this, Ministry of Railways growth, poverty, malnourishment, budget affects prices and output gets a boost from Rs.52,000 crore to unemployment, etc., have persisted. of the economy and in turn it Rs.98,000 crore and the Ministry of This is because governments of determines the budgetary calculus. Road Transport and Highway from all hues since 1991 have ignored Budgets in the last 5 years have Rs.29,000 crore to Rs.83,000 crore. distribution of incomes. After the late 1990s they have followed the projected a higher real growth rate and a lower inflation rate. This has The boost to the Railways and strategy of `growth at any cost’ with resulted in lower revenue realization. road construction is a reflection of all costs falling on the workers and That was the problem in 2013-14 and the government’s intention to step the environment. As the Economic 2014-15. This is also likely to be the up investment in infrastructure. Survey, 2015 notes, the employment problem in 2015-16. Real growth How much of this will ultimately elasticity of production has been low is being projected at about 8% and be realized is a moot point since across all sectors and further there inflation at about 3%. every year the Plan is being pruned has been a `jobless growth’ in the and now the big items that can be organized sector of the economy The basis of the 8% rate of growth pruned will be the ones that have which corners a majority of the is the new series of data for national big allocations. Other major sectors investment in the economy. income that has been put out by the have any way been drastically cut To take care of the problem of Central Statistical Organization. and the scope of further cuts will be the marginalized sections whose However, the Economic Survey minimal. economic situation has hardly and the RBI have expressed doubts changed since 1991, safety nets about these numbers. Doubts have The cuts in the social sectors and were erected by UPA in the form arisen because other economic data rural development are a result of the of rights to food, employment and does not support a spurt in growth larger transfers to the States and the education. If the income generation to 7.4% in 2014-15 and above 8% in expectation that they will spend more of the marginalized sections had 2015-16. Data on exports, imports, on these sectors. The States have been buoyant and the government index of industrial production, tax anyway been the major spenders had spent enough on education collection, rate of investment and on these items. The various Central (6% of GDP), health (3% of GDP), savings, etc., do not support the idea schemes under these categories etc., they would not have needed of a growth rate of 7.4% in 2014- that were providing funds to the these special rights. Those who are 15. The FM put it imaginatively as States are being pruned or the States market fundamentalists deride these `India is ready to fly’ but others feel expected to pick up a larger share of rights and their implementation as a that India is flying but may not be the spending out of the additional waste of resources and constantly soaring. funds they are to get. Thus, the argue for an end to such schemes. The inflation numbers are not figures of expenditures by the Centre They often cite the high degree of accurate since the true inflation is are not directly comparable with corruption and poor governance not represented by the wholesale earlier years. as a reason for discontinuing these price index which is usually used schemes. Alternatively, they have for calculations (See, Kumar, 2013). The macro-dynamics of policies been talking of giving direct benefits This index has no representation The budget is first an instrument to the poor via cash transfer to their for the services sector which now of macroeconomic policies accounts via Aadhar, etc., which is produces more than 50% of the and after that only a means for now sought to be implemented via output of the economy. For instance, achieving micro-economic goals. the JAM scheme. What is unstated the increase in the tax on services If the macroeconomic goals of say, is that if governance is poor, the Jan in this budget would raise prices stepping up growth, controlling Dhan Yojana and Aadhar cards can but this will not get reflected in inflation and providing higher also be fouled up. There are reports the inflation index. There are other employment are not achieved then of multiple Aadhar cards or errors in reasons why our inflation index turns the goal of poverty alleviation, the cards being issued, etc. History out to be an underestimate benefits to the marginalized sections, is replete with examples of how etc., will also not be fulfilled. introduction of new technology has (to be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 19, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, April 19, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday April 22, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 13 Games leaders play April 26, 2015 S. Viswam

Developments in national politics games. The party has split into pro- during the last few weeks can best be Arvind Kejriwal members and anti- Importance of being described as interesting. Looking at Kejriwal members. The latter group Rahul Gandhi the way political parties are behaving alleges that Kejriwal has turned a Kuldip Nayar these days, one cannot take the risk dictator and is bent upon expelling of welcoming the developments all those questioning his style of Is GDP a good measure nor can one ignore them. While the leadership. Some senior leaders have of development? coming together of six parties of the also been expelled. Those expelled Devansh Mittal erstwhile Janata parivar for forming a are creating problems for Kejriwaal Sandeep Pandey single entity is undoubtedly a positive by refusing to accept the expulsion. development, the steady decline in Lokpal Amendment Bill 2014 the Aam Aadmi Party is certainly The Kejrial group, on the other Rajendra Prasad Singh a negative development. We have hand, says that after the expulsion had the good and the bad happen in of four senior leaders, two of whom Political roadblocks to politics often before and hence there are founder-members, Yogendra return of Kashmiri Pundits is little to be despondent or euphoric Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, the Shujaat Bukhari about. party leadership can focus on the governance of Delhi, make it a Evolutionary Socialism When the AAP was formed, it model state and plan on taking the Bhagwat Prasad Rath raised high expectations because party outside Delhi. The implication there was good reason to believe that of their statement seems to be that it the new formation would be a true was the expelled leaders who stood representative of the people - the in Kejriwal’s way of developing common man’s party. After starting the party. On the face of it, this is Editor : off well - the AAP was able to form a ridiculous charge. The reality G. G. Parikh a government in Delhi - the party has would seem to be that Kejriwal has gone the way some of its predecessors begun asserting himself and has Managing Editor : Guddi have done, namely becoming a party become intolerant of criticism and with all the characteristics of negative questioning. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, features forcing out the positive and Naushir Bharucha Marg, resulting in the steady erosion of This is why Yogendra Yadav and Mumbai - 400 007. internal democracy in functioning. Prashant Bhushan are saying that AAP has now become a Khap panchayat Email : [email protected] What is the position today? The with one leader who is dictatorial and AAP leaders are playing familiar insists on everyone else following his 2 JANATA, April 26, 2015 orders. These two leaders fell from Between the lines Kejriwal’s grace and have now been shown the door. The parliamentary party leader Dharamvira Gandhi Importance of being Rahul Gandhi has been removed from the post for questioning the ouster of Yadav and Bhushan. Whatever is happening Kuldip Nayar is exactly what happens in a party which suddenly loses inner party Rahul Gandhi is in the news for that he had plenty opportunities to do democracy and succumbs to arbitrary one reason or the other. Yesterday, so in the country itself. Why should dictats of the top leader who gets the debate was on his 57-day leave the dirty lines be washed abroad? delusions of grandeur. of absence from the country. In fact, Rahul himself should have told Many will agree with Rahul Listen to Yadav and Bhushan about his passion for chanting if that that Modi should have avoided describe the state of affairs in is what he was doing in Myanmar. commenting on the domestic politics the AAP. “The kangaroo trials, That the party leaders, except her while in foreign countries. Ideally, expulsions, witch-hunts, character mother Sonia Gandhi and Congress there should be a bipartisan approach assassination, rumour campaigns President, have preferred to make in comments on this subject. In fact, and emotional theatre to justify his absence as his private affair does this was the attitude continued to such macabre acts - all this is so true not help. be reflected till the Bhartiya Janata of the Stalinist regime.” In short, Party (BJP) came to power. The party Kejriwal is behaving like a dictator Public leaders have no private life behaved like the opposition party and is brooking no dissent. Those once they are in the people’s domain. even while in office. Unfortunately, who disagree with him are shown People like their leaders to take that habit has got stuck with the BJP. the door and allowed no voice. them into confidence. It gives them What triggered the expulsion of a vicarious satisfaction of intimacy. Rahul’s biggest asset is that he is Yadav and Bhushan was that they Jawaharlal Nehru, Rahul Gandhi’s from the dynasty that has guided his launched a Swaraj Abhiyan (self- great grandfather, always told about party from its inception. His mother rule) campaign some days ago and his trips abroad to people in public Sonia Gandhi will see to it that he were recruiting volunteers for the meetings and also conveyed to State succeeds her. But the disadvantage cause of promoting the campaign. chief ministers in letters that he from such a practice is that the merit What is Kejriwal’s objection to this ? wrote every fortnight. in the party is ignored. Nehru did not The Abhiyan is aimed at re-creating allow Morarji Desai to have his due the movement that led to the birth of Today’s debate is about Rahul’s because he had his daughter, Indira the AAP and became a favourite of vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Gandhi, in mind. Maybe, the dynasty the common man. Narendra Modi on the Land has given the country a sense of Acquisition bill. Not that Modi is continuity but it has put several Is it time to write off the AAP? above criticism. But Rahul’s remark genuine claimants in jeopardy. It is a We think not. After all the AAP is in that the Prime Minister had brought Hobson’s choice which a democratic power in Delhi and has the credit of down the reputation of India by country can ill-afford. winning 67 of the 70 assembly seats. saying in Canada that they were Kejriwal as chief minister has a good cleansing the litter left behind by The absolute majority that Prime control over the administration and previous regime was churlish. It Minister Narendra Modi got in his own party. The majority vote has would have been better if Rahul had Parliament showed that the nation helped him consolidate his power preferred to stay quiet on Modi’s wanted to move from this scenario. and position. He will not repeat observation in Canada. The resurgence of the BJP was the mistake of resigning in haste essentially an expression against and repenting at leisure. While the I recall when Inder Kumar the Congress, not for the former. AAP government may endure, the Gujral, then in the opposition, was By and large, the country has come party may slowly break up with in Geneva, he resisted the temptation (Continued on Page 4) of criticizing the Congress. He said (Continued on Page 4) JANATA, April 26, 2015 3 Is GDP a good measure of development?

Devansh Mittal Sandeep Pandey

The development of a country of social problems. These include and dangerous weapons are used it is usually defined in terms of only crime, violence, physical and mental may boost some economies. There is its economic progress. The more a illness, unsatisfied aspirations of money to be made even in post-war country economically progresses, youth, disintegration of community reconstruction work, contracts for the more it grows. Economic life, trust deficit within and among which are decided even before the progress is measured in terms of its families, drug and alcohol abuse, war begins. If people exchange gifts Gross Domestic Product. GDP is social segregation, more members and services as part of barter system, calculated in terms of the monetary of marginalised sections of society it doesn’t contribute to growth but if value of all legal transactions landing in jail, lower literacy the same things are bought and sold, involved in the primary, secondary levels and health status of society, they begin contributing to economy. and tertiary sectors of economy. homelessness, suicides, - to name If people live in joint family system More the goods and services are a few. Thus what we get is an as part of which they share resources produced and consumed, more the encumbered growth. then they don’t contribute to GDP. GDP rises and more the country But if there are disputes within progresses. Most countries in the Let us consider the following family, lawyers have to be hired to world and international financial examples which expose the flawed contest legal cases, money is spent institutions use GDP as a yardstick nature of GDP. Forests if allowed to divide property and to build to measure progress. So much so that to flourish on their own do not boundary walls, nuclear families some modern economic experts are contribute to growth but if trees buy more items from the market obsessed with merely maintaining are cut down and wood sold in the - it is good for economy. If the high rates of GDP. Fall in GDP rates market then this activity contributes production and consumption is local brings gloom to economies. to GDP. If people are healthy they do it is not good for larger economy. not contribute to GDP. But if they But if long distance transportation However, from time to time fall ill frequently, have to consult of goods is involved, packaging questions have been raised about doctors, undergo tests and consume and middle men are involved then it the GDP being a true measure of medicines they contribute to GDP. If contributes significantly to economy. progress. Does it capture the overall people are hale and hearty they do not If women take care of domestic growth in a holistic sense? Does it contribute to GDP. But if they have chores it doesn’t contribute to hide more than it reveals? Does it to visit psychologists, psychiatrists economy but if men go out and have some adverse affects? If GDP or counselors, they contribute to cook food in a restaurant or a lady is not a true reflection of progress, GDP. If water sources are clean, they babysits for payment then there is what is? Let us consider some of do not contribute to growth, but if a contribution to GDP. If one helps these questions. they become polluted with industrial another human being as a volunteer waste, chemicals used in agricultural out of a sense of service, which GDP doesn’t reveal the actual fields and sewerage, their cleaning gives inner satisfaction, it doesn’t wealth distribution. It is not constitutes an economic activity. The contribute to economy. But if the uncommon for the GDP of a country bottled water industry stands to gain same job is done by a professional, to increase simultaneously with directly from polluted water sources. it contributes to GDP. If one believes increase in gap between the rich and If society is crime free then it doesn’t in the omnipresent notion of God the poor. It implies that the wealth contribute to GDP. However, if and worships from home it doesn’t being generated is concentrated we hire security personnel and contribute to economy. But if in the hands of a minority rich buy expensive equipments, arms one goes on pilgrimage to visit a section of society rather than being and ammunition, it contributes to special place where God resides, equitably distributed. Economic GDP. At global level if there is it contributes to GDP. If one pays inequality does not lead to a healthy peace between nations, it doesn’t attention to words of wisdom from society as it results in a plethora contribute to GDP. If there are wars elders in family and community 4 JANATA, April 26, 2015 it doesn’t contribute to GDP, but and seizing control! The merged growers. For the state’s beleaguered if one goes to listen to one of the entity will bank heavily on mutual farm sector, crippled by two drought commercial preachers, some of them cooperation and give and take. years in 2012 and 2014 and recurrent in the garb of sages, it contributes to hailstorms and unseasonal rainfall, economy. (Continued from Page 3) the latest blow came as recently to develop a secular temperament, as earlier this month when a fresh Quite clearly GDP is a very realizing that only parochialism hailstorm destroyed standing crop inadequate criterion of growth. It will undo the idea of India. The including, cruelly, some ready for doesn’t capture quality of human pro-Hindutva BJP too has come to harvest. relationships, psychological and realize that. Home Minister Raj Nath physical well being of human Singh has endorsed this view in a The state government may bail beings, sustainable relationship with recent speech. out the farmers but cannot do so to nature, sense of security or even the a great extent because their financial fulfillment of basic material needs The 10-month non-rule of Modi condition is not too happy. Rahul has of all human beings. shows that the rhetoric during the found a convenient target. But this election campaign has not gone does not help in the long run. It may The idea that ‘product’ can make beyond the paper. This may have be a scoring point during elections. human beings progress will have to disappointed the core of Hindutva. The political parties have to join give in to a more holistic notion of But Rahul Gandhi has found in it hands to face the calamity which growth where ‘happiness’ of human a climate favourable to him. He has befallen on the country, not on beings becomes the key criterion. seems to have drawn a page from a particular political organization. Some countries like Bhutan are his grandmother, Indira Gandhi’s already measuring the progress of book to make most of the situation. The opposition built on the basis their society on the basis of a Gross She played the garibi hatao (oust National Happiness index. of the Land Acquisition Bill is poverty) card and rehabilitated the counter-productive. The Congress Congress at a time when there were itself had moved a similar legislation (Continued from Page 3) fissures appearing in the party. when it was in power. Of course, more members getting disillusioned In the same manner, Rahul has the consent of farmers and social with Kejriwal. But he still has the coined the phrase of ‘suit-boot ki impact have been wrongly dropped wherewithal to stay on in power sarkar’. He too has realized that the from the BJP’s bill but, as Prime and even enhance his political clout criticism of the rich goes down well Minister Modi has said, he is open since he is heading his own party in a country where the have-nots to suggestions indicates that he may government and is not beholden abound. His party has, however, agree to some points which Rahul to any other party or leader for his gone miles away from the ideology had made. survival. Of course, he has to ensure of socialism which it once proudly that dissent does not grow and that owned and propagated. In this Rahul’s attack on the government the expelled leaders like Yadav and way, the Congress has somewhat may give a wrong impression that Bhushan are unable to do serious repudiated Nehru who would say he was for a progressive set-up. mischief. that a country which had so many Jyotiraditya Scindia was quick in poor people had no option except to saying that his party was not anti- In the coming days and weeks move left. corporate because he knows that we are bound to hear more of the all political parties draw funds for Janata Parivar and of the AAP. When Rahul, whatever the jibes of the elections from industrial houses and Bihar elections fall due, the Janata BJP, has touched the respondent businessmen. Whether the Congress, Parivar parties will come into their chord. The untimely rains have with its close connection with the own as parties with a past and a damaged wheat crop in northern corporate sector, can reclaim its future too. All its leaders are seniors India, particularly Punjab and constituency among the poor is yet and have to learn to work with each Haryana, India’s granary. The case to be seen. But if the perception other and one another in a common in Maharashtra is no different from of Rahul’s speech spreads such cause. They have to put aside the most states in the north. It is a bitter an impression, he would have temptation of ousting the rivals story for the mango and sugarcane underlined his importance. JANATA, April 26, 2015 5 Lokpal Amendment Bill 2014, a virtual undoing of the parent Act

Rajendra Prasad Singh

It seems most of the civil society But the Amendment Bill doesn’t the whole nation shall be left with persons and groups including stop at removing the above snag. a virtually weakened, truncated and esteemed Anna Hazare, Justice Anybody going through the Bill divided CBI, even if the Director Hegde, Shanti Bushan, Prasant would be dismayed to notice that it CBI continues to formally enjoy Bhusan, Medha Patkar, Arvind goes far beyond the minor issue of the freedom and independence Kejriwal, Kiran Vedi, Aruna Roy redefining ‘the leader of opposition’ thanks to the provision of his and CHRI team are still unaware of and seeks to nullify the very selection by a 3-meber apex body the dangerous provisions mooted in quintessence of the parent Lokpal comprising Prime Minister, Leader ‘The Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Act, for which anti-corruption of Opposition and Chief Justice of other related law (Amendment) crusaders with Anna Hazare in Supreme Court. Bill, 2014’ which was introduced in forefront had waged an arduous Lok Sabha on 18 December 2014 country wide battle with political In the parent Lokpal Act the last. Soon after its introduction, the class in not-so-distant past. That DSPE Act was suitably amended to Bill was referred to the concerned quintessence is the reconstitution provide for a strong and integrated Parliamentary Standing Committee, of CBI the country’s prime CBI with its Director exercising which would submit its report within investigating agency into a strong ‘overall supervision and control’ three months from the date of referral. but independent and autonomous over the Director Prosecution, so that From the scanty coverage that the body capable of investigating and any allegation of corruption if found Bill could bag in the national media, prosecuting any case of corruption genuine as per the investigation most of the readers have innocently alleged against a public servant carried out by the Director CBI, thought that the Bill merely aimed freely, fairly and fearlessly. In would be subject to prosecution by at removing a technical snag around order to impart such a new Avatar the Director Prosecution and the the much debated issue of ‘leader to the CBI, the Central Lokpal Act guilty punished in a time-bound of opposition’ on account of which 2013 had carried out some crucial manner as laid down under the the Lokpal Selection Committee amendments to the Delhi Special Lokpal Act. But the Amendment Bill headed by the PM didn’t even sit Police Establishment Act 1946 has removed the clause providing for once till date. The Bill of course the law that primarily governs the for overall supervision and control provides that in absence of the constitution and functioning of of Director CBI over the Director leader of the opposition in technical CBI. As is well known, the present Prosecution and replaced it by a sense, the leader of the single largest Government at Centre chose to queer provision which reads, “In opposition party in Lok Sabha delay the implementation of the case of difference of opinion between would be taken as a member in provisions of the Act for quite some the Director and the Director of the Lokpal Selection Committee. months on the plea of ‘absence of Prosecution, the matter shall be On a closure scrutiny, this very leader of opposition’ and when that referred to the Attorney-General provision, which is otherwise an trick became unworkable due to for India for his advice and such established convention in our system strident criticism from very many advice shall be binding”. Thus the of parliamentary democracy, could quarters including Supreme Court, Amendment Bill creates enough have been mandated by the Central they have taken to the new and a space for differences of opinion Government under Section 62 of more cunning route of amending to crop up between two Directors, the parent Act (Power to remove the concerned provisions of parent by virtue of which the Director difficulties), instead of going through Act via the present Bill. In case the Prosecution may refuse to carry out a time consuming and cumbersome concerned provisions of the present the recommendation of Director route of amendment to the Act itself. Bill get passed by the Parliament, CBI for prosecuting a public servant 6 JANATA, April 26, 2015 proved corrupt on the conclusion of That being so, is there even a investigation by the Director CBI investigation by the latter. Not only remote chance where the Director would be subject to prosecution that. The Amendment Bill provides Prosecution shall follow a course by the Director Prosecution in the for such differences of opinion to other than the one wished by the designated Courts for punishing the be referred to the Attorney-General Government. corrupt public servants in a time- whose advice shall be binding on bound manner as laid down in the all concerned. Needless to say, There are of course some other said Act. To achieve this integrated the Attorney-General of India like provisions in the Amendment Bill objective i.e. completion of his state counterpart the Advocate which would dilute the letter and investigation immediately followed General, is a Government appointee spirit of the landmark anti-corruption by the prosecution, the Act of 2013 and therefore can’t go against the law Lokpal and Lokayuktas justifiably made the provision in 4BA intentions of the Government- Act 2013 and which therefore (2) of DSPE Act that ‘The Director that-be in any matter concerning necessitate a critical appraisal by all of Prosecution shall function under prosecution. Should the above Bill concerned. However, of all the new the overall supervision and control get passed by the Parliament, it is dispensations mooted in the Bill, of Director’ (meaning Director the Government of the day the real the ones providing for both direct CBI). In fact this Act created a boss of the Attorney General, whose and indirect subjugation of Director new Directorate of Prosecution unwritten fancies and fiats would of Prosecution under the Central within the DSPE structure, with rule the roost as regards whether to Government as mentioned above are its focus being the time-bound prosecute or not a proven case of most ominous amounting to virtual prosecution and punishment of corruption. Endowing the Attorney- undoing of the historic Lokpal and the public servants held guilty of General with such final authority Lokayuktas Act 2013. corruption by the investigation as the amendment Bill does, shall conducted by the CBI. Argued from doubtless pave for complete re- The Lokpal Act 2013 amended a reverse position, in the absence of entry of the Government albeit the DSPE Act 1946 (that governs a dedicated prosecution directorate through a backdoor into the CBI the constitution and functioning to work under the control of Director set-up as the supreme arbiter over of country’s premier investigating CBI the very promise of the Lokpal all matters concerning prosecution. agency viz. CBI) with a view to Act for a time-bound punishment to A perturbing question now looms ensuring that the Director CBI the corrupt public servants would large- what is the use of holding in order to act freely, fairly and remain only a pipedream. a fair and impartial investigation fearlessly in investigating any case of under the aegis of an independent corruption referred to him by Lokpal It seems the NCPRI has erred in and autonomous body called CBI, or any other competent authority confusing the Director Prosecution if the Attorney-General or for that (such as Supreme Court, any of the mentioned in the Amendment to matter the ruling elite can simply say High Courts, Central Government DSPE Act (Section 4BA) effected by a flat no to the need for prosecuting or any State Government ) would Lokpal Act 2013, with the Director and punishing the concerned public henceforth be selected by an apex Prosecution mentioned in Section 12 servant proved guilty by such committee comprising PM, Leader (Prosecution Wing) of the said Act. investigation? The Amendment Bill, of Opposition and Chief Justice of Let it be made absolutely clear that if enacted into law, shall land up the India (in fulfilment of a long standing these two Directors of Prosecution whole nation in a quixotic situation, demand for several decades for are not the one and same entity, but where a thief caught shall be set transforming CBI from a servile tool two separate entities having two free, only because the Government of the Government to an independent separate modes of appointment and wishes so. and autonomous body, that served as two separate mandates. While the the main driver of recently unfolded latter (Section 12 of Lokpal Act) The Amendment Bill provides, Anna inspired anti-corruption is a wing of Lokpal constituted by “The annual performance appraisal movement culminating in enactment Lokpal itself with the sole mandate report of the Director of Prosecution of Lokpal Act 2013). Secondly to prosecute the cases of corruption shall be recorded and maintained in the Act of 2013 also ensured that on the orders of Lokpal, the former the Ministry of Law and Justice, in every complaint of corruption (Section 4BA of DSPE Act) though such manner as may be prescribed.” held genuine through enquiry and bearing the same nomenclature JANATA, April 26, 2015 7 i.e. Director Prosecution, happens his investigation, the Director since mid-sixties of last century had to be the head of a Directorate of Prosecution may simply refuse marched forward culminating in the Prosecution, to be appointed on to prosecute him in the Special enactment of historic Lokpal and the recommendation of CVC but Court citing the new clause. In Lokayuktas Act 2013. to function under the control and the ensuing standoff between the supervision of Director CBI, for two Directors the proven case of a As for the question who should the purpose of prosecuting not only corrupt public servant would enjoy maintain whose APAR it is the cases of corruption if and when the virtual protection from any worthwhile to mention that the referred by Lokpal (vide Section manner of trial or punishment in the APAR of a particular public servant 20-8) but also for prosecuting all post-investigation period. The next should be maintained by his/her cases of crime including that of provision of the Clause 9 is further controlling authority. In the instant corruption on the orders of Director reprehensible since it provides for case, therefore the APAR of Director such differences of opinion to be CBI. Thus the Director Prosecution Prosecution working under the acting under the Director CBI “referred to the Attorney-General for control of Director CBI needs to be (Section 4BA of DSPE Act) has a India for his advice, and his advice maintained by the latter, and that much wider mandate than that of shall be final and binding”. Needless of Director Prosecution constituted Director Prosecution acting under to say, the Attorney-General is Lokpal (Section 12 of Lokpal Act). basically an appointee of the Central and working under Lokpal by the It goes to the credit of Lokpal Government and therefore whatever Lokpal. The proposal to entrust the Act 2013 that this Act true to its advice he would tender in the context maintenance of APAR of Director all-encompassing anti-corruption of the above differences of opinion Prosecution to the Ministry of Law mission, provided for a dedicated can’t but be in line with the wish of and Justice, GoI aims at making prosecution directorate for CBI the Government-that-be. Further, it doubly sure that the Director while putting in place a dedicated to render the subjugation of the Prosecution never falters in dancing prosecution wing for Lokpal. Director Prosecution under the to the choreography of Central Governmental control foolproof, Government. It is however disconcerting to the Clause-9 of the Bill provides, note that the Lokpal Amendment “The annual performance appraisal While the NCPRI’s submission Bill 2014 very cunningly seeks report of the Director of Prosecution on Lokpal Amendment Bill 2014 is to dismantle the integrated shall be recorded and maintained in on the whole a valuable critique of investigation-cum-prosecution the Ministry of Law and Justice, in the various problematic propositions system which finds embodied in the such manner as may be prescribed.”. mooted therein, it seems to lack in single, reconstituted structure of CBI Thus, the Bill aims at reducing the a clear understanding of the highly made possible through amendment Director Prosecution to a servile cunning provisions made in Clause 9 to DSPE Act 1946 as laid down tool of the Government, who can of the Bill on the innocuous pretext of in the Schedule to the Lokpal Act render the Director CBI a virtually providing functional autonomy and 2013. Firstly, the Clause 9 of the dysfunctional executive and his independence to the Directorate of said Bill deletes the provision of charge-sheet against a corrupt Prosecution vis-a-vis Director CBI. I ‘overall control and supervision’ public servant meaningless by wish the NCPRI fraternity to re-read to be exercised by the Director exercising his right to differences the Clause and restate its position CBI over the Director Prosecution, of opinion with Director CBI, by his thereon since this single clause of creating thereby necessary space obligation to adhere to the decision for the Government to exercise of Attorney General and by his the Bill has the potential to decimate the control and supervision over unwritten loyalty to the concerned at one go not only the quintessence the Director Prosecution. Next, Ministry of the Central Government of historic Lokpal Act 2013 but also the said Clause of the Bill allows which maintains his APAR. The the entire fabric of an independent the Director Prosecution to hold nation would thus be pushed back and autonomous investigating and differences of opinion from that of to the square one, i.e. Governmental prosecuting system that the said the Director CBI, which implies that control over prosecuting agencies, Lokpal Act had laboriously built up even if the Director CBI has proved against which the anti-corruption by way of amending several archaic a public servant corrupt through crusade spanning several decades and flawed legislations. 8 JANATA, April 26, 2015 Political roadblocks to return of Kashmiri Pundits

Shujaat Bukhari

“The Chief Minister (Mufti the community into confidence”. As his being part of a mohalla had Mohammad Sayeed) assured the far as the wording is concerned, it is made Kashmir a distinctive place union home minister that the state straight and unambiguous; it does about which we continue to boast government will acquire and provide not talk about any township whether about. But the unfortunate thing is land at the earliest for composite composite or separate. Surely a that the murky politics takes over townships in the valley,” reads process has to be followed. every positive effort when you try a press release issued by Press to resolve issues in a conflict. If BJP Information Bureau on April 7. But the way the Home Ministry continues to play this politics and issued the press release, it led to lay stress on anything which further This routine press release issued a controversy and understandably isolates this community from rest after Chief Minister Mufti met so. Even as chief minister Mufti of the people in Valley, it will not Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh clarified on the floor of the House be doing any service to them. Since kicked a fresh controversy which that there was no plan to have their migration, most of KPs had refuses to die down. This has also separate or isolated townships, the been aligning with BJP but in the put the coalition partners – Peoples damage had already been done. last assembly elections it became Democratic Party and Bharatiya Despite the state’s painstaking clear that except for a section the rest Janata Party (BJP) – in a tight spot. effort to clear the air, Union Home have distanced themselves from the For BJP, the issue of Kashmiri Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated party, probably not to be projected Pandits has been an inalienable on April 9 that Government of India as against the majority community. part of their politics on Kashmir would go ahead with the plan to and for PDP it hardly can afford rehabilitate the Pandits. On the other Return of KPs at this stage seems to do anything that is construed hand, the response of separatists was to be their returning to Kashmir as undermining the politics that also extreme. Concerns can always and not to their “homes” if we go is centered around the sentiments be genuine but to draw parallels with by the proposals projected by some espoused by the majority community Palestine in such haste does not help of the organisations representing in the state. in creating a scope for understanding them in Jammu and Delhi. Both the issue in the right perspective. state and central governments need For both PDP and BJP, the to come clear on the terminology As pointed out by Sanjay Tickoo, used by the Home Minister and government formation was a hard- the Srinagar-based president of earned thing after a two-month-long others. “Composite Township” Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti would generally mean that all back-channel negotiations. The (KPSS) that “in one breath they government came into existence communities will be part of it but (separatists) are opposing their technically it seems impossible to on the basis of a document called return and also talking about their “The Agenda of Alliance”, in which create such a space in changing return with dignity”. Tickoo is a landscape of Valley. Ordinarily the the return of Kashmiri Pandits genuine voice and cannot be ignored also figured, besides some other KPs should have returned to their since he represents those families homes. But most of them have sold contentious issues. This is what who have chosen to stay back in the document says about the issue: their properties and there are only Valley despite the troubles Kashmir those families who used to live in “Protecting and fostering ethnic has seen. and religious diversity by ensuring rural Kashmir who have their homes the return of Kashmiri Pandits with Notwithstanding the fact that (dilapidated) standing and land dignity based on their rights as state migration of Kashmiri Pandits was a intact. All efforts to lure the KPs with subjects and reintegrating as well dark chapter in the history of Kashmir, doles in the past have not worked. as absorbing them in the Kashmiri there is hardly disagreement on The previous government milieu. Reintegration will be a their return. If you ask a common constructed safe colonies for them process that will start within the state Kashmiri he feels incomplete as well as the civil society, by taking without his Pandit neighbour as (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, April 26, 2015 9 Evolutionary (Science-Directed) Socialism: VIII

Bhagwat Prasad Rath

Seven reputed intellectuals of Leslie Cagan wrote, “… I new understanding of society and the world met to discuss the present believe it will be possible to bring ourselves suited to human potentials status of the world and suggest a fundamental, revolutionary change and able to promote solidarity among theory to guide thinker-activists’ to this country. Out of the everyday people with different priorities… I conscious of the ailing humanity. struggles of people through this know that life and society can be nation and around the world, much better, and that we can make The intellectuals were: Michael we learn new ways to name the it happen.” Albert, Editor Z Magazine, Leslie problems and define new solutions. Cagan, an organizer who has been At the same time, our organizing Liberating Theory takes into involved in hundreds of movements, and mobilizing needs a framework consideration the development in events and projects particularly in that gives direction to our efforts...I the field of science. Cuba, Noam Chomsky, a professor hope this book will be read by people of linguistics at MIT in Cambridge active in a wide range of political, To quote the book, “Just as Marx and a tireless critic of U.S foreign social, and economic struggles, and Engels paid strict attention to policy, Robin Hahnel, a professor of as well as those just beginning to ‘state of Science’ in their time, we economics at American University think about such issues. This book should keep up with contemporary developments. Ironically, however, in Washington D.C. and a participant does not solve the problem or give though most contemporary in diverse anti-war, community, us magical formulas for organizing. Marxists pride themselves on being socialist, and anti –interventionist What I hope it does do is provoke “Scientific”, few bother to notice that movements. Mel King is a discussion, open up debate, motivate “state of the art” science has changed professor at MIT and director of further theoretical work and play some role in inspiring us all.” dramatically in the last hundred the Community Fellows program. years. While avoiding simplistic Lydia Sargent edits Z Magazine and Wrote Lydia Sargent, “…As I mimicry and misapplication of is a director, playwright, and actor drift further from the events, ideas, scientific principles, we should with the Newbury street Theater in and goals that contributed to my update our methods by seriously Boston. She has been involved in the own radical consciousness-raising, examining contemporary science for feminist and anti-war movements. I feel more and more impatience, new ideas relevant to our theoretical despair, even boredom creeping into efforts. Together they wrote the book: my political work and my life and Liberating Theory. getting a stranglehold on my lofty Modern quantum physics, for reasons. I am haunted by the fear that example, teaches that reality is not Michael Albert wrote, “….. I will live out my life as a witness a collection of separate entities establishing a humane society is the to the continued existence of what I but a vast and intricate “unbroken only way to attain lasting liberation. hate, without ever seeing the fruits whole”. Ilya Prigogine comments, Nonetheless, in recent years “the left” of a hoped for revolution”. “The new paradigms of science has largely lost its capacity to project may be expected to develop into an uplifting conception of human Robin Hahnel: “Functioning the new science of connectedness possibilities and a plausible picture separately, movements to overcome which means the recognition of of how people’s potentials might be racism, sexism, classim, and unity in diversity.” When thinking fulfilled. Since I believe Liberating authoritarianism fail. Functioning about phenomena, we inevitably Theory can help reinvigorate our together and sharing aims and conceptually abstract parts from the desires for capacities to achieve methods, they can succeed. I whole in which they reside, but they a better future, I worked on and helped write Liberating Theory then exist as separate entities only in advocate its conceptual framework because I believe that to go forward our perceptions. There are no isolated and hope others will do likewise.” radically we need to develop a electrons, for example, only fields of 10 JANATA, April 26, 2015 force continually ebbing and flowing fixedly at the tip of the nose. The civilization in the world. No male- in a seamless web of activity which posture is not met with in the figure dominated civilization of the world manifests events that we choose to sculptures, whether pre-historic can give so much importance to call electrons because it suits our or historic, of any people outside non-violence by the elite and the analytic purposes. For the physicist, India; but it is very conspicuous in absence of wars. Yoga can only be each electron, quark, or whatever the images worshipped by all Indian the discovery of women folk because is, is a “process” and a network”. sects, including the Jainas and the all its values are matricentric. As a process it has a developmental Buddhists, and is known as the The presence of too many female trajectory…extending through all posture of the Yogin or one engaged figurines in this civilization also time. As a network, it is part of in practicing concentration. reinforces the idea that a female- an interactive pattern… stretching centric civilization developed in throughout all space. Every part According to the Buddhist this Sindhu valley. Women’s sexual embodies and is subsumed in a larger texts Gautama Buddha taught that freedom and their choosing the whole. austerities were not absolutely caring and sharing males as the necessary for gaining perfect fathers of their progeny was the key In Liberating Theory there knowledge: Dhyana-yoga (the factor in development of the human is in-depth discussion of four practice of the four dhyanas) was species. The story of Sulabha in the interconnected topics. They are: enough for that purpose. Buddha Mahabharata supports this point of 1. Community (the concept of says in conclusion, “Well, Kevaddha, view. The Vedas tell about Indra’s one world). 2. Feminism (man it is because I perceive danger in the killing of Vritra and Namuchi. Both and woman equality) 3. State practice of riddhi or wonders (as well were Yogis (Mahabharata) and did abolition (anarchism) 4. Economic as mind and character reading), that not have wives. (The Vedas and the equality. Nowhere in the world do I loathe, and abhor, and am ashamed Mahabharata) Sulabha was a scholar we find progress in any one field as thereof.” (Survival of the prehistoric of Samkhya and preferred Janaka as visualized by the authors. In every Civilization of the Indus Valley from her sexual partner. Uddalaka episode field the world has remained static the book Studies in the History of in the Mahabharata shows that even or moved in the reverse direction. Indian philosophy Volume-I. Edited married women living in families by Debiprasad Chattapadhyaya). had sexual freedom. Madhavi, the It is unfortunate that the world Buddha was against miracles and daughter of king Jajati spurned thinkers are ignoring the only mysticism. kings and preferred to marry Galab, civilization which was ideal in all an ascetic. Even great kings and the fields mentioned in Liberating The elite of the Sindhu warriors wanted their wives to mate Theory. This was the Sindhu Civilization practiced the three with sages and have children from Civilization. philosophies: Yoga, Samkhya and them. The great Vedic king Sudas is Lokayat (collectively known as an example. He asked his wife, the No king or priest oppressed the Aanwikhiki). Most of the women famed lady Madayanti to mate with people in the Sindhu Civilization were enjoying sexual freedom Vasista, the sage. (archeology and the Mahabharata). (Mahabharata and Jainism up to There were Yogis guiding the people. the period of Mahavir). There was These women-centric societies egalitarianism in the Sindhu society led to a civilization free from To quote R. P. Chandra, “a group (R. Rajagopalan: The Secrets of predatory institutions like the of stone statuettes found at Mohen- Indus Valley; archeologist R. S. military, the priests, the sports- jo-Daro in a mutilated condition Vist). The Sindhu civilization was supporting and the ruling classes seems to me to supply this missing free from violence (Mahabharata and as mentioned by Thorstein Veblen. link between the pre-historic and archeology). The elite of the society Unlike women in the past who the historic civilization of India. were fully rational (Arthasastra). preferred caring and sharing males The only part of these statuettes that as sexual partners, today’s women is in fair state of preservation, the Why did the Sindhu civilization are crazy to marry members of these bust is characterized by a stiff erect develop differently from other predatory institutions. So today’s posture of the head, the neck and civilizations? The answer is that this competitive societies are becoming the chest, and half-shut eyes looking was the only developed woman’s more and more violent and cruel as JANATA, April 26, 2015 11 days pass. Caring and sharing people dimensions, features of individual Languages, customs, social mores, are marginalized as twentyfirst parts such as the brows, ridges culture, religions and technology century advances. between the eyes, shapes of teeth, began emerging. The main thread size of the cranial part of the skull that bound each such society has The great-ape species are five (which house the brain) and so been tolerance, cooperation and in number. They are Orangoutang, forth has been a gargantuan task in leveling down of aggression. This, Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bonbon and itself. But they persisted and found in turn, Cieri and others argue, led to Homospecies. In the past women some remarkable differences of the the evolution of technology - tools, of the last two species were more human skulls over the millennia. taming and using fire, navigation, powerful than men. Bonbon women The brow ridges above the eye have fishing and birding, water harvesting were indiscriminate in choosing reduced over the years, teeth became and agriculture - all over the sexual partners. Only among smaller, the cranial volume came millennia spanning the early middle Homospecies women were choosy. down (smaller brains), and the faces and later stone ages (almost until They chose sharing and caring males shortened over time…They have 25,000 years ago) Domestication to alpha males having powerful termed this set of charges in the skull of horse and cattle occurred. All bodies. This led to the diminishment and head itself, as “crania-facial this could happen because we ‘self- of physical dichotomy of males and feminization”. This is because they domesticated’. females only among Homospecies. claim that these changes over the Today human brain has lost years have made the male faces look much of its power of socialization. Recent scientific discoveries give more like female ones. Over the last Families and societies are getting credence to the female-centricity of 80,000 years and particularly after adversely affected. Violence against human evolution. the early, middle and late stone age women is devastating societies. era), we have become less, “wild” Surveys are increasing our worries. The Hindu (11th December-2014) and more “delicate”.” contains an evolution-centered article The director of Children’s named Skulls Reveal the Dawn of Studies on animals, for example Movement for Civic Awareness, Civilization by D. Balasubramanian. dogs, have suggested that the Sadasiva says “We were not only To quote the article: “When and genes that regulate robustness and taken aback by some of the views how did we humans turn “modern” aggression affect the facial shape. and answers of the students, but and technologically and culturally These in turn lead to lower levels worried for the country, especially adept? This was the theme of a of “aggression molecules” such as about violence against women and symposium held several weeks ago testosterone, stress hormones and about being ‘ok’ with violating at the Salk Institute in California. changes in the action of neural crest rules.” Dr. Ann Gibbons has given a lucid cells leading to changes in teeth, Among youth (15 to 19 years) summary of the main conclusions muscles, bones and glands. See how 55% say the dresses of women excite of the symposium in the 24 October much the skull can tell! them. 2014 issue of the journal Science. Such changes have not been 36% among girls and 44% among The experts attending the meeting sudden or rapid, but evolved over boys think dowry should be given at suggest that “self-domestication” time. The growth in human size, the time of marriage or later. turned humans into the co-operative beginning about 200,000 years ago, 65% among students say that species we are today... Dr. Gibbons led to higher population densities, boys and girls belonging to different mentions the work of Robert giving rise to the play of natural religions should not gather together Cieri and others…They carefully selection. measured and compared the features in public places. of the skulls of archaeological Humans started forming groups Democratic consciousness is specimens of the early humans as early as about 68,000 years decreasing day by day. The majority (80,000 years old) with those of ago in Africa and began their long of youth is not against military rule more recent (some 10,000 years ago migration across the globe. In doing in the country. and some contemporary) ones. The so, they formed groups or societies sheer job of collecting thousands over millennia, settling down in Part VII of this article appeared in of skulls, measuring their shapes, various places across the world. Janata dated January 25, 2015 12 JANATA, April 26, 2015 Union Budget 2015-16: Continuity with the Past Framework-II Arun Kumar

As argued in Kumar (2013), the To conclude, if the budget GST from 2016 but the shelving of problem of the Indian economy continues with the earlier policies, the much discussed DTC. It implies is that what is thought to be the it will also not generate much that a much greater importance is solution has been the problem. The additional employment. Its focus being attached to indirect taxes than rate of investment in the economy is largely on the expansion of the to direct taxes. This is a reflection of has dropped sharply since 2010 large scale sector which generates a regressive thinking. because of the uncertainty around few jobs and displaces many when it government decisions, an uncertain expands at the cost of the small scale Introduction of GST has been a international environment in sector. This is not to say that there demand of the international agencies, which all the major economies are is nothing for the small scale sector. MNCs and our big business. That is growing sluggishly and so on. In But, the point being made here is that why they talk of a unified market such a situation, private sector is the focus of Make in India and other being created via the GST. But it is not investing enough and the public such programmes is the corporate hardly considered that GST may not sector is hamstrung by the cut in large scale sector. be good for the small and medium sectors for whom the local markets the plan expenditures to maintain Another point of macroeconomic are more critical. GST would the fiscal deficit targets. Thus, the caution for the present policy investment rate has continuously makers is the continuing low rate require massive computerization fallen. Thus, maintaining fiscal of inflation. It is due to a decline for businesses and that is difficult for prudence at the behest of the credit in commodity prices like, that small and tiny units. These units may rating agencies has become the of petroleum products. This is get out competed by the large and problem. signaling a possible slowdown in the medium scale sector and if so, there world economy. India needs to take could be greater sickness amongst In today’s environment, when precautionary steps to deal with this them with adverse consequences the rate of inflation is down because possibility in 2015-16. Today, there for employment generation. GST of the fall in the international is an arc of instability in the world also lends itself to black income commodity prices, current account which stretches from Afghanistan generation because of its complexity. deficit has declined due to fall in the to Iraq, Syria, Libya, Nigeria, East import bill and reserves have been Africa and now Ukraine. This is With much aplomb, the Budget rising, the government could have supplemented by the economic speech of the FM talked of the taken a bold posture to revive the uncertainty introduced by the Greek several schemes that would help economy by letting the fiscal deficit election results and the survival of curtail generation of black incomes rise by say 1.5% of GDP and use the Euro zone as a viable entity. The in the country and force the black the extra resources it would make Greek situation is having its ring money stashed abroad to return to available (about Rs.2 lakh crore) in Spain, Italy and other European the country. This is a reflection of to step up infrastructure investment countries facing an economic crisis. the pressure on the government which is woefully lacking and Thus, we need to depend more on to be seen to be proactive on this holding back growth. An increase our internal markets than on the front. While it is good to tighten the in the rate of growth given the global markets but the budget has a rules and regulations with regard to adverse income distribution would far greater external orientation than black income generation it must be also help the poor by generating it should. remembered that a law on paper may employment. It would also mean that be good but it is its implementation the credit rating agencies would not Other high visibility schemes that is crucial. India has failed downgrade us because our rate of The budget contains important tax on this front. There have been growth is robust. proposals, like, the introduction of dozens of committees in the past JANATA, April 26, 2015 13

60 years that have analysed the need not be paid for incomes of about differ only on the social plane and situation and made thousands of Rs.4.5 lakh. The question is who not on the economic one. They suggestions. Of these, hundreds are the people who constitute the both have been pro big business have been implemented but the black middle class? For one to reduce the and the budget reflects that. They economy has continued to grow. The tax liability via savings, one should are following policies under the reason is that implementation has have a high enough income. If one direction of international finance been faulty because there is lack of is to save Rs.4.5 lakh, the income capital. So, there has been lack of political will. should be at least 3 times higher or independent policy space to frame say, Rs.13.5 lakh. This is more than policies beneficial to the common The schemes/changes announced 10 times the per capita income. A people of India. presently can only work if the will tiny fraction of the countrymen earn exists to implement the rules. If we such incomes, say less than 1% of Given the analysis of the budget do not catch anyone how can we the population. Thus, of the middle numbers in the preceding sections, imprison them for 10 years or levy class of say 150 million only 8% there is need to make budget making a fine of 300%. In the last 25 years would be able to take full advantage more realistic and transparent but so many Double Taxation Avoidance of these schemes. The rest have to that has not been done by the FM. Agreements (DTAA) have been consume and survive before they The claim that the target of Fiscal signed but not one name has come. can save so much and take advantage Deficit has been maintained needs The information that has come is of the schemes. In fact, since only reassessment if it is done through from stolen data from bankers. about 40 million individuals file tax expenditure cuts in essential areas. Even the latest data to come was returns, and effective tax is paid by Consequently, the Macro dynamics released by journalists of ICIJ and about 10 million, most of the middle which needed change to give a not the government. Governemnt is class is out of the tax net and cannot boost to the economy continues to not proactively seeking information take advantage of the schemes be the same as earlier. This could from Julian Assange who claims to announced. be a huge problem given the arc have a lot of data. of instability in the world. Due to all these reasons, the intended Abolition of wealth tax would It is also argued that the country’s outcomes are unlikely to be realized make the fight against the black savings rate has fallen since 2008 so by this budget. Consequently, the economy more difficult. It is true it needed a boost and these schemes marginalized sections will have little that very little (Rs. 1,000 crore) was can help. What is forgotten is that respite from economic hardships being collected under this head. But concessions only change the form they have been suffering. In this that is because there are so many of savings but do not lead to higher sense, the Union Budget 2015-16 concessions and deductions (like, savings. For that, incomes have to continues the past trends in spite of ownership of shares and house go up. Finally, much is being made the opportunities that exist, the many property) that this tax appears to of skill development for Make in new proposals contained in it and the be redundant. It needed to be made India programme. But can this be feeling the FM tried to generate that buoyant by removing concessions. It achieved if savage cuts are made there is much that is different. is difficult to hide property so a lot of in the education budgets. In brief, tax could be collected as wealth tax the Union budget 2015-16 is full of Kumar, A. 2013. Indian Economy and to pay it, incomes would have contradictions because the macro- since Independence: Persisting to be declared. Even if a property dynamics is not correct. Colonial Disruption. N Delhi: Vision Books. is held benami, if concessions Conclusion are removed, tax would have to Any budget is not just an Janata Subscription be collected and income revealed Annual Rs. : 260/- (Kumar, 2013). instrument of economic policy but Three Years : 750/- also a statement of the politics of Demand Draft / Cheque on The budget has tried to be popular the ruling dispensation. This budget Mumbai Bank with the middle class, an important is no different. In spite of the change in favour of constituent of the BJP support base. of regime from the UPA to NDA, JANATA TRUST It has offered various concessions to the political message is the same D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir this category. It was stated that tax because both the dispensations Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 14 JANATA, April 26, 2015 Hunger Strike in Byculla Jail

Angela Harish Sontakke is a The Jail Superintendent Mr 5th April 2015, as it was a Sunday. 45-year old political undertrial Indurkar came to Barrack No. 3 in Angela was on continued hunger prisoner facing charges of being the evening and next day morning, strike. On Monday 6th April 2015, a Maoist party member who has and said that he was in no mood to when bandi was opened, (i.e., the been incarcerated since April 2011. hold discussions with the inmates, jail inmates are allowed to come Most of this period has been spent and accused Angela of instigating out from the barrack into the jail in Byculla Jail at Mumbai. Eight other inmates. He threatened to: courtyard), all other inmates were out of her 11 co-accused have been (i) put her in 24 hour isolation and told not to talk to Angela. Angela released on bail. Angela herself (ii) to put a case on her for not submitted her letter to a prison has been acquitted in 15 of the 16 allowing jail officials to perform officer - that she was on a hunger additional cases foisted on her and their duties. Angela and the other strike and demanded that (i) the has been granted bail in the 16th inmates explained that they have no CCTV cameras not be installed case. She has been denied bail in objection to CCTV cameras at the inside the barracks; and (ii) that she Sessions Case No. 655 of 2011 under entrance of the barracks, corridors, be returned to the barracks. Instead various sections of the Unlawful court yard, at the gate, steps and of considering her demands, Angela Activities Prevention Act (a law offices, but that they cannot be was further punished by putting her akin to the draconian TADA and installed inside the barracks. in an “isolation” cell with no contact POTA) A highly educated lady, she with other inmates. has a double M.A. and has taught On 2nd April 2015, after bandhi, at around 6.30 p.m. about 10-12 Since Angela continued her in various schools and colleges in jail staff came to Barrack No. 3 hunger strike for the 5th day, and her Maharashtra. and took Angela away saying that weight had come down to 57 kgs., the Superintendent came to meet her Angela requested an urgent she was being kept in a “separate” cell – obviously as punishment for on 7th April 2015, and told her that mulaqat, so, Maharukh Adenwalla opposing the CCTV installation. she was always obstructing measures and Susan Abraham, both lawyers, Angela protested by starting a he was trying to implement. She visited Byculla Jail on 8.4.2015 at hunger strike that evening itself. On pointed out that she did not oppose 12 noon. 3rd April 2015, no jail staff came measures which were in the interest for rounds because of it being Good of women inmates, and pointed During mulaqat Angela informed Friday and a public holiday. On 4th out that CCTV cameras inside the that on 1.4.2015, male jail staff April 2015, Angela met the Chief barracks were in violation of women arrived at Barrack No. 3, women’s Medical Officer and informed him inmates’ right to privacy. He finally barrack (where Angela was lodged) that she was on a hunger strike. The gave an assurance that he would with cables. When the inmates Officer took her weight and taking consider. She was removed from the made enquiries, they were informed note of her frail health, he informed isolation cell by evening. Based on that CCTV cameras were going to the staff to inform the higher officers. this, and the assurance given to her, be installed inside their barracks. Angela withdrew her hunger strike Angela and the other inmates Angela also got to see a copy on that evening. protested that this would be a clear of the circular issued by Meera invasion of their privacy since Borwankar, I.G., Prisons where After the jail mulaqat of Angela, women inmates change their clothes, it is stated that CCTV cameras Maharukh and Susan met the Jail apply medicines (as skin infections ought to be installed at: (i) main Superintendent, Mr Indurkar. They are rampant in the overcrowded gate; (ii) judicial office; (iii) High pointed out that installing CCTV condition of the jail) and in the Security Cells; & (iv) mulaqat cameras inside the barracks was height of summer without any fans, rooms. The Circular does not state a direct invasion of the inmates’ women use minimum clothes while that cameras should be installed privacy and dignity. When Mr sleeping in the barracks. Angela also inside the barracks. Indurkar explained that only women asked that they should be shown the would operate the cameras, they notice allowing CCTVs inside the Again there was no round taken pointed out that even women staff barracks. by the jail staff the next day, i.e., could misuse the footage and JANATA, April 26, 2015 15 anyone else can easily have access women’s barracks in jails amounts to is imprisoned, he does not lose all to the footage.Mr Indurkar gave an violation of the right to privacy and his fundamental rights. It is also assurance that he would consider dignity which is a fundamental right most alarming that when a prisoner their suggestions fairly. guaranteed under the Constitution. protests the violation of fundamental It is important to note that the rights, she is isolated and threatened CPDR believes that the installation Supreme Court has repeatedly with action for obstructing officials of CCTV cameras within the held that merely because a person from performing their duties! –Anand Teltumde, General Secretary, Committee for the Protection of Democratic Rights

(Continued from Page 8) in places such as Sheikhpora and a counter-narrative. But fear playing pockets, which in turn can be used Vessu and provided out-of-turn a leading role cannot be ignored. by them only as summer houses. But jobs to more than 4000 KP girls and that will further the distances at both boys, but it did not work the way it W i t h G o I a d a m a n t o n political and social levels. Reaching should have. Many of them returned rehabilitating the KPs the way they out to Kashmir’s majority is must for to Jammu and Delhi. How many want to, it does not augur well for finding an amicable and dignified KPs are ready to leave lucrative looking towards a stable Kashmir. solution to the issue. jobs within India and outside and Since GoI lacks commitment to return to live? Who will stand engage with people of the state at Madhu Dandavate guarantee for their security when the large for resolving the issues which government stands even on Armed are bigger than the rehabilitation of By Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Pandits, no proposal will find support which draws inspiration from the on ground. By cherry picking issues B. Vivekanandan fact that “situation is not conducive in isolation and ignoring larger for that”. political issues, the Narendra Modi Price: Rs. 20/- government is doing no good to While separatists have every Kashmir. It is just to send a message Janata Trust right to articulate their viewpoint, that New Delhi does not care about D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir they too have failed to contribute to the ground realities of alienation Bharucha Marg, any workable solution for the KPs’ and its priorities are based on its Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. return. How many times have they inherent political agenda. The BJP reached out to the community with came to power purely on playing a solution outside the government a communal card in elections. But purview? By taking a particular stand Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed has they are also not helping to build an repeatedly said that he joined hands understanding based on logic and with BJP to counter the increased practicality. They are stakeholders in polarization between two regions of the process of resolution of Kashmir Kashmir and Jammu. That, however, of which the issue of KPs is a part does not seem to be the case, going but past 25 years have seen that by the assertions of BJP leadership, they lack direction. Then comes the which even goes against the Agenda “lone warrior for all issues”, MLA of Alliance. Langate Er Rashid who stretches it far by seeking apology from Pandits Return of KPs is an integral part for leaving the valley. National of resolution of larger Kashmir issue Price: Rs. 20/- Conference’s maverick Mustafa and should not be seen or treated Janata Trust Kamal talks in the same language. in isolation. It can be resolved by D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Seeking apology is bereft of logic taking Kashmir’s civil society on Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), and reason as the issue of their board (not necessarily the political Mumbai 400 007. migration is caught in a narrative and groups) and not by creating isolated R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, April 26, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, April 26, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday April 29, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

Printed and Published by G.G. Parikh on behalf of Janata Trust. Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 and published at D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg (Sleater Road), Mumbai - 400 007. Established 1946 1 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 15 Moga’s shame is India’s shame May 10, 2015 S. Viswam

Disturbing trend at AMU Why should the nation‘s parliament, was also thrown out of the vehicle. Kuldip Nayar and indeed why the entire nation, get While conductor and his assistant incensed and feel outrageous over an abused the lady and made lewd incident in distant Moga in Punjab comments about her, the driver began Equality of outcome the type of which probably occurs speeding when she asked him for or opportunity regularly and frequently in rural help and to stop the bus. The bus in Satinath Choudhary India? The short answer is that after which the horrific incident happened seven decades of freedom there is was run by Orbit Aviation, public still a premium on lawlessness and transport company, and owned by Communal violence official accountability in India. There the Punjab’s ruling Badal family. in independent India are other factors too which make The state’s chief minister is Prakash Harsh Mander the Moga episode a prototype of Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir incidents that are inhuman and more Singh is the deputy chief. Sukhbir often than not reflective of total lack first denied the family’s strake, then Will the World Bank get of sensitivity to women and children refused to accept responsibility and truly climate smart? and their needs and care. Both houses then finally probably under pressure Dan Imhoff of parliament witnessed multiple hinted that the government cannot but adjournments over the issue which take note of the “brutality” involved is a sad reflection on the Shiromani and is bound to dole out punishment Diminishing returns from Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party notwithstanding the fact of company’s large hydropower projects coalition government of Punjab. ownership. Himanshu Thakkar Members felt that a “mafia raj” gripped the state and influenced the If the government itself was so administration. insensitive, its supporters were even more so. Punjab Education Minister Editor : Let us look at the facts of the Surjit Singh Rakhra said that it was G. G. Parikh case. On April 19, a woman and her God’s will that the child should Managing Editor : Guddi 13-year-old daughter were molested die. The Moga MLA Joginderpal by the staff of the public transport bus Singh said such an accident could D-15, Ganesh Prasad, they were travelling and thrown off happen on any bus. While the public Naushir Bharucha Marg, the moving vehicle just outside Moga outrage and anger over the incident Mumbai - 400 007. in Punjab. The daughter Arshdeep was palpable, it was noteworthy Kaur died while the mother Shinder that no case against the bus staff Email : [email protected] Kaur is in hospital. The young son was filed, no one was suspended travelling with the mother and sister and the official reaction has been 2 JANATA, May 10, 2015 from callous to indifference. Had Between the lines it been a bus belonging to a private enterprise the follow-up might have been quicker. As it is, what is tragic Disturbing trend at AMU and noteworthy is that all the hue and cry raised at the time of Delhi Nirbhaya rape case has left no mark Kuldip Nayar on the sensitivities and sensibilities of men and their mindset remains I have returned from Aligarh therefore, go to Pakistan. This is unchanged. Violence against women Muslim University (AMU) precisely what happened. and children does not produce disappointed and disturbed. I am the kind of reaction one would disappointed because the students Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first expect in a civilized society where did not seem to have merged into Prime Minister, himself went to women are given the maximum the mainstream yet and disturbed Connaught Circus and beat up some respect and treated honourably. In because they were still talking in looters with stick he carried. The such a society, the guilty would be terms of religious identity. AMU students probably did not proceeded against without delay and realize that the identity on the basis duly punished. In Punjab’s Moga, Perhaps, it would give a vicarious of religion led to the partition of passengers of the bus did not heed satisfaction to the Muslims of having India. After the division, the same the woman’s cries for help. There an identity of their own if the AMU type of politics could not be repeated were 15 passengers and most were is officially declared as a Muslim and the Muslims, who plugged the able-bodied women. Yet, they chose university. After having lost the line of separation, would suffer. The to remain impervious to the plight battle in all fields, including Urdu, 80 percent of population, that of of the women and her two children. the Muslims do feel dejected. There Hindus, would not brook the same This is really the shame of Moga is no inconsistency if a Muslim is old talk. which is the shame of India that made to feel that he has an identity tolerates the abuse of women and of his own, but the overwhelming I feel that the Muslims on the violence against them. identity of all people living in India whole have turned a new leaf in is Indians. their life and want to be a part of It is possible, indeed very likely, the mainstream. They realize the that the staff of the bus is not Aligarh is the place where dangers of ploughing a communal subject to discipline merely because Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the furrow. The riots between the Hindus the bus is owned by the ruling eminent freedom fighter, was abused and the Muslims ultimately become family. It is shocking that inhuman before the country’s partition. The the riots between the Muslims and episodes are sought to be covered students had found him in a train the police, which largely has been up and hushed up. This is the worst compartment. He was travelling the case. tradition of officialdom. In urban from Delhi to Calcutta. They took off India such high-handedness by their clothes and booed him to show It is, however, the mainstream government staff is a commonplace, all the disrespect which they could. which was not allowing them too but the disease is spreading. In rural much. The soft Hindutava appears His fault was that he differed with to have come to prevail in the India, unfortunately, everything is the Muslim League and opposed the country. This is making the Muslims attributed to god’s will since the formation of Pakistan. He would more and more scared. Talking to people have been raised up in the argue that the demand had been some of them at the Jamia Millia belief of the impossible and are raised on the false assumption that institution in Delhi, I found that they extremely gullible. The leader of partition was the best way out to were scared of the rise of Hindutva the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, escape the overwhelming majority followers who cared little about Ghulam Nabi Azad, has alleged that of Hindus. But after the formation their rights. police action has been only against of Pakistan, the number of Muslims those involved in the molestation but in India would go down still further. In this context I found the report by owners of the bus have been spared. On top of it, the Hindu would say the US Congress-established panel (Continued on Page 5) that you had taken your share and, pertinent. A bit of generalization JANATA, May 10, 2015 3 has reduced its utility. Otherwise, the US Commission on International Nepal is crying for help Religious Freedom is justified in observing that religious minorities in India have been subjected to “violent Yusuf Meherally Centre, as often in past, has decided to do its bit for the attacks, forced conversions” and victims of the Nepal’s recent tragedy. Its scale of intervention at present “ghar wapsi” campaigns by groups is limited to making the lives of the victims a little less inhospitable and like the RSS after the assumption preparing them to take the future a little more optimistically. Making of power by the Narendra Modi children laugh through games and play resulting in smiles of mothers government. could be one such intervention. Cleaning the public spaces of rubble and cleaning rubble from homes which can make the families rebuild their It is unfortunate that the report has homes could be another, and providing small things that the victims need been officially rejected. The country could be still another. should have debated on it. There is some truth in the perception that the Yusuf Meherally Centre has a lot of experience. It was there in Kutch equilibrium which we had developed after the latter got devastated, in Nagapattinam, after tsunami, in J&K, after over the years in the relationship the quake, and in Raigad, Uttarakhand and Bihar, after floods. Thanks to between Hindus and Muslims has the annual youth camps it organizes, it has a network of contacts among got upset since the advent of the youth in all parts of the country. They have the necessary motivation, Modi government. There is a sense of superiority among the Hindus and and the needed will to put in hard work and suffer hardships. Many of insecurity among the Muslims. them are willing to go where their services are needed. And those of us who cannot, can give money, of course this is the most essential, and we True, the strength that the equation can give many small things: candles and torches, disinfectant tablets to has developed in such a way that the disinfect drinking water, clothes, tents, durries, blankets, packed food bond, however weakened, has not items, utensils – the things that we need in a home – which are not used, snapped altogether. Maybe, both soiled or damaged. And when we give we also share in some way their communities have come to terms grief and their hardships and, in turn, have the feeling that we have done with the realities on the ground and something for humanity. had developed an understanding which stands them in good stead Give, yes, give generously. during the crises wherever they arise occasionally. Yusuf Meherally Centre, D15, Ganesh Prasad, The RSS, which has added Naushir Bharucha Marg-Sleater Road violence or, at best, the threat of Mumbai 400007 it has given a new edge to the Yusuf [email protected] narrative. The organization which had taken a back seat since the PS. Cheques should be drawn in favour of Yusuf Meherally Centre. assassination of Mahatma Gandhi is rearing its ugly head again and trying Relief Donation Bank Details to put up a statute in the memory of Godse who shot Gandhi dead. Not 1) The Shamrao Vithal Co-operative Bank Ltd that the Congress party had made Account No. : Current Account No. 100904180002460 the society secular. But its ideology Branch Name : Sleater Road, IFSI No.- SVCB0000009 is secular and it raised the voice Branch No. : 400089009 whenever the communal forces Address : A/3-4, Ganesh Prasad, gained ascendency. Other perception Naushir Prasad Marg, Grant Road (West), about the Modi government is that Sleater Road, Mumbai :- 400 007. the communal elements have got fillip in administration. Donations to the Yusuf Meherally Centre enjoy exemption under 80-G of the Income Tax Act. (Continued on Page 15) 4 JANATA, May 10, 2015 Tighten the belts to build sturdy Socialist Party

“We have to fight both sector and the Hindutva pariwar who Menfolk to extend respectful communalism and capitalism is indulging into threatening deeds behavior to women, the State to simultaneously.For that we and words to the minorities. All accord due security to the females - have to build grass-roots units persons belonging to the Muslim, moved by Suchita Kumar of the party. Cadres with firm Christian, Bouddha, Jain, Sikh, and ideological grounding and masters Parsi communities are very much Accelerate social security in communication skills, must sons of the Bharatmata. They should provisions to the men and women be trained and linked to national not be discriminated against in any working in the unorganized sector - network stretching from Nagaland to manner. We have to build strong moved by Sacchidanand Singh Kerala. I hope the delegates gathered Indian nation on the foundations of here would take up this task in right secularism and socialism. Stop controversy over Secularism earnest” observed Bhai Vaidya while and Socialism which are ingrained delivering presidential address at the Sucheta Kumar, president of in the Indian Constitution of India third biennial National Conference U.P. State party, welcomed the right from the beginning - moved of the Socialist Party(India) at delegates gathered at such a small by Anil Nauriya and seconded by nd Kanhamau, DistSitapur, U.P. on 2 village to express solidarity with BhagwanSingh Bedi May, 2015. About 200 delegates from the village-folk who constitute bulk Publish reports of enquiry the states like Kerala, Telangana, of the Indian nation and exhorted commissions of Hashimpura, Pudduchery, Maharashtra, Punjab, the comrades to put in hard work to Mahamaya, Muradabad, Kanpur Jharkhand, Bihar, U.P., West Bengal, repel onslaughts of the capitalists on Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat and and punish the culprits - moved by the rural people. Uttarakhand attended. Adv. Shashank, seconded by Bachu Singh. Nurul Ameen, General Secretary, The conference passed a while presenting biennial report, condolence resolution mourning Stop onslaughts on religious extended hearty welcome to young the death of Ram Sundar Das, places of the minorities, extend them activists of Khudai Khidmatgars veteran socialist leader and former due security - moved by Hafeez Chief Minister of Bihar and all those (Delhi, U.P. Pudduchery etc.), Kidwai, seconded by George Jacob men,women and children perished in Lokayat (Pune) and Samajwadi the terrific earthquake of 25th April Chetana Manch (Bihar) who recently Give representation to the workers in Nepal, U.P., Bihar, West Bengal joined the Socialist Party(India). on the management boards - moved and other adjoining areas. He also welcomed veteran leaders by Pannalal, seconded by Balwan Ramakant Pandey, erstwhile Singh Kheda. Earlier, on the 1st of May, a huge president of Socialist Party-Lohia rally of workers and anganwadi and Raghu Thakur of Loktantrik Withhold approval of delegating sevikas under the leadership of Samajwadi Party who had come all authority to WTO to tax goods Girish Pandey, traversed the road the way to extend fraternal greetings and services - that should rest with from Gomati bridge to Gandhi to the conference. the Nation States only - moved Bhawan where Justice Rajinder by Sandeep Pandey, seconded by Sachar, Pannalal Surana and Following were the resolutions, Warsha Gupte Sandeep Pandey greeted the rally in brief, adopted by the conference. and extended good wishes on the The Central Government should occasion of the Workers’ Day. Expedite relief and rehabilitation drop Land Acquisition Ordinance Later, while inaugurating the of the earthquake affected people and instead take steps to assure third conference of the Socialist and put in Disaster Management remunerative prices to agricultural Party(India), Justice Rajinder Sachar machinery in good shape - moved produce, supply irrigation and credit spoke elaborately exposing the by Goutam Priyatam and seconded to farmers in good time, accord vicious nexus between the corporate by Janaki Prasad Goud assistance when natural calamities JANATA, May 10, 2015 5 visit the farmers - moved by Harinder Singh Mansahia, seconded by Anil Equality of outcome or opportunity Mishra. Satinath Choudhary Six-monthly action plan-(1) Gather ten lakh signatures on the Employment Guarantee and Equality is supposed to be the one had to face while preparing for Electoral Reforms petition to be defining feature of socialist ideology. the said test. On the top of all the presented to the Lok Sabha Speaker However, there are two kinds of odds arrayed against persons from on 10th August, 2015. (2) Organise “equality.” that are most talked weaker section, most entrances for three regional camps of RSD, (3) about: (1) “equality of opportunity,” positions of power are guarded by Organise hundred primary units of and (2) “equality of outcome”. The sentries from dominant sections/ ten active members each. former is heard about more than castes. Under these circumstances the latter because of the preference “equality of opportunity” means The delegates paid a visit to shown to it among the dominant paltry little “equality” for persons Kanhawau village and exchanged sections of the society, including the from the weaker sections of the ideas. media. However, if the difference society. between these two types of equalities T a r k e s h w a r S i n g h , is clearly understood by the public The detractors from “equality Dhurchoudhary (West Bengal), at large, around 80 per cent of them of outcome” express reservation Prof. Sushilkumar(Bihar), would like to achieve “equality of about reservation, claiming that outcome”. such a system will perpetuate caste. S. Rajshekharan (Kerala), In answer to these people one can Harindra Singh Mansahia(Punjab), Reservation/quotas for various point out that in the West many M.A.Baig(Telangana), also segments in proportion to population people have names like Smith, addressed the gathering. Faizal Khan share of the respective sections Blacksmith, Goldsmith, Shoemaker, conducted the proceedings. guarantees “equality of outcome”. fisher, Booker, etc., that are to a Anything else obfuscates and avoids certain extent indicative of what –P.S. “equality”. their ancestors did. But statistically speaking there is not much difference (Continued from Page 2) Simply put, equality of outcome distinguishing them from the general refers to equality achieved (or population in their financial and One thought that the BJP-SAD expected to be achieved) from the educational status. As such, their coalition was in full control in measures taken towards “equality”, last names have lost the significance Punjab, but Moga shows that there even if it requires offering many of ancestral job owing to their is a breakdown of law and order positions of power to relatively less equalization. Similarly, all of the in the state. Only the states where qualified persons from the weaker Indian last names would lose their lawlessness is encouraged and segments, skipping over more caste-indicative significance if they crimes are condoned the safety of qualified persons from the dominant are equalized, statistically speaking; women and children is in question. sections; multiple seats at all levels and that would be natural withering It is the moral and constitutional duty power must be shared equitably by away of the caste system. Any of the Badal family to restore the all segments of the society. attempt to erase caste labels would rule of law in their state. Violence be an effort to cover up the caste On the other hand, “equality system without actually killing against the weak, against women, of opportunity” refers to simply the caste system and caste-based against children will continue ensuring all desirous of getting a job discrimination. A hidden snake is where law enforcement is weak are measured by judging all by the more dangerous than an open one! and the powerful take advantage of same yard there is no discrimination people’s gullibility. By virtue of the in the recruitment or have to pass the Currently, in the name of broad ownership of the bus, the Badals are same test without any consideration classifications like SC, ST and as accountable as the bus staff for of who had how bad an opportunity, OBC, some castes that are at the the outrage. discriminations and environment top of these categories, financially 6 JANATA, May 10, 2015 and educationally, ran away with categories. I am not sure of the real conditions that force them to be most of the quotas allocated for reasons behind their lethargy; it the servants of their masters. Tamil their respective categories, resulting could be just that - lethargy; else, it Nadu has progressed considerably in considerable disparities in those could be some kind of self-interest more than many of its northern categories. As a result, those or interest of the party-supremo’s counterparts because they have opposed to quota system point sub-caste. Possibly they do not approached 100 per cent reservation accusative fingers to the inordinate want to disturb the status quo that with their 70 per cent quota system. power of the castes and families that has put them on the throne. If there It needs to be extended to 100 per benefited excessively; and the same is a will, all castes and other sub- cent to each segment (caste, creed, individuals despising reservation groups bigger than a population gender, ethnicity, etc.) according to system also point their fingers to share of 1 per cent may be assigned its population share. many lower castes who could not quotas equal to the size (percentage) benefit from reservation, claiming of their caste; Those smaller than As for reservation within the that reservation system does not help 1 per cent will need to be merged private sector with more than five and so must be scrapped. with some other castes of similar employees, I believe reservation educational standing, bringing the can and should be implemented These disparities would not be total percentage to be greater than with the help of suitable tax breaks there had there been sub-quotas one for the sake of determining for those that observe appropriate within each of the broad categories combined quota. If we did that, total social justice index at various levels like SC, ST, OBC. Some states number of categories, including of employment. For example, out do have such categorization, like those for women and adherents of of 14 employees (with indicated in Karnatak they have six sub- other religions, will not be more percentages in the population of that categories under OBC category than 100 or so. All governmental region) if the number of ST(8%) for the purpose of distribution appointments could be done within is 1; SC(16%):2; OBC(42%): 6; of quota within OBC. But the a designated month of the year, say, Muslims(14%): 2; UC(15%):2 Supreme Court has thrown a monkey in the month of January. If an urgent (Upper caste=UC); others(5%):1; wrench in the movement towards appointment has to be made in such a distribution should be sub-quotas by claiming that in the between two consecutive Januaries, regarded as having Social Justice Constitution there is no sub-quota it should be done on temporary index (SJI) of one (14/14 = 1). for sub-category. The upper caste basis. This kind of aggregation Any deviation of the ratio from the judges of the Supreme Court know of vacancies over a whole year stated ratio would reduce the SJI to very well that in the absence of sub- period will give us sufficiently large a value less than one. For example, quotas various sub-castes would be number of seats at various levels if the number of UC employees is 5, squabbling among themselves for to be filled, facilitating appropriate with some reduction in the numbers ever, weakening them politically, distribution of those seats among the among other categories (e.g., SC:1, and that would be good for continued broad categories first, and as many OBC: 4), making a total of 14, upper caste hegemony. Since that sub-castes, religions, linguistic and then SJI would be 11/14. In such time some other judges were a bit ethnic groups as possible - we must a case if 5% tax-break is supposed fairer and have directed that if a state allocate 50-50 distribution of seats to be SJI dependent, the tax-break is able to show that a specific caste among males and females. should be 5*11/14 = 3.9%. Had or group of castes is currently under- the employer completely ignored represented in the civil services, All segments lacking equitable to appropriate distribution of jobs they would be glad to revise the share of positions of power are among various castes, etc., by court ban on more than 50 per cent essentially subjugated segments, having all 14 employees from just of seats allocated to for the reserved living in the colonial system, under one section of the society, then SJI = category castes. the rule of those with excess of 0; and tax-break = 5*0 = 0%. power (brown sahib replacing the However, even in the northern white sahib). Those with excess Vast majority of the population states where the ruling party happens of power would never want the (practically all except upper to be an OBC party, the government subjugated section to make much caste Hindus) would be in favor has not ordered fresh surveys to progress, lest the slaves would rise reservation for each segment of the demand increased quotas for various up and free themselves from the society. JANATA, May 10, 2015 7 Communal violence in independent India

Harsh Mander

India won her political property among persons of religious failures to hold public officials independence in 1947 amidst a minorities. The targets have mostly accountable. Despite the fact that the cataclysm of bloodshed and hate been Muslims, but in 1984 the episodes under study were widely violence which targeted men, violence was against Sikhs, and, separated by time and geography, women and children only because especially the last two decades have and by the religious minority of their religious identities, and witnessed growing attacks also targeted, there are similar attitudes left a million people dead and against Christians. These incidents and strategies which systematically ten million people displaced typically constitute targeted hate deny justice to minorities. We permanently from their homelands. killings, gang-rapes, arson of homes conclude therefore that the denial This ancient country, traumatically and businesses, large-scale looting, of justice and protection to India’s reborn after two centuries of colonial and destruction and desecration of minorities are not simply random bondage as a secular democratic places of worship. institutional failures, but reflect republic, laid great store therefore endemic, widely prevalent and in its Constitution on the equal Impunity and non-reparation deep-rooted institutional biases citizenship, security and rights of its Two other features are common against minorities in all arms of the religious minorities. to all these episodes. The first is criminal justice system, and that the almost universal impunity, by which denial of justice is not the arbitrary However, beginning with a we mean the failure of the criminal result of chance but is systematic communal conflagration in 1961 justice system to punish – and and planned. We also find consistent in Jabalpur, 14 years after India’s often even bring to trial – persons evidence of the State’s failures to freedom, many parts of the country who commit these communal help extend reparations and support have witnessed sporadic episodes hate crimes. Even less than the to survivors of communal violence, of hate violence which scapegoat foot-soldiers who commit these in ways which would enable them people due to their religious identity. crimes, the law almost never catches to rebuild their lives, livelihoods, There have been no years of complete up with those who instigate and homes and social relationships, as nation-wide communal peace. There organise these mass attacks, and the result of which they suffer not have on the other hand been periods with senior members of the police, just in the immediate aftermath during which this violence has civil administration and political of mass violence, but for long spiked, especially since the 1980s, leadership who deliberately fail to afterwards, even across generations. targeting Bengali Muslims in Assam, prevent, enable through inaction, Both these State failures – of justice the Sikhs in the nation’s capital after encourage and sometimes actively and reparations – to its citizens Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s participate in these acts of mass felled, traumatised and pauperised assassination in 1984 and subsequent violence. And the second feature of by communal violence, are the years of Khalistani militancy, and all episodes of communal violence issues at hand. Muslims in many parts of India in independent India is the failure during the Babri Masjid movement of the State to extend reparations to Communal riots since the late 1980s beginning with survivors of the violence at levels In South Asia, episodes of violence the massacre in Bhagalpur in 1989 which would enable them to rebuild in which persons are attacked and peaking in the carnage in Gujarat their lives, livelihoods, habitats and because they belong to diverse in the spring of 2002. social relations. religious identities are commonly described as communal riots. The These recurring episodes of what In extensive research undertaken word ‘communal’ in other parts of is generally referred to as communal by the Centre for Equity Studies the world has quite different and riots or communal violence are on major episodes of communal often positive connotations, viewed marked through all of free India’s violence, we find remarkably as a source of integration and social history by disproportionate common trends of failures of legal solidarity, and its breakdown a major aggression and loss of life and justice, failures of reparation and source of violence and strife. In South 8 JANATA, May 10, 2015

Asia on the other hand, the word describe the mass violence in 2002 as just as self-conscious religious has a specific negatively charged a toofan or storm - but this alternate groups have been. However, meaning of social and political terminology is more evocative because of the peculiar history mobilization of persons based on than analytical. The suddenness of India’s bloody partition on their religious identity, usually in of monumental disruption and religious grounds and the continued opposition (sometimes violently) to destruction suggested by the fractures created across South Asia persons of other religious identities. metaphor of the storm is what catches by religious identity, when we Varshney suggests that ‘whenever the imagination, but analytically speak of communal violence we are conflicting groups from two different this doesn’t sufficiently reflect the concerned conventionally with a religions, which are self–conscious planned, intentional violence that we specific kind of hate violence which communities, clash, it results in a will argue characterise most ‘riots’. targets people for their religious communal riot. An event is identified Other terms like carnage, slaughter, identity. This is because in the South as a communal riot if (a) there massacre or bloodbath, are more Asian context, given its specific is violence, and (b) two or more apt descriptions evoking the actual histories, the prefix ‘communal’ communally identified groups character of such violence. always suggests the context of confront each other or members of religious community (or what is the other group at some point during Targeted Groups more aptly described as a ‘socio- the violence ‘. The pertinent analytically rigorous religious’ community), and further terminology for this phenomenon carries negative connotations of It is commonplace to use the could be hate communal violence hate propaganda, mobilisation and word ‘riot’ to describe communal or targeted communal violence, and sometimes violence. violence, in popular usage, these terms are mainly what we use reportage and scholarship. But we here. Even so, we still sometimes The word ‘communal’ is also have grave reservations with this describe episodes as riots, because closely tied up with the idea of usage, especially if the word riot this is how these have been described communalism, or social and political is understood in its literal sense. in judicial reports and scholarly ideologies and mobilisation of Our difficulty with the usage of studies, but although sometimes we people on the basis of their religious the term ‘riot’ is that its popular use this term, while using it we do identities. Bipin Chandra views deployment suggests implicitly not suggest anywhere that these are communalism as an ideology that what transpires in episodes of spontaneous clashes between people comprised of these three basic communal violence is that people of diverse religious communities. elements or stages; each element of two communities battle each functions as an assumption upon other, usually spontaneously. But It is also important to recognise which the next is based. The three this may not actually be the case, that hate and targeted violence also form a continuum, feeding for instance if the violence is one- can be directed at people not only into each other. The intensity of sided, or engineered by dedicated because of their religious identity, hostility against other religious social and political groups, and, as but also because of their caste (as groups increases as people move we shall see, this indeed is very often in anti-Dalit atrocities), ethnicity from one stage to the next. The first the case. For instance, it is especially (such as attacks of persons of India’s stage of beliefs in this continuum is an obvious travesty to describe the north-east in Delhi and other Indian that people belonging to a religious violence against the Sikhs in Delhi cities), gender, region (such as group (rather than a socio-economic in 1984 as anti-Sikh riots, because it attacks in Mumbai by the Shiv – class, caste, occupational - or was exclusively the Sikhs who were Sena first on persons from South gender, linguistic, regional, age, the victims of violence in almost all India and now from UP and Bihar), disability or other cultural or these attacks. The same is the case language (such as riots against Hindi political categories) have common with many if not most other episodes in Tamil Nadu), sexuality (such as secular interests. The belief is of communal violence. attacks against homosexual men that people can act politically and and transgendered persons), and protect collective interests only as The use in reportage as well occasionally stigmatised ailments self-conscious members of these as survivors’ own testimonies of (such as attacks on people living communities. Religious leaders for other terms metaphors like a storm, with leprosy or HIV/AIDS). These each community become the only etc. are now more popular - the groups of victimised people can also people who can protect the groups’ Gujarat survivors we speak to widely be conceptualised as communities, interests. JANATA, May 10, 2015 9

Moderate Communalism numbers? Is communal killing And then there is active physical, The next level of communal of one person not mass violence, targeted and hate violence, involving beliefs is that secular interests whereas if three are killed is it mass attacks on the body and property on - economic, cultural, social and violence? But this demarcation is in persons of the designated ‘other’ political - interests of followers of the end subjective. Also it can render religion, involving culpable heinous one religion diverge from those invisible seemingly discrete small offences such as murder, injury, of others. ‘Liberal’ or ‘moderate’ acts of communal violence, each arson, and looting. communalism, as Chandra terms it, not ‘mass’ in character when seen It is important also to focus on is when an individual could publicly individually, but which actually are the particularly gendered nature profess that (often) conflicting part of a larger orchestrated plan. There is no consensus on which of hate violence targeted against identities and interests are capable episodes should be described as women. Women are regarded within of existing in harmony and can be ‘mass communal violence’, but all patriarchy as the property of the accommodated simultaneously, of the incidents described in this men of that community, and sexual while holding on to essentially volume are so large that this question violence is the ultimate humiliation communalist views which privilege is not germane in the context of these of the community and its men. The religious identities over all others episodes. social and legal impunity for sexual and homogenise people following violence is so deep rooted that until a particular faith. During India’s And finally there is the question of recently, sexual violence in the freedom struggle, Madan Mohan what constitutes violence as distinct aftermath of targeted violence was Malviya, Lajpat Rai and Jinnah, from discrimination or segregation. in the large majority of cases not according to him, functioned under There is a great deal of discrimination investigated, recorded or punished. liberal communal frameworks . The to which religious minorities are Often it was not even acknowledged, third stage and final stage of ‘extreme commonly subjected. These include because victims were openly or communalism’ is reached when a number of disabilities in accessing subtly coerced by social shame interests of followers of different housing, jobs, credit, entry into to obliterate these histories. It is religions, forming communities are educational institutions, access to entirely due to the intellectual and seen to be incompatible, antagonistic basic services in their habitations political struggles of women in and mutually exclusive. Extreme such as drinking water. These were social movements in this country communalists use the language and well documented in the Prime that sexual violence is now better instruments of hate and violence Minister’s High Level Committee acknowledged and understood, against people, cultures and beliefs set up the UPA government in 2006, and the layers of impunity that of the antagonist ‘other’ religious presided over by Justice Sachar. covered it are beginning to be community. It is this third phase These can also be seen analytically peeled. Consequently, India’s rape which spawns communal violence, as forms of passive violence. Even law has been re-examined and although the grounds for its more pertinently, there can be amended. During targeted mass emergence is paved by the first two communally charged taunts and violence, sexual violence is used stages. Chandra goes on to argue insults – in classrooms, work-places, as a double edged weapon - while that communalism is not specific to and places of community gathering women bear the torture of rape, it India, comparing it to movements (the Centre for Equity Studies’ culturally emasculates the men who such as fascism and anti-Semitism India Exclusion Report describes embody the guilt of not being able in other countries, which he suggests many instances of communally to ‘live up’ to gender expectations: were produced by similar belief charged taunts against Muslims in ‘I couldn’t protect my wife… ,’ a systems. classrooms, by both teachers and masculine lament we often hear from peers; Sikhs children were also survivors. A few more points are in order routinely subjected to this in the in the language of scholars and 1980s. There can be active hate Instigations to violence lay observers regarding communal propaganda (such as in the literature Which of these various forms violence. One relates to the prefixing of communal organisations like should one include in a discussion of the word ‘mass’ to communal the RSS and the Jamaat-e- Islami, of communal violence? Usually violence. When does a communal or the speeches and writing of Bal scholars separate questions of targeted hate attack become a mass Thackerey during the communal discrimination from active physical attack? Is it merely a question of carnage in Bombay in 1992-93 ). hate violence including sexual 10 JANATA, May 10, 2015 violence, and hate propaganda modern India. New Delhi; pp 15-18 2000. What Saamna said. Volume 17, stands in a somewhat twilit zone in 4. Chandra, B., Mukherjee, M., Issue 16. August 5-18 2000. between. Many recognise that hate Mukherjee, A., Pannikar, K.N., 8. Chandra, B. et al. 1989. ‘India’s propaganda incites violence, and Mahajan, S. 1989. India’s struggle struggle for independence, 1857- therefore regard it to be criminally for independence (1857-1947). 1947’pp 401-406 culpable violence, even if it is not Penguin; pp 402 active violence in itself, because it 5. Government of India. 2006. Social, still instigates such violence. But economic and educational status of there are those who are much more the Muslim community in India. Swachcha Bharat fundamentally convinced of the New Delhi. absolute value of free speech and 6. The high level committee presided Target for : One crore expression, and would not like legal by Justice. Rajinder Sachar put 2015-16 toilets bars and state monitoring of hate forth its report in November 2006, propaganda, because this is subject highlighting that Muslims in India, Fund reqd : Rs 12,500 cr to official interpretation, and can compared to other socio-religious be used equally against people who groups in India, performed poorly on Fund allocated : Rs 2625 cr oppose hate propaganda. most indicators of socio-economic status. According to NSSO 2004-05 For attaining full household Scholars of communal violence data, 31% of Muslims were poor sanitation coverage by 2019, construct diverse and often (only marginally better than 35% Fund needed: Rs 1,34,386 cr. adversarial interpretations of what of the SC/ST), compared to 22.7% the roots of communal violence are, of the total population The literacy Taking 50:50 contribution by but remarkably most are united in rate in 2001, at 59.1% was lower centre and states (which is highly one view: they regard communalism than the national average of 64.8%. unlikely) and the fund provided to be a product of modernity, arising At higher levels of education, the in this budget as the benchmark, out of conditions existing in colonial gap between Muslims and other full household sanitation can be India and the enterprise of nation- socio-religious increases; in 2001, achieved in the year 2041. building. In Bipin Chandra’s view, 7% of the population above 20 were ‘communalism is not a vestige of graduates or hold diplomas, whereas Can you beat the Modi Magic! the past; it might use ideas that the number was only 4% for Muslims. have roots in medieval/ancient Compared to figures of 34.2% and – Sankara Narayanan times, but it’s a modern technology 13.1% in salaried employment (in and political trend that expresses government and large public/private urges and serves political needs of enterprises respectively), for all particular social groups. Its social socio-religious groups, only 23.7% roots, economic, social and political Muslims were employed in the objectives lie in the modern period government and 6.5% in the public/ of Indian history. ’ Nehru too had private sector (which it attributed to noted, ‘One must never forget low workforce participation among that communalism is a latter-day Muslim women). The average salary phenomenon that has grown up of Muslim workers was also lower before our eyes.’ than other groups. They were found to be grossly underrepresented in 1. See for instance, Kaur, R. 2002. Central government departments ‘The eclipse or renaissance of the and agencies. In no state did community? Career of the concept.’ the percentage of Muslims in In Jodhka, S. (ed) ‘Community and government department match their Price: Rs. 20/- Identities: Contemporary discourse representation in the population. The Janata Trust on culture and politics in India’ report noted that a higher proportion D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir 2. Varshney, A. 2002. Ethnic violence of Muslims are engaged in self- Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), and civic life. New Haven. Yale employment activities and in the Mumbai 400 007. University Press; pp 309 informal sector. 3. Chandra, B. 1984. Communalism in 7. See for instance: Frontline. August JANATA, May 10, 2015 11 Will the World Bank get truly climate smart?

Dan Imhoff

Throughout decades of efforts to degrade them — e.g. polluting air farmer training, and microfinancing alleviate both hunger and poverty, and water, diminishing biodiversity can help nearly double yields of agricultural support has ebbed through extensive monocultures, traditional farming systems. Such and flowed as the World Bank’s generating greenhouse gases, intensified ‘agroecological’ farms development strategies evolved. over-using antibiotic medications, can enhance food security, maintain Today “feeding the world” and and consuming $250 billion in greater levels of biodiversity, and meeting urgent ecological challenges government subsidies that skew provide resilience against climate are prominent goals of its 2013-15 markets and exacerbate corporate extremes. But it will take a revolution Agriculture Action Plan. With a concentration of the food supply. in financial and economic incentives renewed focus on food policy, the to allow them to compete with Despite a century of increasing World Bank invests between $8 the heavily subsidised industrial industrialisation of food production, and $10 billion annually in the agriculture sector. chronic hunger impacts over one agriculture sector, including through billion people. That number is While the FAO is calling for a an emerging programme called nearly matched by the overweight 50 per cent increase in global food climate-smart agriculture (CSA). and obese populations in developing output by 2050, the irony is that we countries (where the cheapest foods already produce enough calories to CSA is a catchy phrase but a are processed and high in unhealthy support 10 billion people. Not all of vaguely defined programme with at fats, sugars and carbohydrates). that output reaches those who need least three objectives: 1) intensify The impacts of climate change it most. Nearly one-third is wasted food production in underperforming put additional pressure on policy along supply chains. Another one- arable regions; 2) increase overall makers. Land clearing and third is fed to cattle. Five per cent is food availability; 3) adapt to and ploughing, livestock production, converted to biofuels. reverse climate change. Both the fertiliser manufacturing and other World Bank and UN Food and In July 2014, over 70 organisations activities make the agricultural sector Agriculture Organization (FAO) and agricultural scientists criticised the largest emitter of greenhouse have joined the Global Alliance the GACSA in an open letter gases. It is also the industry most for Climate-Smart Agriculture for, among many things, failing immediately affected by rising (GACSA), an agribusiness-led to rule out industrial approaches temperatures and shifting climate initiative launched in 2014. that “drive deforestation, increase patterns. A rise of one degree celsius synthetic fertiliser use, intensify will lead to dramatic declines in Improving conditions for the livestock production or increase crop yields, particularly in warmer world’s poorest farmers can be a the vulnerability of farmers.” The regions. powerful development strategy. In letter’s signatories continued, “We Africa, evidence shows that every Numerous studies show that recognise the need for action to 10 per cent increase in crop yields small landholders can grow just as enable food and farming systems generates an estimated seven per cent much food and more diverse kinds to adapt to climate change. And we reduction in poverty (greater than of crops with organic methods believe that to reduce agriculture’s Asia’s five per cent rate). Neither the as their industrial counterparts. contribution to the problem, manufacturing nor service sectors Planting crops that enrich the soil or we must find ways to phase out can produce such an equivalent repel pests, for example, can boost destructive industrial approaches, impact. But not all agricultural production, decrease reliance on and incentivise agroecological investments yield the same social chemicals and raise income rural methods that work best for the and environmental outcomes. Some levels. A recent study in the Journal world’s small-scale farmers and the forms of agriculture promote public of Agricultural Sustainability shows planet.” health and food security. Others that more complex cropping systems, (Continued on Page 15) 12 JANATA, May 10, 2015 Diminishing returns from large hydropower projects in India

Himanshu Thakkar

As per the latest power generation increase in installed capacity of large and total installed capacity of such figures just released by the Central hydro projects in India[2]. A huge projects, for each of the last 20 years Electricity Authority[1] the additional capacity of hydro capacity from 1993-94. The total installed hydropower generation during is under construction and various capacity of large (installed capacity the just concluded Financial Year stages of approval and planning. over 25 MW) hydro projects in India 2014-15 was 4.25% lower than the as on March 31, 2015 is 40885 MW. previous year’s generation even However, there has been no though the installed capacity has attempt at credible performance The graph also shows the trend gone up. Average generation per appraisal of hydropower projects line of power generation of Big MW of hydro capacity in India in in India. SANDRP has been doing Hydropower projects for the last 2014-15 was over 20% less power performance appraisal of large 20 years, it is clear the trend-line than what our average generation hydropower projects of India for shows diminishing generation from was in 1993-94. More worryingly, some years. In the graph given existing hydro power projects of the hydropower generated per MW below we have plotted the Million India. installed capacity continues its Units (MU, one unit is equal of downward slide. The downward one kilowatt hour of power) power It shows that per MW generation slide has been going on for now over generated per Mega Watt (MW) in 2014-15 has dropped by over two decades: installed capacity of all operating 20% from the generation figure for hydropower projects in India. 1993-94. This should be a matter of The governments and power We have done this based on the serious concern, but the CEA, Power sector establishment in India have official data from Central Electricity Ministry or none of the other bodies been pushing Large Hydro projects Authority for total annual power are doing such an analysis. Such an as if they are good in themselves. See generated by all existing operating analysis can also help us try and the graph below that shows the rapid large hydropower projects of India understand why this is happening JANATA, May 10, 2015 13

and what needs to be done to arrest the project will generate certain hydrological assumptions, over or reverse this trend. The falling amount of power in 90% of the development (development beyond generation cannot be attributed years. When we compared that figure the carrying capacity of the basin), to lower monsoon rainfall, since with the actual generation figure catchment degradation, high rates rainfall has been average or above for the last 29 years for each of the of sedimentation, inadequate Repair average in most of the years under operating projects, we found that and Maintenance, Run of River consideration. 89% have been under-performing. projects (this phrase is a misnomer, And among the under performing these projects do not generate power What we can see (see Annexure 1 projects, 50% were generating below from the run of the river but through below) from these monsoon rainfall the 50% of the promised power a dam and a tunnel), changing figures from India Meteorological generation. And yet no questions monsoon patterns due to climate Department[3] is that in 14 of the 22 are asked, no accountability fixed, change, etc. years the rainfall was above or near in fact such an analysis is not even normal (above 98% of normal), so done by the official agencies. This Here it should be added that one cannot say that the diminishing means, for example that a lot of the the destruction of forests, rivers, generation is due to below normal projects that are being set up now fisheries, biodiversity and monsoon. are unviable projects or that the submergence of lands is also A separate analysis showed that installed capacities are way above making the impact of climate related 89% of the projects generate at below optimum levels. disasters worse for the people and the design or promised generation also for the hydropower projects, as level at 90% dependability. Each There are many reasons why could be seen during the June 2013 large hydro project is given techno the generation per MW is dipping: Uttarakhand disaster. All this needs economic clearance by CEA based unviable projects, unviable to be part of our impact assessment on a promise at appraisal stage that installed capacities, over-optimistic and decision making process. 14 JANATA, May 10, 2015

The bar chart below provides economic and opportunity costs. pump water from lower (smaller) monthly power generation from reservoir to upper (larger existing) hydropower projects at all India level Considering the diminishing reservoir of such projects. During during the just concluded 2014-15. returns from existing night and off wind hours, this water The chart shows that the maximum hydropower capacity and serious than be released from upper to lower power in hydro sector (36.3% of underperformance from 89% of reservoir to turn the same turbines to annual generation) happens during existing projects, the first priority generate power. This option needs to three monsoon months of July-Sept. should be to optimise generation be explored. During six months of May-Oct, from existing projects instead 63.7% generation happens and of pushing for new large hydro One of the USPs (Unique Selling during the remaining six months, projects. We are also not doing Propositions) of hydropower only about 36.3% generation advance comprehensive project projects is that it can provide peak happens, February has the lowest level and basin wide cumulative hour power, which coal based generation. social and environmental impact or nuclear power projects cannot assessments, nor getting public provide. However, we do not have Underperformers During 2014- consent in upstream and downstream the necessary data to analyse what 15: central sector hydro capacity areas. % of hydropower generation is of 13576 MW generated 1% more providing peaking power. What power than 2013-14, and private Even for ensuring power to those is surprising however is that there sector capacity of 2728 MW that do not have access to power is no agency in India that is doing generated 7.32% more power. It now, there is also a huge potential such an analysis. Without such an was the state sector capacity of of sub MW (less than 1 MW or KW analysis it is not even possible even 24582 MW that generated 8.1% scale) capacity hydro projects in start understanding and optimizing lower power than the previous year. most of the Himalayan and other the peak hour power generation from The biggest dip in generation was mountain areas. These projects hydro projects. Needless to add, seen in the power generation at would have least costs, least impacts, such an analysis should also involve Sardar Sarovar Project’s 1450 MW and could be implemented in short assessing the impacts of peaking capacity, which was a reduction time with full involvement of the power generation. Depending on of 50.31% compared to 2013-14. benefiting local communities. Such site specific conditions, the currently Among the central sector hydro projects should be a priority before under-utilised peaking power organisations, NHDC (1520 MW taking up larger projects. potential of existing hydropower capacity on Narmada river) saw the projects can be substantially better biggest dip of 35.9% compared to As global trends show, more solar utilised before going for new peaking previous year generation. One of and wind power based installed projects. The question is, if we are the reasons for the reduced power capacity is now being added than neither monitoring nor trying to generation at SSP and upstream in any other sector. This is also optimize peaking power generation, Narmada projects of NHDC was the likely to be the trend in India in is there a case for pushing more unjustified depletion of the reservoir future since cost of solar and wind hydro in the name of peaking power before the 2014 parliamentary based generation is going down. demands? elections[4]. One of the obstacles in this regard is that the solar and wind power is Lastly, it should be added that There is no doubt that more only available during day time or less than 3% of India’s large dams detailed state wise, basin wise, type wind hours and storage of surplus have hydropower component wise, age wise, etc analysis would (over and above what the grid can and most of the 97% large dams help, some of which are available in consume) power generated during without hydropower component are “Hydropower Performance” section such time is costly and difficult irrigation projects. However, in these of SANDRP website[5]. However, to to store. The pump storage hydro projects, the social, environmental continue to push large hydro without projects can provide an option in and economic costs have already such informed analysis would only this regard even at existing dams. been paid. We need to at least lead to bad decisions, leading to Thus surplus power during day assess the possibility of adding avoidable social, environmental, time and wind hours can be used to hydro component to some of these JANATA, May 10, 2015 15 projects. But such an assessment is ANNEXURE 1 not happening at all. United States Year Monsoon Year Monsoon of America, whom we look up for Rainfall Rainfall many things, has been doing exactly 1993 101 % 2004 87 % that, assessing the possibility of 1994 110 % 2005 99 % adding hydro component at existing 1995 100 % 2006 99 % dams rather going for new hydro projects. 1996 103 % 2007 106 % 1997 102 % 2008 98 % What all this means is that 1998 106 % 2009 78 % before we go for more large hydro 1999 96 % 2010 102 % projects at huge social, ecological 2000 92 % 2011 102 % and economic costs, we have a lot 2001 92 % 2012 93 % of options. We hope the questions raised in this analysis lead to changes 2002 81 % 2013 106 % in some of the directions indicated 2003 102 % 2014 88 % here. ([email protected]) Authority, the CEA that year 4. For details, see: https://sandrp. END NOTES: excluded some of the small hydro wordpress.com/2014/04/13/ 1. CEA is a Union Power Ministry’s projects (capacity below 25 MW) narmada-dams-levels-depleted- premier technical body, see:http:// that were included in its monitoring to-generate-more-electricity- cea.nic.in/monthly_gen.html matrix earlier. threatening-water-security-for- 2. The slight dip in installed capacity 3. http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/ gujarat-and-madhya-pradesh/ in 2010-11 is because in the capacity dynamic/Monsoon_frame.htm 5. http://sandrp.in/HEP_Performance/ monitored by the Central Electricity Peoples News Network (Continued from Page 11) (Continued from Page 3) Hans Herren, co-author of the The understanding may have religious values on both sides. The 2008 International Assessment of developed on the part of Muslims that Pakistan government’s allegation Agricultural Knowledge, Science they have to live with the majority, that India is trying to change the and Technology for Development however impossible. Perhaps both demographic pattern in the state report, “Agriculture at a crossroads,” live in separate worlds of their own. of Jammu and Kashmir is palpably asserts that “We do not need more Social contacts between the two wrong. industrial and high-input agriculture have reduced to the minimum. Yet, to produce more food. Evidence the ever present tension which one The return of Kashmiri pandits shows that small holder farmers could smell has more or less gone. to the valley is something to be are more productive. We need welcomed. Their integration with simply sustainable production and Even the hostility towards the Muslims is one proof of the Pakistan, a feature of daily life, is Kashmiriyat, representing both the consumption systems that are eco- less than before. But it is still there. communities. Even the separatists, functional, follow the principles The common man never abjured except probably the fundamentalist of agroecology and deal with goodwill towards people in Pakistan. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, strongly agriculture’s multi-functionality.” But now even governments have defend the presence of pandits in realized the futility of plugging a their midst on the ground that they The most intelligent way to line which does not sell. There are were integral part of their society. tackle the interweaving crises of good chances of the two sides sitting food insecurity, poverty, and climate across the table for a dialogue. In fact, the strength of Kashmiriyat change is for the World Bank to is that it is based on secular ethos. make agroecology the centrepiece of The Punjabis in both the states, The students at Aligarh should take both its Agriculture Action Plan and one in India and other across the a leaf out of the Kashmir’s book climate-smart agriculture program. border, are so communal in approach and learn to resist the temptation of that they do not appreciate the Sufi underlining the identity on the basis -Bretton Woods Observr culture which is the synthesis of of religion. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, May 10, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, May 10, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday May 13, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 18 Divorce precedes marriage ! May 31, 2015 S. Viswam Modi’s non-rule Kuldip Nayar It has not taken long for the two senior leaders of Bihar, namely six Janata Parivar parties chief minister Nitish Kumar of Reality and illusion (the erstwhile socialists) Janata Dal United and Lalu Prasad Rajindar Sachar to become the target of jokes and Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal, snide remarks in regard to their nothing is certain. What is sealed and Modi Sarkar’s first year plans to unite into a single political signed and was ready for delivery is Irfan Engineer entity. The parties, the wits say, have now tattered and torn. Indeed, there established a new pattern in political is nothing on the table that can be Politics in practice considered for delivery. D. K. Giri interaction: they have first divorced each other even before entering into The first signs of trouble Land struggle exposes bonds of holy matrimony! In a sense, manifested themselves when Lalu prejudices against the poor the target has been well and truly hit, turned down JDU’s demand to Bharat Dogra because whoever heard of a divorce without marriage? It is verily the publicly acknowledge Nitish Kumar as the Janata Parivar’s common Who Is Responsible for case of the grin without the cat! chief ministerial candidate for Indian Farmer Suicides? Vithal Rajan It seems that the plan for the Bihar elections October-November revival of the Janata Parivar has this year. Since the two parties turned out to be a non-starter. In any were considering seat-sharing Allowing children to labour case, going by the track record of arrangements in order to make it is a collective crime the parties and leaders involved, the more difficult for the BJP, the new Harsh Mander development is not surprising. development was disappointing, to What is, however, surprising is say the least. It was a typical Lalu ploy, since it is known in Bihar that Editor : that six leaders with unpredictable temperaments and personal likes Lalu will find it difficult to stake G. G. Parikh and dislikes should have thought a claim for CM’s post in view of Managing Editor : Guddi it possible at all to sink their petty his conviction by court in a graft differences and work together for case. Nitish Kumar perhaps felt that D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the common good of the states and working hand in hand with the RJD Naushir Bharucha Marg, political turfs they control! may be a political liability than an Mumbai - 400 007. asset. Lalu has a solid vote bank It was a case of “everything sealed in the Yadavs of Bihar but Nitish’s Email : [email protected] and signed, only to be delivered.” calculation could be that the vote Now, with the contention separating bank politics does not work against 2 JANATA, May 31, 2015 his popular image and second, his Between the lines development plank which sets aside the caste-community factor. Nitish Kumar seems all Modi’s non-rule in favour of jettisoning the RJD connection as it does not Kuldip Nayar boost the JDU image in any significant manner but while facing the BJP, an alliance of the two Information Minister Arun more suitable for the job something parties can be a rewarding vote Jaitley is inviting editors from which his mother had instilled in getter. The two parties together different parts of India to meet him. He too went out of the way to can put the BJP on the defensive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cultivate editors. His successors, This apart, Nitish seems to think underline the achievements of his lesser in stature, expanded the PMO that a secular alliance of JDU with first-year rule. This public relations to have information advisers. the Congress and the left parties exercise is nothing new because all his predecessors have done so. Modi is his own PRO. He has not minus the RJD is good enough to appointed anyone as information take on the BJP. The idea has some India’s icon, Jawaharlal Nehru, adviser. Maybe, he has felt the merit in it. did not have to do so. Still, when necessity and that explains Jaitley’s One does not understand Lalu’s India was licked at the hands of invitation to editors to meet the strategy in sidelining Nitish Kumar. China in 1962, Nehru met editors Prime Minister. But will this exercise Things would have gone along to explain the debacle. Lal Bahadur help? Modi may not be guilty of any smoothly has not Lalu extended an Shastri had so much goodwill that misrule, yet his regime is that of non- he did not have to placate them in rule. There is nothing spectacular open offer to Jitan Ram Manjhi to any way. However, after the 1965 that stands out in his first year’s rule. join the anti-BJP alliance in Bihar. war with Pakistan - both countries The move was clearly cocking a claimed victory - Shastri took editors Take for instance, his visit to snook at Nitish and asking him into confidence before going to China. It was neither productive nor to do his worst or best against the Tashkent. His humility stood him in unmitigated disaster. However, it gesture. At the same time, no one is good stead because before leaving was not successful is not the criterion able to explain why and how Lalu he told them that his fate was in to judge its merit. He undertook turned from a supporter of Nitish their hands and whatever they wrote the trip and reportedly conveyed and his good governance asset would guide public opinion. India’s unhappiness over China’s into a staunch critic who suddenly occupation of Indian territory is became adversarial. The games Indira Gandhi was riding a high good enough. Authentic reports, now leaders play! horse until the crops failed and had to available, indicate that he took up import wheat from America, which even the matter of China’s stapling Lalu has always been an gave it against rupee payment. She of a visa on the passport if the person unpredictable factor in Bihar too informally talked to editors is from Arunachal Pradesh, which politics. He can afford to play games and gave an insight on India’s the Chinese claim is part of their because a large section of Yadava deteriorating economic conditions. territory. voters back him notwithstanding his not-so-clean image in politics. Her son Rajiv Gandhi, who was I personally think that Modi The BJP as to be expected attacks hit hard because of Bofors scandal, should have cancelled the visit when both the RJD and the JDU as never threw his weight around. One, one day before his arrival at Beijing, it knows that their joint strength he was conscious that the dynastic the ruling Communist Party paper is a big challenge for any party. ties had parachuted him from ran a vituperative piece against India Besides, the Congress and the being a pilot to the gaddi of prime and carried a map without showing Left are bound to support the two ministership and, two, he was aware Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Bihar parties if only because they of his limitations in the political Kashmir as part of the country. are secular. field. He suffered from the complex (Continued on Page 11) that his brother, Sanjay Gandhi, was (Continued on Page 4) JANATA, May 31, 2015 3 Reality and illusion

Rajindar Sachar

Last year when Bharatiya Janata movement by making regressive burden of having 100 members is Party with Narendra Modi as changes in Industrial Law. being required. Is any more blatant Prime Minister romped home with proof of pro-corporate affinity overwhelming majority of its own, As it is Land Acquisition Act required? Encouragingly the Central people thought that for the next 2013 was the result of mass agitation Trade Unions have already given a few years, this government was by Narmada Bachao Andolan led by call to nationwide protests against untouchable and any mass discontent Medha Patkar and a great number this anti-labour policy of Modi would be just wished away. Any of human rights activists, socialists Government. such self-conceit amongst the BJP and others. The Congress-led UPA loyalists now remains scattered on government had resisted it till the A further anti-labour legislation the roads of towns and the fields of last until overwhelmed by massive being contemplated by Central villages. public protests. Ironical that the UPA Government is amendment of constituents should now be boasting Section 25(O) of Industrial Dispute The reasons are not far to seek. of being farmers’ supporters, though Act, which requires permission of An old adage that you can fool all having resisted the changes like appropriate Government if employer the people for some time and some Social Impact Assessment provision - wishes to close the Industrial people for all the time but you can which, I remember was incorporated enterprise. At present it is applicable not fool all the people all the time as far back as 1990, by a resolution to enterprises with 100 workmen is as true today as when it was first of United Nations Sub-Commission (i.e. about 75 per cent of total labour formulated. on Prevention of Discrimination and force). To weaken labour it is sought Protection of Minorities (of which to amend the law by applying it As it is even the original I was then a member) and which to undertakings employing 300 impression was totally out of reality, was soon after ratified by United workmen – virtually throwing three because it should be remembered that National Organization. Obviously fourth of workmen in the lairs of Modi majority was occasioned by a BJP is inviting ridicule by purporting industrial tycoons. faulty electoral system wherein 31 to act against the views of U.N.O. per cent of popular votes has given As it is there is the international such an overwhelming majority to At present under Indian Trade corporate pressure as is evident from him in Lok Sabha. That is why there Union Act 1926, any seven or more the proceedings of International is a general view developing whether members of a Trade Union can Labour Organization (ILO) where two important electoral reforms, apply for registration as a Trade corporate lobby is desperately namely prohibition of corporate Union. Central Government wants making all efforts at providing sector contributing to election funds to raise the number to 100. The that that right of workmen to strike (as was in U.S.A. till a couple of year result obviously would be to deny should be banned. That such a move back), and also instead of the present right of Trade Unionism to the should even be debated is a matter system, should we not think of list overwhelming number of workers of grave concern. How can such a system which is more democratic in small factories which as it is move have even been allowed to be and reflects public opinion more are the more exploited ones. This discussed at I.L.O., a body meant to equitably and is prevalent in Europe. attack on labour is so blatantly preserve and enhance workers’ rights partisan when it is compared with the and privileges all around. But in spite of this reality, BJP Companies Act. 2013, where only government continues to remain seven persons can apply for forming The right to strike is a sacred, in illusion as witnessed by its public company and the minimum essential weapon in the hands of contumacious approach to the mass paid up share capital of 5 lakhs, the workers and it has emerged as agitation against Land Acquisition (though its capital can be in millions) the inherent right of every worker Act 2013 as amended by Ordinances – this provision continues to be the and is of the very essence of the brought in by it and further make same as it was under 1956 Act, but principle of collective bargaining. efforts to weaken the trade union for labour extra unconscionable Modi Government if it wishes to 4 JANATA, May 31, 2015 refute its softness to Big Business (Continued from Page 2) his credentials, I expected him to must publically announce that it Why New Delhi was keen on the train his guns of parochialism from will oppose at I.L.O. any proposal visit is beyond my comprehension. day one. But he did not do so is a to ban strike. On a lesser provocation, New Delhi reprieve. Yet, there is no mistaking cancelled its foreign secretary’s of his policies. He has left the There is patent falsehood in meeting with his counterpart in dirty work of dividing the society Modi government’s propaganda that Islamabad. The Pakistan High on religious lines to his party’s changes in Land Acquisition Act Commissioner in New Delhi had mavericks, the members of the 2013 are required as overwhelming met the Hurriyat leaders before the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and number of government projects foreign secretaries’ meeting. There the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. which are expected to quicken the is apparently no such yardstick for economic development for the relations with China. Instead, India Modi and his home minister benefit of masses are stalled because is offering it access to the country’s Rajnath Singh’s public assurances of non-availability of land. This large market. that they want all communities, excuse is patently false - if details including the Muslims, to enjoy of said 804 projects that are said to Granted India cannot take on equal rights are positive. But have been stalled since February China this does not mean that New they have hardly helped keep the 2015 are examined closely, it will Delhi has to be overawed by Beijing. atmosphere free from the pollution show that 78 per cent of them are To give a befitting reply, New Delhi of parochialism. Yet, it looks odd should have introduced the stapled in Private Sector. More important that the exponents of Hindu Rashtra visa system to the people visiting of 804 projects that are said to be make provocative speeches that do from Tibet. stalled only 8 per cent are stalled not incite the people to indulge in due to Land Acquisition problems. We would be fooling ourselves communal riots. This is a big relief. if we believe that the border issue It would, however, be better if they The government has ready land is spoiling our relations with China. were not to pollute the atmosphere. available but it will not touch it Nehru put it correctly when he said Probably, they are conscious of the because of its proximity to Big that the clash was that of two giants Corporate Sector which got allotted harm it would do to the society, preaching different ideologies. Only land in special Economic Zone, but which is 80 per cent Hindu. posterity will judge whether or not at present 50 per cent of the land democracy wins the race against the It seems that Modi has drawn a remains unutilized – under terms of totalitarian communism. allotment the government is entitled red line which the RSS and its ilk to take back this area without paying As of now, totalitarianism has do not cross. This has helped create any amount to the corporate sector. won. Most South Asian countries a healthy secular ambiance, however Why does the government not are under the influence of Beijing, tenuous. One expects communal exercise its power? although they follow their own amity to prevail in the remaining way of governance. Nehru had four years of Modi’s regime. If, in spite of this mass agitation expected that a democratic polity Maybe, he and his party seem to against the land Acquisition Act would have preference. But he have realized that communalism is led by Kisans, industrial workers had not reckoned with the might neither conducive to peace nor to the and concerned citizens, Modi of communist ideology. Ballot box democratic ethos we cherish. He and government insists on pursuing their has a moral appeal which demands his party must ensure that mistrust present course, one would be unable reason, not rustic force. between Hindus and Muslims does to find any rational explanation and not appear in any shape. Modi’s worst performance is in will have to fall back on the only the economic sector. Many were explanation as to what Shakespeare There are complaints that Muslim taken in by his promise of achche said; “Those whom God wishes youths are picked up and detained din aa gaye (good days have come). to destroy they first make them without trials. And it is harrowing The reality is entirely different. The mad” which is attributed to Greek to know that hundreds of them are common man has never suffered so Philosopher Hippolytus of 428 languishing in jails for years without much before as he is doing today. B.C. – but then the BJP would prefer trial. That it happened even during homely Sanskrit version namely: Nevertheless, Modi’s regime has the Congress regime does not make Vinash Kale Vipareet Buddhi. been democratic of sorts. Knowing the crime less felonious. JANATA, May 31, 2015 5 Modi Sarkar’s first year

Irfan Engineer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi other cabinet ministers were sitting Centralising decisions in one completes one year in office on on a lower pedestal giving clear authority tends to favour those who 25th May 2015. His swearing-in message to all as to who wielded are close to and can have better ceremony was on 26th May 2014. real authority. The private secretaries access to the authority concerned. PM’s achievements remain contested of the ministers needed approval of The more powerful an authority is, true to his polarising personality. the PMO, ostensibly to ensure that the more discretion it enjoys and While the PM’s followers exaggerate they did not appoint their relatives policy discretions tend to benefit his achievements as unprecedented, and acquaintances as their private politically privileged. The PM enjoys his detractors can only recount the secretaries. Why a simple instruction the reputation of being business promises that remain undelivered. did not suffice and why the ministers friendly and hence his campaign – An honest assessment becomes appointed by the PM were not ‘ease of doing business’ and ‘make difficult if not impossible. However, trusted to follow the instructions and in India’. These campaigns meant here we are trying to capture some what was scrutinized by the PMO lesser scrutiny and regulations trends and directions of the Central would remain a mystery. for business, faster clearances Government headed by Modi. and permissions, lowering of Centralisation corporate taxes, laxer environmental True to the election slogan, “abki The Modi sarkar reportedly regulations, more liberal hire and bar Modi sarkar”, it would be more centralized authority in the PMO. fire labour regime weakening the appropriate to call this Government The secretaries of all the ministries labour unions, pushing the wages as Modi Governmrnt. rather than reportedly had the access to the down and a state facilitating land NDA Government. There have PMO and the PMO could call for acquisition and investing huge been reports in the media wherein any file from any ministry. The amounts of tax payers’ money in NDA partner organizations have decision making would certainly creating better infrastructure for the criticised the policies of Modi be faster, but all fast decisions are industries. Mumbai-Delhi Industrial Government. The Swabhimani not necessarily best decisions. PM corridor and running bullet train Shetkari Sanghatana, a NDA partner Modi could decide the fate of Rafael from Mumbai to Ahmedabad were from Maharashtra and Akali Dal deal in France without involving the the priority for the Government. have been critical of the proposed Defence Ministry and undertake Compare this with some of the amendments to the Land Acquisition unprecedented numbers of foreign priorities of the previous UPA Govt., Act, the Shiv Sena has been opposed tours beginning with Bhutan, Sri even though they too were no less to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Lanka, Nepal, UK, Germany, US, business friendly. UPA came up with in Maharashtra. In fact, during the Canada, Australia, China and ending some spending on welfare schemes Assembly elections in Maharashtra, with Mongolia. The Minister for like MNREGA, food security, Right the Shiv Sena compared the BJP with External Affairs was left handling To Information Act and so on. the army of Afzal Khan descending safety of 39 Indians in Iraq and on Maharashtra. In contrast to the such other functions. PM Modi was SCs, STs & NITI Aayog previous UPA Government., the the face of even the relief work in The allocation for Special PM may be wanting to convey Nepal for the earthquake victims. Component Plan (SCP) for the that he is a tough PM and he alone The PM addressed the NRIs in Scheduled Castes and Tribal Sub- decides. However, in democracy, the countries he visited with an Plan (TSP) in the 2015-16 Union one has to carry every section and eye on media coverage back home Budget was reduced from Rs. 43,208 every interest along. There was a and talked about domestic politics. crores in the previous Budget to Rs classic photograph published in While addressing the NRIs he would 30,851 crores and from Rs 26,715 media wherein PM Modi was sitting also announce routine decisions on crores in the previous Budget to on a high chair whereas all the procedures for granting of visa. Rs 19,980 crores respectively. This 6 JANATA, May 31, 2015 fell much short of the officially gaps between different marginalized of Governors by former Director of accepted requirement of allocations sections of the society and bring Atomic Energy Commission Anil in proportion to population share. them on par with the rest. The Ninth Kakodkar, and R K Shevgaonkar; According to SCP and TSP Five Year Plan concentrated on all replacing German with Sanskrit Guidelines, 16.6% of the Plan round development through social as compulsory subject upto Std. X Outlay, amounting to Rs 77,236 and economic empowerment as well mid-term in Kendriya Vidyalays crores should have been allocated as social justice. Implementation were a few of them. The autonomy for SCP; and 8.6%, i.e. Rs. 40,014 of provisions for minorities began of educational institutions was being crores should have been allocated in the Tenth Five Year Plan. undermined. In Haryana Gita will be for TSP. This plan focused on the socio- taught in schools and in Rajasthan religious development of different schools, Surya Namaskar has been If the allocation for the SC & marginalised groups, including made compulsory ST in the 2015-16 Union Budget women and minorities. The Eleventh was reduced, it was also very Five Year Plan focused on a more Top RSS functionaries including disappointing for Muslims because inclusive growth with emphasis on Suresh Soni, Krishna Gopal Dattatray there is no significant (Rs.4 crore) equal opportunities for all. The six Hosbale along with BJP leader J P increase in the budget allocation major categories out of 27 targets at Nadda and Ramlal met the HRD in 2015-16. On the other hand, the national level were - (i) income Minister to demand “correction” the government has decreased the and poverty; (ii) education; (iii) of the history taught in school. The allocation in the revised budget health; (iv) women and children; (v) meeting held on 30th October 2014 for about Rs 569 crore which infrastructure and (vi) environment. was sixth such meeting (Yadav & has affected the functioning of The Twelfth Five Year Plan had Mathew, 2014). Dinanath Batra- schemes like MSDP and scholarship even higher allocations for the written books were prescribed by programmes in 2014-15. The Budget marginalized sections. the Gujarat State Government to Estimate for the year 2015-16 is Rs the school students for additional 3,738 crores. The revised estimate Replacement of Planning reading. These books contain history for current year 2014-15 was Rs Commission with NITI Aayog coloured with Hindu Nationalist 3,165 crores as against the budgetary should be seen in this light. The NITI perspective, glorification of past allocation of Rs 3,734 crores. The Aayog would not carry the baggage with the objective of instilling false Minister of Minority Affairs Najma of inclusion of the marginalized. The sense of superiority and pride based Heptullah was more concerned Aayog is in the nature of think tank on unsubstantiated facts. History with spending money on schemes for “transforming India”, focusing is mythologised and mythology is to incentivise increased fertility of on developing infrastructure for the historicized. PM Modi himself based the Parsi community than lack of industrial corridors and markets. his statements during inauguration livelihood and education among of Science Exhibition in the Mumbai other socially and educationally Educational institutions University stating that in India backward minorities. Besides PM Modi, if there was technology of plastic surgery was another minister in news, it was known and the proof of it was in Lord The Planning Commission was the Minister for Human Resource Ganesha wherein they knew how to replaced by NITI Aayog by the Modi Development, Smriti Irani, most of implant elephant head on a human sarkar. The Planning Commission, the time for wrong reasons. The HRD body. We were left wondering how according to the Modi sarkar was a minister had aplenty confrontation a massive elephant head weighing relic of command economy era. Over with various educational institutions a few quintals could be carried on the period, the Planning Commission e.g. over scrapping of four year UG human neck even if successfully was adopting more inclusive policies programme of Delhi University; implanted. As a mythology, the and had come with the concept of withdrawal of Amartya Sen from story may be extremely instructive allocation for the SCs and STs in second term of Chancellorship of and useful to believers and we must proportion to their population in Nalanda University, alleging that fully respect their right to do so. the Plan Outlays. The Eighth Five the Government did not want him to Similar statements were made by Year Plan first mentioned the word continue; controversy surrounding various BJP leaders stating India “minority” and the need to bridge the resignation from the of IIT-B Board had discovered nuclear missiles JANATA, May 31, 2015 7 couple of thousand years ago. Such nationalist consciousness is more inducement from other religion to conformism on part of students rapid and its influence can be seen Hinduism called for anti-religious limits the critical faculties. Frontiers particularly on the lower middle conversion law. Similarly open of knowledge and understanding of class urban youth and the rural campaigns were taken to coercively truth develop when we critically elite. Increased attack on churches prevent marriages of Hindu girls examine the established beliefs, – 11 reported since December 2014, with non-Hindus against the will of knowledge and truths. including Delhi, West Bengal, Panvel the couple. (Maharashtra), Haryana, Manglore The Hindu cultural consciousness (Karnataka) and MP is one indicator All this is normalizing the The Hindu nationalist cultural of this rapid diffusion. Ruling party discourse of Hindu nationalists consciousness is rapidly diffusing MPs and even ministers are making spewing hatred against non-Hindus. in the society. Hindu Nationalist statements punishable under Sec. This is diffusing Hindu nationalist cultural consciousness is different 153A of IPC for promoting ill- consciousness which in turn is from Hindu religious consciousness will, hatred or enmity. Right from justifying construction of a cultural which is varied in its manifestation. Giriraj Singh, Sakshi Maharaj, nationalist authoritarian state. It may manifest as notions of purity Yogi Adityanath, Sadhvi Prachi GujCTOCA a draconian legislation and pollution that informs practices and others. The statements widely was passed by Gujarat Assembly. of with whom one can have roti- reported without Government Modi sarkar through the President beti (inter-dining and matrimonial) performing its constitutional duty gave its assent to the anti-cow relations, with whom one can of registering cases under Sec. slaughter legislations which is handy associate and sections that one does 153A, 153B, 295 etc, range from to harass the minorities and reduce not consider equal to her/him. And calling those not following Lord them to second class citizens. The it can also manifest as spirituality as Ram (Hindus) as illegitimate cultural nationalist state reduces that of Meera, Kabir, Guru Nanak, offsprings, calling Madrasas as the citizens to subject status some Tukaram, Ravi Das, etc., inclusive dens of terrorism, asserting that having a sense of privilege while and representing love, compassion, the population of Muslims was others openly second class subjects equality, pursuit of truth and non- increasing rapidly and therefore and this in turn facilitates free market violence as best practices of religion. Hindu women should produce and aggressive capitalism. Hindu nationalist consciousness is at least 4 children and that those political consciousness imagining who did not vote for Modi (read Collision with the Judiciary a political community with caste Muslims), should settle in Pakistan. Modi sarkar introduced the based hierarchies, defining itself All these statements are within the National Judicial Appointments more in terms of who is the ‘other’ teeth of aforementioned Sections. Commission Bill, 2014 in the Lok of the community and projecting Yet no action was taken against Sabha on August 11, 2014 together itself to be at constant war with the the assertions, and no deterrent with the Constitutional (121st ‘other’ so defined. Hindu nationalist action against those attacking the Amendment) Bill, 2014, which consciousness is consciousness that church. The discourse demonizing establishes the National Judicial is ready to accept an authoritarian minorities is being normalized. Appointments Commission (NJAC). state that would uphold the ‘cultural’ The NJAC Act provides for the privileges of elite upper-caste and Campaign for ghar wapsi procedure to be followed by the violently suppress, exclude and even (conversion to Hinduism) was NJAC for recommending persons for expel the ‘other’ community. undertaken wherein even the RSS appointment as Chief Justice of India Chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke in and other Judges of the Supreme The polarizing discourse has despicable terms justifying coercive Court (SC), and Chief Justice and become bolder with Godse temples conversion of non-Hindus to Hindu other Judges of High Courts (HC). emerging in some states and Godse religion in Agra reducing Muslims If the earlier collegium system was being lauded as Hindu hero. Godse to chattels stating hamara mal wapas flawed, the NJAC was worst remedy. is being invoked for ratchet up kardo (return our property). The The Commission would consist of belligerency externally against Home Minister instead of taking Chief Justice of India (ex-officio) as Pakistan and internally against action against those converting chairperson, two other senior judges Muslims. The diffusion of Hindu fraudulently or by coercion or by of the Supreme Court next to the 8 JANATA, May 31, 2015

CJI (ex-officio), two eminent jurists impression that the executive was featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief – to be nominated by a committee on collision path with the judiciary. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead consisting of the PM, Leader of The CJI refused to participate in the role, which the Censor Board had Opposition and the CJI. NJAC proceedings pleading that the rejected, Leela Samson and 12 other SC is hearing the PIL challenging Board members preferred to resign. Union of India is the largest the NJAC. litigant in India. The Minister of Law CBFC members including Ira Modi sarkar failed to appoint the and Justice representing the largest Bhaskar, M.K. Raina, Pankaj Chief Information Commissioner litigant – Union of India – sitting as Sharma, T.G. Thyagarajan, Shaji and four Commissioners under the a member of NJAC for appointment Karun, Anjum Rajabali, Shubra RTI Act. This largely rendered the of judges of the Supreme Court and Gupta, Nikhil Alva, Rajeev Masand, RTI dysfunctional. In the Central the High Court amounts to litigant Mamang Dai, K.C Sekhar Babu Information Commission six and the judges hearing the litigation and L.K. Prabhu tendered their commissioners had disposed of sitting together. Justice must not resignations on Saturday in a 22,351 cases in 2011, whereas in only be done, it must also be seen joint email to I&B Minister of 2014 seven commissioners disposed to be done. Besides, the Minister State Rajyavardhan Rathore. “The of only 16,006 cases! Pending cases of Law and Justice along with an events that led to the chairperson get stuck for years and make the eminent jurist on the Commission Leela Samson resigning from her law which penalises withholding would have veto power as the NJAC position are merely the proverbial information for more than 30 days Act states that NJAC shall not last straw. Wwe have been asking ineffective. recommend a person for appointment for some critical changes, which are if any two of its members do not Modi sarkar failed to appoint imperative if the functioning of the agree to such recommendation. Lokpal. The “Team Anna” CBFC has to be reformed. However, The NJAC would facilitate higher enthusiastically cheered by the in spite of sending numerous judiciary amenable to the Union Hindu nationalists had fought for the recommendations and appeals, and Government. Rather than focusing legislation for a strong ombudsman having several meetings with the on mitigating pendency of cases as a remedy to corruption. The Secretaries and senior officials of and improving justice delivery sarkar won the mandate of the the Ministry, and even one with an system, Modi sarkar’s priorities people promising anti-corruption earlier Minister, not a single positive have been misplaced. As the CM of measures but has failed to appoint step has been taken by the Ministry,” Gujarat, PM Modi and Ministers of the ombudsman under the Lokpal the joint resignation letter said. Gujarat Government had to face a and Lokayuktas Act 2013. There was a rebellion in the Censor number of litigations and two of his Board against Pahlaj Nihalani’s trusted aides were convicted – Maya Cultural policing style of functioning. A prominent Kondnani and Amit Shah. While the moral policing has member Ashoke Pandit called increased on the streets imposing Nihalani “anarchist” in his tweet. The NJAC would weaken the illiberal and traditional-conservative Pandit called Nihalani an “archaic independence of judiciary. Earlier, culture on the society, the Modi monarch” who treated the Central the PM Modi had called upon sarkar ensured moral and cultural Board of Film Certification as his the judiciary to have an internal policing by appointment of Pahlaj “personal fiefdom.” Several Board mechanism for self-assessment and Nihalani as Chairperson of Central members are believed to disagree introspection, and urged the Chief Board of Film Certification. Nihalani with Pahlaj Nihalani’s somewhat Justice of India H L Dattu and is little respected film producer. autocratic decision-making style, other judges to reflect if “five-star His credibility is that he had earlier his scissor-happy ways and his activists” and “perception” were made a campaign Film for PM Modi list of banned cuss words which driving the judiciary today - a public called “Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar include 15 Hindi cuss words and 13 censure of the judiciary by the head Modi”. After making it difficult for in English. The film fraternity has of the executive. Calling defenders of earlier Chairperson Leela Samson to also accused Nihalani of “moral human rights as “five-star activists” continue as chair of the Censor Board policing”. Filmmakers like Vishal too was not only unfortunate, but after Film Certification Appellate Bhardwaj are accusing the censor also unsubstantiated. It gave an Tribunal certifiedMessenger of God, board of behaving like the Taliban. JANATA, May 31, 2015 9

Five-star activists sanction to prosecute former DGP The Modi sarkar should be PM Modi had to face the litigations of Gujarat P C Pande in the fake commended for some achievements filed by activists to make him and encounter case of Tulsiram Prajapati. as well. The most important his Government accountable for its The cops released on bail and still achievement is ratification of Land complicity in Gujarat pogrom in facing trial have been reinstated Boundary Agreement with the 2002. Human rights activists also and even given promotions by Bangladesh which was signed in defended the marginalized sections the Gujarat Government. Amit 1974. The ratification will facilitate against aggressive acquisition of Shah, accused in the Sohrabuddin exchange of land enclaves in each land for industrialization leading to encounter case was discharged by other’s territories. The inhabitants the court in Mumbai. Earlier, the displacement of adivasis and dalits of the enclaves will have the choice trial judge who had reprimanded and those who fought for justice for to continue to reside within the Shah for not remaining present in victims of Gujarat pogroms. The territories or move to the country the court was transferred. The CBI Modi sarkar therefore targeted the of their choice. The inhabitants prosecutor’s arguments were not human rights defenders in his five- of the enclaves on both the sides star activist jibe. NGOs under the effective and the CBI did not appeal of the border were denied basic Foreign Contribution Regulation the discharge in higher courts. human necessities like health Act were investigated, particularly U-turns services, good education and Teesta Setalvad of Citizens for Justice and Peace and Priya Pillai The Modi sarkar received a lot other infrastructure. The BJP was of Greenpeace. Their sources of of flak for the U-turns. Congress opposing the agreement. However, funds were targeted and Priya Pillai booklet listed 25 U-turns in 180 days, this U-turn was welcome. was even prevented from flying to which included bringing back black UK to make a presentation before money within 100 days, depositing The financial inclusion of the the MPs on the environmental couple of thousands of Rupees in rural and urban poor facilitating damage caused in Chhattisgarh by the account of every Indian, and so them to open zero-balance accounts Essar, a company incorporated in on. Later Amit Shah, the president with minimum documentation was UK. These activists were targeted of BJP said that the black money another good move of the Modi to scare other NGOs from defending brought back to India won’t be sarkar. the rights of marginalized and pre- deposited into the account of every empt any civil society vigilance over Indian as it was mere “jumla” (a The intention in the above violations of environmental laws, point made) during elections rallies. write is not to comprehensively labour laws and other laws of the evaluate the performance of Modi country by corporations and to resist The Swachh Bharat campaign sarkar. The intention was to merely the developmental model proposed too has not achieved much. It was flag some issues and map the by the state. a clever move to sloganize people. direction. The direction is towards The campaign was bound to fail growing inequalities and further as the sarkar had pretty little to While the state seemed to be marginalization of the weaker making herculean effort to put contribute and required the citizens sections while the elite corporations defenders of human rights behind to act which was not unwelcome. exploit cheap human labour, bars for alleged violations, the However, cleanliness requires environment and public resources convicted criminals like Maya huge resources and equipments to mount huge profits. Sections of Kondnani and Babu Bajrangi in keeping land, water and environment Gujarat were able to walk out of jail and social prejudices clean. The the marginalized, especially in the along with many cops from Gujarat campaign trivialized Gandhiji’s rural areas are getting disillusioned who are facing trials but could get contribution to the nation reducing with the performance of the Modi bail in the last one year, including him to mere icon for cleanliness. The sarkar. We are not saying that D G Vanzara, N K Amin and others. sarkar also tried to undermine the Congress led UPA Government After being released on bail, Vanzara importance of Christmas celebrating was any better. All we are saying told his “achhe din” (good days) 25th December as Good Governance is that Modi sarkar has proved to had come. Gujarat State did not give day. be even worse. 10 JANATA, May 31, 2015 Politics in practice

D. K. Giri

Democracy these days is such institution is political party. could win any election even as the dominant form of politics, People associate with a party for an independent candidate. But he although Aristotle, “the father of its ideology, organizing principles, decided to change party on the eve political science” while classifying sound resource mobilization. In of the last general elections, and was governments put democracy in the developed democracies, this is more denied the BJP ticket. He did not get category of the distorted version of or less the pattern, but in developing the ticket from the party he changed polity. Yet, democracy as the self- countries, this is far from the case. to. The BJP won the elections rule has become the aspiration of My experience in Andhra, which handsomely, so he returned to BJP. people across the world. To recall is certainly the case, elsewhere in He met me to say that if he got the the famous quip of Churchill, India also, shows how! ticket from either party, he would “Democracy is the worst form of have made it, and become a Minister government except all the others My first stop was Vijayawada in the state. He is now spending that have been tried”. Although which is announced to be the new most of the time for his caste democracy has become the most capital of Andhra after the bifurcation community, and BJP membership celebrated form of politics, it is of the state. The city is agog with is strategic. I got a taste of how perhaps the most difficult to practice. excitement that Vijayawada will caste is put above the country. The Some avid observer commented: get a huge face lift, like perhaps third person in the group was the capitalism is easy to practice, Hyderabad. I was received at the IT guy. He is happily employed. but difficult to explain, whereas airport by one of my party members, But he does not mind doing bits democracy is easy to explain, but a lawyer, and the district president of extra work including politics difficult to practice. How true! I of BSP, an 86-year old Ambedkarite if it gave him some extra bucks. came to realize this assertion in and an IT professional. The leader of The last person I was introduced to my recent visit to parts of Andhra the ‘Reception Committee’ was the was again from the SC community Pradesh. My experience of politics grand old man who is said to have with “deep contacts” with several in practice is really instructive. dedicated himself to the public cause villages. He is an insurance agent Before I share my insights, let me after his retirement. He is known in and does some estate business too. throw a caveat on democracy. Vijayawada for sitting on a two-day Once he came to know my profile, hunger strike in order to have the that I am engaged in state, market In a democracy, voters seem statue of Ambedkar installed in the and civil society institutions, with to hold the reigns. They ought to city. One has sympathy with him, as my political party, Voters Party engage in politics every day, not just for someone from SC community being the front-runner, he jumped on the day of elections as is the case Ambedkar is the symbol of power in to become a member of the party, now. Some entrepreneurial citizens and glory. The old man has his own and organize lots of people from do engage in politics seriously, ideas to empower his community, the villages he was familiar with. but the nature of their political the women and the poor. He is ready He mostly spoke the local language activism defies any pattern. They to talk even to the Prime Minister without any knowledge of Hindi or are driven by individual interests, about his novel ideas and is sure English. He did not worry much not any kind of political values. that the PM will be convinced. I was about the ideology, background, Politics for them is an avenue for amazed at his political naiveté with or the policies of my party. I was self-aggrandizement, not for a all his experience in public life. The worried about his interest in the social purpose. Such trends should old man put me up in a guest house party sans any knowledge of it. prompt us to rethink democracy, and run by a wealthy BJP man. The BJP to restore it to a normative mode. man is leader of his caste group in I proceeded from Vijayawada to For a vibrant democracy, we need Vijayawada as well as Andhra. He Visakhapatnam by a night-sleeper- healthy and modern institutions. One has a reputation in the area, and coach. That was certainly a more JANATA, May 31, 2015 11 comfortable bus than any I have of Srikakulam. My host was an party political patronage. That is not ever been in India. It reminded me educational entrepreneur who the case. Hence, we live a political of European coach services which runs a school, a degree college, a contradiction, over-politicization of would rate lower than what I used to B.Ed college in Hindi, Telugu and our business and development leads travel in Andhra. That is remarkable English. He has a farm of over to de-legitimatization of politics. improvement in road transport. I 100 acres where he grows most Many who cannot access political slept in the bus like a piece of log varieties of fruits, fish, and some leadership for personal gains lose until I was woken up in the wee paddy. There were two NGO leaders interest in politics and distance hours by the conductor who was working with him who came to meet themselves from it. That is when shouting out toilet, toilet. He was me. My host also has set up an NGO democracy suffers. Politics should doing this great service to make in the name of his daughter who be used for common good and up for the lack of toilet in the bus. died at an early age. They wanted social purpose, never for individual That is the only deficit compared to me to value-add to their work in gains, which in turn should accrue European coaches. No wonder, we education, community development, from collective interest. That is have a national campaign for toilets and farming etc. I explained to them how an individual and society are in the country. Our Prime Minister my tri-sector approach to growth complimentary to each other. But is truly credited with putting priority and development that brings in political practice described above on toilets. the synergy between the state, divorces the individual from the business and the communities. collective. To conclude, what I In Vishakhapatnam, I was taken As usual, I placed politics as the experienced is not uncommon to a NRI from London running a key sector for social and political in India and other developing restaurant. He was an ecologist development. They were quite countries. Do we have to change by training, but ran restaurants in aware of the importance of politics this? Or accept this as a fact of London as they fetched greater and and said triumphantly to me that life? The answer is in the nature of more secure returns than whatever they had good relations with most democracy itself which is an ever he did as an ecologist. I tried to political parties. To illustrate, the evolving process. There is always revive his interest in ecology and wife of my host was once the elected room for innovation and course called upon him to give something leader of the panchayat. Palakonda correction. There is scope for doing back to his country of origin. was a panchayat before it became things for greater good. So the He did not feel very nostalgic as a municipality. She belongs to the principle which puts people before many NRIs do and he was in India Congress. But my host had good the personal should drive politics. to make money. In his business working relation with the TDP understanding, Indian economy was leaders as well. In fact, he was so growing whereas British economy close to a TDP leader of his caste (Continued from Page 2) was not. I struck a bargain with that he inherited a full-fledged B.Ed By being secular, and pursuing him; I will hire his facilities if he college from the leader. He was not strictly secular politics, Nitish has would engage pro-bono in our work averse to making working links with made the challenge facing the BJP with tribal and climate change, etc. BJP too. When I asked them if they even tougher. If Nitish dumps the As someone staying in England believed in any particular political RJD, he is bound to forge links with grasped the business sense I made tradition or ideology, they were the Congress and the Left. and agreed to be associated with quite surprised. They believed in us. I asked him if Indians in Britain growing their own work and were The fate of the Janata Parivar thought much about India. His ready to receive support from any hangs in the balance, but unless the answer was that Indians now are political quarters. parivar parties prepare an action doing well in British politics as the plan on an ideological platform, biggest diaspora, so they need not The practice noticed in Andhra there will be no incentive for invest their energies in India. is understandable as politics is used secular parties to back up the largely for disbursing patronage. alliance. But first they must unite My last stop was a tribal To build entrepreneurship or instead of always bad mouthing dominated area called Palakonda, a charity, professionalism and the other parties and running them a small municipality in the district expertise should suffice without down. 12 JANATA, May 31, 2015 Land struggle exposes prejudices against the poor

Bharat Dogra

Nearly 20000 tribals and other of these proceedings some 7083 action to provide secure land rights vulnerable people including dalits hectares of land was acquired in the to people may be speeded up now. are struggling to obtain long overdue year 1977-78 secure land titles in Dungarpur However the record of last several district of Rajasthan. Two or three The Government of Rajasthan decades shows that flimsy pretexts generations have worked very hard to completed the Survey and Settlement have been used to deny justice to make this land cultivable, removing work in these 21 villages and after people. As a result of this injustice huge stones and filling up ditches. completion of the settlement, essential facilities like farming But instead of providing secure Jamabandies and other revenue loans and land development help land rights the government has been records were prepared, for the first were denied to people. Penalties imposing penalties on them. This is time, in the year 1977. The applicant were imposed. This shows that old scheduled area. Still the decisions of tribal families have been cultivating prejudices against the poor came gram sabhas on land rights have not the land under reference right from in the way of granting full rights received the due attention. PESA law the time of ex-ruler but since the to them. is being ignored. land was unsurveyed and there were no land records, their cultivation In more recent times new vested The government spends crores could not be systematically shown interests have emerged in the form on its own to make wasteland or entered in Government records. of mining and land mafias who may cultivable. These tribals and dalits be trying to retard land rights for have done this on their own without Although a case regarding deserving people. It is strange that land rights for farmers were delayed any help from the government. compensation to the ex-ruler of but mining leases in the same area Instead of providing development Dungarpur has been pending the were given all too quickly. funds to these people, year after year VMKS has pointed out that this the government went on imposing pending case has no bearing as Hence these farmers need broader far as allotment/regularization or highly unfair penalties on them. In support from civil society and human conferment of tenancy rights to these fact the government should have rights groups. The local unit of the given a huge reward for making tribal families are concerned. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties so much wasteland cultivable, but case is being adjudicated between has already extended support to this instead it has imposed penalties. the State Government and the heirs demand for land rights. of the erstwhile ruler solely on The cause of the farmers has been quantum of compensation. The heirs taken up by an organisation called of the ex-ruler have not challenged Vagad Mazdoor Kisan Sangathan anywhere the judicial process or Janata Subscription (VMKS) which had been struggling legality of acquisition of the land in Annual Rs. : 260/- earlier for employment guarantee, question. forest rights, empowerment of gram Three Years : 750/- sabhas and other related issues. In The VMKS has organised Demand Draft / Cheque on a memorandum to the authorities several rallies and demonstrations Mumbai Bank the VMKS has pointed out that for asserting the rights of farmers. the proceedings under Rajasthan These efforts culminated in a recent in favour of Land Reforms and Acquisition of massive 11-day dharna from April JANATA TRUST Land Owners’ Estates Act, 1963 6 to 16. The highly disciplined yet D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir were drawn against Late Shri determined protest by tribals woke Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 Laxman Singh ex-ruler of erstwhile up the government from its stupor Dungarpur state. In consequence and it is hoped that long overdue JANATA, May 31, 2015 13 Who Is Responsible for Indian Farmer Suicides?

Vithal Rajan

A question has been raised in high wash their hands of an intractable their families under tremendous circles in India whether governments societal problem, and get on with risk by thoughtless borrowing to can be held responsible for the business as usual. get out of their families’ age-old hundreds of thousands of farmer poverty trap. Many young farmers suicides. It is suggested that surely The experiences of religious risk everything in a legitimate the taking of one’s life is an issue ministrations over millennia aspiration to have a life at least like of mental health, unconnected with and the application of modern the middle-class families they view society’s political economy. psychological and psychoanalytic on TV. The confirmed impossibility practices demonstrate that people of achieving this in their lifetime It is a fact that a suicide occurs can be brought back from the edge is a crushing blow that can lead to when, as stated in legal terms, the by careful nurturing. The Norwegian suicide, addiction, or violence on person is not in a sane condition of painter Munch’s most famous others. mind. And such instability can occur picture is called ‘The Scream.’ It in any class of society. There is no is no longer unheard and scores of Modern psychoanalytic practice such condition as existential happy citizens’ associations exist in most has a far more sophisticated poverty, however much Bollywood major cities to minister to anyone understanding of the mind and the may like to portray poor people who feels driven to suicide. unconscious, but Durkheim’s basic singing and dancing. They do sing But behind the despair that drives tenets still stand. As Shakespeare’s and dance, but they are equally people to take their own lives resides Henry V says famously before battle prone to depressions like anyone of a cause for such an unnatural act. the king cannot be held responsible us. Only in the last two decades or Emile Durkheim’s famous study for any soldier’s fate. But a leader so did health workers discover that of suicides may now be considered is certainly responsible for social the poor also fall prey to what were outmoded, especially in some of his tragedy caused by faulty policy. If we thought of as lifestyle problems, such formulations, but the basic thesis can blame European chancelleries as diabetes, high blood pressure, still holds good as does his four for the mega-deaths of World War insomnia and migraine. We have to categories of suicides. Recent Indian I, we have an equal right to lay the go back to Rousseau, who ushered research has even placed ‘jauhar’, blame for farmer deaths at the door in the Enlightenment, to find the the mass self-immolation of Rajput of the Indian governments. root of the simplistic modern belief women after military defeat, in that somehow a life of rural poverty Durkheim’s ‘altruistic suicide’ India’s first prime minister, spares people the ills all humanity category. The present-day suicides Jawaharlal Nehru, when he took inherits. of many abused or abandoned Indian charge said all things can wait but women would have been seen by agriculture, for at that time large Scandinavia has a high suicide Durkheim as ‘fatalistic,’ oppressed parts of agricultural land had gone rate. Some Japanese students living and choked by family and society to Pakistan. A ‘Grow More Food’ in a well ordered wealthy society are as they are. programme was initiated, and the also prone to commit suicide under President, Rajendra Prasad, even led stress of competition. A series of The present spate of farmer with a ‘miss a meal a day’ campaign. teen suicides in America are said suicides in India unquestionably But soon all this was forgotten in to be copycat suicides. So, Indian fall in the ‘anomie’ category, linked the rhetoric of industrialisation, politicians and their ruling elite, to moral confusion caused by and the grinding poverty of the also under stress to achieve power economic ruin, failed aspirations majority of small and farmers was and amass money while the chance and crushing disappointment. Many never addressed, except with fitful offers, could be tempted to relegate have gambled with their lives and subsidies and loan write-offs which farmer suicides to mental disease, fortunes, and put themselves and mostly benefitted business or better- 14 JANATA, May 31, 2015 off farmers. A late 19th century British scientific study of Indian Allowing children to labour farming methods found nothing is a collective crime wrong with them and said plainly that poverty itself was the root cause of Harsh Mander the woes of the farmers, exacerbated through Mughal and colonial governments squeezing the last The shocking decision of the children of the poor indeed are also penny out of them. The Nehruvian Union Cabinet to legalise child all our children. and successor governments plumped work after school hours in family for mega dams, canal irrigation and enterprises must compel us to turn The previous United Progressive fertilizer factories which all went to an unflinching spotlight on one Alliance government, responding support the rural landlord class. The of our gravest, and collectively to decades of child rights activism, powerless small farmer majority was forgotten, cruelties: the theft of belatedly proposed amendments to neglected since their votes would be the childhood and hopes of Indian the Child Labour Prohibition and garnered by feudal power elites. children whose only crime is to be Regulation Act, 1986. These sought born into poverty and disadvantaged to ban all child work until the age Elite economists and decision castes and religions. Even today, the of 14 years. The amendments also makers till today honestly believe majority of children in the world proposed prohibiting children that nothing much can be done for who are still trapped in labour are between the ages 14 and 18 the rain fed small farmers, who are born and raised in India. from employment in hazardous committing suicide in numbers, employment. (It is scandalous that because the elite believe that their Unconscionably, the law there is no legal bar until then to livelihoods are unsustainable. outlawed child work only in notified such employment.) Unfortunately, the erstwhile Andhra “hazardous” occupations, a list to Pradesh State, one of the worst which domestic help was added But sadly because of the stalling affected, was ruled for two decades only a few years ago. Beyond of Parliament in the twilight months by two men, Chandrababu Naidu and 14 years, even this prohibition of the last government, and low YSR Reddy, who were fascinated by disappeared. Both the middle public priority to child issues, this the money that could be made by classes and governments did not amendment never came up for supporting corporate India and the find it problematic that children of voting. rich. Their only solution for agrarian disadvantage are being forced to tragedy was to throw largesse in squander their childhoods labouring Recently, the Union cabinet the shape of loan write-offs. Even on farms and in factories, in waste approved one progressive aspect the central government’s much heaps and roadside eateries and in of those proposed amendments: touted rural employment guarantee our homes, while we aspire for the the ban on employment of children [MNREGS] is a mere extension best for our own children. between 14 and 18 years in of the 19th century British food hazardous employment. I would for work programme, fashioned In the United States, a couple have liked to see a complete ban on to prevent rioting but not hunger. filed a suit against the Department all child work. Naidu, despite the bitter lesson of Labour for opposing their taught him by farmers at the hustings, children working in the family But while requiring every now plans to take away over 30,000 business of a pizzeria. The parents’ child below 14 years to study in acres from farmers for his new state argument was similar to that of the regular school, the new amendment capital and real estate development, government here: the children are disgracefully seeks to legalise and destroy the secure livelihoods of not being paid, they go to school, child labour in “non-hazardous” over one hundred thousand people! and they are learning to be a part work after school hours or during of family enterprise. But as a legal vacations, helping the family in Such egregious folly is buoyed expert argued in that case: parents fields, forests and home-based by fallacious economic reasoning aren’t alone in having a stake in work. “We don’t want to redraw the (Continued on Page 15) children. Society does, too. The social fabric of Indian society where JANATA, May 31, 2015 15 children learn by participating embedded in the worldviews of lower-priced goods produced by in work with family elders,” a the upper-caste middle classes. children. Children are preferred government official is quoted as The social commonsense persists to adult workers because they saying. Another senior officer I that children of the poor and are submissive and low-paid, or spoke to asked, “What is wrong disadvantaged castes basically because adults refuse work which with this? Should not the son of a need to be trained not to work their is very unsafe and poorly paid. But lohar or ironsmith, learn to be an minds but their hands, and upper- do we really wish to build India’s ironsmith, or of a weaver to be a caste and upper class children for growth on the thin shoulders of weaver?” intellectual vocations. The alternate impoverished working children? democratic idea that the potential (Continued from Page 14) My answer is: why indeed for intellectual achievement is should the son of a blacksmith likely to be evenly distributed that sees a future when the bulk learn to be a blacksmith or a rag- within all social, economic and of rural people would move to picker’s daughter to pick waste? religious groups has not permeated. work in urban-based industry, and Why can’t he learn to be a poet and corporate farming takes over the she a nuclear scientist, if these are We must indeed argue for the countryside. They dream of an where their dreams soar? And why dignity of labour. Let us conduct a unrealistic ‘great leap forward’ can’t your son or my daughter learn social debate about including work to catch up with the West. The to be an ironsmith or a weaver? with one’s hands as an intrinsic wealth bubble created almost part of school education. This was by happenstance by Information And secondly, when your child an idea which Gandhi favoured in Technology professionals is seen and mine come home from school, his nai taleem. But for this, first as a result of good governance, and they rest, play, watch television, let children of the rich labour with confirms leaders in the belief that receive tuitions, do their homework, their hands during or after school only corporate India can produce and in general enjoy the delights of hours. Let them sweep floors and growth. Fashionable economists carefree childhood. During their toilets, mould iron and bricks, advising governments have failed vacations, we plan for their travel, weave cloth. I think this would be to read economic history and recreation, leisure reading, sports a magnificent education for them. Gunnar Myrdal’s warning made and hobbies, the best that money Only then would I be content 50 years ago that initial conditions can buy. They never spend these in endorsing these exertions for are very different in the economic post-school hours, weekends and children of poor and low-caste histories of the West and India. holidays labouring in farms and parents. Stagnating manufacturing cannot shops, in embroidery or weaving, absorb hundreds of millions of cleaning dishes and sweeping The new economic growth workers. It first needs to grow with floors, moulding bricks, and sorting model is pushing more and more strong domestic demand, which waste. work from factory floors to homes. itself is dependent on the very same In cramped, poorly lit and barely rural poor having an increase of Why then are we so comfortable ventilated slum shanties, children purchasing power. with such different childhoods for bend over for hours moulding, children born elsewhere? Why is stitching, embroidering, weaving The only long-term solution it alright for children of the poor and folding. Farm work entails for India’s growth problem is to to labour after school and for our continuous contact with toxic ensure sustainable livelihoods for children to rest and play? And pesticides and fertilisers. All such the small and marginal farmer why must working-class children work is hazardous. No labour is communities by building supportive be trained specially in the trade of non-hazardous for children. infrastructure, with careful linkages their parents and children born to to financial and marketing bodies, Making our children labour is the middle-classes exempted from and advise on farming systems that a collective crime in which each all working class responsibilities makes farmers independent of the one of us is culpable. The true and options? disastrous pressures brought on them reason for remaking child work by selfish dealer-moneylenders. This is nothing if not the idea lawful is the belief that in the of caste which remains deeply global market, India benefits by -Transcend Media Service R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, May 31, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, May 31, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday June 3, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 19 Lalu’s double isolation June 7, 2015 S. Viswam

The cynics, and their number is (October-November or November- Indiscreet President legion, may well be pardoned for December) there is naturally enormous Kuldip Nayar feeling that the socialists of India - interest on the political front. Those may their tribe increase! - are always opposed to the rightist parties like Preventing heat-wave deaths at loggerheads with someone or the the BJP consider the coming polls Hosting Olympic Games other or among themselves. The as a fitting occasion to defeat the Bhart Dogra socialists get as often together as saffronites once and for all in Bihar they break up with each other, and and prick the propaganda balloon of Hashimpura judgement this possibly explains why among the BJP that it is an invincible party. Faisal Khan the myriad Indian parties struggling It is only to be expected that the non- for a place under the sun, there is no BJP groups would try to join hands Guilty Men of well-organised functional, effective in this opportune exercise to humble Alternate Politics and ideologically conceived socialist that party. Prem Singh party championing the people’s causes. Bihar was once a stronghold of the The Salafi war on Sufism socialists, but them old days are gone Shail Mayaram No two socialists are found to now. Leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav be together for a long time. They and Nitesh Kumar have socialist Land acquisition: are second to none among Indian backgrounds and both have been myth and reality parties in taking up popular causes active in politics for decades. Both Venkatesh Nayak but they seem to lose steam too Lalu and Nitesh Kumar have played soon on the way. The news that significant roles in the state politics, a handful of prominent socialists and Nitesh happens to be the chief proposed to come together, merge minister under whose leadership each other’s parties into a single entity Bihar will go to the polls later this Editor : and function as a united party caused year. G. G. Parikh enormous interest and enthusiasm Managing Editor : Guddi among the non-Congress, non-BJP, Political pundits say that the non-communist parties. The news that proposed Janata Parivar merger had D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the proposed Janata Parivar parties’ all the potential of success and was Naushir Bharucha Marg, merger had proved a non-starter was being conducted on the right lines Mumbai - 400 007. a big disappointment. but the move was derailed by Lalu Prasad who sought to bring in Nitesh Email : [email protected] Since Bihar is going to the polls kumar’s bête noir in Bihar politics for the state assembly this year end Jiten Ram Manjhi as a full partner. 2 JANATA, June 7, 2015

This led to the break-up of the Between the lines unity moves, and now Lalu is busy forging an alliance of all non-BJP parties. Interestingly, Lalu who is the chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indiscreet President is isolated from mainstream politics and cannot contest elections for six Kuldip Nayar years since he was convicted in the case against him in the fodder scam. Heads of institutions are not That Mukherjee was a loyal generally assailed. The idea behind functionary of Indira Gandhi is Now, after his championing of such thinking is that the criticism well known. But how can he blame Jiten Ram Manjhi’s case, the grand may harm the institutions, which the media? He knows that none in secular alliance to stop the BJP on its are essential for the sustenance of India had even a scent of the scandal, tracks is also endangered. Nitesh has democratic polity. Germane to this much less the media. Rajiv Gandhi walked out of it. He had an additional idea is the presidency. Therefore, had purposely selected the Bofors reason. Lalu refused to support him the President is spared even when guns because he could funnel the as the alliance’s chief ministerial he or she crosses the line that the kickbacks to his in-laws in Italy candidate. The Congress quickly office delineates. Because of this directly. That they became affluent filled the breach and announced that consideration, President Pranab overnight is an open secret. Rajiv it would back Nitesh as the chief Mukherjee has escaped censure even Gandhi had not whispered about the ministerial candidate, a gesture when a person at an equally high direct deal to anyone in the cabinet. much appreciated by Nitesh and office has been crucified. This does None had any clue whatsoever. other secular parties. It is difficult not, however, give him any licence. to fathom the significance of the He should not be exploiting the It was a Swedish radio station games Lalu is playing in Bihar but prerogative as he does. which broke the story first. The he is clearly isolated as the Congress, source was a “deep throat” whose and the left parties have announced In his autobiography, which he name has not been revealed till their intention to back Nitesh. The purposely launched while occupying today. He passed on the information JD(U) camp is none too happy with the high office, Mukherjee has to Chitra Subramaniam, a journalist the statement of the RJD leader justified the Emergency. His act who was then working for The Raghuvansh Prasad Singh that was wrong from all analysis, Indian Express. The “deep throat” Nitesh Kumar is unacceptable to the constitutionally, legally and was an insider and felt horrified over RJD and other alliance parties. ethically. During the Emergency, the bribery, which was first placed one hundred thousand people were at Rs. 64 crore but turned out to be Congress Vice-President Rahul detained without trial. Press was in the neighbourhood of Rs. 3,000 Gandhi reportedly favoured the shackled and all fundamental rights crore. JD(U) in preference to the RJD. were suspended. The government The reason: Lalu pressured the was run by Prime Minister Indira No doubt, Pranab Mukherjee finds Congress in the three previous Gandhi’s son, Sanjay Gandhi, an politics a familiar turf but he left it elections to accept unfair seat- extra-constitutional authority. when he was elected President. His sharing arrangements with the RJD. grievance with Congress president The Congress is beginning talks with Yet, the critics let Pranab Sonia Gandhi may be genuine. But Nitesh Kumar soon, and one does Mukherjee off the hook because of that is between him and her. The not know what tricks Lalu has up the esteem the office he occupies nation is not concerned with what his sleeves to sabotage the Congress evokes. However, his latest statement goes on in a political party. move, but Nitesh has declared that is unfortunate. He says that the the alliance between him and the Bofors gun scandal was a figment of Mukherjee had taken it for granted Congress will unleash new political Indian media’s imagination. Having that the key role he had portrayed as equations bearing an impact on the known all about the scandals, how a fire-fighter during the Congress coming elections. could Pranab Mukherjee make such party’s troubled times he could not (Continued on Page 3) an irresponsible statement? be ignored for having served the JANATA, June 7, 2015 3 dynasty relentlessly. But Sonia’s the post. He was tall enough in the the President’s wishes for granted. determination to make her son, Congress party and had proved his But with Prime Minister Narendra Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister ability at the various offices he had Modi in the saddle, the change is came in the way of Mukherjee’s occupied. What he did not know - he already perceptible. Mukherjee’s political ambitions. Though he realized it later - that Sonia Gandhi comments on topics like the was exasperated, Mukherjee soon wanted to rule herself but feared Emergency are decades old and he realized the mood and announced to do so lest her Italian nationality has not even remotely referred to that he would not contest the 2014 should jeopardize the chances of the present. If and when he does, it election. Sonia readily agreed to put her children - the inheritors of the would be interesting to watch how him in the present position because Gandhi-Nehru heritage. Modi reacts. he had himself cleared the deck for (Continued from Page 2) Rahul Gandhi. Sonia was looking for a stalking horse, a dummy that she could use to Right now, Nitesh enjoys the Nevertheless, since his election rule herself. She found Manmohan support of the Congress, the left as President Mukherjee has been Singh fitting into her scheme of parties, the ND(U), and the NCP making speeches verging on politics. things. He was clean, competent (Nationalist Congress Party of He has been commenting on the and an ideal shield to attacks from Sharad Pawar.) He is thus on a problems confronting the nation the behind. He had no group, all by good wicket, but Lalu presumably as if he is the Prime Minister of himself, and would be dependent on is relying on the Yadav votes to do the country. His first Republic her to continue as Prime Minister. the trick against Nitesh! It will take Day broadcast beat them all and a few more weeks for the situation had naturally evoked some angry No doubt, Sonia ruled the country to clarify in Bihar. Till then , Lalu comments. Several political parties through him for ten years. It was and Nitesh will be fully engaged in like the CPI have characterized the a strange spectacle of power with cutting each other’s support bases speech as political. no responsibility. Official files and push the other into a corner. went to her residence and the notes Bihar politics will be definitely dull What President Mukherjee had written on her instructions were without the presence in it of these said during the speech may be carried out without the deletion of two veterans. generally correct. For example, even a comma. Manmohan Singh’s his remarks that populist anarchy information advisors who have is no substitute for governance written books on his regime admit or that there is a rising trend of in print that he was a non-entity. hypocrisy in public life are right. The surprising point is why they But he had forgotten that he was have written this when he is not in only a constitutional head and had power. Not even once did they bring to observe the decorum which to his notice the general impression the elected parliament and state that his government was being run legislatures expected from a person from 10, Janpath, the residence of who occupied that position. The Sonia Gandhi. They too are guilty of office of President is an institution misusing the authority which rightly which should not be allowed to be belonged to the Prime Minister. disfigured. Yet the political leaders do that. That Mukherjee should also My experience is that a Prime be doing so is a sad commentary on Minister pays scant attention to a Price: Rs. 20/- his sagacity. President. The constitution framers, who preferred parliamentary Janata Trust D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir President Mukherjee’s democracy to presidential form of Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), indiscretion may well be a ventilation government, have laid down what Mumbai 400 007. of his grievance against the denial of the President can do. This has, prime ministership, which was due to however, been nullified over the him. He was an automatic choice for years because political parties take 4 JANATA, June 7, 2015

Notebook Preventing heat-wave deaths Recently a very large number of of younger people have migrated, of pilgrimage and other places of heat wave deaths have been reported their elderly parents become very huge gatherings of people should be from various parts of India. Over vulnerable to extreme heat-wave similarly equipped. 2000 such deaths were reported conditions. In rural areas special care should in May. By far the worst affected be taken to meet drinking water and states are Telengana and Andhra Migrant workers and homeless nutrition needs of most vulnerable Pradesh where the situation can only people constitute groups of high groups particularly elderly people be called alarming. In addition heat vulnerability in urban and semi- left behind in the houses of migrant wave deaths have also been reported urban areas. Unfortunately the workers. The timing of NREGA from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and from entire concept of caring for the (rural employment works) as well as Delhi. homeless people has remained other such work should be readjusted linked to shelters for winter nights to avoid the most scorching hours. Life threatening heat wave (rain baseras) only. This ignores the At stone mining, stone crushers conditions are likely to aggravate fact that homeless people (and poor and construction sites, similar further in the coming years due to the people who come to cities for short instructions can be given, or, at the worsening impact of global warming periods) also need to be sheltered very least the lunch hour can be and climate change. Some of the from extreme heat during scorching extended to avoid the scorching sun most scorching years since record- afternoons. So provisions should be to the extent possible. keeping began have been recorded in made to open up all shelters during very recent times. This trend is likely the daytime particularly during the Precautions relating to prevention to persist and may be accentuated weeks of extremely hot weather. of heat-wave related ailments and further. The trends of global warming There should be adequate provisions distress should be widely publicised. are further aggravated by loss of for clean and cool drinking water Government and health centres bigger shade-giving trees, increasing as well as sanitation, and also some should be well-equipped to provide concretisation of urban spaces, supplies of ORS, lemons, salt and immediate and free care to victims of higher pollution and congestion. sugar in these shelters. heat-wave. Voluntary organisations Access to clean and cool drinking and trade union should also be water has also diminished for poorer The nakas, labour-chowks or involved in spreading awareness people. places where daily wage workers about this. gather should be provided shade and The timely adoption of all such The most common victims of free clean and cool drinking water. precautions and preventive measures heat wave deaths are daily wage In fact the facilities for providing can help to save many valuable lives. workers and people who are already clean and cool free water at public suffering from hunger, malnutrition places frequented by the poor need to While to some extent these and overall weakness. If someone the stepped up substantially during specific steps will be helpful, in a on an empty stomach is exposed to the weeks of extreme heat. All larger context overall improvement heat wave conditions for a prolonged railway and bus stations and other of nutrition programmes as well as period, this can be very dangerous. such places should be adequately programmes meant for homeless Elderly poor people are more equipped for providing clean and people and other vulnerable groups vulnerable. In villages where a lot cool free drinking water. All places is necessary. Hosting Olympic Games - Look Before You Leap Before the recent talk on India we need to take a completely rational Here are some of the less palatable making a serious bid for hosting look at the hard facts, free from aspects of the London and Beijing the 2024 Olympics can become a prestige considerations. Olympics we should keep in mind. prestigious national commitment, JANATA, June 7, 2015 5

The cost of the London Olympics doubts. A study by Anne Power These objectives can be brushed turned out to be several times the of London School of Economics aside arguing that after all some original estimate. At first it was revealed that during the years of country has to host the Olympics, stated to be about four times the build-up to the Olympics income and so why not India. In fact original cost estimate of around 3.7 rose more slowly and unemployment however there is need for long billion dollars. However when all the more rapidly than in London’s East over-due reforms in the organisation related costs were calculated some End compare to other parts of the of such mega events. Any rational, estimates put the actual cost to be city. cool-headed consideration should around $ 37 billion, or a whopping convince us that if the Olympic ten times the original estimate. If various longer-term and hidden Games are spread over many cities/ costs are also included and given countries and spaced over a period As there cannot be compromise due weightage, then even in purely of several months, the costs, burdens on aspects such as security and as economic terms such a mega-event and tensions will be reduced while there is a pressure to ensure the best generally ends up on the losing side. the benefits and enjoyment will international standards, which in For instance there are the longer-tern increase. If in principle it is agreed turn go on increasing, it is often not costs of maintaining the excessive that such mega multi-sports events possible to cut costs. and top-heavy sports and related will be spread over a number of infrastructure in later years. This is countries, the spacing over a longer As the experience of hosting unlikely to be adequately utilised time period also becomes necessary the much smaller Commonwealth in normal times but will have to be keeping in view the different periods games made it so amply clear, in maintained nevertheless. of suitable weather in different India’s case costs are also likely countries. to shoot up due to corruption and Even the much-touted tourism maladministration. Unjust tasks gains are actually highly exaggerated. Sports fans will be able to enjoy were first delayed and then speeded After all, how many tourists can a various sports events better if these up at too late a stage leading to more city accommodate within the short are spaced over a longer time period, corruption and mistakes. period of the Games, particularly instead of many important events when the security concerns are in taking place on the same day. TV Hosting of Olympics and other the forefront? coverage of such spread-out events mega sports have been promoted on Sometimes the large-scale hurried will also be better. the promise for the huge gains these construction work taken up for such are supposed to bring to the local Another important advantage will mega events plays havoc with the economy from which most citizens be that it will be possible to include earlier planning for the development will benefit. But here again there is a more sports events (even cricket!) in need to take a hard look at the facts. of the host city. We in India are all- the Olympics. too-familiar with how the Asian Similarly tourism will on the Games and the Commonwealth During the Beijing Olympics a whole get a much greater boost if Games were used as a pretext for large number of poor people living the various sports events are spread sanctioning a lot of dubious projects in and around the city were asked over a wider area and a longer time on the one hand and on the other to leave the city for some time and period. in some cases their living places hand, pushing away hundreds of were demolished. In the case of thousands of slum-dwellers to the These suggested changes while the London Olympics it is the vast outer margins of the city, disrupting reducing the highly concentrated security build-up for the Games the livelihoods of poor people and burden (including security which rattled many local people. education of children. Massive arrangements) on a single city corruption accompanied all this. will bring people closer to sports A justification was sought in the Excessive new construction activity and sports events and the truly boost-up Olympics could give to can be damaging for cities like Delhi representative character of these the poorer economy of East-End which have already experience mega events will be greatly London. But here too there are recent construction booms. improved. –Bharat Dogra 6 JANATA, June 7, 2015 Hashimpura judgement

Faisal Khan

Khudai Khidmatgar and Socialist more alert and find out collective through special propaganda. The Yuvjan Sabha had organised a solutions to such culture of impunity CB-CID report of this incident took discussion on “Success and failure which is practiced by police and eight long years where 64 people of judicial pronouncements and the politicians through dialogue and were named as accused and after challenges ahead” where the pivotal empowering ourselves with legal a wait of 15 years the case was point of discussion was the recent knowledge. transferred by the apex court and trial court judgment of Hashimpura the hearing started only in 2005. and such other similar happenings. Former Chief Justice, Rajendra The prosecution did not do its job The discussion was organised Sacchar said: when Hashimpura sincerely and honestly. Photographer in Gandhi Peace Foundation’s happened we went for fact finding Praveen Jain a key witness who auditorium where social activists, and we prepared a report and sent it photographed the incident was intellectuals and legal experts to the then incumbent government never called to court and was only participated and students from of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Then considered when he himself turned Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia the Gyan Prakash Committee was up at court. Political parties have Millia Islamia and Delhi University constituted and a case was registered their own way and do not value also participated. The speakers against the PAC jawans involved. the Constitution. The police and mainly highlighted the Hashimpura But sadly proper investigation politicians have always been hand- judgment. Prominent Supreme Court was never done or action was in-glove and that is the primary lawyer, Anil Nauriya, pointed out never taken because even after reason police reforms never happen that in the judgement it was said 8-9 years the jawans were still and the reports of commissions are that no personal accountability holding their positions and no never implemented. can be fixed for an incident like departmental inquiry was instituted Hashimpura, and that was a flawed against them. On our request the Prominent social activist stance because there are offences in Supreme Court transferred the case Apoorvanand said that the hope for criminal law like that of unlawful to Delhi. He further added that the justice should not dwindle in our assembly in which offenders are gruesome episode that happened in hearts. If we consider the situation being punished jointly, so the court Hashimpura on that ill-fated day as grim at the outset there will be no was totally wrong in ignoring that cannot be forgotten. The records hope left. Life is a struggle and it’s parameter. He added that during the of movement of vehicle, arms and a constant pursuit of success. Our struggle for independence Hunter the jawans were never maintained society is diverse and has diverse Committee was formed to look into properly and also the court did not viewpoints which cannot be subdued the Jalianwala Bagh massacre which look into those records which led to legally. To have an ideology is tried to sweep the wrongdoings weakening the evidence. We are not not a crime until it harms anyone. under the carpet but the Gandhi- satisfied with the judgement and we The justice system has a lot of Nehru Committee brought forth would be following up this case with components and to understand the the truth. Similar is the case with PUCL in the higher courts through equation we have to be practical Hashimpura - all the evidence was appeal. enough. Hashimpura is an example messed with, the senior police and of blatant injustice and there are army officials were never called to N. D Pancholi from PUCL said many such examples in history, court, nobody was held accountable that Hashimpura has been the worst but we should not lose heart. The and compensation was not provided. case of massacre that happened people who were victims of the All of this points to the fact that it in post-independence India. The 2002 program are fighting tirelessly is a clear case of degradation of reasons were both communal and and have not lost hope. Sometimes human dignity and police have the political which took away lives of even you have the correct argument advantage of impunity even after 42 young men mercilessly. The you may not win because the nation committing gruesome and illegal environment that Hindus were under is passing through a nationalist acts. We all need to be aware and threat had been created since 1984 phase these days and the targeted JANATA, June 7, 2015 7 communities are Muslims and Christians. But this does not mean One year of Modi’s Man ki Baat Muslims are alone, the fight is being led by people other than Muslims for The Socialist Party (India) states corporate policies, are still trying Muslims as well because it is fight that in the last one year Prime to project the image of Narendra for the country. Muslims chose to Minister Narendra Modi, while Modi as a saviour-leader of the remain in India during partition is heading the majority government, country. This feeds into their selfish fact enough to assert that Muslims has done the task of giving tax interests. But the reality of selling exemption and selling out of and breaking up the country cannot have better claims in this country country’s invaluable natural and stay hidden from the true patriotic then their Hindu counterparts who labour resources to national and powers. did not have to choose between international corporate houses faster remaining in India or leaving across than the last Congress-led UPA The Socialist Party firmly believes the border. Muslims in India try to government. The ‘Man ki Baat’ that that this anti-nationalist stance of the be Indian and make efforts too but the Prime Minister keeps on talking present government can be contested it has become a challenge when the about on the government radio is only on the ideological grounds. media, police, army all are driven actually the Man ki Baat of the Those who recently snatched power by Hindutva to give Muslims their corporate houses. As a direct result, in Delhi through slogans and shouts rightful place. We have centuries- the already prevalent trend of poverty, of ‘there is no need of ideology’, old mixed culture and tradition hunger, malnutrition, illnesses, are themselves agents of neo-liberal which we need to protect from these unemployment and farmers’ suicides ideology and are a part of the polarising forces. We need to make has gained even more speed. The neo-imperialist group along with Narendra Modi. efforts towards secularism together. trend of the devastation of farmers, tribals, small traders/businessmen, In view of the Socialist Party, the Young Supreme Court lawyer labourers and artisans is continuing building of an independent, self- Kabir Dixit said judgments good or in the same fashion. reliant and equitable India can only bad are never final. We should not take place on basis of the socialist give up on the justice system and In the last one year Prime Minister ideology in accordance with the for this efforts to revive the system Narendra Modi has changed the Constitution. During the time of the should also be made. Our active image of India in the world from last general elections, the Socialist that of a country rich in natural participation becomes relevant in Party constantly suggested to put resources, labour and talent to the context that if we look at both a united fight against the BJP and that of a beggar. He is working the Congress in order to achieve sides of the story where offenders towards destroying the legacy of are set free and innocent are put electoral success. But its efforts were independence and self-reliance with not successful and BJP could form behind bars and are tortured we even more speed than the last Prime cannot ignore the situation. But this a majority government merely with Minister Manmohan Singh and is 31 percent votes. cannot be the reason to totally lose trying to embroil the country in the hope or to blame the entire system. trap of neo-imperialism. The Prime In this scenario, there is an urgent He said if fought well justice prevails Minister, who is a swayamsevak of need for the parties and civil society and provided the example of Priya RSS, decisively believes that the organizations, which believe in Pillai’s case. foreign companies and governments the ideology of social justice and should develop India. The baudhik socialism, to come together. This Khudai Khidmatgar Fateh Nadvi of RSS and the BJP, who used to unity should be based on the legacy said that we are happy that we are sing paeans about nationalism and and values of the freedom struggle completing 67 years of independence Swadeshi, are keeping complete and the Constitution rather than but at the same time I am worried silence. Thus, not only the anti- individualism, family/dynasty about the future because sense of labourer-farmer-minority face but politics and regionalism. When this justice is diminishing and when such also the traitorous face of RSS and happens, the hardworking masses situation arises in any nation the the BJP has become evident. of the country will definitely win nation gets destroyed. We all need to against corporate powers in the next It is not surprising that the media general election to be held four years rise against such travesty of justice and a small section, benefitted by from now. to save our nation and we need more dialogue and joint efforts. –Bhai Vaidya, President, SPI 8 JANATA, June 7, 2015 Guilty Men of Alternate Politics

Prem Singh

In this era of globalisation- that legacy. This horde mostly and communal nexus, the Indian liberalization-privatization, the work includes civil society activists and intellectual class becomes available of the creation of a comprehensive intellectuals. Whatever remains has to fight in its support. They are not political philosophy– the political been usurped by the battle which able to see what garb is worn by thought which in the context of has been created about the icons of those who call the emperor without this phenomena, springs from the this legacy. clothes. ground of the have-nots to create a self-reliant, equitable economy The unique feature of the Under the leadership of – is stalled. Neo-liberalism has modern Indian political philosophy Manmohan Singh, there was a been successful to a large extent is that it was created mostly by ‘reticent era’ (chuppa yug) in favour in not letting this kind of political active political personalities. The of neo-liberalism. Manmohan thought come to fruition with its political thought of modern India Singh himself worked silently; complete strength. Whatever little has its genesis in the juxtaposition the intellectuals who supported efforts have been made towards a of the conscious concerns and globalisation also did not make political thought juxtaposed with worries of the Indian intellect/ any grandiose claims. Their real neo-liberalism by certain active psyche against the colonialism. work was to silence the agony of political and intellectual activists Literature, arts and scholarship have the large population reeling under are not able to make their presence been inspired by and have many a the devastating repercussions of felt in the political discourse. The times complemented this political neo-liberalism by telling them that natural outcome of this is that in philosophy. It is true that even in the there was a consensus in the country every aspect of Indian life, the neo- neo-liberal era, good literature has in favour of neo-liberalism; and it liberal grip is increasingly becoming been crafted in the Indian languages. is very good because there is no tighter. In these times of TINA - there Serious scholarly writing has been alternative. The scholars who were a is no alternative - Kishan Patnayak, done especially in the subjects of part of Manmohan Singh’s ‘National the important political thinker and humanities and social sciences in Knowledge Commission’ and the socialist leader of our times, put English. But in the absence of a civil society activists who were a forth the claim that the world is not comprehensive political philosophy part of Sonia Gandhi’s ‘National without alternative – Vikalpheen as juxtaposed against neo-liberalism, Advisory Committee’ worked to Nahi Hai Duniya. It was obvious for most litterateurs and scholars offer make neo-liberalism acceptable even the neo-liberal ruling establishment themselves up to be co-opted in the to its victims. to oppose this significant and neo-liberal machinery or get cop- relevant endeavour. But his idea of opted by the system. It can be said Suddenly, India Against an alternative politics was blocked that if there is no political vision, Corruption, Anti-Corruption even by certain socialists, Gandhians then even literature and scholarship Movement, Aam Aadmi Party, along and peoples’ movement activists remain bereft of a vision. It is not with a large number of civil society having. without reason that one finds that the activists, intellectuals, NGO dons, so-called movement which has been spiritual/religious personalities In this challenging situation, the built in the name of anti-corruption, gathered forces to take the Indian legacy of the freedom movement and the so-called political party political thought in one jerk from and the anti-capitalist imperialist which has been created ‘out of its the ‘reticent era’ to the ‘babbler era’ struggle after that can be and should ashes’, are found to be championed (labaar yug). Corporate houses and be made use of. But the neo-liberal by many big writers and scholars. A NRIs lent their full support to that ruling class, which includes a horde group, thriving on foreign funding, ‘great movement’ carried out in the of veiled neo-liberals, do not leave schemes to grab the political power name of eliminating corruption. A any stone unturned in distorting by strengthening the neo-liberal lot of speeches were heaved. The JANATA, June 7, 2015 9 devaluation of language and speech as if fact and rationale have been considers politics to be an evil; the reached its nether. The condition banished from the world of political second sub-stream is not averse to ultimately reached a point where discourse. It is not surprising that politics, but it advocates disciplining the civil society became impatient to in this celebration of blabbering, politics/political parties through civil lash out here, there and everywhere. thinkers like Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, society resistance. Here, however, Delhi’s Jantar-Mantar and Ramleela J.P, Lohia, Ambedkar, etc. have been we are not entering into the important Maidan became the epicentres for so devalued that it hardly seems debate of alternative politics or an this carnival. Along with mainstream possible to establish their genuine alternative to politics. media, social media and small worth even in the future. This magazines, including literary trend of reducing the thinkers and Contemplation on 21st century magazines, did not lag behind. All politicians with a socialist vision for socialism is central to the visualisation of this was held under the auspices the future to thinkers and politicians of the ideology of alternate politics. the RSS. Obviously, intrinsically, all who see India’s future only in Threads of the ideology of the of them were hoping to profit from corporate capitalism is continuing alternative politics are tied up in the and hence were supportive of neo- unabated. burning questions of technology, liberalism. Otherwise, the anti-neo- natural resources, development, liberal strength which was formed in Team Modi rode the wave created environment, inequality, poverty, the last two decades could not have by this irreverent use of language hunger, displacement, suicides, been broken by NGO dons along and speech through the mainstream/ massacres, weapons of mass with the communal forces. social media and came out victorious destruction, including nuclear and in the general election. The ruling chemical weapons, civil/human Before we knew it, Indian political class of India came together to do this rights and gender and identity discourse had become such an open so that neo-liberalism, which was questions. The ideology of alternative market that a loquacious religious facing crisis, would not only escape politics places firm emphasis on the wheeler-dealer Baba Ramdev dared clear but also become strengthened decentralised egalitarian model to take his ‘high thinking’ to comrade and deep rooted. of prosperity while rejecting the A. B. Bardhan; so many socialist centralized wealth creation model. leaders and thinkers, including Satyagraha and Swaraj are the In this is found a decisive rejection Bardhan, registered their presence old and established concepts of the of the modern industrial capitalist at Jantar Mantar and Ram Leela modern Indian political thought. model of development. This is Maidan. Having emerged from the It can be hoped that these will why alternative politics naturally womb of market capitalism, ‘Aam be established again sooner or leans towards Gandhism. From Aadmi’ has charmed the Gandhians later. But the concept of alternative Dr. Lohia to Kishan Patnayak, the and the socialists alike. In this way, politics is comparatively new and indispensability of Gandhism has it can be said, that the worrisome still taking shape. It is also the most been stressed. Dr. Lohia, who is lack of political thought is being needed and significant as it has been considered to be a revolutionary compensated by speechifying. This conceptualized in juxtaposition to commentator of Gandhi, has indulgence in prevarication blown neo-liberalism. Alternative politics delineated a well-thought out imagination to its pinnacle when the is a serious attempt to present discourse of putting Gandhian filter images of Gandhi, Lenin and JP were a holistic ideological alternative to the socialism which is separated seen at the same time in the players to neo-liberalism. An idea of an from capitalism and communism. of market capitalism! alternative to politics rather than alternative politics has also been The incident of the destruction Ideas and concepts like Satyagraha, under discussion. This view point of Babri Masjid, in 1992, is just as Swaraj and alternative politics were believes that the power should important an inspiration behind the brazenly being depreciated and rather remain with the society than creation of alternate politics as the distorted amidst this din. The term with the politics. A sub-stream imposition of neo-liberal policies Revolution became akin to the curd- of this perspective is a complete in 1991. The Masjid was destroyed butter of the Braj milk maids, which banishment of politics. Another by initiating a ‘movement’ by a Krishna used to steal and relish along sub-stream acknowledges the role political party and its top leaders. with his cowherd friends. It is almost of politics. While the first sub-stream Constitutional institutions, secular 10 JANATA, June 7, 2015 politics, the common legacy of the freedom struggle, the feelings of co- The Salafi war on Sufism existence and tolerance or the liberal stream of religion could not stop that Shail Mayaram destruction. Hence, the strengthening of secular democracy is an important Many would read the global war after the Sufi Sidi Bou Said, and dimension of alternate politics. on terror as a Samuel Huntingtonian is celebrated for its spectacular It is not possible to create the self-fulfilling prophecy; witnesses architecture in white and blue. alternative to neo-liberal ideology would most likely identify it as Tourists, domestic and foreign, and the politics based on it in hurry. a tragically wrong hypothesis. flocked to its market on the Even one step, as suggested by There are clearly many fault lines sunny Sunday afternoon that we Gandhi, is enough, but that is on the within Islam, some of which are were there. Only a few visited the condition that the step be genuinely deepening dramatically. One, there mausoleum and khanqah (hospice) taken in this direction. If there is are attacks on Muslim intellectuals, of the Sufi. But this was precisely unity and agreement among the attempts to suppress dissent. Two, the place I had been searching for. antagonists of neo-liberalism, then there is polarisation between the Ovais Sultan Khan and I climbed up a national movement can be created. Shias and Sunnis, primarily due to the stairs to find a small shrine over In such a case, it would not be the Sunnification of Islam that has which a woman mujawar or ritual possible for mainstream politics to been continuing since the early 20th specialist presided - most unusual not be affected by it. Then, it would century. for a Sufi shrine. Another woman be possible to throw off the yoke of guided us to the small mosque just neo-liberal slavery in near future. The emerging civil war, however, across. is between Sufis and Salafis. This Keeping in mind this brief began in the 19th century when Tunisia in 2015 is a post-colonial description of alternate politics, Wahhabis attacked tombs in society, dominantly Muslim, it can be seen how hollow are Arabia (the Wahhabis distinguish struggling to democratise in the the claims of those who call Aam themselves from the Salafis). It has aftermath of the revolution against Aadmi Party (AAP), an instrument intensified in the last two decades the authoritarian regime of Ben of alternate politics. That is also with the multiplication of groups Ali. It is also deeply haunted by the hilarious, because AAP is a party that claim to be Salafi or “early spectre of Islamism, as the bombing born straight out of the womb of neo- Muslims”. These groups profess of the Bardo museum indicates. liberalism. In this party, some leaders an Islamic creed that is pure and are chanting fresh about alternate uncontaminated by accretions. On my last day in Tunis I politics due to the power-struggle was finally able to perform within it. This is an extension of In the last few years, I have visited my ziyarat (pilgrimage) to the the blabbering which has already several Sufi sites that fall roughly in mausoleum of the great Sufi, Abu been going on for a long time the territories of the former Ottoman al-Hasan ash-Shadhili, popularly now. These ‘Pandavas’, who have and Mughal empires. All over known as Imam ash-Shadhili suddenly started calling Kejriwal a this vast terrain, there are signs of or Sidi Belhassan. It was an ‘Kaurava’, have already put at stake Sufis under siege. In Afghanistan, overwhelming experience. An all- the inheritance of alternate politics Pakistan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco woman zikr was in progress when in the game of power. This has been and Tunisia, Sufi sites have been I entered the hall. The men had a long drawn process. targeted in various ways. been relegated to an outer room and the inner hall reverberated It was people like them only who Most recently, during a visit to with women’s voices singing a took Kishanji to the Mumbai show Tunis, I visited the mausoleums of song about the saint. Zikr (dhikr) of World Social Forum (WSF). Sidi Bou Said and Sidi Manouba has many meanings ranging from Kishanji constantly tried to politicize that have been subject to attacks. prayer to recitation to repetition the anti-globalization NGO activists. Adjacent to Tunis-Carthage is the of an expression of praise. Here it (Continued on Page 11) neighbourhood which is named culminated in a trance-generating JANATA, June 7, 2015 11 incantation of ‘Allahu Akbar’ A few years ago, in Pakistan, I to the Shadhili teaching that god with the repetitive ‘Akbar, Akbar, had visited the mausoleum of the is everywhere and one can see his Akbar’ becoming like an ‘Om’ or great Sufi Abul Hassan Ali Hajvari, face in all creation elaborated in the a Buddhist chant. I had come to popularly called Daata Sahib (990- mystical teachings of Al-Shadhili Tunis to participate in a panel at 1077), now behind barbed wire after the World Social Forum 2015, part its bombing in 2010. Abul Hassan This then is the undeclared civil of an initiative of the South Asian Ali Hajvari is the author of Kashf war in Islam. Except that one side Dialogues on Ecological Democracy, Al Mahjub or The Revelation of is largely armed only with the to engage in a larger global the Veiled, a text in Persian that theology of love. debate on Islam and democracy. the philosopher Ghazala Irfan My presentation focussed on the teaches at the Lahore University –Courtesy: The Hindu philosophical contribution of Sufi of Management Sciences. I had (Continued from Page 10) brotherhoods such as Chishtis, also made another pilgrimage to Qadiris and Madaris as also of Pakpattan where the mausoleum of Hence he agreed to go there with the independent qalandars in the Indian Baba Farid, one of the great Chishti aim of finding the possibilities in a subcontinent. The Chishtis and Sufis, had been similarly attacked. large gathering. He used to go to the Qadiris are close cousins of the Baba Farid also visited Jerusalem. various programmes organized by Shadhili (Shazili) brotherhood, Around the site of his meditation NGO activists with the same aim. which was important in Egypt, an Indian hospice has come into But instead of understanding and Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Sidi being, beautifully memorialised in accepting Kishanji’s perspective, the Belhassen was a Shadhili Sufi who Navtej Sarna’s recent book, Indians NGO activists used his presence to at Herod’s Gate: A Jerusalem Tale. came from Morocco and established validate their position. his first zawiyain Tunis in 1227. In What cannot be destroyed by Alternate politics and the NGOs, India, the Chishti order had already arson or attacks, however, are flourishing on foreign funding, been established by Muinuddin the powerful ideas of some of can never get together to create a Chishti from Chisht, Afghanistan. these Sufi masters that contest common platform. It is possible, Some Shadhili and Chishti Sufis are annihilatory Salafist ideologies. In even though it happens rarely, that a authors of philosophical treatises. India, after a series of celebrated person may leave NGO work to join Sufis including Moinuddin Chishti, alternate politics, or, what happens The big question, of course, is Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, more often is that a person may why the antipathy between Sufis Hamiduddin Nagori, Nizamuddin leave alternate politics and join NGO and Salafis is becoming a civil Auliya and Nasiruddin Chiragh work. Their co-operation cannot war in Islam. Indeed, the war Dehlavi, the Chishti lineage was sustain. In fact, in trying to balance itself is fairly one-sided, as the taken southwards to the Deccan by both, NGO case usually becomes other side is the victim of the Khwaja Syed Shaik al Islam Syed dominant. attack and has no strategy for Mohammed al Husaini, popularly a concerted counter-attack. But known as Banda Nawaz Gesu These are the people who were without romanticising either Sufism Daraz (1321-1422). His powerful saying that AAP would be made a - any ‘ism’ is problematic - or the philosophical text, Ma’arif al socialist party. Keriwal would also “good Muslim”, we only have to awarif, is a commentary upon a be converted into one; and if he peruse early Sufi medieval texts to foundational text of the Suhrawardi refused then because of the control of see how Sufi philosophies provide Sufi order. It articulates, among the socialists on the party, he would major sources of resistance to other ideas, the ethical idea that be asked to leave. The reverse has Salafist and other exclusionary one cannot love god and not love happened. If their conscience was ideologies. They go back to a period all the creatures he has created. clear, then they would have admitted, when religion and philosophy were Only the first volume of this text to the members they had roped into not yet divorced. These philosophies has been recently published by the party with promises of making also suggest Islam’s civilisational the Da’irat’ul-Ma’arif’il-Osmania, AAP a socialist party, that their dialogue with Greek and Hindu- Hyderabad, edited by Mohammed understanding and approximation Buddhist philosophies. Mustafa Shareef. This is similar was wrong. 12 JANATA, June 7, 2015 Land acquisition: myth and reality

Venkatesh Nayak

A big question that is begging a pull up the economy out of the nadir state of affairs, the argument that the credible answer today I s- why is it had reached. After reading ES 14- slowdown in the economy is due to the National Democratic Alliance 15, I sought granular data from the land acquisition projects becomes (NDA) government hell bent on Ministry of Finance under The Right a busted myth - not on the basis road rolling amendments on to the to Information Act, 2005 out of of any biased analysis - but simple land acquisition law without even sheer curiosity. Finance Mininistry count of the reasons provided in implementing it despite vociferous moved with exceptional speed and the Finance Ministry’s reply. 4) Of opposition from several quarters. provided a list of projects within the 66 projects stalled due to land less than a month of receiving the acquisition issues, only 11 (1.36% Several spokespersons for the RTI application and surprisingly of 804 projects) directly relate to the government and the political parties without demanding any additional well being of the disadvantaged or which support it have repeatedly fee. Major findings from an analysis less affluent segments of society such said that the amendments to the of the data about stalled projects as slum rehabilitation projects or Right to Fair Compensation and obtained through RTI are: construction of low budget housing Transparency in Land Acquisition, projects or a bus stand (which few Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 1) The list supplied by Finance affluent people use). (LARR Act) enacted by Parliament Ministry contains a total of 804 in 2013, was first promulgated as an projects that have been stalled as So the proposal to amend the Ordinance and then repromulgated of February 2015 for a variety of LARR Act to waive the requirement because they could not get the reasons across 24 States and two for taking consent of the village approval of Parliament last month, Union Territories. Maharashtra with assembly in the areas where land are necessary to arrest the slowing 125 stalled projects topped the list is to be acquired for providing down of the economy and breathing followed by Gujarat (63 projects), affordable housing for the poor life into the stalled development West Bengal (55 projects), Karnataka will affect a miniscule number of projects. The mainstay of this (52 projects) and Telangana (52 projects. Therefore the justification argument has been that the process projects). tomtomed for the amendment of acquiring privately owned land for becomes untenable. 5) Ironically developmental projects laid down in Some States have districts on the other hand, at least 145 of the LARR Act is too cumbersome placed under the 5th Schedule of the stalled projects (18%) are for and requires simplification. (The the Constitution where a significant the affluent and the rich as they are ordinance was again promulgated proportion of the population is of projects involving the construction on May 30, 2015) The state of the tribal origin. Obtaining their consent of shopping malls or elite hotels and economy reported in Parliament by for implementing any developmental resorts (4 and 5 star), multiplexes, the Government in the form of the project if it falls in their area is elite residences and villas, golf Economic Survey 2014-15 (ES14- indispensable. 2) The private sector courses and a racing track. Another 15), a day before tabling the budget projects (78%) outnumber the public 25 stalled projects are about setting in February 2015 pointed out that sector projects planned by the up townships - nothing in the list the stalling of a large number of Central or State Governments, or provided by Finance Ministry projects in the public and the private public sector enterprises or local indicates which segment of society sector was the primary reason for the municipal boards and autonomous they are intended to benefit. 10 of slowdown that the Indian economy authorities (22%). 3) Only 8% (66 the 66 projects stalled due to land was experiencing. However detailed nos.) of the 804 projects are said to acquisition problems are in this elite data on such projects was not have stalled due to land acquisition category. However, it must also be annexed to that report. Official problems. said that the list of 804 projects also spokespersons repeatedly argued includes power generation, airport that the amendments to the land If the data provided under the RTI construction or expansion, road and acquisition law were necessary to Act is an accurate reflection of the railway expansion, pharmaceutical, JANATA, June 7, 2015 13 textile, software and SEZ projects amongst others. Mining projects Awaas haq satyagraha for coal and uranium amongst other metals are also part of the stalled It’s the year 2015 and the crux of their share to this city. Awaas Haq Indian civilization rests on its few Satyagraha, launched by the Ghar projects list. 6) Of the total of 804 2 projects the list mentions “Others” big cities. A 1484 km big political Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan is a capital of Delhi is made up of a crore historic housing rights movement as the reason for the stalling of 19% people and Mumbai, its financial twin where 5000 people who were of the projects (153 nos.) Reasons is only 603 km2 but accommodates displaced in 2004-5 from their for stalling are simply not available 1.2 crore people. 60% of Mumbai’s homes in a demolition drive have for 15% of the projects (121 nos.). population lives in just 48 km2. returned and occupied 55 acres of Taken together the projects for Who occupies the other 550 km2 is prime land and declared mutiny. which reasons for stalling are either anybody’s guess. Total number of unspecified or simply not available slums exceeds 33 thousand in these Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao amount to more than a third of the few cities. 4.5 Crore people live here Andolan is a decade old network total number of projects (34%). 7) in appalling conditions. Slums are working incessantly through slums The largest proportion of projects routinely demolished. The poorest of Mumbai, bringing them together that have stalled (38.8%) are due to of the poor living in small shanties whose rights to shelter have been unfavourable market conditions or are considered illegal residents. snatched by the state in collusion lack of funds or promoter interest Their shanties and belongings are with builder-corporate lobby. or raw material or fuel supply swept away by bulldozers which Thousands of poor having been problems. Several of these projects belong to the caretakers of the raising the question of their rights are owned or promoted by some of city – the Municipality. With slums of housing in front of every ministry, the biggest industrial houses in India and shanties demolished, its people every department, every forum. come to the streets and live on Time and again, they have been and a handful of foreign ownership. pavements and under bridges. manhandled, beaten up, arrested and If readers are interested they may Census 2011 estimated the total tortured. At the heart of the struggle compare this list of Indian business number of homeless at 95 lakhs in are the instances of inequality, of houses with the list of corporates 2.5 lakh families. Living without corruption in Slum Re-development that made large sized donations to a roof over their head, surrounded Authority, of leasing out of land at the leading national and State level by the maddening traffic 24 hours 40 paise/acre to builder Hiranandani, political parties on the Political Party of day, living through hot days and non-distribution of available land to Watch segment of the website of the heartbreaking nights, see the family the poor. Association for Democratic Reforms of 6 and a pet mangy sleeping (ADR): http://adrindia.org/research- peacefully by the pavement under Mandala was demolished in 2004- and-report/political-party-watch. the yellow street lights. When a 5 along with 85,000 other homes as drunk Salman Khan, India’s most part of a massive demolition drive 8) Lack of environmental loved superstar slammed his car by Mumbai administration. Later a clearances account for a mere 4.2% into sleeping day labourers, his Court order had ordered their homes of the stalled projects whereas friends from the city tweeted that to be reinstated but in 2006 they lack of clearance from the State it’s not his fault that he smashed his were again demolished. In 2008-9, Governments amount to 11.8% of car, it’s the fault of the homeless after intense struggle, Mandala was the total. It looks like the regulatory to be sleeping on the streets. The chosen to be as a pilot project for Rajiv Awaas Yojana, a government regimes have contributed to only urbanscape has snatched away the right to assert from its marginalized. project to provide home to the needy. 16% of the staled projects. So the It’s rare in the history of the city to Six years have passed since the -license-inspector raj also does not see its marginalized rise up against promise and not a brick has been appear to be a major contributor to the matrix of insensitiveness of its laid. Instead of helping out the poor the stalling of the 804 projects, if the elites, police, municipality, its entire and the needy, the government is dataset is accurate. So it is neither structure. secretly shelving all plans that aim land nor the regulatory regime at their welfare. Rajiv Awaas Yojana that appears to have contributed to Mandala is the first of its kind. (RAY) is facing a similar future. the stalling of the developmental It’s time for the city’s most exploited Even after surveys are carried out, projects. to assert their idenity, and claim there is no progress and there are 14 JANATA, June 7, 2015 whispers that like other welfare projects this also might not see the AFSPA must go from everywhere light of the day. Announcement of Repeal of on a continuous fast since the last 15 Everybody is frustrated by the AFSPA from Tripura is a welcome years. Keeping AFSPA in Manipur is false claims of the government, from move. We, at Save Sharmila against the will and future of state. farmers to industrial and construction Solidarity Campaign, convey our We demand with state and central labour, but the people of Mandala sincere thanks to Government government both to coordinate and have set an example of resistance of Tripura as well as MHA for cooperate with each other to end the unmatched until now in the urban considering the move. We believe impasse over AFSPA. For Manipur, mindscape. People have taken a that repeal of AFSPA from Tripura state leadership of central ruling leave from their daily jobs, they is a decision in favor of democracy party had already promised repeal have come back from their native and humanity. of AFSPA. land of Kerela and Tamil Nadu, left Save Sharmila Solidarity SSSC believes that AFSPA that wedding unattended just to be a Campaign (SSSC) view this incident part of the Awaas Haq Satyagraha. was extended to J&K vide AFSPA- as ‘moving from inertia of AFSPA’. It J&K, should also be repealed as Satyagrahis have demarcated the is because since many years and even victimisation and sufferings cannot occupied land and mapped it out after continuous demands by people be looked separately. A human rights to start building their own homes and rights groups, AFSPA was not violation is always a violation of in clear defiance to the tall claims even diluted a bit. No government human rights regardless of region. In of RAY. A community school has or security agencies have taken any J&K, so many incidents of killings, been announced. Already people positive steps towards its repeal and rapes and disappearances have are badgering the administration were isolated from this issue. No one already been reported and evidences to provide toilets and safe drinking in the government even wanted to were provided even before courts water in the occupied land. Earlier, talk about the issue and those who against many security officials, hawkers and vendors who had were in government never tried to but due to impunity under AFSPA gathered in the protest grounds break the ice and ignored people’s (section 7), nothing could be done selling snacks and drinks were demand. against culprits. hounded by the police, but the As, SSSC had already stated in SSSC also see that enjoying such community protected the rights of several other campaigning moments, an impunity that AFSPA provides these small traders by facing the AFSPA does not have people’s is actually a corruption and it is police. A relay fast has now begun mandate. We also believe that by and Satyagrahi after Satyagrahi absolutely not required for any breaking this inertia, there is a signal responsible, honest and committed is continuing the non-stop fast of something positive. A start was until their demands are met. The security force personals. In contrary, awaited. it becomes dangerous as such administration is silent. The city is absolute powers divert the normal not used to the voice of people living As Tripura is one of the states of way of working of personals. in slums. But the voices are getting North East region of India, repealing AFSPA from this state also sends louder and louder. Political factions SSSC appeals with the state and and progressive citizens are coming a message of confidence and hope among all other people who are central government to immediately forward in support of the movement. residing in AFSPA zone presently. act upon this long pending demand It’s important for the Mandala We also see that this start must of Repeal AFSPA. AFSPA is not movement to succeed, to secure the become dynamic very soon and required not only in Tripura but in no rights it is fighting for. It is important governments must try to repeal it other AFSPA state. AFSPA is a failed because the patience of crores of from everywhere. law. SSSC will continue its efforts people living precariously in this and will be organising protests city is running out. It is important We demand with the government and active campaigning in coming for the future of the city which can to immediately pay attention towards months for advocating Repeal of no more be built on the foundations Manipur also where Irom Sharmila is AFSPA from everywhere. of inequality. It is important if one wants the city to retain its soul. Ravi Nitesh - [email protected] for Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign JANATA, June 7, 2015 15 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 7, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, June 7, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday June 10, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 20 High stakes in Bihar June 14, 2015 S. Viswam

Was Modi’s visit productive? In the race for supremacy between It would appear that an unfavourable Kuldip Nayar the NDA-BJP and the bloc of secular conspiracy of circumstances has parties, the outcome of the coming pushed the efforts towards the Myth of impartial governance assembly elections in Bihar later this merger of Janata Parivar parties Rajindar Sachar year will count for a lot. Bihar will into the background. Even so, the in effect be the crucial testing ground socialist-inclined politicians have AAP controversy for the people’s choice between taken the first steps in challenging Bapu Heddurshetti communalism and secularism. the NDA-BJP. Under the leadership of an UP politician, Janata Parivar Labour Party and Till the other day it seemed that leader and Samajwadi Party chief 2015 general election secularism, with all its shortcomings Mulayam Singh Yadav, they have Suhas Khale and weaknesses was winning out. agreed to project Bihar Chief Even if the decade-long rule of Lalu Minister Nitish Kumar to be the Banning Periyar Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi consensus chief ministerial candidate Sandeep Pandey was short on governance but long on of the new alliance to be formed gimmicks, the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s in Bihar. The significant aspect of MNCs and Farmers commitment to secularism stayed this achievement is that persuasion Bharat Dogra on. This state of affairs was shaken if not pressure has softened Lalu Prasad Yadav’s opposition to Nitish up when Bihar voted in the 2014 Kumar’s nomination. Now Lalu The legacy of the INA Lok Sabha polls. The NDA-BJP was sails in the same boat as does Nitish. or Azad Hind Fauj riding high on the crest of a Modi- This was the mediatory work of the Irfan Habib wave and it secured 31 of the 40 Lok Congress (Rahul Gandhi) and leftist Sabha seats. The other nine went to leaders. Lalu is under conviction the RJD(4), JD-U(2), Congress(2) in the fodder scam case and cannot Editor : and NCP(1). The Modi wave has contest elections for six years. He more or less faded and it is time to G. G. Parikh has now been persuaded not to forge a winning strategy for both contest by proxy by naming some Managing Editor : Guddi the groups. The secular parties have other member of his family as the to decide whether to fight singly or D-15, Ganesh Prasad, consensus. Now the coast is clear. together. In this context, the unity of The challenge will be good, and the Naushir Bharucha Marg, the Janata Parivar parties is vital. As secular parties stand a good chance to Mumbai - 400 007. for the NDA-BJP, in the absence of a marginalize the NDA-BJP. strong local leader, the fight against Email : [email protected] the secular bloc has to be spearheaded It is all to the good of the state that by Narendra Modi himself. Lalu has accepted the choice of Nitish. 2 JANATA, June 14, 2015

Unfortunately, Lalu’s image as the Between the lines chief minister, and later that of his wife Rabri as his successor in office have not been elegant. Lalu’s rule was always described as jungle Was Modi’s visit productive? raj. Nitish Kumar as the chief minister of the JD(U)-BJP coalition Kuldip Nayar gave priority to good governance and development. Although the coalition has broken up now, Nitish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s she ever have conviction about a Kumar’s rule is blemishless so far. visit to Dhaka was mistimed. It free state and the democratic way Indeed, Nitish himself enjoys the looked as if he had gone to shore of governance? reputation of being a clean leader up the sagging image of Prime committed to economic progress and Minister Sheikh Hasina. He has The most glaring example is the development. In a sense, the coming only heightened the anti-India manner in which she has humiliated challenge is one between the PM and feeling graph. New Delhi is not Bangladesh’s first foreign minister the CM, since there is no top vote- seen neutral. Kamal Hasan. He was a colleague of catching BJP leader in the state itself. her father Sheikh Mujib and was a I do not know why and for legend in his lifetime for adhering to When Lalu Prasad agreed how long have we to support the the values. The boycott of elections to the nomination of Nitish authoritarian rule by Prime Minister by the Bangladesh Nationalist as the consensus chief ministerial candidate, half the battle Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. Party (BNP) was an unthinking was won. But among all Indian True, she is the daughter of Sheikh act. True, Hasina made it obvious states, Bihar is possibly the state most Mujib-ur Rehman, who liberated that she would go to any extent to afflicted with the casteist disease. East Pakistan from distant and win at the polls. Yet, if the BNP had Bearing this in mind, it is always oppressive West Pakistan. But that participated a few of its candidates risky to make predictions in electoral does not give her the right to flout would have been returned and politics of the state. While the chief the constitution and the accepted opposed Hasina’s point of view ministerial candidate is ready, other norms. before the people. candidates have to be chosen, and it is here that the alliance and its Take for example, the recent Undoubtedly, general elections leaders will come up with another municipal polls at Dhaka and decide the fate of rulers. But the challenge. There is the ticklish issue Chittagong. Ballot papers in favour municipal vote is important to assess of seat-sharing among the alliance of the candidates of the ruling whether the party, which won, has partners. In Bihar such matters are Awami League were shoved into fulfilled through the governance decided keeping caste politics and the ballot boxes to the horror of the promises made during the poll identities in view. Often, there is a voters and others. Sheikh Mujib campaign. slip between the cup and the lip, and must be turning in his grave. He had things go out of hand. restored the people’s right to express India is lucky that the path on Much depends on the Lalu-Nitish themselves against the military junta which the first Prime Minister, combine and on what wave-lengths ruling from Rawalpindi. Jawaharlal Nehru, put the country the two work. There is no doubt - democratic and secular - is being that each of them is a vote-getter, No doubt, Modi’s visit has given followed diligently. His daughter but together they can deliver more a shot in the arm of secular forces Indira Gandhi derailed democracy than the prime minister’s men can. against the burgeoning influence and not only gagged the press but It remains to be seen how much of the fundamentalists, led by the suspended the fundamental rights. interest Narendra Modi takes in Jammiat-e-Islam. Hasina would But people did not take things Bihar elections. That depends on still have had her way. In fact, the lying down. They ventilated their how seriously he takes the challenge cavalier manner in which she has pent-up anger when elections were from the Lalu-Nitish duo to be. Bihar suppressed the dissent arouses announced and It was unimaginable (Continued on Page 4) doubts about her credentials. Did that even the mighty Indira Gandhi JANATA, June 14, 2015 3 could be defeated. Yet that is what happened. Myth of impartial governance

It is another matter that when Rajindar Sachar she returned to power in 1980 she went out of the way to punish even bureaucrats those who carried out Every new Central Government in policy on the excuse that since a their duties. But it is a pity that she India is judged after the honeymoon large number of people (meaning took revenge against all those whom period of one year or so by the Hindus) are against it, the ban is she suspected were anywhere near public and the Press. Partisan critics justified. This is a curious reasoning. the Janata government. normally pose questions on their Since there are at least 14 crore own so as to deliberately embarrass Muslims in India (a population The Congress party in India, the the government because it is possible exceeding almost every country of author of the Emergency, has learnt that the government on its own may Europe), then why not ban pork and its lesson. The party has regretted never have claimed success on those ham? The eating habits of people of its misdoings. I wish the party had counts. So let us be extra fair to the various religions cannot be a matter apologized to the nation. There is Modi government - judge it only by of government policies unless, of a lot of difference between regret its own claims, its principles and course, the real purpose is to hit the and apology. politics. economy of these communities who may be living by that business. Unfortunately Bangladesh, a According to media reports, Modi product of the people’s right to say, recently cautioned BJP members Personal safety and equal has lost the vigour of expression against spreading communal hatred, treatment by the State is another which the nation once had. Such a acknowledging that provocative test by which the minorities will happening is a sad development by comments made by some of his party judge the Modi government. Take itself. But it becomes all the more colleagues were totally uncalled for the recent happenings at Atali village poignant when the person changing and declaring that the constitutional (Ballabhgarh, Haryana). A team it is from the family which liberated guarantees of religious freedom of the Socialist Party (India) and the people from the clutches of West and non-discrimination were the PUCL that visited Atali village Pakistan. non-negotiable. As a theoretical revealed the partisan and communal proposition, no one can disagree. face of the BJP government in No one else is to blame except This is consistent with the accepted Haryana. It was on 25th May, 2015, Hasina. She is herself extinguishing wisdom, namely, “that in any country that a mob of Hindus attacked the flame of democracy. True, it the faith and the confidence of the Muslim houses and destroyed a should be done by the daughter minorities in the impartial and even part of the mosque which was being of Sheikh Mujib is not only functioning of the State is the acid built by Muslims on admittedly disappointing but also disconcerting. test of being a civilized State”. But the wakf land. Muslims in panic She can shackle the nation still how different the ground reality is! had to flee from the village and further is a harrowing thought. But take refuge in Ballabhgarh police it can happen since she has effaced This principle was grossly station and could only return on the line between right and wrong, breached by a Muslim minister of the 3rd June, 2015. There is still panic moral and immoral. Modi government when, justifying and a state of uncertainty. But the ban on beef on TV, he felt Haryana’s BJP Chief Minister has In this atmosphere of Hasina bold enough to make an atrocious not deemed it necessary to visit the representing a dictatorial figure, statement advising Muslims to go to village and assure the Muslims that Modi’s visit was all the more Pakistan if they wished to eat beef. justice will be done to them. Rather unfortunate. He should have said This should have resulted in the his callousness in the matter is somewhere while in Bangladesh summary dismissal of the minister, frightening. The Chief Minister went that the country was a product of but one has not even read a public on an official tour to Faridabad on revolution and it should continue to rebuke of him by Modi. Not only 7th June, 2015, a distance of about (Continued on Page 4) that, the BJP seems to justify this 15-20 km from the village which 4 JANATA, June 14, 2015 has been in news throughout India reflecting anti-Muslim bias, is bad matter an overwhelming number for the last three weeks. But such is for the reason that Israel has been of Hindus even) consider such a his shameful indifferent conduct that criticised by an overwhelming limited visit as an indication of he does not consider it necessary to majority of U.N. members and even the anti-Muslim bias of the Modi visit Atali village and offer (leave by the U.S. government (Modi’s government? apart a solid concrete assurance of close ally President Obama) for police protection and compensation over decades for not vacating its That is why when Modi stresses for the damage done to Muslim illegal occupation of Palestine that his sole agenda is development properties) some consoling words to territory which is recognised as an for all it does not cut ice with the the minorities. But then, I am told, independent nation by the U.N. minorities apart from the fact that the Chief Minister’s eligibility for This is also a breach of India’s in reality Modi’s development the post was not his political ability own consistent policy right from programme is corporate friendly and work but his exclusive RSS the beginning which has been and anti-labour. I am sorry the work over the last two decades. It demanding the vacation of the review above is certainly not seems his anti-Muslim bias, a trade Palestine territory. Is it any surprise complimentary to Modi’s claimed feature of RSS training, continues if Muslims in India (and for that impartial governance. to still guide him in his duties as the (Continued from Page 2) criticism is uncalled for but on a Chief Minister. In that context is it foreign soil when he was talking is an important state for the BJP and any surprise if the claims of Modi’s about amity in South Asia, he he cannot let it go without offering concern for the minorities are treated should have avoided singling out only as empty verbosity. a firm battle. It will be interesting to see what strategy he brings to Islamabad. He should realize, as his predecessors have, that the countries Should not Modi consider in employ on this occasion. in South Asia, some day must have a the interest of his own credibility common market and lend a helping to publicly admonish the C.M. of (Continued from Page 4) hand to each other in business, trade Haryana and remind him of the and development. obligations and principles of “Raj radiate the same kind of thoughts. Dharma” so expounded by Hindu But he preferred to placate her even The people of Bangladesh were ‘shashtras’. though the people of Bangladesh expecting some agreement on the were disappointed because they Teesta waters. But foreign minister BJP leader Amit Shah, who is expected India to give some sign Sushma Swaraj’s statement was really running the party, is a quiet that it is not happy with the way conspiratorial personality. He very Hasina was functioning. unhelpful because even before innocently seeks to avoid entering undertaking the journey to Dhaka into arguments on building a Ram True, Modi was able to implement she said that Teesta waters was not temple and the abrogation of Article a long-standing agreement on the on the agenda during the current 370 of the Constitution by pleading exchange of enclaves. But this visit by Modi. that the BJP has not been given the understanding had the support mandate on these issues. And yet of all parties when the matter West Bengal chief minister surprisingly lesser BJP minions was discussed in parliament. Of Mamata Banerjee’s visit along indulge in the provocative slogan course, the credit for implementing with Prime Minister Modi was an of completing the project of “Ram the accord goes to him. But he important development. It should Mandir” and abrogation of Article should have used the opportunity indicate to Dhaka that New Delhi is 370 of the Constitution. Modi keeps to thank all the political parties in serious about settling the problems conspiratorially silent. supporting the accord with a useful of Teesta waters. That it did not and endearing neighbour. For him happen during Modi’s visit should Modi’s visit to Israel is being to take the credit of demolishing the not be taken as if India was adamant projected as a big event, but “Berlin Wall” is churlish. in having its own way. In fact, surprisingly he is not combining Mamata’s visit should please Dhaka it with a visit to the Palestine. In I wish he had refrained from that the settlement may take some my view this decision, apart from criticizing Pakistan. Not that the time but the process has started. JANATA, June 14, 2015 5 AAP controversy Bapu Heddurshetti

The recent controversy of a constitutional questions also. Who the total number of members in constitutional spat between the had the power to appoint the Acting the Legislative Assembly, with the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Chief Secretary? The arguments Chief Minister at the head to aid Minister of Delhi smacks not only advanced on behalf of the Aam Admi and advise the Lieutenant Governor of ignorance but also of arrogance Party are that their Government is an in the exercise of his functions in on part of the Chief Minister Arvind elected Government and that hence relation to matters with respect to Kejrival. The controversy was the Chief Minister should have the which the Legislative Assembly has started by the Chief Minister by not right and power to choose his own power to make laws, except in so accepting Shakuntala Gamlin as the Chief Secretary, even if an Acting far as he is, by or under any law, Acting Chief Secretary of the Delhi one. The Chief Minister, it appears, required to act in his discretion: Government. also wrote a letter to the Lieutenant Provided that in the case of The necessity of appointing an Governor that the latter’s action was difference of opinion between Acting Chief Secretary arose due to unconstitutional. The Lieutenant the Lieutenant Governor and the incumbent Chief Secretary going Governor, it appears, retorted that his Ministers on any matter, the on a leave for 10 days. It appears that he was acting within the purview of Lieutenant Governor shall refer the Deputy Chief Minister Manish the Constitution. it to the President for decision Sisodia recommended the names Part VI of the Constitution which and act according to the decision of Shakuntala Gamlin and another deals with the powers and functions given thereon by the President officer for the appointment. It also of States is not applicable to Delhi and pending such decision it shall appears that the Chief Minister since it is only a Union Territory and be competent for the Lieutenant agreed with the recommendation and special provisions have been made Governor in any case where the the file was sent to the Lieutenant matter, in his opinion, is so urgent in the Constitution for administering Governor. Citing the seniority of that it is necessary for him to take Union Territories in Part VIII Shakuntala Gamlin the Lieutenant immediate action, to take such thereof. Even amongst Union Governor appointed her as the action or to give such direction in Territories, a special provision has Acting Chief Secretary for 10 days. the matter as he deems necessary. The order of appointment was issued been made by adding Article 239AA by Anindo Majumdar, the Secretary, for administering Delhi. Thus it is obvious that the advice Services, of the Delhi Government. of the Council of Ministers is not Article 239 (1) states as follows: binding on the Lieutenant Governor However, the Chief Minister said Save as otherwise provided by that he wanted the other officer as the as in the case of full-fledged States. Parliament by law, every Union In the case of appointment of the Acting Chief Secretary and locked territory shall be administered by the Anindo Majumdar out of his office Acting Chief Secretary, it cannot President acting, to such extent as he be said that there was a difference for having issued the order and later thinks fit, through an administrator transferred him. of opinion between the Lieutenant to be appointed by him with such Governor and his ministers since Some simple questions arise designation as he may specify. the concerned minister himself had here. If the Chief Minister had recommended the name of Ms. the power to appoint the Acting Article 239AA (1) states that Delhi shall be called the National Gamlin and even if the concerned Chief Secretary, why was the file minister had recommended some Capital Territory of Delhi and sent to the Lieutenant Governor at other name, the Lieutenant Governor the Administrator of Delhi shall all? If the Chief Minister did not could have either referred the matter be designated as the Lieutenant want Shakuntala Gamlin as the to the President or could have gone Governor. Acting Chief Secretary, why was ahead with the appointment on the her name recommended at all? Was Article 239AA (4) which, ground that the matter was ‘so urgent the Chief Minister ignorant of his provides for a Council of Ministers that it was necessary for him to take own powers? states as follows: (4) There shall be immediate action’. Apart from such common sense a Council of Ministers consisting queries, the issue raised legal and of not more than ten per cent. of (Continued on Page 9) 6 JANATA, June 14, 2015 Labour Party and 2015 general election

Suhas Khale

On 7th May I was sitting with a wrong. Exit polls have been very have some opportunity to change few friends in the evening playing wrong in the past.” something. What we did not Bridge. At the end of the session I understand that most of the new The next morning it was even lost and was not in a good mood. leadership were schooled under worst Tories 330, Labour 232, I thought I will cheer myself up by Blair and were only going to be Scotish Natinoalist 56, Liberal 8 looking at what has happened to marginally different (on the left) and UKIP 1. Tories with absolute election process. All of us were very from the previous leaders. The majority in a house of 650. There keen and hoping that we will have ultimate goal was to get into power were shock waves throughout some good news of getting rid of immediately rather than willing the country. Three party leaders nasty Tories. to build the grass root party for resigned. Miliband of Labour. Clegg equality and social justice. Most of Liberal and Farage of UKIP Over a nice cup of tea and of the working class particularly in (who has since come back as the coffee, we were watching the Scotland which was the strong base developing situation in a number leader). Last 10 days have been full of analysis by Labour Party leaders of Labour movement had lost faith of constituencies in the country. in the party. The party took ethnic Suddenly the news flashed that the and sympathisers about what went wrong. minorities for granted and did not Exit Polls results will be available see the shift in vote. A number of in five minutes. Throughout the last I have been a member of Labour Asians and Africans who have done 40+days all the opinion polls were Party for over 30 years although well in businesses and jobs have showing that Tories and Labour were was hardly involved since 1997 slowly shifted from Labour Party to neck and neck and we were hoping when Blair came to power with New Tories. Intellectuals to Liberals and that Labour might edge ahead with Labour. The direction and policies Green. Some were just not interested many voters undecided. were far from the socialism rooted in voting. in working class. Some policies and We and many millions around implementations relating to equality Can Labour party gain ground the country got a severe shock when and social justice were different and win election in 2020? Based on the exit polls were flashed on the from those of Tories but market the current thinking of the writers, TV. Conservative 316, Labour 246, oriented approach which pandered Labour leaders and above all myself, Scottish National 55, Liberals 9 to big businesses and failed to I will put across the issues. and UKIP 2 seats. Past experience challenge the hegemony of banks Why did Labour do so badly? had shown that the exit polls were and Multi-Nationals. Friendship generally accurate. Yet some of us with Murdoch and his media empire In short, lack of Labour leadership hoped that this time the exit polls enabled Blair and co. to be elected to learn lessons from the past and might have got it wrong as opinion three times. The question was what to understand the dynamically fast polls were predicting that the two was the point of Labour Party being changing demographic of British major parties were very close. We in the Government if it is to be a society . were thinking that at least the Tories diluted version of Tory party? Also Labour were not responding will not have an absolute majority Blair and his cabinet took no notice positively to Tory criticism. No clear and Liberals were decimated. We of what the local Labour party units cut reply to Tories about economic were not the only one - “ I’ve been wanted. Lip service was paid to them competence and coalition with SNP. involved in a lot of elections and, I and at times they were shown scant This was due to lack of a strategy and have to say, I am sceptical of this respect. BBC exit poll,” Spencer Livermore, self-belief in Labour as a socialist Labour’s General Election Campaign Afer 2010 defeat, my school party (or even as a social democratic Director, wrote at the time. “It looks of thought expected that we will party). JANATA, June 14, 2015 7

In my opinion Labour never “micro-policies”. Most important blame is given to political parties learnt the lessons of their loss in Scotland which was once the on the left, public industries, the in 2010. After the elections in stronghold of Labour Party, they trade unions, etc. The cunning and 2010, Peter Hain, former cabinet lost 40 seats. Scottish National Party subtle public relations through the member and prominent Labour emerged as the third largest party in newspapers owned by Murdoch leader was asked to consult local the UK parliament and other controllers like him have Labour party members about their been successful in putting across views in London. I attended that They did not tackle the legacy of the message to voters at large that meeting. The overwhelming view recent past so did not allay the “more austerity” is the answer to was that the Blairites paid scant concerns some voters had about the economic chaos. The question is attention to the concerns of the them. They should have done far “more austerity” for whom? The poor, local Labour party members. I knew more to challenge the ludicrous marginalised communities, those Peter from the days of anti-apartheid claim that our investment in public who have been forced on the welfare movement and told him at that services caused the crash. Labour benefits due to unemployment and meeting that Labour party must pay inherited a debt-to-GDP ratio of 42 cuts? The bankers and CEOs of more attention to the ethnic minority per cent in 1997 and had got this large companies are still getting concerns and not take them for down to 37 per cent by 2008; and their millions. Major banks who granted. Peter himself was genuine under 18 years of Tory rule before have been primarily responsible for in listening to what the opinions of 1997, the deficit averaged 3.2 per the financial situation have been those present however, I do not think cent of GDP. The failure to nail this bailed out in the UK using tax payers that the then emerging leaders were argument allowed doubts to arise money. interested in it. Not surprisingly about our competence. Tories as Labour lost a considerable share of usual scored by telling voters that In this climate, what can be done ethnic minority vote. Labour party lacked economic by Labour party? The next five competence. Labour had appeal in years are going to be very tough. 23 per cent of BAME voters London but different parts of the UK Tory party’s machine with their voted for the Tories. Large numbers were convinced by Tory criticism. government unbridled by coalition were Indians. Asians have done well with Liberal Democrats is already as business people and in jobs and Finally the Tories have to be given thinking about securing a majority Labour had nothing to offer to them. a credit that they won. Tories sliced of 100 seats in the year 2020. £120 bn from public spending and Labour party appealed to their missed their reduction deficit target, Jon Cruddas, who led a policy core voters but not to, middle-class they cut down welfare benefits and review for Labour, said his party ones. They talked about the very introduced bedroom tax and yet lost because it was offering bottom and very top of society, about won. Well Karl Marx once said that “micro policies” and now needs to the minimum wage, bedroom tax, UK will never be a socialist country ! fundamentally rethink its purpose. zero-hour contracts, about mansions He said the situation facing the next and non-doms. But they had too little Future for Labour leadership is arguably one of the to say to the majority of people in As a socialist living in Europe, great crises of the Labour party’s the middle. I am very dissatisfied as I see that history. socialism is on the decline. Recent The election strategy was too election in Greece offers hope but Currently there are two schools of limited to get a 35 per cent coalition their economy is in tatters. The thought. Blairites like Liz Kendall of core vote, targeting left votes economic crisis in the last few (contesting for Labour leadership) of Lib Dems, Greens . The appeal years has swung most of the voters who is supported by Chuck Umhana should have been to much larger to vote for the conservative right and others are already proposing section of voters to support it, wing parties. The reality is that the to move back to Blarite type of including those who backed the crisis was caused by the bankers, policies. My question to them is Tories in the south. UKIP took multi-national corporations with assuming they come to power what votes away from both Tories and their tax evasions and the financial will the country have? A mildly Labour. In effect it was offering greed of the industry leaders. The progressive version of Tory party? 8 JANATA, June 14, 2015

The Labour MP Stella Creasy who is contesting for Deputy Leadership Banning Periyar of Labour party has urged her party to stop acting like a “machine that Sandeep Pandey turns up at election time trying to harvest votes, but become a T h e H u m a n R e s o u r c e s in Bangladesh Narendra Modi movement “. She is dead right! Development Minister Smriti Irani exercised his personal choice to have coerced the IIT Madras Dean into vegetarian food on public occasions Labour needs a broad-based banning the Ambedkar Pariyar when everybody around was having coalition of people to vote for them Students Circle - ban has now been non-vegetarian food. This choice of in order to be in power to get rid of lifted after a nationwide outcry individuals or communities must be Tories. Labour had a good campaign from progressive organizations respected. and positive policies about the and individuals. The group was future, on housing, on reforming charged with spreading hatred The most hypocritical aspect the energy market, bedroom tax and against Narendra Modi and Hindus about beef from the point of view child care. The question is whether as it had criticised the decisions by of Hindutva organisations is that all these policies came together in some state governments to ban beef, while some BJP state governments a way that was being heard, that make use of Hindi compulsory and want to place ban on beef and some people could feel was meaningful the ‘ghar wapsi’ programme of RSS- self-styled sadhus want people for them and their families. The affiliated organisations. to be hanged for cow slaughter, party concentrated on bedroom tax during PM Narendra Modi’s visit but what about the people who are This was a clear violation of to China the Government of India not affected by the bedroom tax, who Article 19 which guarantees citizens was seeking greater market access are in work and play by the rules and of India freedom of speech and for its products, important among are decent people. Labour did not expression, to form association and which was bovine meat! China has have any clear message for them. If unions and to assemble peaceably banned Indian meat in the past due Labour is to win the next election and without arms. How can the to complaints of disease carried by they must get a clear understanding criticism of government’s policies it. India desperately wanted this ban of aspirations and needs of those or some programmes of Hindutva to be lifted so that it can achieve its voters who are struggling to raise organisations be construed as export target of $1 billion of bovine their living standards The nature of spreading hatred against the PM meat to China. core Labour vote has changed and or Hindus? It is not necessary that they need to appeal to them and all Hindus agree with the view The Hindutva groups this year not take them for granted and not of Hindutva organisations. For on Ambedkar Jayanti, probably concentrate just on swing voters. example, there are a number of for the first time in the life of these Ethnic minority votes in the country devout Hindus who cannot speak organisations, observed the event. as a whole which Labour took for Hindi because their mother tongue is There is a clear attempt by BJP to granted voted for the Tories. Loss of some different language. Making use woo the dalit voters. But Ambedkar seats in Scotland was a major blow. of Hindi compulsory for them will was not happy with Hindu religion Both the parties have neglected the be grave injustice to such people. and therefore changed his religion aspirations of Scottish people but it Similarly, all adults have freedom to to Budhhism. He also convinced was Labour who suffered because choose their life partners irrespective a number of his followers too to they lost many seats there. A political of their caste and religion. How can convert to Buddhism. Ambedkar had party need to take into cognisance there be a policing of relationships? said that even though he was born as the fast changing socio-economic A relationship between two a Hindu he would not die a Hindu. dynamics as well as increasing individuals is their private matter It is amazing that RSS has taken a diversity in order to be able to appeal and nobody else should interfere in decision to recognize Ambedkar as to people. this. Similarly, the habits of some a social reformer. individuals or communities may include non-vegetarian food. This Ambedkar is still easy to handle (Continued on Page 16 is also a personal choice. Recently for Hindutva groups. Periyar became JANATA, June 14, 2015 9

an atheist after his visit to the Hindu of widow marriage. He advocated Ambedkar now? Will they continue Banning Periyar holy city of Kashi as a result of gender equality and supported the with their decision to try to include facing caste based discrimination idea of choosing life-partner for him among the national heroes they there. Periyar had burned copies of oneself from any caste or religion. revere or will they try to maintain a Hindu scriptures containing anti- He also cared for the destitute and distance as they’ll necessarily have dalit writings. Hindutva groups abandoned in society. He stood for to do with Periyar? RSS will have would never be able digest the the philosophy of humanism. to resolve this, their dalit dilemma. fact that Periyar once also burned the picture of Lord Ram in 1956 Periyar opposed the imposition But placing a ban has provoked at Chennai. Mayawati during her of Hindi language over non-Hindi a strong reaction in all parts of initial days when she was a strong speaking people as he thought that country. At some places new units critic of Manuwad or Brahminism Hindi would be used as a tool by of Ambedkar Pariyar Student Circle used to have Periyar as a dalit icon north Indians for exploitation of have come into existence while at among Ambedkar, Kanshiram, others. other places different dalit groups Narayan Guru, Chatrapti Sahu ji have become assertive. Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, Savitri RSS in its attempt to coopt Phule, Gautam Buddha, Kabir, Ambedkar were taken aback by the A government which cannot etc. However, when BSP had to name of Periyar associated with the handle very basic criticism cannot align with Brahmins as part of a student group in Madras. It didn’t last very long. Narendra Modi has political compulsion, Periyar was know how to deal with Periyar. an autocratic style of functioning surreptitiously removed from the Hence they advised the MHRD to and cannot tolerate any dissent. dalit pantheon. Since then Mayawati first ban it but then under public Democracy cannot afford to have has also stopped criticing Manuwad pressure had to yield to the demand a leader like him because he would or Brahminism. How important a of lifting the ban. stifle the spirit of free debate at position was held by Periyar among various levels in society. Either he’ll the dalit icons is clear from the It would be interesting to see have to change or people will replace change in stance that Mayawati had how the Sangh pariwar deals with him with a saner leader. to undertake. Presence or absence (Continued from Page 5) made by the Chief Minister himself of Peiryar determined whether there was no need to refer the matter Three issues are clear: Mayawati would or would not to the President. crticise Brahminism. Mayawati has Since under the constitution the not built the statue of Periyar among Council of Ministers ought to have Thirdly, since the Chief Minister the various dalit icons which stand advised the Lieutenant Governor, had recommended two names, he tall at different dalit monuments in the Council of Ministers did not had obviously given a choice to the Lucknow today. make the recommendation as the Lieutenant Governor to choose any recommendation was made only one of the two and the Lieutenant Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy stood by a Minister and was endorsed by Governor only picked one of the for self-respect, especially of non- the Chief Minister. This was wrong two names recommended. Even if Brahmin Dravidian people. He was unless the Council of Ministers had the Lieutenant Governor had chosen the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam, delegated the power to the concerned a third person, not recommended by the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant parent of both the parties today in Minister or Chief Minister. Governor would have been well Tamil Nadu between whom political within his powers to do so since the power alternates. He was strong Secondly, even presuming that the Council of Ministers had delegated proviso to Article 239AA(4) gives critic of the caste system because the power to the concerned Minister him that discretion. there was no logic in simply one’s or the Chief Minister, since the birth, over which one had no control, Lieutenant Governor has to refer As for the argument that the determining one’s position in the the matter to the President of India Delhi Government is democratically hierarchical system. Periyar fought only in case of difference of opinion elected Government and that it should against untouchability practised between the Lieutenant Governor have more powers than an appointee against the dalits. He was opposed to and his Ministers on any matter and of the Central Government, it should child marriage but supported the idea since the recommendation had been (Continued on Page 11) 10 JANATA, June 14, 2015 MNCs and Farmers

Bharat Dogra

Food processing industry is objective it is important that the food from Mexico to the USA. However, the oldest and the most widely processing industry should give a the study by Dr. Feder revealed spread industry Traditionally, this fair deal to farmers. that the real control remained with industry was confined mainly to the the American investors and food processing of grains and oilseeds to In this context it may be wholesalers. They controlled the meet the basic food needs of local interesting to look at the behaviour quantity and type of inputs, the people. In recent years, however, the of some leading US food companies varieties to be grown, prices and scope of the industry has widened in a neighbouring country, Mexico, profit margins. Even strawberry considerably to cater to the more which has emerged as an important plants came from nurseries in the sophisticated food demands of the source of several fruits and U.S. Even after fifteen years of economically well-off sections and vegetables for processing by this commercial strawberry growing, the export market. industry. Mexico did not have its own source of high-grade strawberry seedlings In 1973 Del Monte paid American The sheer size of the industry, based on varieties best adapted to asparagus farmers 23 cents a defined here to include all processing conditions in Mexico. pound for their crop; in Mexico, of food in traditional as well as contractors of the same firm paid modern sectors is reason enough to Initially the prospects offered Mexican farmers 10 cents a pound. give careful attention to the growth by the coming up a resourceful The contractors paid the Mexican path of this industry. However, industrial units which use their seasonal workers only 23 cents an additional reasons of its importance produce may appear bright to hour. Dr. Ernest Feder’s study on also need to be stressed, as these farmers, but having talked them strawberry cultivation in Mexico for perhaps are even more important. into producing the specialist USA strawberry industry revealed This industry caters to a most (generally perishable) crops that for the same work wages in important requirement (food) of required by the industry, it can Mexico averaged only one seventh people where considerations of confront them with unpalatable of those in California. In fact for health are very important. There offers as having once agreed to US strawberry industry these low have been several glaring examples grow this crop or having invested wages were so important that, in the of wasteful processing by this into machinery for this purpose or words of Dr. Feder, enforcement of industry and also several examples taken loans from the company, the minimum wage-laws would “tend to which constitute a serious health farmers are hooked to supplying drive the U.S. strawberry industry hazard. Hence there is a very real the needs of this industry. back to the U.S. or some other Latin need to protect the interests of American country.” consumers vis-à-vis this industry, or A commonly used plan to deprive to place matters in a more positive This should not appear too the farmers is to maintain the price way, it is very important to give shocking considering that it was but raise the quality standards. So such an orientation to this industry mainly the search for cheap labour farmers find that there is a market that it respects and protects the real which took these companies to for only a part of their crop, the interests of consumers, with special Mexico in preference to domestic remaining crop, which fails to meet emphasis on health and nutrition farmers. Availability of cheap land the high norms, may perish for want considerations. was another consideration and so of a buyer. Later the same industry, it is not surprising that in complete or one of its affiliates, may buy this On the other side, the food violation of long-term protection crop also at a distress sale rate and processing industry is closely linked and conservation of land, it was use it for manufacture of some by- to farmers for obtaining its raw plundered with reckless farming product, say, a soup or a pickle. materials. Improvement of the living methods and chemical sprays. and working condition of farmers A report on the price paid to with special emphasis on small By 1970 over 150 million pounds the asparagus growers by the U.S. farmers being a widely accepted of strawberries were being exported transnational Del Monte says that JANATA, June 14, 2015 11 while the price for “acceptable” there are also farmers - generally the requiring fruits and vegetables, canning asparagus was 23 cents weakest ones who may never work violations of ceilings in the name of a pound, the price for asparagus for this industry but nevertheless cultivation of fruits and vegetables ‘rejects’ which the company later suffer due to it as they may have may take place on an even larger sold as asparagus soup or asparagus to be evicted to make room for the scale. cuts, was .0005 cents a pound. plantations or ranches operated by big companies or for supplying their (Continued from Page 9) A related way in which the needs by other, more influential be noted that the elected Government bargain turns out to be much less farmers and contractors. of Delhi also will have to act within advantageous to farmers than it the limits set by the Constitution as initially appears is the rigid Bud Senegal, an affiliate of the Constitution has been adopted insistence of the company relating a California and Brussels based and accepted by the people of the to the inputs and machines used, transnational, set up giant garden entire country. Hence he will of the and the methods followed by the plantations in Senegal to supply fresh people of the country as expressed farmers – sometimes to ensure that vegetables to European countries, in through the Constitution overrides the inputs manufactured by the the process evicting several villagers the will of the people of Delhi, if company or its affiliates are used, and felling trees very useful to them. any, expressed through the AAP sometimes to ensure that the size, Government. growth, colour, etc. of the crop or In Bukindon region of Philippines, the meat is in keeping with market an American priest who was arrested Delhi is not a full-fledged State preferences, however irrational for helping resisting peasants, in the Indian Union. It is a Union these may be. Such insistence can described a multinational’s land- Territory. The effort of the previous impose a lot of financial burden on grabbing: “They bulldozed people Delhi regimes to get a full-fledged farmers and cut into their margins in right off the land. Now they’re using State status failed. The AAP, it a substantial way. aerial sprays harming farm animals appears has stated in its election and giving people terrible rashes.” manifesto that it will try to get full The plight of poultry farmers Statehood for Delhi. However, as of of North Alabama USA, working At other places the cultivation now, Delhi is only a Union Territory. on the basis of such contracts with of luxury crops by these companies The question also is whether Delhi big American companies, was or by influential farmers supplying should be made a full-fledged State. summed up by a reporter of Des them has led to pre-emptying of Since Delhi is the capital of the Moines Register in these words: scarce resources such as water country and all important Union “The farmers I talked to said that to meet the requirement of these Ministries and offices of the Defence every time it looked like they were influential producers, depriving Establishments are in Delhi, it going to get the loan paid off, more needy and poor farmers. is not advisable to make Delhi a the integrators would come up full-fledged State, particularly with with a new ‘improvement’ like gas In Zamora, Mexico strawberries powers over the Police Forces. An heaters, insulated chicken houses used up 75 per cent of the water on anarchist Chief Minister like Arvind and automatic feeding equipment. only 20 to 30 per cent of the total Kejrival of a full-fledged State may Once in debt, the farmer had to stay area under cultivation. stage a coup d’etat any time and in business, but to stay in business bring the whole country to its knees. they had to get deeper in debt. One In countries where several food- of the farmers described himself processing MNCs have entered in a Recently when Arvind Kejrival and other poultry farmers as “the big way they have had a regressive went on a Dharna on the road and new slaves.” influence on land-reforms as they, or the media criticized him saying that their suppliers, want large holdings he is creating anarchy, he had said However some of the big farmers for cultivation, and so a spate of that he is an anarchist. It would be and contractors who work with the exemptions making a mockery a misnomer to call his party as Aam big companies may also stand to of land reform laws have to be Aadmi Party since the common man gain - after all the industry also needs granted. In India it is well-known not only has a robust common sense a powerful group of well-wishers that exemptions from land-ceiling but also has a robust political sense who identify their interest with that have been given in the past also both of which his party appears of the industry and have influence for horticulture and orchards. With to lack. It may be better to call it at the local level. On the other hand, the spread of processing industries Arvind’s Anarchist Party. 12 JANATA, June 14, 2015 The legacy of the INA or Azad Hind Fauj

Irfan Habib

I was a schoolboy when Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, but left along with Nehru, perhaps information about INA burst up on after that leftists entered the national if somebody had asked who India in 1945. I think it would be fair movement which included people represented the national movement to say that Indian people only knew like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash most, people would have answered about INA when Japan surrendered, Chandra Bose. Subhash Bose’s Gandhiji, Nehru and Subhash or was about to surrender and mentor C. R. Das had said that Chandra Bose, probably in that members of the INA were brought national movement should speak for order. This was not merely based on to India and put on trial. It was 98 percent and this was something their personalities, but the character then we learnt about Rani of Jhansi new to the civil disobedience of the national movement had regiment and the organization of movement of 1930 and was also changed. There were differences Azad Hind Government and Azad something new in Indian history within the left, Nehru had announced Hind Fauj. We also learnt how in that peasants were brought into in ‘Glimpses of World History’ and Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs fought national movement for the first time in his autobiography that he was an shoulder to shoulder for our freedom in such struggles. atheist, that only idiots believed in with great pride. the afterlife, that he did not believed It was the peasants who lost their in God, Subhash Bose till the end of Before embarking on the subject lands when these were confiscated his life remained a believer in God. of the INA, I should speak little by the British government, who These were basic differences, not about the conditions during which went to prison and their numbers peripheral. Nevertheless they both it was created. There was not only exceeded more than one hundred recognized a kind of a Socialist continuing enslavement of India by thousand. For the first time women India would be the only goal that Britain but it was also at a particular also participated in the jail-bharo would bring the masses of India stage of our national movement. agitations. And this new, changed together. Their views on socialism Everybody knows that Subhash character of national movement was may have been different but they Chandra Bose’s re-election, as recognized by the Karachi resolution realized that the capitalist-landlord the President of Tripuri session of passed by the Congress session in system would be unfair for the AICC in 1939 was a major event in March 1931 after the suspension of Indian masses. the national movement. Mahatma civil disobedience movement. Gandhi’s candidate Pattabhi That formed a new programme The left included the socialists and Sitaramayya was defeated so the first for the Congress, that there should the communists at that time, and the question to ask is how Subhash Bose be adult franchise, man and woman Tripuri session represents perhaps came to that position and why this should have equality, worker rights the most powerful movement of the happened in the national movement. should be protected, basic industries existence of the left in the national Clearly the national movement had should be state controlled, land movement. At that time the world come a long way away from the to the cultivator, deep agrarian situation suddenly changed, the period when it was a middle class reforms, all these were promised for war began on October 1939, and movement which it remained even the first time. From then onwards the Congress ministries resigned after the Khilafat movement and both worker organizations and because Britain included India in non-cooperation movement of 1920- peasant organizations gained in its declaration of war against Hitler. 22. Gandhiji played an undoubtedly strength and this was reflected Hitler’s cause was unspeakable, notable part in bringing the masses in Tripuri session of the Indian the Nazi racialist theory could not into the movement; it was he who National Congress. appeal to non-Aryans or non-white brought simple peasants and workers Indians, nevertheless because of the into the national movement. It was Subhash Bose was undoubtedly fact that India was enslaved by the he, of course, who organized the one of the major leaders of the British, there was an innate lack of

Edited text of the first Captain Abbas Ali memorial lecture delivered by the Professor Emeritus, AMU-Aligarh, on March 7, 2015 JANATA, June 14, 2015 13 sympathy in the ranks of the national when Hitler attacked Soviet Union speaker, and certainly his speech movement for Britain. on June 22, 1941. We now know two days after the fall of Singapore that this put Bose in a mental crisis, to Japanon on 15 February, 1942 And therefore, the feeling that his understanding of the two lines was remarkable for the effect it had this was not India’s war was quite drawn during World War I were on Indian soldiers who were brought rampant in the national movement, completely shattered, but he didn’t to listen to it in their thousands. in fact when Gandhiji spoke in join Germany in any denunciation With Rash Bihari Bose, an old favour of Britain and France, he of the Soviet Union. Of course with revolutionary who had fled to Japan probably did not represent popular Japan it was another case, because in order to escape prosecution in opinion. Here the first rifts in the left Japan did not go to war with USSR. India and perhaps execution, he were seen. Nehru knew about the However once he had arrived in formed the INA. Preetam Singh nature of fascism and was therefore Germany he began to prepare for an unfortunately died in an air crash. totally hostile to Germany. In his army. There were a large number of What is important in Mohan Singh’s autobiography he said that there Indian POWs, which the Italians had case was his ability to gather Indian would be a time when Russia and captured and who were transferred soldiers despite the fact that they America would enter the war against to Germany, an Indian division was belonged to different regions and Germany. This was not the opinion being trained in Germany. Then the religions. His main colleague was of Subhash Bose and his followers. situation suddenly changed when Captain Akram, first sign that there Subhash admired Mussolini and early in December, 1941, Japan too was a very strong belief in the INA thought any enemy of England joined the war not against Soviet that religious differences were was a friend of India. This was the Union but against America by immaterial. Unfortunately Akram beginning of two strategies within attacking Pearl Harbour. was also killed with Preetam Singh. the nationalist left. Bose remained Mohan Singh was ultimately able to, a friend of the Soviet Union, he Therefore, when the Indian according to the British Intelligence, didn’t have equal sympathies with Independence League formed in build up the INA to the effective the Chinese resistance against Japan, Thailand by Gyani Preetam Singh strength of 12,000. but it seemed in the first one and a accompanied the Japanese into half years of the war that there was, Malaya, Indian troops over there, You must remember that they if not an alliance and understanding led by their British commanders had very great financial difficulties, between Germany, Soviet Union and surrendered, so to speak, to the Japanese would not fund them Japan and this was an understanding Japanese, then they began to respond sufficiently, would not give them within the anti-imperialist powers, to Preetam Singh’s appeal that they arms, except small arms, except and therefore Bose’s decision to should form a separate army, an what they had from the British. escape India and go to Germany via army of the Indian Independence Also three million strong population Russia is understandable. League and Captain Mohan Singh, of South East Asia was also not was certainly the major figure who sure how far they should help We must remember that he left first formed the Indian National the INA, reports of the British India in January 1941 when England Army, INA; he belonged to the agents suggested that there were was practically alone in standing earliest detachment of the Indians differences, because Muslims of up to Germany and Italy, while who as I said surrendered to the South East Asia supported the Russia and Germany were bound Japanese under their British officers Muslim League, and Preetam Singh together by the non-aggression pact in Malaya. and Mohan Singh had declared their of 1939. No outsider could know loyalty to Mahatma Gandhi and the that Germany was preparing to Mohan Singh is sometimes Congress. invade Soviet Union. It was also forgotten but I think he is a very very difficult to know as Soviet notable figure and ought to receive Nevertheless it was the leaders perhaps ought to know at his due. British intelligence paid farsightedness of Mohan Singh that that time that there were issues like its own tribute to Mohan Singh. he continued to make appeals to Yugoslavia and Greece, Finland. Mohan Singh, we are told, “has the Muslims, he made the song of Soviet Union and Germany had got no weakness”, unfortunately the INA Iqbal’s famous poem ‘sare fundamental differences. Bose could they should have added, “in form jahan se acha hindostan hamara’, not have known it if he arrived of greed, lust, women, drink, etc, which despite its naiveté - everyone in Berlin in April 1941. Things as far as one can find out”, they considers their own country the best became immediately complicated also say that he was an eloquent in the world, so there was nothing

(Continued on Page 11) 14 JANATA, June 14, 2015 new about it - it made great appeal Subhash Bose left Germany in of all these government. Subhash to Indians everywhere and I believe a U-Boat on 8 February, 1943, Chandra Bose was able to obtain it is also today, owing to the INA, the by that time the tide of war had recognition from Japanese which army song of our country. How long turned. Hitler had been defeated others, so called partners of Japan it will remain so, I doubt now, under at Stalingrad, throughout 1943 had not been able to obtain. the present dispensation. his eastern front crumbled, the offensive Zitadelle failed miserably, It was now under Subhash Mohan Singh was only able and much of Ukraine and Belorussia Chandra Bose that INA began to send small groups to the front. was regained by the Soviet Union. to enter into military operations British Intelligence reported in 1942 Japan also began to suffer air raids effectively first in Arakan and then that in some attacks on their frontier from USA, not only on its territories on the Indian border of Assam, positions, there were war cries in but Japan itself. Subhash Bose was or what was then the province Punjabi both by Sikh and other able to reach South East Asia only of Assam. The area involved in soldiers. There were also desertions in May 1943 by submarine and on so-called the Imphal campaign is in the INA, one major desertion 5th July he took salute of INA men today partly in Manipur and partly being by Major Dhillon with the at Singapore. in Nagaland. When the invasion complicity of his superior Col. Gill of Manipur and Nagaland was who was then imprisoned by the Subhash Chandra Bose was called undertaken by the Japanese, it Japanese. This incident intensified Netaji in Germany, and over there was perhaps already too late for Mohan Singh’s difference with the the name Azad Hind Fauj had been any military campaign as by 1944 Japanese and ultimately Mohan coined. The INA flag, the Congress Japan was harassed by American Singh was dismissed by Rash Bihari tricolour with the jumping tiger on it raids and invasions of its SE Asian Bose on 27 December 1942. was invented and Jana Gana Mana possessions. With effective four divisions and no air cover it was Militarily the best time for INA also was taken as national anthem. Bose knew the Muslim hesitation to, difficult to say, why the Japanese, was late 1942. Britain and America against the views of their own had not been able to bring large perhaps unreasonable hesitation to accept Vande Matram, although the commander-in-chief in Burma, numbers of troops into Assam. That General Ayabe, this invasion. was the time when any invasion of Pathans used to shout ‘Allahu Akbar Assam had perhaps some chance of Vande Matram’, but otherwise the It is now apparent that this was success. Germans were advancing Muslims had some objections, under the pressure of Subhash towards Stalingrad, Japan seemed therefore Jana Gana Mana was the Chandra Bose himself, this shows almost dominant in the Pacific and song that Bose had adopted. With the influence that he had now South East Asia and within India this baggage of nomenclature, let come to exercise over Japan, that the Quit India Movement had taken us say ideas, and with the slogan they were prepare to launch an place in August 1942, this was ‘chalo dilli, Bose injected new life invasion which was ultimately to a great morale booster for INA - into the INA, and then he formed the weaken very badly their military Gandhiji’s and Nehru’s arrest was provisional Azad Hind Government position in Burma. Because when shown by the INA propaganda that on 21 October 1943. He obtained they attacked in early summer of these leaders were also on the same from Japan which Gen. Mohan 1944, they attacked Manipur and side as INA, it was forgotten that Singh had been unable to obtain, Nagaland, they did not have the in the Quit India resolution it was a recognition of the government strength to launch a campaign alone made clear that the Congress was on of the Azad Hind, at par with which could have any success, and the side of the allies in World War II. other states like the government of that was to go through the passes But the fact that a movement against Thailand, the Nanking government - and seize Dimapur, which was on the British had been launched was puppet government perhaps but also Assam-Nagaland border. an important morale booster for recognized by Japan as independent, the INA, but unfortunately even the government of Philippines, For over two months they did that advantage was wasted in the all rather subordinates and puppet occupy Morang, south of Imphal desolation of the INA in December governments, and that of Burma, which is fairly deep into Manipur 1942. and now Azad Hind Government. territory, and that was one area The point to remember is that Azad which the INA controlled for two We must remember the point that Hind Government despite having and half months from where their if Subhash Bose had been present, no territory under it, was perhaps flags flew. But the Japanese were things might have turned differently. the most independent and freest defeated and badly mauled, as you JANATA, June 14, 2015 15 know Japanese soldiers fought to In a polity which was then so far I think that the Congress working death perhaps this was another divided into two communal camps, committee deserves our praise; mistake they retreated far too late, unfortunately as Gandhiji freely they made it clear that their opinion because the INA did not have any admitted despite its secular views, was different from opinion of the heavy weapons, they asked INA to the Congress in effect had become INA, but they also made it clear retreat first. So INA was not mauled a caste Hindu party. These are not that the INA men were patriots. as much as the Japanese themselves, my words but Gandhiji’s words. Now this feeling was shared on the and the road was therefore clear for So despite its trying the Muslims ground, and I think one of the major the British advance into Burma. had rejected, as they would in 1946 contributions of INA was apart from the Congress. And over 80 percent its resistance, apart from its martyrs In the meantime Subhash Chandra would vote for the Muslim League. in the fight, was its effect on the Bose had to leave Rangoon and come Then there was the virulence of the Indian national opinion. On 21-23 to Bangkok, and then owing to the Hindu Mahasabha. November, Calcutta demonstrations, atom bombs dropped on Japan, first in which Forward Bloc, Congress on Hiroshima and then on Nagasaki, To all this the INA posed a totally and Communists demonstrators and the then Soviet invasion of different model. Their mode of took part, against INA trials and for Manchuria, Japan surrendered on 15 salutation, ‘Jai-Hind’ had become their release, showed that Britain August 1945. The fact that it would normal in Indian political discourse. could not rule in the old way. For the be surrendering came to be known The British had their discussions, first time British troops were used to Bose three days earlier. We know which are now clear, in transfer against Indian crowds. And it was that Subhash Chandra Bose wanted of power and others that, how to found that despite firing, in which to go to Russia, he still thought that treat the INA became a problem , 33 were killed that the crowd would Soviet Union would be the only not because the British wanted to not disperse. This was followed in power that could stand up to British wash-off , what was in their views Calcutta by the sentence of seven and American imperialism, but was treason but because of Indian years rigorous imprisonment of this particular adventure of his was Abdul Rashid, who was put on a public opinion. never brought to test. He had been separate trial and whose defence was accompanied in his U-Boat journey undertaken by the Muslim League. They first tried a direct trial of to Japan, by a Muslim officer from This also resulted in a common the early prisoners of INA headed Germany Abid Hasan, he would now demonstration in Calcutta from by Major General Shah Nawaz, be accompanied by another Muslim 11-13 February 1946, in which 84 Colonel P. K Sehgal and Colonel officer Habib-ur-rahman from INA were killed. who lived to tell the tale. Gurubaksh Singh Dhillon, they were to be tried in Red Fort. And We know that in the meantime These were the great reasons it was then to be tested what this Shah Nawaz Khan had been why and when INA prisoners began prison trial would evoke from the sentenced to life imprisonment, to arrive to India, and the news public opinion. What it would evoke but that had been reduced to a mere about INA organization and INA’s from the public opinion was shown dismissal by the Commander-in- Azad Hind Government began by the unanimous decision of the Chief. to be popularized in India, every Congress working committee to newspaper printed it, its secular go for a defence committee which It was clear that such character, its exhibition of organizing was headed - surprise of surprises imprisonments would have abilities of Indians, its ability to fight by the most moderate of moderate enormous consequences. But there the British. As we know now, British leaders, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru. was another event which only INA intelligence reports also indicated Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru had been could have brought about, and that from the fronts that fighting qualities a consistent collaborator with the was the Royal Indian Mutiny(RIM) of INA was good. The Japanese British Government, a very fine in Bombay on February 18-23, 1946 noted that desertions from INA were Urdu scholar, with very good secular involving 78 ships of the Indian navy few and far between, that many views, but a great sincere admirer of and total strike and crowd violence people in SE Asia, poor and rich, the British constitutionalism, side against the British in Bombay. donated to INA, the greatest donor by side with a person he never liked The British brought in the British to INA, we are told was one Habib Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, troops; the Leicester regiment, the of Rangoon, who donated all his K. N. Katju, P. Saran, Badridaas and Essex regiment, the British artillery property to Azad Hind Fauj. Asif Ali. and the royal marines to suppress R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 14, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, June 14, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday June 17, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 RIM and civil disturbances. The that we continue to pay tribute to the aside but real secularism, in which RIN mutineers not only called for INA, but also to hold high the banners every community, every section of unconditional release of INA men, that Azad Hind Fauj had raised, the the population has a place. apart from their own demands, but in banners of national dignity, unity their final statement when they said and communal brotherhood, and So for that reason I particularly they were surrendering to India and also secularism, not the kind of welcome the fact that we are not Britain, their statement ended the secularism of the Supreme Court celebrating the memory of one cry Jai-Hind. Now the RIN mutiny in which all religions are good, and INA soldier Captain Abbas Ali, was therefore again an extension of if you have religious instructions and through that celebration we the INA struggle, it was impossible that is all right and constitutional are also celebrating INA and its to visualize it, had not INA have provision of the prohibition of great achievements.Rae peritiumus been there as a model and had not religious instructions can be set maximmodit. INA slogans been imbibed by Indian sailors and soldiers. (Continued from Page 8) global alliances (especially the EU) - to make life here better. It must One of the tragedies in India is The rise in economic inequality that after the RIN mutiny we seemed is matched by voting trends. Among also fight the root causes of anti- to have forgotten both the INA and voters in households earning less immigration sentiment utilised by the RIN mutiny. The RIN mutineers than £20,000 a year, Labour’s lead UKIP and right wing of Tory party, also raised both the Congress and widened from 3 per cent in 2010 to like the housing crisis, rather than Muslim League flags; their leaders 7 per cent this year. While the Tories pandering to it. was one M. S. Khan, a sailor. Hindus increased their leads by five points and Muslims fought together in among the two highest-income It is high time that Labour party RIN mutiny, so also the crowds in groups: from 8 per cent to 13 per cent needs a drastic political reform. Bombay. A cousin of mine whom I among those earning £40-69,000 They should start by changing saw later, who was in Bombay, told a year, and from 23 per cent to 28 the party: cultivating networks me later that the crowds wanted all per cent among those earning more of supporters and civic society the ties to be removed, one could than £70,000 a year. It is the middle organisations and making it more only walk on the streets on Bombay income voters who deserted labour. of a force for progressive change in in this period if you didn’t have a the communities every day, not just tie, so he has to remove his tie and Decentralising the state is a big every five years. It’s worth noting keep in his pocket. So strong was part of this challenge. A massive that if Labour had as many members the Anti-British feeling in Bombay devolution of power to cities, regions as the SNP, relative to population, it among all Indians. But soon within a and towns and hence reducing what would have 1.2 million. They need year, the Hindus and Muslims would is done in Whitehall by consolidating to understand that we live in an age be at each other’s throat, and within and merging departments and cutting where people want politics not to be a year and a half the country would the number of ministers. This will broadcast at them, but interactive, be partitioned. cut costs as well enable the local where they do not just want to be told councils to have much needed or bombarded with messages. People One must remember that the authority to provide solutions to their think that the Labour party members INA always spoke of a united and local challenges. undivided India, both under Mohan only turn up at election time. Labour Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose. Finally, the party needs a clearer needs to be a party more than a series Subhash Chandra Bose too would vision of Britain in the world. of campaigns on important issues. want all the concessions given to If Labour is truly the party of It has to become a movement rather Muslims, but not the partition of the internationalism and openness then it than a vote seeking organisation. country. Clearly the mutual slaughter must explain how global change can Biggest challenge for the future was a kind of a rejection, a rebuff to be harnessed, how Britain can use leaders would be motivating the all that the INA stood for, therefore its strengths - universities, industry party to change else there could be today, I think it is doubly important and innovation, diverse population, severe consequences for Labour. Printed and Published by G.G. Parikh on behalf of Janata Trust. Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 and published at D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg (Sleater Road), Mumbai - 400 007. Established 1946 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 21 BJP’s predicament June 21, 2015 S. Viswam

The coming assembly election scam case. His party and his own in Bihar (October-November) holds family members can contest. Lalu Smt. Gandhi’s misrule some significance for the state’s has therefore wisely entered into Kuldip Nayar political class. The outcome will an alliance with JD(U) and Nitish clarify certain assumptions and Kumar. Morever, much against his suppositions the various parties of the own inclination, he has also agreed, to Emergency (1975) state and outside hold in regard to the accept Nitish Kumar as the consensus Rajindar Sachar political clout of four parties active chief ministerial candidate of the in Bihar: the Congress, the Rashtriya alliance. Describing this decision as Janata Dal (Lalu Prasad Yadav), the tantamount to drinking poison, he Undermining institutions Janata Dal (United) now controlled Irfan Engineer said it was necessary to undertake by chief minister Nitish Kumar, this gesture in order to keep the and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Of BJP from winning the polls. In his these the party that is dominant in characteristically jovial way, he said Survival Crisis public patronage and support is the he was prepared to drink any amount Bharat Dogra JD(U), largely because of Nitish of poison in pursuit of the goal of Kumar’s good image as a clean leader putting the BJP in its place in Bihar by delivering good governance and which he means the political eclipse Socialists on Emergency devoted to development. But elections in India have a tendency to alter the of the saffron party. status quo when one least expects it As far as these two secular parties and to make parties and politicians bite the dust. In Bihar, the present is are concerned, the polls present an an hour of crisis and confidence for encouraging prospect. The alliance can expect the vote banks of the two Editor : the entire political class. The run-up to the polls has also introduced some partners to deliver: the Yadava votes G. G. Parikh unusual and uncommon features into in the case of the RJD and the Kurmi Managing Editor : Guddi the campaign which is yet to gather votes in the case of the JD(U). The steam. Let us take a quick look at the JD(U) is already in political control D-15, Ganesh Prasad, political situation on election eve. having adroitly rested power back Naushir Bharucha Marg, The Rashtriya Janata Dal in only a from the so-called usurper Jiten Mumbai - 400 007. secondary player in this election. Ram Manjhi. Lalu’s political clout is Lalu Prasad Yadav is debarred from somewhat diminished, but he is still Email : [email protected] personally contesting the poll since a political force to be reckoned with he was convicted in the fodder in electoral battles in Bihar. 2 JANATA, June 21, 2015

The question that follows is Between the lines about the two major rivals, and their identities and relevant strengths and weaknesses. With the Congress party having ceased long ago to be Smt. Gandhi’s misrule a major player in Bihar, the fight is confined to the saffron block on Kuldip Nayar one side and the strong challenge group on the other. Here the RJD- Forty years may seem to be a long and ignored Rajiv Gandhi who, she JD(U) alliance has a good chance period. But it is not long enough thought, was apolitical. It is equally of mounting a strong challenge to to efface the memory of a jungle true that he too took little interest the BJP. The BJP was never a strong raj which followed the imposition in politics and excelled himself in force in Bihar, which is why apart of the emergency in 1975. Prime flying. He was considered an ace from the short duration when it went Minister Indira Gandhi, mother-in- pilot in the Indian Airlines which into an alliance with the JD(U) it law of Congress president Sonia was then the only airline running the did not count for much. Because Gandhi, should have stepped down domestic traffic. It is another matter it was an also ran party, it did not after the Allahabad High Court that Smt. Gandhi imposed politics produce strong leaders who had a disqualified her for using the official on him and he, in turn, imposed his mass base and could advance the machinery during election. The Prime Ministership on the nation. saffron cause and ideology. The only Supreme Court’s vacation judge known face in Bihar BJP’s politics gave her reprieve by pronouncing Strange as it may sound, the has been Sushil Kumar Modi, who a stay order. resistance was put up by parochial was Nitesh Kumar’s number two in forces, the Jana Sangh which is the government. Still she was not certain about the now the BJP, and the Akali Dal final outcome. There was reportedly comprising the Sikhs. The secular There would have been no a time, after the judgment, when she forces including the Communist problem for the BJP in projecting a thought of stepping down till her Party of India accepted Smt. strong and “winnable” party leader exoneration and making Jagjivan Gandhi’s autocratic rule without a to take on Nitesh Kumar. The party Ram or the then UP chief minister, demur. The Marxists were unhappy would have cheerfully done so had Kamlapati Tripathi, the Prime but preferred to lie low. it such a leader in its ranks. Yes. Minister. Sushil Kumar Modi is good enough, Pathetic was the role of the press. but unfortunately he is not the only But her son, Sanjay Gandhi, (There was no electronic media front-runner. He has some rivals who subsequently became an extra- then). It preached valour and values, also, the strongest of them being constitutional authority and ran the but a few people and papers showed Leader of the Opposition in the government, knew her mother’s resistance. Smt. Gandhi’s remark assembly Nand Kishore Yadav. This weakness. He, with the help of Bansi that “not a dog had barked” was has created a problem. The BJP is in Lal, then Haryana Chief Minister, authoritative in tone and tenor. no position to name a candidate as its hired the crowd and paraded her Nevertheless, it was a fact that the consensus chief ministerial nominee. “supporters” outside the Prime press had caved in. Minister’s residence. After that This is the reason why Ananth Smt. Gandhi was really convinced Stung by her remark, I was able Kumar, who happens to be the that people wanted her and only a to collect as many as 103 journalists state-in-charge of the BJP, has been few disgruntled elements in politics (I still have the list) at the Press forced say that the election will were against her. Hereafter, her Club by visiting personally the be contested under the leadership dependence on Sanjay Gandhi was offices of some newspapers and the of Prime Minister Narendra Modi absolute. two news agencies. Among those and his development platform. present was Girilal Jain, then the This is a bad dilemma for the party Sources from her residence Resident Editor of The Times of since obviously it is not a logical revealed that she would talk about India. I read out the resolution I had (Continued on Page 4) politics to Sanjay Gandhi alone drafted to condemn the Emergency JANATA, June 21, 2015 3 and the imposition of censorship. Emergency (1975) One journalist mentioned that some editors had been detained. I told the A permanent scar on the soul of India journalists present there to sign the resolution. I said I would forward it to the President, the Prime Minister Rajindar Sachar and the Information Minister under my signature. Nations which do not remember Rights activists went underground their immediate past are in danger but there is a limit beyond which Before leaving the Press Club, of repeating the same tragedy. unarmed people can fight an I took the copy of the resolution This thought comes to me when intolerant and a near-fascist State along with me lest it should fall in on random questioning of the which India had become those days. the hands of the police. Hardly had significance of June 26th 1975 (the I reached home when Information Emergency Day) from the age group In times of crisis, judiciary is Minister V. C. Shukla, till then of 35 and below (who constitute expected to act as bulwark against the a friend, rang me and asked if I 2/3rd population of India) one draws excesses by the executive like those could drop in at his office. I was an overwhelming blank look, and not committed during the Emergency. shocked to find a different Shukla, so encouraging even from up to the But to our shame fatal blow to authoritative in tone and threatening age of 55. Even newspapers never freedom was struck by Supreme in posture. He asked me to give him frontpage it – some do not even Court judgment in ADM Jabalpur the paper on which the journalists carry the information, and a few may holding that right to life does not had signed. When I said ‘no’ he just mention it casualty somewhere survive during Emergency – this warned me that I could be arrested. in the corner of inner pages. Many disgrace will continue to proclaim “You should understand it is a opposition parties which were the the pusillanimity of the Supreme different government, run by Sanjay victims of Emergency choose to keep Court in refusing to act as a sentinel Gandhi, not Indira Gandhi,” he said. low key. Even though PUCL and to safeguarding Human Rights. other civil liberties organizations, Still I followed up with a letter as usual hold protest meetings, TV Supreme Court Ruling in (ADM to Smt. Gandhi which said: “… and newspapers designedly avoid Jabalpur case in 1976) which Madam, it is always difficult for any mention of these, overwhelmed overruled the view of nine High a newspaperman to decide when as they are with the Governments’ Courts that the legality of detaining he should reveal what... In a free neo-liberal policies. Or is it a sense order passed by the governments society – and you have repeatedly of fear because the perpetrator of could still be set aside for illegality - said after the Emergency that you Emergency was the ruling party for in fact in some cases the High Courts have faith in such a concept – the most of the immediate past period? had ordered release of detenues. press has a duty to inform the public. And yet tragically it was a day when Had this view been upheld, by the This is sometimes an unpleasant India lost its democracy and the USA Supreme Court Emergency would task, but it has to be performed President sarcastically boasted that have collapsed. But to our shame because a free society is founded on USA was now the largest democracy. the Supreme Court by a majority of free information. If the press were to It is a different matter that thankfully, four judges against one honourable publish only government handouts because of the sacrifices made by exception (Khanna, J.) laid down or official statements, to which it Indian people under the inspiring thus: “In view of the Presidential is reduced today, who will pinpoint leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan, Order dated June 27, 1975 no person lapses, deficiencies, or errors?..” the boast of US President was to end, has any locus standi to move any but only after 18 months. writ petition under Article 226 However, when I tried to pick up before a High Court for habeas the threads after I came out of jail It is not that there was no resistance corpus or any other writ or order or following three month’s detention, I to the Emergency. Thousands went direction to challenge the legality of found to my dismay that journalists to jail which included ex-Central an order of detention on the ground were afraid to support me openly. Ministers, ex-Chief Ministers, ex- that the order is not under or in The then Jan Sangh leader, L.K. Governors, lawyers, legislators and a compliance with the Act or is illegal (Continued on Page 4) few brave journalists. Many Human or is vitiated by mala fides factual 4 JANATA, June 21, 2015 or legal or is based on extraneous ground that they were a danger to should have joined Justice Khanna considerations.” the security of the country. The which would have constituted inevitable result would have been the the majority. But this crying over The Supreme Court to its shame immediate release of these leaders their disastrous earlier view is like accepted Attorney General’s leading to overwhelming opposition crying after having deliberately argument that if a policeman under movement which would have swept split the milk. So much distrust in orders of his superior was to shoot away Indira Gandhi government by judiciary had been generated that a person or even arrest a Supreme mid-1976. Alas, how sometime fate the Parliament took precaution of Court judge, it would be legal and of nations can be influenced by the passing 44th Amendment to the no relief available. Naturally in this pusillanimity of a few individuals - Constitution (1978) which has taken situation, no peaceful opposition in this case embarrassingly by the away the power of the President to to Emergency could continue. highest judiciary - which it can never suspend Article 21, but still we must I am shocked how the majority live down. continue to remember that “eternal decision could rely on Liversidge vigilance is the price nation must Vs. Anderson given during wartime Soon after change of Government pay for safeguarding the liberties of in 1942 by House of Lords (U.K.), in 1978, Justice Chandrachud and individuals”. And the press should but with a (memorable dissent by Justice Bhagwati publicly expressed keep reminding the public of this Lord Atkin) when English Courts regret and conceded that their frequently. subsequently felt so ashamed of that decisions were wrong and that they decision that a conscious effort was (Continued from Page 2) made to throw that decision into a or coherent position for a political the chief ministerial candidate will dung heap. party and that too one aspiring to be named at the appropriate time! seize power to be in. The JD(U) has In 1963 Lord Radcliff referred already raised the question whether For the rest of the country, dismissively to the very peculiar case the Prime Minister will resign his the Bihar polls should be highly in Liversidge Vs. Anderson and said position to face the electorate. The interesting to see how the BJP gets “it should be confined apparently only possible answer, and this is out of its sorry predicament! to a war time context and that it is what was given as a reply, can be that already clear that the decision was regarded as an aberration”. Law (Continued from Page 3) quarterly Review (1970) clearly Advani, was quite correct in his at Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu. He took spelled out how embarrassing remark: “You (journalists) were moral responsibility for what had the decision in Liversidge was asked to bend but you began to happened. becoming for English judiciary. crawl!” Some commentators have ironically It is difficult to imagine anybody described majority in Liversidge If I were to explain the Emergency following that precedent today. Yet, case as the court’s contribution to to today’s generation, I would repeat India is still looked upon by the the war effort of England - similarly the adage that eternal vigilance is world as a country where the value many in this country are inclined to required to defend the press freedom system exists. Parochialism or posh describe majority in Jabalpur case as is as much true today as it was when living is not the answer. The country Supreme Court’s contribution to the India won freedom some 70 years has to go back to what Mahatma continuance of 1975 Emergency. Had ago. Never did anyone expect that Gandhi told the nation: Disparities Supreme Court taken the same view a Prime Minister after the High drove people to desperation. as nine High Courts, the Emergency Court’s indictment would suspend would have collapsed immediately, the Constitution when she should There is a point in harking because no court could possibly have have stepped down voluntarily. back on the days of independence upheld the detention of stalwarts and struggle. All had joined hands to oust patriots like Jayaprakash Narayan, Former Prime Minister Lal the British. I wish the same spirit Morarji Desai, Raj Narain, George Bahadur Shastri would often advise could be revived to oust poverty. Fernandes, Madhu Limaya and to his colleagues: Sit light, not tight. Otherwise, the independence comes brave journalist Kuldip Nayar That is the reason why he resigned as to mean a better life only for the and thousands of others on the Railway Minister after a big accident haves. JANATA, June 21, 2015 5 Socialists on ‘emergency’ It is said that amnesia is a blessing since if one cannot forget unpleasant memories his life will become miserable. There are pleasant memories which one should always remember, but there are certain unpleasant memories which one should never forget. 26th June is one such unpleasant day in the life of Indian nation which one should never forget. On that day in 1975, the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, had proclaimed Emergency and foisted a dictatorship on the country, muzzled the press, the judiciary and incarcerated thousands of her political opponents, including some even from her own Congress party. Even England, the mother of democracy, had its Oliver Cromwell. Like measles in children, these dictators in democracy come and go, but they do come.

The number of persons arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act was 34,988 and under the Defense of India Rules was, 75,818. In all there were 1,10,806 political prisoners during the Emergency. S. M. Joshi says that this was more than the number of persons who courted arrest during the ‘Quit India’ movement which was 91,836.

There certainly is a need not to forget 26th June. In Ram Jethmalani’s comment that Narendra Modi is an ‘Avatar Purush’, do we find an echo of Dev Kant Barua’s “India is Indira and Indira is India”.

Like hawks, Socialists had always kept a watch on the liberties of the people. Even when the Constitution of India was being drafted by the Constituent Assembly, they had drawn the attention of the leaders as also of the people to the possible abuse of the powers of proclaiming ‘emergency’. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and the least the Socialists can do is neither to forget, nor allow the people of this country to forget, those dark days of the Emergency of 1971. –Bapu Heddurshetti

“Extraordinary powers have been vested in the leaders may not have such dictatorial ambitions, they President and the Governors under the heading may not wish anything but the good of India. But there ‘emergency’. Emergencies can be created and maintained, may be some others, or some ambitious power politicians as in the case of the Weimer Republic of Germany which may come up in course of time and take advantage of ultimately led to the dictatorship of Hitler. Some of our these defects in the Constitution”. –Jayaprakash Narayan to Jawaharlal Nehru on 21st April 1948, about the defects in the Draft Constitution presented to the Constituent Assembly)

“Shri Shashi Bhushan, a prominent young Shashi Bhushan to put it forward so that the consequent Congressman, has been repeatedly saying that the debate would reveal the mood of the people? We shall not situation in India has become so desperate that only a be surprised if in the absence of a serious debate and a “limited dictatorship” can help the country to tide over credible alternative emerging, what Shri Shashi Bhushan the crisis. Some have ridiculed it while some others has been advocating as his personal opinion might turn have poked fun at him. But by pouring ridicule could into the government decision and one fine morning the this suggestion be killed? Should we not inquire whether Indian people will wake up to learn that they are under this is his brain wave or some one else is inspiring Shri a dictatorship, limited or otherwise”. - N. G. Goray in the editorial written in Janata of 22nd July 1973

“The country today faces a crisis unequalled in the past. In 1919, when the then Government put on the statute book the Rowlatt Act [limited to a period of three years], Gandhiji roused the whole nation against the “lawless law”. ‘The Rowlatt Act’, in the words of Surendranath Banerjee in his autobiography, “A Nation in the Making” ‘became the parent of the non-co-operation movement’. The Act proved a dead letter, and the Nation discovered its soul. The emergency clamped down on the country on 26th June, 1975 imposes a more ‘lawless’ regime on the country than any implied under the infamous Act of 1919. Can our response be anything less than that of non-co-operation as taught by Bapu?” -Asoka Mehta in his letter to Choudhari Charan Singh on 10th July 1976) 6 JANATA, June 21, 2015

“The President’s powers with regard to proclamation through constitutional means and with the consent of of emergency are also very wide, not free from dangers the legislature. It cannot, therefore, be said that the to the very existence of democracy. If its proposals (of federal legislature of India will never permit the federal the Drafting Committee) are accepted it will be possible executive authority to establish dictatorship through for the federal executive to reduce to subservience the the proclamation of emergency. Indeed, the federal executive authorities of the units and to establish its legislature might be tempted to have a deal with the dictatorship on the plea of threat of war or domestic federal executive authority and allow the President to violence. For the continuance of such dictatorship issue proclamation of emergency so that the tenure of the beyond six months the cooperation of the federal federal legislature may be prolonged and its jurisdiction legislature would no doubt be needed. But if the federal may extend even to matters and over officers of the unit. legislature is prepared to approve the proclamation of It is not difficult for aspirants of dictatorship to create a emergency the period of operation of proclamation might panic and to so manipulate the situation that it may be be extended to as much period as the federal authorities possible for them to raise the plea of threat of war or may choose and during this period the election of the domestic violence, especially when a proclamation of new federal legislature may also be suspended by the emergency is allowed before the actual occurrence of President of the Republic. Hitler acquired dictatorship war or domestic violence.” (Appendix to the text of the Constitution of India drafted by the Socialist Party in 1948) Emergency plan A confidential handwritten note immediately after the ordinance is writes in the book’s opening chapter, published in a new book reveals that ready - and it has to be ready in 24 titled “Darkness at Dawn”, that the the stage was set for the imposition of hours’ time from now.” “actual execution of the Emergency Emergency in India - mass arrests of followed Ray’s proposed plan of political opponents and suspension “I hope the President will action to the letter”. of fundamental rights - by the be readily available to sign the She writes that “it is significant Indira Gandhi government at least ordinance. Also a special cabinet six months before it was actually meeting should be called either that at the time Ray wrote this declared on June 25, 1975. tomorrow morning or night or very note, there were no very pressing early in the morning the day after problems on the law and order front “The plan to be put into operation” (This in case the ordinance takes for him to advocate such extreme was drafted in the note - dated January more than 24 hours to be finalised),” measures”. the note adds. 8, 1975 - written by the then West The Emergency was finally Bengal Chief Minister Siddhartha Referring to the note, Kapoor imposed 13 days after the Allahabad Shankar Ray to Gandhi, according - she was a reporter with The High Court rendered Gandhi’s to the book, The Emergency - A Indian Express when Emergency election from Rae Bareli null Personal History, written by Coomi was declared - writes that it was and void, and three days after the Kapoor, contributing editor to The drafted after “the idea of an internal Supreme Court issued a conditional Indian Express. Emergency” was conceived at a stay that forbade her from voting in meeting between the “smooth- Parliament. In the note, Ray writes: “A secret talking Ray, who fashioned himself telex message should go at once as a progressive liberal”, the President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad to every chief minister (Congress) then Law Minister H R Gokhale, signed the ordinance on the night of directing him to prepare a list of all Congress president D K Barooah June 25. According to Kapoor, the list prominent Anand Marg and RSS and Bombay Pradesh Congress of prominent politicians who were members in his state. He need not be committee “bagman” Rajni Patel. taken into custody subsequently was told of any [Emergency] ordinance “personally vetted by Gandhi, who but he should have the list ready. Explaining that Gandhi knew removed and added names till the The idea is to swing into action Ray from childhood, Kapoor also last date”. –The Indian Express, June 13, 2015 JANATA, June 21, 2015 7 Undermining national institutions

Irfan Engineer

The students of FTII are agitated There is lack of transparency in the the Sangh Parivaar, have been over appointment of Gajendra appointment. selected in the category of ‘persons Chauhan as President Chair of the of eminence’, on the governing Governing Council of the Institute. There is no explanation council of FTII as they do not have About 150 students pursuing forthcoming from the Ministry of any independent vision for the various courses at the FTII are on Information and Broadcasting on institution. When Indian Express an indefinite strike against the patent the appointment of Chauhan. Nor contacted them, they responded political appointment because of has Chauhan been able to explain that they wanted the FTII students Chauhan’s affiliation with the BJP. his eligibility for the job. All he to have nationalistic (read Hindu When we google Chauhan, all the has said is that the opposition from nationalist) feeling. FTII in the past information we get is that he acted in the students will only make him has groomed students to think freely, films like Andaaz (2203), Baghban work better. He has not been able to differently and boldly. Creative arts (2003) and Tumko Na Bhool Payenge spell out his vision for the Institute. and aesthetics rarely come from (2002). Wikipedia informs us that Appointment of such a low profile conformist thinking, and even less he acted in 150 movies and 600 person as chair of such a prestigious from those who accept hierarchies TV serials. However, links to only institute when persons like Shyam of race, caste, community, ethnicity, some of the movies Chauhan acted Benegal, Adoor Gopalkrishnan nationality, gender, regionality or in are given and when we follow and Gulzar were shortlisted, can whatsoever; and accept hierarchical the link, often his name is not even be explained only by the fact that structures as natural and desirable. mentioned in the star cast of the film. Chauhan was special invitee to the They produce conformist arts for Chauhan claims that he has worked BJP National Executive for two propaganda. The objective of the in 600 serials, however only one TV terms. The other explanation that FTII includes among others, “to serial in which Chauhan acted was is doing the rounds is that the RSS constantly endeavor at raising popular – Mahabharat - where he backed his appointment. The RSS the technical standards of Indian played the role of eldest of Pandava involvement gains credence as four films and television programmes brothers, Yuddhishthir. He may have of the eight members nominated so as to make them aesthetically acted in 600 episodes. Students felt under ‘Persons of Eminence’ that Chauhan lacked the vision, category to the institute are from more satisfying and acceptable; stature and experience and was not the Sangh Parivar. Anagha Ghaisas, to facilitate regular inflow of fresh qualified for the post which was once has a strong RSS background and ideas and new techniques in the occupied by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal made documentary films supporting field of Cinema and Television Sen, Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her and a corresponding outflow of and Adoor Gopalkrishnan. Noted husband was a long-serving Sangh trained personnel imbibing these film makers like Anand Patwardhan pracharak – 17 of his 21 years as ideas and techniques; to create a have expressed their serious concern pracharak were in Gujarat. Another new awareness among the future over the appointment of Chauhan member is Narendra Pathak who workers in film and television of the when the short list included Gulzar, was the Maharashtra president of the potentialities of their media not only Shyam Benegal, Saeed Mirza and ABVP for four years. Pranjal Saikia as means of entertainment but also of Adoor Gopalkrishnan. The previous is an office-bearer of the RSS-linked education and artistic expression”. incumbents of the Chair were winner Sanskar Bharati. Rahul Solapurkar Does the present appointee to the of prestigious awards, including was in contention for a BJP ticket in Chair and the four Governing Padmashree, Padma Vibhushan, last year’s state Assembly elections. Council members seem suited to Sahitya Akademi, Dadasaheb ensure these objectives of the FTII Phalke and Jnanpeeth. Gajendra These political ladies and when their vision is to have students Chauhan has no such credentials. gentlemen, having links with with nationalistic feeling? 8 JANATA, June 21, 2015

Prime Minister Modi proclaimed caught on camera calling Modi, were in conflict with the academic himself to be a Hindu nationalist “the Shaktiman (a character that freedom and autonomy of academic in his election campaign. The he played) in Gujarat”, as head institutions. ABVP demanded that Hindu nationalists have always of Children’s Film Society. Mr. A K Ramanja’s 300 Ramayans justified caste system and patriarchal Khanna had played Bhisma in be removed, Aditya Thackeray traditions to be unique Indian values Mahabharata. Similarly, Pahlaj pressurized the Mumbai University and superior. The Indian cinema is Nihalani, a film maker who made V.C. to remove Rohinton Mistry’s coming of age and moving away from promotional videos on Modi was award winning book Such A Long the portrayal of cultural traditions of appointed as censor board chief, Journey from syllabus. feudal upper caste elite with ethos the I&B ministry also appointed like pativrata Bharattiya nari, Malayalam actor and BJP supporter In order to accelerate the trend observing kadvachauth vrat even if Suresh Gopi as the chairperson of of mythologizing history and her husband was evil and indulged the NFDC, in another controversial historicizing mythology, the NDA in all kinds of vices as the ‘national decision. Zafar Sareshwala, a Government appointed Y. Sudershan culture’. There is increasing trend businessman confidante of PM Rao as chair of the ICHR, a premier of films depicting live-in relations Modi was appointed as Chancellor body to encourage research in (Cocktail; Pyar Ke Side Effects) of Maulana Azad National Urdu history. Just like the rest of the films with explicit and erotic scenes University even though he has little appointees, Prof. Rao is little known like (Shuddh Deshi Romance) bold knowledge of the language. in history circles and was Head of portrayal of an assertive woman Department of History and Tourism (Dirty Picture) questioning the The larger concern is that not Management in Kakatiya University. motives behind wrongly accusing a only FTII, but the Hindu nationalist In Prof. Rao’s opinion, caste system Muslim as terrorist (Khakee) films organization is systematically and was not such a social evil, and that portraying the deceits of godmen in organized fashion percolating rigidity and distortions had crept in (PK) etc. One way of reversing this into the vital institutions of our after Muslim invasion and as a result trend within the Indian Cinema is to democracy to undermine it, constrict of it. This position is close to the influence and control the thinking the liberal secular space and promote Hindu nationalist position. and creativity of the students passing hegemonistic Hindu nationalist out of the FTII. Reduce them to be ideology. The NDA Government is The NDA Governmnt created propagandist rather than creative facilitating and partnering with the a situation wherein Nobel Prize artists questioning and critiquing Hindu nationalists to achieve their winner Amartya Sen had to resign what they witness around them objective of undermining academic from the Chancellorship of Nalanda and pushing cinematic boundaries, autonomy and freedom to explore University only because he was creating space for new creations. truth and frontiers of knowledge. The critical of the policies of Modi This can be done by ensuring, to Hindu nationalists largely believe Government. Anil Kakodkar, the extent possible, that inflow of that all knowledge is in ancient former chairperson of Atomic students is predominantly from elite epics, Vedic scriptures and Vedanta, Energy Commission of India and and privileged social background and all one need to do is be immersed Chairperson of Board of Governor as they love to be conformist; and in these scriptures. PM Modi while of IIT also wanted to resign on by controlling the curricula which inaugurating science exhibition differences regarding selection of teaches them to be conformists and in Mumbai University said that IIT Directors, but later withdrew nationalists rather than creative ancient India already knew how to his resignation. Earlier the HRD artists. Being nationalist is to portray make aircrafts as evident from the Ministry caused IIT Delhi Director superior virtue of submissive wife pushpak viman. Likewise Ramanand Raghunath Sheogaonkar to resign on and terrorism as the problem Sagar’s depiction of Mahabharat dubious grounds. with terrorists belonging to one on TV screen is evidence that India community. knew how to make nuclear missiles. The other posts on which less Hindu nationalist would want to eligible persons who were appointed NDA had earlier appointed mythologize history and historicize mainly on their being camp followers Mukesh Khanna who had mythology. Even when the BJP was of Hindu nationalist ideology are – campaigned for the BJP, and was not in power, the Hindu nationalists Prof. Inder Mohan Kapahy as a JANATA, June 21, 2015 9 member of the University Grants Bahinabai and many others from organized citizens to check naked Commission (UGC); Vishram all regions, castes and from both crony capitalism seeking to grab land, Ramchandra Jamdar as the head genders. The great Hindu saints, natural resources, cheap labour and of Visvesvaraya National Institute particularly from the oppressed large chunk of Government budget of Technology, Nagpur; Baldev castes sang love, equality and spending. The NDA aggressively Sharma, former editor of RSS opposed hierarchies and authorities promotes Vedic-Vedanta-Hindu mouthpiece Panchajanya, as of all kinds. Why doesn’t the NDA Epic based mythologized culture chairman of National Book Trust. Government draw from these as it creates submissive followers traditions? Are these not, according accepting hierarchies and Academic freedom for student to them, Hindu traditions? Why the hierarchical authoritarian structures activities is an important part of NDA partners like Lok Janshakti that does not question why social and academics. Under NDA Government Party holding on to apron tail of the economic inequalities are growing, even that space has been threatened. NDA Government? Is it only for but accepts with pride that ‘nation Human Resource Development power? is developing’ just because a few Ministry made an ‘inquiry’ into industrialists are making super the activities of a students’ group In the process of aggressively profit from exploitation of land, – Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle promoting Vedic-Vedanta-Hindu natural resources, cheap labour in IIT Madras and caused to Epic based mythologized culture and with huge budgetary support withdraw its recognition merely as national culture, the NDA of the Government. Regimented, over comments being made against Government is not only undermining mesmerized blind followers only the Prime Minister. School Students autonomy of our institutions, but hero worship – they do not question. were forced to hear PM Modi’s radio democracy itself. Democracy and Hindu nationalists want national talk – Mann Ki Baat. Hindu religion fundamental rights of the citizens institutions to help create regimented inspired culture is being forced down gives power in the hands of the minds. the throat of citizens with a circular that was issued to central schools saying that December 25 would Shocking Jingoism be observed as “Good Governance Day” to mark the birthday of former We are shocked at the level of jingoism being peddled by the ministers Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the Modi government, members of the ruling BJP and sections of the and the birth anniversary of Madan mainstream media in India over the recent action by the Indian army in Mohan Malaviya. The circular Manipur. asked the schools to “ensure active While several questions are being raised and newer facts are emerging participation of your students”. as the details still unfold – whether or not it was a cross-border case of hot- Similarly, Yoga Day is being pursuit, whether it was a retaliatory or a pre-emptive action etc, the manner in forced even on unwilling citizens which this action is being linked to a general justification of such hot pursuit and students with Government vis-a-vis Pakistan and China is deplorable and dangerous. involvement. India and Pakistan are both nuclear-armed nations with such close The NDA Government is geographical proximity that a nuclear exchange between both would lead homogenizing culture and to large-scale devastation and irreversible climatic changes. And as the aggressively promoting Vedic and post-Pokharan history of South Asia suggests, the rhetoric and escalation of Hindu Epics based mythologized conventional war has a real potential to lead to nuclear sabre-rattling. culture of a small section of Hindu The fact that this action was carried out against India’s own alienated upper-caste on the entire people citizens and not some external enemy itself is far from being a cause of of India. Hindu culture is rich jubilation. For real peace in longer term, we demand that the Armed Forces and diverse reflecting democratic Special Power Act(AFSPA) must be removed immediately from the North aspirations of the people if we East and Kashmir and sustained and open dialogue with people in the regions draw from great saints like Narsi be initiated at the earliest. Mehta, Tukaram, Mira, Ravidas, – Achin Vanaik, Praful Bidwai, Lalita Ramdas, Gyaneshwar, Chokha Mela, Kabir, Anil Chaudhary, Abey George, Kumar Sundaram 10 JANATA, June 21, 2015 Emerging survival crisis

Bharat Dogra

In the middle of several problems Gap Report of year 2010, the United change in land use. There are which need attention, it is necessary Nations Environment Programme strong inter-linkages among these not to lose track of what is most concluded that the currently forecast boundaries, so that crossing one urgent. It should be possible to 2020 emission levels were consistent affects others. (UNSHPGS, 2012) build a broad-based consensus that with pathways that would lead to those factors which threaten the life- a likely temperature increase of In the last decade of the 20th creating, life-nurturing conditions of between 2.5 to 5 degrees celsius by century the world had accumulated our planet deserve the most urgent the end of the 21st century. nuclear stockpiles which added up attention. The most defining feature to a destructive potential nearly 700 of the 21st century is the existence of Even a 20C change in temperature times that of all the explosive power such human-made threats to earth’s will cause very large-scale disruption used in the three major wars of this life-nurturing conditions. in several life-sustaining activities century, enough to kill all human apart from leading to the loss of beings (as well as most other forms Such threats are related to climate vast low-lying areas (related to of life) many time over. change, crossing of other ‘planetary rise in sea-level) and worsening boundaries’ and ‘tipping points’ of ‘natural’ disasters. But beyond 20C, Use of CFCs and related life-giving conditions (including the earth’s natural processes begin chemicals over a period of just 5 or water and land use), accumulation to break down and cause more 6 decades was enough to endanger of nuclear weapons and other warming. the protective layer of stratospheric weapons of mass destruction as ozone which had evolved over well as rapid spread of highly The United Nations Secretary- millions of years to create those hazardous technologies and products General’s High-level Panel on conditions in which life could particularly those capable of Global Sustainability (UN SHPGS) flourish on this planet. inflicting irreversible damage. which drew pointed attention to the Emissions Gap report mentioned A significant aspect of modern life Edward Goldsmith and his above has also highlighted the is that new products and technologies co-authors warned in the widely work of a group of scientists from which yield high profits can spread discussed report ‘Imperilled Planet’ the Stockholm Resilience Centre very quickly all over the world. (MIT, USA), “The danger is that based on a framework of ‘planetary Very few people stop to ask whether we have gone beyond simply boundaries’. These scientists have any hazards associated with new damaging ecosystems and we are said that once human activity products and technologies have now disrupting the very processes has passed certain thresholds or been suitably assessed. Corporate that keep the Earth a fit place for tipping points, defined as planetary interests intervene frequently to higher forms of life. For life as we boundaries, there is a risk of prevent available information on know it to continue, the balance of “irreversible and abrupt environment hazards from reaching people. The gases in the atmosphere must remain change.” Nine such boundaries have result is that the risk of the very rapid within certain limits. ... Beyond a been identified. These scientists have spread of hazards has increased very certain point, the system may ‘flip’ said that human activity appears significantly. to an entirely new state which could to have already “transgressed the be extremely uncomfortable for life boundaries associated with climate Russell Train, former chief of the as we know it.” change, rate of biodiversity loss Environmental Protection Agency, and changes in the global nitrogen USA said, “There are today more The concept of a tipping point cycle.” Further the world may soon than 30000 chemicals in actual argues that global warming beyond be approaching the boundaries commercial production. Every year, 20C can result in irretrievable for interference with the global this list grows by some 1000 new drift towards disasters and adverse phosphorus cycle, global freshwater compounds. Of the more than two weather conditions. In its Emissions use, ocean acidification and global million known chemicals, only a JANATA, June 21, 2015 11 few thousand have been tested for constitute the Independent Science the threat of new emerging diseases carcinogenicity and-aside from those Panel have said in their conclusion - “During the past 20 years, at least used in food additives, drugs and after examining all aspects of GM 30 new diseases have emerged to pesticides-only a few hundred have crops - “GM crops have failed to threaten the health of hundreds of been adequately tested. We know, deliver the promised benefits and millions of people. For many of in fact, very little about the health are posing escalating problems on these diseases there is no treatment, effects even of the 30000 chemicals the farm. Transgenic contamination cure or vaccine and the possibility already in commercial production. is now widely acknowledged to be of preventing or controlling them is We have no way of systematically unavoidable, and hence there can be limited....Any epidemic anywhere screening the chemicals that go no co-existence of GM and non-GM must now be seen as a threat to into production, we have no way of agriculture. Most important of all, virtually all countries especially knowing precisely which chemicals GM crops have not been proven safe. those that serve as major hubs of go into production every year. In On the contrary, sufficient evidence international travel.” other words, we not only don’t know has emerged to raise serious safety whether what’s going on out there concerns, that if ignored could result The Global Environment is dangerous - we don’t even know in irreversible damage to health and Outlook Report (GEO-1997) what’s going on out there. We have, the environment. GM crops should prepared by the United Nations however, learned one thing: it’s what be firmly rejected now.” Environment Program has said on we don’t know that can really hurt a note of warning, “In the future, us, even kill us.” This threat becomes very serious the continued degradation of and of a permanent nature when we natural resources, shortcomings Dr. Vyvyan Howard, former remember that it is almost impossible in environmental responses, and development toxico-pathologist at to fully recall GM crops which have renewable resource constraints may the University of Liverpool, U.K, been released once. As Professor increasingly lead to food insecurity says in a paper published in The Susan Bardocz has noted, “GM and conflict situations. Changes in Ecologist , “Recent research has is the first irreversible technology global biogeochemical cycles and shown that the synergistic effect in human history. When a GMO the complex interactions between among chemicals used in different is released it is out of our control; environmental problems such as combinations is much more dramatic we have no means to call it back.... climate change, ozone depletion than was previously thought. Yet we Since GMOs are self-replicating, and acidification may have impacts continue to test chemicals for their releasing them might have dire that will confront local, regional and possible carcinogenic or mutagenic consequences for human and animal global communities with situations potential in isolation from each health and for the environment and they are unprepared for. Previously other. This procedure can no longer can change evolution.” unknown risks to human health be justified. We have in our bodies are becoming evident from the today what is estimated to be The World Health Organisation cumulative and persistent effects between 300 and 500 chemicals that in its annual World Health Reports of a whole range of chemicals simply would not have been there 50 (WHR) has warned time and again particularly the persistent organic years ago, because at that time they about the seriousness of global pollutants. The effects of climate did not exist or were present in the health challenges. The WHR has variability and change are already environment at undetectable levels warned, “We stand on the brink of a increasing the incidents of familiar global crisis in infectious diseases. public health problems and leading Attention may be drawn No country is safe from them.... to new ones, including a more particularly to those hazardous Antibiotic resistance in hospitals extensive reach of vector borne technologies and products which can worldwide threatens to leave diseases and a high incidence of cause irreversible loss or loss which medical and public health workers heat related illness and mortality. cannot be reversed, on a very large virtually helpless in the prevention If significant major reforms are not scale. This is particularly true of or treatment of many infections. implemented quickly, the future may GM crops and GMOs (Genetically Various factors have combined, this hold more surprises.” Modified Organisms). report says, to create, “perhaps the richest opportunities ever for the These warnings from authoritative An eminent group of scientists spread of infections.” In particular sources clearly indicate the extent to from various countries who this report has focussed attention on which human beings as well as all 12 JANATA, June 21, 2015 other forms of life are threatened fact depleted uranium weapons are intense feeling or sensitivity for the and the reasons why such threats to being freely used, and the chances of massive distress (and the associated all forms of life and to life-creating use of tactical nuclear weapons have injustice). conditions are likely to increase in increased. There is no guarantee yet future. that full-blown nuclear weapons Both due to the massive distress will never be used. The nightmarish caused to various forms of life Faced with such an alarming risks of terrorist groups gaining (including of course human beings) situation, what has been the response access to nuclear weapons have been as well as (or even more) due to the of the world leadership so far? In the discussed from time to time. often irreversible nature of the threat context of the most critical problem to life creating conditions on earth, of climate change the UNSHPGS According to Time magazine, the issues identified above should get has reported, “Despite the adoption terrorist outfits, particularly when the highest priority. While not many of the United Nations Framework they have the help of a foreign people question this, recent record Convention on Climate Change and government, can use nuclear confirms that effective and adequate its Kyoto Protocol, annual global weapons to kill around a hundred remedial action is nevertheless very carbon dioxide emissions from fuel thousand people. The same magazine uncertain and in fact unlikely in the combustion grew by about 38% reported that the Aum Shinrikyo cult existing situation. between 1990 and 2009, with the in Japan had accumulated material rate of growth faster after 2000 than to manufacture chemical weapons One problem is that decisions are in the 1990s.” which could kill 6 to 8 million taken at the level of various nation people. states keeping in view the perceived The GEO is therefore quite self-interests of the country only. justified in lamenting that “A sense The US Air Force has estimated Secondly, the decisions within a of urgency is lacking. Internationally that in the event of a full-scale country are often influenced too and nationally, the funds and political nuclear war between India and much by the powerful groups and will are insufficient to halt further Pakistan, as many as 100 million strong lobbies keeping in view global environment degradation people will die. The first hour of such their own narrow interests. Quite and to address the most pressing a war itself would claim 17 million often some powerful corporate environmental issues even though lives in Pakistan and 29 million in interests have a dominant say. At the technology and knowledge are India. (Reported in the Statesman, international level, in the prevailing available to do so...The gap between 22 June, 1998) distribution of power, it is often what has been done this far and what what the few rich and powerful is realistically needed is widening.” Even without the wartime countries say which is more crucial use of nuclear weapons, merely for decision taking regardless of how Greenpeace leader Jeremy maintaining a huge nuclear complex unjust this may be. The more urgent Leggett has rightly said,“....the either for direct military purposes or concerns of the poorer and less uniquely frustrating thing about for supporting it can pose a threat influential countries are invariably global warming - to those many to the health and well being of neglected, or accorded very low people who now see the dangers - is hundreds of thousands of people. priority. that the solutions are obvious. But there is no denying that enacting These various threats to earth’s life To what extent can the United them will require paradigm shifts giving conditions also cause massive Nations, as the most important in human behaviour - particularly distress to human beings as well as international organization of in the field of co-operation between all other forms of life. The distress our planet, make up for these nation states - which have literally caused to other forms of life is not shortcomings in tackling the most no precedents in human history. This even mentioned even when countless urgent problems? The record so far is the challenge. There is no single birds fall dead in intensifying heat is not at all an encouraging one, as issue in contemporary human affairs waves and prolonged droughts, is evident from the fact that remedial that is of greater importance....” or when millions of fish perish in action on the most urgent issues has rapidly drying and /or polluted water lagged far behind the real needs. The efforts to reduce the risk bodies. The fact that the extinction of from nuclear weapons have not species is now many times higher is One serious problem of the made any significant progress. In absorbed just like that, without any United Nations is that in its General JANATA, June 21, 2015 13

Assembly a nation which has a So the role of people’s The tasks of the world government population of one hundred thousand movements is a very critical one. can be the following- has the same representation (one Well organized social movements vote) as a nation whose population with clear aims can mobilize people • Ensuring complete prohibition is more than a thousand times. on a large scale to pressurise their of nuclear weapons or any other national governments, the world WMD in the arsenal of any The only privileged nations to leadership and the United Nations country. However the world have extraordinary (veto) power are to initiate justice based effective government will be entitled to the five permanent members of the remedial actions on survival stock limited say about 5% of the Security Council who are among issues before it is too late. The existing stocks at 3 or 4 places in the worst pollutants and human the world to check any efforts of rights violators in the entire world. movements for justice and equality as well as movements for peace and terrorists to acquire and misuse Increasingly the form that the United such weapons. Nations intervention takes in several environment protection supported crisis situations is closely linked by movements for gender justice, animal rights movements and several • A detailed justice based agenda to the foreign policy of the USA, for checking global warming and even as the USA gets the dubious other movements, all can contribute to this by better co-operation and climate change to tolerable limits distinction of being the biggest should be prepared and enforced defaulter on its contributions to the integration with each other for wider objectives. by the world government. Similar UN budget. action should be taken on other Unfortunately, narrow minded If such movements can create environmental issues which pose lobbies and vested interests have strong public opinion for justice based survival threat. The industrial also become an integral part of solutions to survival issues, then countries, with their historical responsibilities, should be asked the functioning of the UN, further true and sincere internationalism, to accept justice based financial reducing its ability to approach with the objective of saving our responsibility for reducing GHG the most urgent issues in a non- earth and uniting all people for this emissions. partisan way which could get very can progress much beyond limited widespread, broad based support. reforms of the United Nations. It • Over a period of time all national Due to its increasingly bureaucratic should be possible then to think of ways, the UN has not been able to armies and weapons expenditure creating a world government with a should be curtailed by about create and motivate a very wide and mandate for initiating adequate and strong network of volunteers and 90 per cent or so. The task effective remedial actions on the of border disputes settlement activists to work on the most urgent most urgent survival issues. issues. should be taken up by the World Government. (Global production The record of the United Nations To start with the mandate of the of all arms can be reduced by over can of course be improved for world government can be restricted 80 per cent or so). tackling the most urgent issues by to urgent survival issues like climate initiating long overdue reforms. change, weapons of mass destruction At the next stage, if the It can be repositioned as a more and a few other such issues. To internationalism and one earth volunteer based, activist driven form the world government, one consciousness of people can international organization dedicated representative can be selected continue to rise, the mandate of the above all to the more urgent ‘survival’ from a constituency of about 20 World Government can be expanded issues. It can set a clear time frame million people, ignoring national to include additional issues or for urgent actions on these ‘survival’ boundaries. The election campaign urgent matters. Gradually our world issues. But before this can get should be conducted mainly on should move from artificially created wider acceptance the existing unjust urgent survival issues. In addition, boundaries to one world based on structure of the United Nations various professional bodies (such as equality of all human beings at all (particularly the Security Council organizations of climate scientists, levels and concern for all other forms and the Veto power for its five nuclear scientists, medical scientists, of life. At the same time, however, permanent members) must change. etc.) should be asked to select their decentralization and local self- However as things stand today, this most capable representatives to government should be strengthened appears to be very difficult. assist the world government. everywhere.

(Continued on Page 11) 14 JANATA, June 21, 2015 Damage to India’s ethos

A civil society report of one year India of pluralism and diversity is target Christians and Muslim, of Narendra Modi government is being threatened. inciting mobs to commit violence an attempt to document intense and against them, has been overlooked by multi-pronged attack unleashed on The meddling with the judicial central and state police forces. Never the democratic rights of citizens system at the highest level threatens in free India has the public discourse and secular values enshrined in the to foreclose the one option that is been so poisoned by MPs and constitution of India. The purpose left to the citizens to challenge, stop ministers of the elected ruling of documenting this multi faceted and reverse this trend. The welfare alliance. BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj attack on our diversity and pluralism network is rapidly being demolished, labels madrassas as ‘hubs of terror’ is to make the damage visible. many policies changed at the behest and exhorts Hindu women to bear of the corporate sector.. four children. He calls Nathuram We could document only a This is highlighted in a report “365 Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, as a fraction of what has happened days – democracy and secularism ‘patriot’ and ‘martyr’. Another BJP during the past year due to paucity under the Modi regime”, edited by MP Yogi Adityanath says ‘for every of resources, both human and John Dayal and Shabnam Hashmi Hindu converted, 100 Muslim girls financial. This report however with assessments by Harsh Mander, will be converted as retaliation.’ clearly breaks the myth that there Ram Puniyani, Cedric Prakash, Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti have been no riots under the present Apoorvanand, Karen Gabriel, PK describes those who do not worship regime. The strategy has changed, Vijayan, Seema Mustafa, Kriti Ram as ‘haramzade’ or bastards. A Sangh has realized that large- Shiv Sena MP force-feeds a Muslim scale violence attracts international Sharma, VB Rawat, Dhruv Sangari and PVS Kumar. canteen functionary during his roza media attention, and therefore now, fast. Another, Sanjay Raut, calls for meticulously planned high-intensity The civil society analysis of the the disenfranchisement of Muslims. localized violence coupled with period May 2014 to May 2015 shows high-pitched hate campaigns is a seamless integration and adoption All too often, police has been used across India to polarize the of the policies of the Rashtriya complicit in the violence. In people and further marginalize the Swayamsewak Sangh by the NDA Chhattisgarh, villages are passing minorities. government entirely dominated by orders banning the entry of priests the Bharatiya Janata party. This has of faiths other than Hinduism. In order to weaken the India led to almost total impunity, seen in democracy, the administrative, legal, At least 43 deaths, 212 cases the failure to act in cases of speeches scientific and educational structures targeting Christians and 175 cases by Sangh leaders to incite violence created during the past sixty year targeting Muslims, 234 cases of against Muslims and Christians. have either been demolished or Hate Speech have been recorded tempered. Shri Modi has made a few remarks between 26th May 2014 and June condemning violence, but has 2015, marking almost one year of The damage done in the last one refused to identify the perpetrators the National Development Alliance year to India’s ethos of secularism, of violence. No politician or Sangh government of Narendra Modi. The communal harmony and freedom activist has been punished. The RSS number of dead is other than the of expression may be irreparable general secretary, Mohan Bhagwat, 108 killed in Assam in attacks on with the Prime Minister, Narendra has continued to make outrageous Muslims by armed tribal political Modi, BJP chief ministers, and speeches targeting minorities. In groups. the top echelons of the Sangh June he was given z-Class security Parivar moving fast in changing cover, at par with that given to the Over 90 per cent of the cases policy, people and programmes in Home Minister of India. recorded in this report are over and education, social security and the above the 600 cases documented protection of religious and ethnic The Sangh’s own campaign to by the Indian express investigative minorities. The cultural DNA of malign, isolate, criminalize and series in August 2014. JANATA, June 21, 2015 15

In the very first few weeks of Although not documented in this resistance against these divisive the new government, by its own report but the past year has also seen forces. admission, 113 communal incidents strong resistance to the nefarious took place in various parts of the designs of the Sangh, across India. The soft copy of the report is country during in just the two moths We hope that this report will help in available at : http://www.anhadin. May-June 2014 in which 15 people further strengthening the people’s net/article280.html were killed and 318 others were – Shabnam Hashmi, John Dayal injured,

The government’s efforts at AFSPA must go from everywhere reassurance of minorities have been pathetic. Instead of investigating the Announcement of Repeal AFSPA impasse over AFSPA. For Manipur, violence, it has sought to trivialize from Tripura is a welcome move. state leadership of central ruling it by its explanations on several party had already promised repeal incidents that caught international Save Sharmila Solidarity of AFSPA. attention, and invited comments Campaign (SSSC) view this incident from various dignitaries including as ‘moving from inertia of AFSPA’. It SSSC believes that AFSPA that President Pranab Mukherjee. is because since many years and even was extended to J&K vide AFSPA- after continuous demands by people J&K, should also be repealed as The new government is intolerant and rights groups, AFSPA was not victimisation and sufferings cannot of civil society and dissent. even diluted a bit. No government be looked separately. A human rights Organisations like INSAF, People’s or security agencies have taken any violation is always a violation of Watch, Sabrang Trust, Citizens for positive steps towards its repeal and human rights regardless of region. in Justice and Peace, Greenpeace India were isolated from this issue. No one J&K, so many incidents of killings, in the government even wanted to among others were systematically rapes and disappearances have talk about the issue and those who targeted, maligned and harassed. already been reported and evidences were in government never tried to Others have been subject to direct were provided even before courts break the ice and ignored people’s and indirect intimidation. Select against many security officials, demand. activists have been individually but due to impunity under AFSPA targeted. As Tripura is one of the states of (section 7), nothing could be done North East region of India, repealing against culprits. During the past one-year we have AFSPA from this state also sends SSSC also see that enjoying such also witnessed an unprecedented four a message of confidence and hope pronged attack on scientific temper, among all other people who are an impunity that AFSPA provides rational thinking and scientific residing in AFSPA zone presently. is actually a corruption and it is establishment of the country. This We also see that this start must absolutely not required for any includes providing credibility to become dynamic very soon and responsible, honest and committed myths and superstitions, official governments must try to repeal it security force personals. In contrary, platforms for anti-science activities, from everywhere. it becomes dangerous as such budget cuts and crippling scientific absolute powers divert the normal institutes by political interference. We demand with the government way of working of personals. to immediately pay attention towards There are serious efforts to Manipur also where Irom Sharmila is SSSC appeals with the state and undermine diversity and pluralism on a continuous fast since the last 15 central government to immediately and convert India into a mono- years. Keeping AFSPA in Manipur is act upon this long pending demand cultural, standardized society. Should against the will and future of state. of Repeal AFSPA. AFSPA is not the idea of cultural chauvinism and We demand with state and central required not only in Tripura but in nationalism succeed, it would be government both to coordinate and no other AFSPA state. AFSPA is a nothing short of a death knell for all cooperate with each other to end the failed law. that India stands for. - Ravi Nitesh R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, June 21, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2015 Published on Sunday, June 21, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday June 24, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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