Volume 47 No. 9 Organ of the SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF INDIA (COMMUNIST) December 15, 2013 Founder Editor-in-Chief : COMRADE Price : Rs. 2.00 One year from cruel death of Nirbhaya Damini Time for drawing correct lessons, traversing correct remedial course The cruel death of the brave girl created that in absence of a stringent Protection of Children from Sexual occurred, committed suicide in jail in ‘Nirbhaya’ (Fearless) or ‘Damini’ law to deal with crimes of this Offences Act. In the mean time, the March last while the youngest of the (flash of lightning), brutally raped nature, the government is government made another overture six culprits though stated to be the and tortured by a gang of six pervert constrained to take appropriate penal for public consumption by cruelest of the offenders was miscreants in a speeding bus on the measure. So, a commission headed announcing with much fanfare a Rs sentenced to just three years of ill-fated night of 16th December, by Justice J.S. Verma, former Chief 1000 crore ‘Nirbhaya Fund’ for juvenile imprisonment as he was then 2012, in the heartland of the Justice of the Supreme Court, was curbing atrocities on women by way underage. Though the people have country’s political capital Delhi constituted to recommend of modernizing the preventive been happy at the pronouncement of shook the entire country. amendments to the Criminal Law so machinery with latest technology. capital punishment for the guilty four, Spontaneously people particularly as to provide for quicker trial and Later, four convicts in the gang-rape the question which is more relevant young boys and girls in thousands enhanced punishment for criminals case were awarded death penalty by is whether there is an iota of swarmed into the streets, disdaining accused of committing sexual assault a Delhi court. The fifth accused, the abatement in the crime on women in batons, water-canons and other against women. Following all these, driver of the bus on which the assault Contd. on page 2 coercive steps by the government — the spontaneous outburst of the in demand for stringent punishment enraged people subsided and the SUCI(C) vehemently condemn the of the culprits and adoption of agitation gradually petered out. appropriate remedial measures to dastardly act of destroying statue of stall rising sexual crime and violence Guilty punished, Law framed great Lenin by the ultra-nationalist on women. The valour and gallantry but problem stays of Delhi people shook the entire The Verma Committee had reactionary forces in Ukraine country out of stupor and spurred submitted its report, commendably Comrade , Secretary, SUCI(C), issued the them on to burst into protest. When much before scheduled time following statement on 10 December, 2013: — all brutality, red eyes or arrogance, with valuable recommendations. We vehemently condemn the most dastardly act of destroying the even cunning ploys to deflect Accepting some of the statue of great Lenin in Kiev, Ukraine by the ultra-nationalist attention from the real issue proved recommendations, the law was made reactionary forces mortally afraid of the renewed surge of attraction of abortive, the despotic government stricter through enactment of The the working people of this erstwhile province of USSR towards the had to bow down, promise arrest of Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, noble ideology of Marxism-Leninism. Lenin was not only the architect the guilty and announce formation of 2013 which provided for life term and of the first anti-capitalist socialist revolution in the world, revered leader a high-powered judicial commission even death sentence for rape convicts and guide of the struggle for emancipation of the oppressed toiling to recommend suitable changes in besides stringent punishment for masses of the world but also a great human being of outstanding law to mete out stringent offences like acid attacks, stalking stature. This demolition of his statue in barbaric frenzy is nothing but a punishments to the rapists and and voyeurism and amended various savage attack on the humanity and civilization. We call upon all right- rapist-killers and suggest measures sections of the Indian Penal Code, the thinking conscientious people of the world to rise in protest against such for improving the safety of women. Code of Criminal Procedure, the a ghastly act and demand stringent punishment of the culprits who have An impression was sought to be Indian Evidence Act and the dared to indulge in such a savagery. SUCI (C) calls for developing powerful socio-cultural movements based on higher ethics and morality to stop proliferation of depraved thoughts like homosexuality Comrade Provash Ghosh, General Secretary, SUCI(C), has issued the But afterwards, when the all-pervading social degeneration in the following statement on 15 December, 2013 : exploitative regime of reactionary bourgeoisie has turned the concept of Homosexuality is an abnormal, diseased and perverted way of life. In individual freedom into a privilege, bereft of any sense of social obligation the past, though there were stray instances of such depravity in the and human values and cloistered in unethical self-centredness and crude mercenary armies deprived of normal sex-relation between man and consumerist thoughts, and the question of human right and entertainment is woman for long, such other organizations and places, such a practice which sought to be equated with untrammelled pursuit of licentiousness, wanton is manifestation of mental deformity and morbidity never gained social and immoral livelihood, infidelity and adultery, tilt towards homosexuality is acceptance. Even those indulging in such acts suffered from ignominy. growing among a section of people under the vicious influence of this rotten, Those who are supporting homosexuality in the name of protecting poisonous environment. It ought to be borne in mind that no immoral, individual and democratic rights are forgetting that the bourgeois unethical, socially harmful, reactionary activity or livelihood can be democratic movement which was accomplished in the west under the supported raising the bogey of change in time. leadership of the then progressive bourgeoisie, dawned upon by the We are of the firm opinion that such unethical living is immensely progressive thoughts of renaissance, against the obsolete obscurantist detrimental to the cause of the society and hence liable for being punished. conservative religion-based feudal system and ushered in new era by That does not mean that we are supporting stringent punishment like life- upholding lofty ideas of modern democracy, secular principles, concept of term for the wrong doers. But, mere legal route would not abolish the menace. individual freedom and women’s liberty, had also fought for establishment It is only surge of a powerful social and cultural movement based on higher of freedom of love between men and women rising above caste, creed, values which can only create necessary public opinion against such nationality and religion, but there was no demand for homosexual rights. decadence and work as deterrent to proliferation of such debased thoughts. PAGE TWO DECEMBER 15, 2013 Mere stringency of law would bring no succour Contd. from page 1 Our Party’s suggestions to Citizens’ Committees with include any definite penal provision the country or even in Delhi? Verma committee involvement of eminent citizens, for the police or any other To make the point clear, we need voluntary organizations particularly enforcement official or authority Crime against women is to date back to the formative days of women’s organization and guilty of dereliction of duty or added soaring by leaps and bounds Verma Committee. Since the representatives from all political any clause to book those deliberately The obvious answer is, no, by no Committee sought views of all parties to give suggestions and promoting or inciting obscenity, means. Rather there is galloping rise political parties, mass organizations recommendations to the government vulgarism or sex-perversion and that in rape, gang rape, child rape and and democratic bodies, our Party also as also guide and monitor too on widest possible scale. Nor sexual violence on women. Reports submitted our concrete suggestions. government’s action in containing the does the new legislation contain any of gruelling rape and murder are When everyone was giving emphasis heinous crime of ruining the moral section to declare undue intervention, pouring in rising number from every on a stringent legislation, we fabric of the society and allowing influence or manipulation on the part part of the country. A local survey categorically pointed out that there savage acts like sexual crimes, rapes of anyone—be it the ministers, revealed that in India, through the are many laws in the country to and gang-rapes to proliferate political satraps, business houses or past 25 years, approximately 1 to 4 prosecute and punish various menacingly. bureaucratic high-ups—as a percent of Indian women criminals, offenders, money- cognizable offence liable for acknowledged having been raped– swindlers, tax evaders and so forth. Verma Committee stringent punishment. In other words, which brings the rate of rape in India Yet, most of the persons indulging in recommendations the law, howsoever strong it might to between 50 and 200 times greater such wrongdoings and crimes go Unlike most of the previous look like, is virtually bereft of the than reported by the Indian away unscathed and there is no commissions, Verma Committee biting ability in absence of any government.(The Guardian-Express- abatement rather aggravation of all submitted its detailed report in less stricture on either the implementation September 2, 2013) Even after the such crimes because the very than a month. It could be seen that machinery or the interfering groups. mass upheaval last December, the investigation and prosecution the Committee, too, took note of our women are no better, if not worse, in processes are not free from views and made some indirect Corrupt mindset of the Delhi. The country’s capital city encumbrances or manoeuvring and references to some of our points. enforcement machinery recorded 1,330 rape incidents till the connivance of the investigating Observing that many perfect laws in Next point is about the very October 15 this year as against 706 personnel with the actual culprits is the past remained ineffective mindset of those assigned the in 2012, almost double in number often vivid. So, it needs to be ensured, because of non-implementation, the responsibility of either framing or compared to last year. Molestation through promulgation of appropriate Committee made a slew of enforcing law. As we had indicated cases have gone up from 727 in 2012 law, that there is no scope for recommendations including in our submissions to the Verma to 2,844 this year, nearly four times. manipulating or scuttling the due incorporation of stringent provisions Committee, if the root is not Eve-teasing cases have gone up from process of investigation. If anyone in Indian Penal Code to deal with the extricated, one cannot expect the 238 in 2009 to 793 this year while within the system or penal machinery rape and other culprits accused of problem to perish. Root of this kidnapping and abduction of women is found to be indulging in any of such outraging the modesty of women. It growing atrocities against women lies has risen from 1,655 in 2009 to 2,906 unlawful activities to help the rapists correctly held that the equality of in the prevailing capitalist system this year. These stark facts were or rapists-cum-murderers dodge the women, being integral to the which, having outlived its utility revealed to the Supreme Court by the law of the land, the said person Constitution, being denied is a following inexorable course of Additional Solicitor General in the should also be meted out stringent sacrilege and a constitutional history, is now akin to a stinking last week of October. Taking note of punishment. In other words, not only violation. Sustained constitutional corpse vitiating the air with miasma the statistics, a three-judge bench of there should be a stringent law for violations mean that governance is and effluvium. Anyone who is not the Supreme Court wondered how punishing the rapists and rapists- not in accordance with the aware of this is bound to be affected come after so much of commotion cum-murderers, the legal provisions Constitution. A fortiori, all limbs of by this emitted poison. And those who over the December 16 infamy, girls are also to be suitably modified to the State — the executive, the deliberately defend or protect this travelling in buses are subjected to ensure that the investigating process legislature as well as the judiciary — obsolete capitalist system are the molestation every day? Mumbai, and procedure does not have any must respect women’s rights and carrier serpents of the poison. One , Bangalore—no city is safe loophole and there is an appropriate must treat them in a non- would recall that when the for the girls let alone the suburbs, mechanism of checking and discriminatory manner. The manner government and the police were outskirts, smaller towns and villages. rechecking of strictest compliance in which the rights of women can be thrashing the valiant protesters And no one— from a 2-year old child with the prescribed stipulations. recognized can only be manifested against Delhi gang-rape—much to to 70-year old woman— is spared by We also added that alongside the when they have full access to justice the glee of the criminals and rapists the flesh-hunters. Obviously, the aforesaid demands for bringing and when the rule of law can be who found that the governing common people particularly those stringency in law and toning up the upheld in their favour. Any officer, machinery by pounding the who thought that a stricter law investigating machinery, there is an who fails to register a case of rape demonstrators were virtually acting would, ipso facto, arrest the imperative need to go into the very reported to him, or attempts to abort as abettors to the crimes—some depravity, are not only gravely root of the problem of rising crime its investigation, commits an offence officials and ministers quipped: “Does concerned but crestfallen. Does not against women and try to extricate which shall be punishable. Any it mean that women should roam at the government owe an answer to the same. If the very cause of political interference or extraneous night just because we got the people? Where are those high- maladies and malaise, aberrations influence in the performance of the independence in the middle of the profile political leaders, power- and deformities, malevolence and statutory duty by a policeman cannot night?” Some others wearing cloak studded minsters, observers and barbarity remains intact, only be condoned. This principle has to be of expertise in social psychology columnists who hoodwinked people strengthening legal provisions would clearly understood by every member went to the extent of remarking that with false promises? But the fact is not beget the desired mitigation, if not of the police force — their “the way women are dressing is that such an outcome of a mere proved visibly short of requirement. accountability is only to the law and responsible for rapes”. We at that legislation with all other factors Despising the ‘go as you like’ attitude to none else in the discharge of their time retorted by asking why then the having primacy remaining the same, of the governments of all hues duty. Dereliction of this duty has to rural women who dress in a was not unexpected but only whether at the Centre or in the states be punished according to the service traditional way are raped, why infants inevitable for definite reasons which towards this rapid propagation of rules and applicable law. The and children are raped, why girls in the suffering people, the terrified sex-perversion and consequent rapid proposed Criminal Law Amendment decent school uniforms are raped, fathers, anxious brothers and worried pervasion of permissiveness Act, 2012, should be modified in the why housewives are abducted from husbands need to take into throughout the society and absence suggested manner. home and raped, why the protesting cognizance and appreciate. Then of any serious concern or anxiety on But, when the government women of Singur-Nandigram only they would be able to know the part of the established framed the new Criminal Law movements were gang-raped, why what is needed to be done to parliamentarian parties, we proposed Amendment Act, 2013 incorporating old women are raped, why hospital effectively stem the rot. immediate formation of empowered a few stricter provisions, it did not Contd. on page 3 PROLETARIAN ERA DECEMBER 15, 2013 PAGE THREE People’s organized movement based on higher ideology and culture can only constitute the bulwark Contd. from page 2 him at the Reserve Police Line. A instinct. The mind is so polluted and conducive to the same. As we have patients are raped? Is it because of senior IAS officer has been charged corrupted, turned into blind ally of been repeatedly saying and appealing their dress, or because of their for rape, sexual harassment and biological impulse that woman is to all to take due cognition of, roaming at night? Look at the mindset blackmailing a girl. Of late, a lady made to be viewed just as a sex onslaught of rotten reactionary of the political bigwigs. During the journalist has accused a very senior object meant for satiating thoughts are to be fought and days of people’s historic stir against journalist of forced sex. Even fingers lasciviousness and swooping on any defeated by acquiring, nurturing, Delhi gang-rape, Narendra Modi, the are pointed against top judicial woman anywhere just like the way a cultivating and unleashing progressive BJP chief minister of Gujarat and personalities for sexual offence. jungle beast jumps on its prey is higher thoughts. If people’s now projected as the country’s next Using seats of power for eliciting gaining currency. Despite growing movement is based on higher prime minister by the ruling sexual favour, unusual sexual discontent among the right-thinking proletarian culture, ethics and monopolists’ circle, chose to banter advances, stalking (unwanted or conscientious people against this morality, organized right from the one of his political rivals by saying: obsessive attention by one person deadly attack on culture and morality, grassroots level through formation of “he has a 500-million-worth toward another person with a view the authorities, the ruling dispensation people’s committees and assume a girlfriend”. Ridiculing the surging to harassing, including sexual are not just playing the role of a silent sustained powerful character outrage of Delhi people, a Congress harassing or intimidating), voyeurism bystander but of an indulgent activist. throughout the country, it will exert MP commented : Those who are (deriving sexual gratification from It could not be otherwise because necessary pressure on the despotic coming in the name of students in the observing the naked bodies or sexual they are not for upholding people’s government-administration to bend rallies, are fashionable women, highly acts of others, especially from a interest but for serving this outmoded and yield to certain legitimate dented and painted”. Short of calling secret vantage point) is almost going utterly corrupt capitalist system demands. Even the law enforcement the Kolkata’s Park Street rape victim to take an institutionalized character which thrive on the animalism and machinery could be forced under a prostitute, a woman Trinamool in workplaces, public transport, roads, animalization of the human beings. If pressure of movement to take some Congress MP commented that “it educational institutions, hospitals and the system itself is criminalized and action against the culprits and to that was not a rape case but a deal going other places. The list is unending. If depraved, breeding ground of all extent beget some respite to the sour between a lady and her client.” police officers, army officials, maladies and aberrations, how far problem. At the same time, the From the rostrum of a public meeting, bureaucrats and judicial personalities prudent it is to expect its protectors cultural milieu of this surging people’s a former minister and now deputy nurture such pervert and patriarch to enforce a stricter law, suo motu, movement, not spontaneous, sporadic leader of the CPI (M) in West mentality, how can one expect them for protecting the assaulted and but well-knit, prolonged and powerful Bengal assembly threw a question to to deliver justice to the rape and persecuted women? under correct revolutionary leadership the lady chief minister of West sexual assault victims? Hypocrisy of will create congenial environment for Bengal, “If you are raped, what will the government authorities is nakedly People need to adopt correct cultivation of higher thoughts and if, be the compensation you would manifest once again when it is found remedial course alongside, a fierce all-embracing charge?” All of them are leaders of that not a single paisa has been spent This is the backdrop, the ideological-cultural movement based their respective parties. They might from the much-touted “Nirbhaya objective reality in which galloping on Marxism-Leninism, the loftiest belong to different political parties but Fund’ to sophisticate the penal rise in the number of rapes, besides ideal of the era, is conducted right share the same misogynist and machinery. other forms of crimes on women from the grassroots level, all such vile degraded culture bred by the ranging from womb to tomb is bourgeois ideas, decadent cultural decadent moribund capitalist system. Rampant spread of vulgarism bringing disgrace to any civilized thoughts can be effectively combated Apart from the political class and sex-perversion adding fuel society and putting the entire and ultimately overpowered. Only wedded to bourgeois vote politics, to fire capitalist-imperialist world in the then the desired equality, honour and such pervert mindset, an attitude to Over and above this rotten dock. This would also explain why dignity of women can be established. look down upon women as merely a culture and putrid mindset of the law the governments, civil administration, It is pertinent to mention here that just sex-object, an attempt to humiliate enforcement personnel, there is, a police and even judiciary more often a year back, when people of Egypt women, debase and defile them to careful observation would unfold, a than not reflect patriarchal bias and burst forth in the “Arab Spring’ establish male supremacy— a meticulously crafted design to wipe insensitivity in their handling of the movement against autocratic rule of misogyny in the extreme cases—are out whatever little of human elements issues concerning women. It would Hosni Mubarak, many young boys and rampant among the bureaucracy, remain in the society and human further clarify why anybody engaged girls stayed together in makeshift police-military and even judiciary, beings turn into ferocious animals in defending or subserving the camps days after days, nights after stated to be the pillars of the sustaining on bestial instincts decrepit capitalist society and nights. But, there was no report of any capitalist state and bourgeois dispossessed of the ethical-moral system, cannot remain free from the sexual misconduct or indecent democracy. The present director of power to burst into protest and vices bred by the system itself. That behaviour to any woman. “Arab the Central Bureau of Investigation rebellion against the oppressive is why, one would find that in many Spring’ was no anti-capitalist (CBI) remarked a few days back, “if system. So is promoted the vulgar of the rape and other cases of revolutionary movement but a you can’t prevent rape, enjoy it”. A materialistic culture of ‘eat, drink and atrocities on women, the accused are humanist struggle for a social cause. reputed advocate in a criminal writ be merry’ or rabid consumerism either privilege-seeking political But, the very ambience of the petition to refute charge of rape by a vigorously through a flood of obscene figures, village touts, mafia dons movement worked as a deterrent to girl against a retired judge mentioned advertisements, erotic films, ugly TV enjoying political backing or army penetration of any deformed thought that a lady never speaks the truth and programmes, pornographic literature. personnel, police officials, close or malformed conduct. We saw the can go upto any extent for a short Of late, internet and mobile relatives of industrialists and same thing during the legendary benefit or for revenge for denial of telephones have emerged as more persons in proximity of the power- Singur-Nandigram struggles. When her demand. A woman Army officer effective media to rapidly spread wielders. people are in the vortex of a militant filed a case of sexual harassment lewd messages and photographs. Those who feel the urge to free struggle for social justice, that acts as against a Lieutenant Colonel. Wife of The quarters of vested interest have the society of this rapid degeneration, a strong moral force. And if that a military naval officer alleged that been unleashing propaganda that protect the honour and dignity of struggle is guided by the highest her husband forced her to have sex frequenting pubs, taverns, night clubs, women, seal recurrence of rape, ideology of the era, it virtually works with his fellow officers. Wife of a discotheques and even drinking, gang-rape and killing of rape victims, like a bulwark against ingress of any navy marine commando charged her drug-consumption and enjoying must recognize that mere asking for rotten thought to pollute mind. So, husband of extra-marital affair with vulgar sex exhibitionism are kinds of a stricter law would not redress the remedy lies in unleashing surge of the wife of his senior officer. A recreation, sources of seeking problem. Eradication of the malady people’s movement along the right woman police constable in Lucknow pleasure. The whole attempt is to lies in strengthening and intensifying track. On the one year of Nirbhaya has alleged that she was sexually make prurient sex the sole and whole the revolutionary struggle to Damini’s death, it is incumbent on harassed by a senior inspector while entertainment and thereby turn overthrow capitalism and the all of us to imbibe this truth and act she held the position of a clerk under human beings into slaves of base ideological-cultural movement accordingly. PAGE FOUR DECEMBER 15, 2013 PROLETARIAN ERA Peace move on Iran and Syria Conceals imperialist design of tightening noose on smaller countries Of late, the US president Barack Obama is being credited for striking measures to curb opposition even world will be with such a deal? two historic deals with Iran and Syria which, it is asserted, ‘have the fundamental democratic rights. What does the record show in potential to dramatically alter the geopolitical landscape of the Middle-East, Added to these, the US- engineered regard to positions of the powerful Gulf, and South Asia’. He is being hailed as the chief architect of the nuclear sanction could only present the countries writing the deals, deal between Iran and the band of powerful P5+1 (the United States, Iranian people with painful and particularly the USA, in regard to Russia, France, China, Britain, and Germany) countries and the second, the nagging scarcity of daily necessities, nuclear danger? If Iran poses 15-nation UN Security Council’s unanimous resolution to destroy Syria’s double-digit unemployment, and danger with its nuclear arsenals at chemical weapons stockpile, working out on a deal struck between Russia unutilised natural resources, hand, do not the imperialist powers, and the USA. The US president has claimed that “diplomacy opened up a particularly the rich oil and natural led by the US imperialism pose new path toward a world that is more secure — a future in which we can gas reserves due to lack of greater danger with their much verify that Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful and that it cannot build a development funds. It has become bigger stockpiles and accessories, nuclear weapon.” “We are declaring together, for the first time, that the use amply clear to them that the US much greater resources to conduct of chemical weapons, which the world long ago determined beyond the design is nothing short of destroying continuous and thorough research- bounds of acceptable human behaviour, are also a threat to international the economic base of the country and development to find out newer and peace and security anywhere they might be used, anytime they might be bringing their country to the knees to newer methods and materials for used, under any circumstances,” observed US Secretary of State John accept the US dictation. Even the nuclear armament, even if under Kerry, a close aide of Obama. This saintly posture of the US war mongers fundamentalist Iranian rulers, apart pressure of people’s opinion they are with peace-candles in hand might well make the bourgeois propaganda from their own interest for power and forced to do away with their present machine burst into eulogy but how far secure the world will be with Iran’s pelf, could not ignore the tremendous nuclear materials and technology? nuclear programme put on leash and Syria’s chemical weapons put on pressure of this people’s opinion and The following is a brief account of elimination trail remains a big question to scan. hence stubbornly resisted the who stands where on the question of imperialist pressure. However, the nuclear strength. ‘Enviable’ track-record of on uranium enrichment beyond 5 per crisis they faced, were pushing them Fitting with the Obama sponsoring war and destruction cent, the level at which it can be used to find the way out and as in other administration’s “roadmap” for by the US imperialists for weapons research, and to reduce capitalist countries in these days of maintaining US nuclear supremacy, If one has a quick recap of the its stockpile of uranium enriched globalization, they preferred to take the USA has about 8,000 nuclear latest peace initiatives by the US beyond this point. It will reduce the to the path of liberalization. The new warheads of which about 2,150 are president, the principal political face number and potential of its president elected in June last, though deployed, that is, ready to launch of US imperialism, one would find centrifuges and its ability to produce himself a cleric, vouched for more using missiles and bombers, and the him ‘enviable’. He escalated weapons-grade plutonium using the liberalization to allure people rest that can be activated quickly or military hostilities in Afghanistan; he Arak reactor. Even with such a deal, towards a better prospect and to even when withdrawn are not prolonged de facto occupation of the Iranian negotiators insisted they assure the ruling class a smooth dismantled and can be reactivated. Iraq with large number of heavily still had a right to nuclear power. In road to their profit hunt, all obviously Next to the USA, Russia in its armed US troops stationed there; he return, there will be no new nuclear- with the consent and approval of the comparable total strength, has only continued inhuman sanction on Iran, related sanctions on Iran for six reigning religious supreme leader. It about 1,800 ready to launch. The initiated by his predecessor; he months, rather Iran will receive was on this background that the new START treaty between the swooped down on Libya under the sanctions relief worth about $7 Iranian rulers entered into the nuclear U.S. and Russia does not restrict the pretense of a “humanitarian” billion. deal. As it stands now, is it then not number of operational nuclear mission to protect civilian lives and People of the world cannot a deal between a weaker country, warheads in the two arsenals. establish democracy, and wearing afford to forget that only a few days frantically groping for survival and a Rather, it leaves open the possibility the cloak of NATO, after as usual back, and since long, it was this same group of powerful counterparts, their of improving the quality of nuclear managing to secure a rubber stamp US imperialists who have been on the chieftain all along brandishing lethal forces. As a part of that programme, of UNO in support of such a direct offensive and, who, on the plea of sticks to make the weaker country the US is installing an anti-missile military intervention; he issued Iran’s not succumbing to their comply or perish? “shield” in Europe, ostensibly to continuous threats to Syria to pressure to abandon their nuclear neutralize an Iranian attack comply with or perish, and he programme, included Iran in their US—the largest stockist and (something impossible at present), in militarily encircled socialist North so-called 3- nation axis of evil (along user of nuclear weapons reality in order to achieve a strategic Korea. For all these ‘peace with Cuba and North Korea) and Is it not a deal where the US advantage over Russia, which is initiatives’ that have made peace the branded it as potential danger to the replaces the sticks with carrots for taking countermeasures. The first casualty, he has been conferred world and the Middle East. It was the the economically squeezed Iran, to NATO, the imperialist military the Nobel Peace Prize. The media, same US imperialists that pose that it is forsaking war- consolidation headed by the US a large chunk of which is sponsored, engineered strangulating noose of maoeuvring in favour of peace- imperialists, has about 300 French monitored and designed to serve the economic sanction upon Iran. This maoeuvring? How far secure the Contd. on page 5 interests of the imperialists, are sanction brought added suffering to frantically trying to whip up a gala the Iranian people over and above AIDSO wins in Jaunpur college election applause for the so-called historic the sufferings caused by their own In the Tilakdhari College, a leading institution in the Jaunpur district peace moves, and posing the US capitalist state and economy. This of UP affiliated to Purbachal University, AIDSO candidate Bishal Kumar president as the peace-maker. But state is being ruled since 1979 by the Shourya achieved a significant victory by a huge margin of 1034 votes notwithstanding their best efforts the fanatic religious fundamentalist to the post of Library secretary in the student union election; another tenor does not reach the mark. The Shiaite forces who have hoodwinked AIDSO candidate Purnajit Gupta contesting for Arts representative was world does not seem amused to the Iranian people with the opium of defeated by a narrow margin. It is worth mention that this college is welcome these peace manoeuvres. religious fundamentalism only to considered as a stronghold for the BJP and its student wing ABVP, press upon them a suffocating rule where the administration, including the Principal takes initiative in the The Iran Deal in which the ruling capitalists are drive for membership to ABVP. In such an institution, against all odds We first take up the Iran Deal. continually thrusting the burden of of money-muscle and filthy politics based on casteism- communalism, the Under this deal, described as an their crisis-ridden exploitative victory of AIDSO candidate on the strength of a value-based, secular “initial, six-month” deal, Iran has system upon people. At the same and uncompromising ideals, has created a stir among students giving agreed to give better access to time they keep the leash tight on vent to elation among general students and marked encouragement to inspectors, to halt some of its work people with strong repressive AIDSO activists. PROLETARIAN ERA DECEMBER 15, 2013 PAGE FIVE US imperialists the School of Politics at Sultanpur in U P largest owner of nuclear and chemical weapons Contd. from page 4 Syria, intrinsically exploitative, and 225 British nuclear warheads, discriminatory and oppressive, it also almost all ready to launch. Zionist continues to be an eye-sore to the Israel, the closest US ally which is US imperialism for its firm stand the only nuclear power in the Middle against it and the Zionist Israel who East and, unlike Iran, does not are relentlessly trying to dominate adhere to the Non-Proliferation over the Middle East. Though in the Treaty — has an estimated 100 to immediate interest of the Syrian 300 warheads and produces enough capital, this stand is also in keeping plutonium to manufacture 10 to 15 with the strong anti-imperialist, anti- bombs each year like the one the US Zionist fervour of the Syrian people. Comrade Ranjit Dhar, member Polit Bureau of SUCI (C) is conducting a dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. China It was the Syrian people, and never school of politics at Kalikagunj of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh has a nuclear arsenal estimated at the US imperialists who then have organized by the UP State Organizing Committee on 8-9 November. Comrade Dhar discussed on the questions and queries submitted by the about 250 warheads and about 60 the prerogative to decide the fate of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Party workers on the basis of the two books, namely, Communist Code of the Assad government. In any case, Conduct and Party — a Product of Dialectical Processes. India has about 110 nuclear the armed conflict took a worse warheads, Pakistan 120, North turn when it was revealed in last countries, where, in addition to Russia Charter. Korea probably a few warheads. It August that there might have been and China stiffly opposing the US is estimated that the world has use of chemical weapon to kill design of attacking Syria, there was Hidden agenda of the US accumulated enough of highly hundreds of Syrian people, including a ‘no’ from other countries as well, As in the case of the Iran deal, enriched uranium and plutonium women and children. Though there including familiar war-partners of the the UNSC resolution on Syria also materials to produce more than was strong controversy as to who USA like UK and European NATO poses some vital questions. What 100,000 nuclear weapons, and it perpetrated the crime and though allies. Albeit primarily from their own does it really aim at? Is it, as continues to produce these materials there was enough indication that the market interests in Syria and its oil, professed, the destruction of Syrian in increasing amounts. There are amply reinforced FSA could have these powerful imperialist-capitalist chemical weapon and thereby over 130 “civilian” nuclear reactors been the culprit, an orchestrated and countries could not also ignore the reducing the chance of humanity that produce highly enriched virulent campaign was let loose by world opinion and dared not rally having to face the fury of deadly uranium, suitable for the the media, sponsored and outright behind the USA and its weapons of mass destruction? Does manufacture of nuclear weapons. monitored by the imperialists, president. So, the US president, Syria stand as the principal danger Are these figures not enough to particularly their chieftain, the US obviously at the beckoning of his of triggering large scale war with its show how safe the world would be, imperialism holding the Syrian masters, the ruling monopolists, beat chemical weapons? Or, is it a with Iran stalling its nuclear Government responsible. The US a temporary retreat and switched cunning yet coercive move from the programme and all these nuclear president even issued a threat of over to peace overtures. The US big powers to emasculate a armaments kept alive on the globe? attacking Syria making this alleged imperialists did not find it advisable to relatively weaker state and bend it Of course, there will be one sure use of chemical weapons as pretext pound Syria full-fledgedly right at this down to act as a pawn of outcome. With Iran stalling its just like the way his predecessor moment. Rather, they activated superpowers? By this time, the nuclear programme, it will lose its arrogated to himself the sanction to diplomatic channel. In course of that, world is well aware of the murder of sting as one of the few countries in launch full-fledged military assault rulers of capitalist Russia, who also Saddam Hussein and devastation of the Middle East that still stand firmly on Iraq on the false plea of Saddam nurture hegemonic aspirations and Iraq, a country economically fairly against the US brigandage and Hussein possessing weapons of look forward to reaping benefits out stable and culturally adequately against the constant threat from the mass destruction. of the contradiction of the US secular among the generally Zionist Israel against the Arab However, the brag and bluster imperialists with other countries and fundamentalist Arab countries, was world. Is that what the US views as of war were not taken forward but powers, changed its stand and came a calculated move by the overlord secure and safe? replaced by peace-hymns, not into a deal with the USA. And, finally, US imperialism on the plea of because the blood-hounds were based on that deal, the UN Security Saddam violating human rights and The Syrian Deal suddenly absorbed in devout pursuit Council adopted resolution on Iraq thriving upon WMD (Weapons So, if one shrewd move of the but due to definite objective reasons. destroying the Syrian chemical of Mass Destruction) which its war monger US imperialism has Throughout the world including even weapons. The UNSC called for rulers were said to have used on its helped it rob Iran of its sting, let us the USA, people’s opinion against elimination of removal and own non-conformist people and see, what does the second peace war particularly the war of destruction by the first half of 2014 enemy countries in the move concerning Syria has to do aggression launched by US of Syria’s all categories of chemical neighbourhood. Subsequently it has with. There, the Syrian Army under imperialists and their allies has weapons (CW) as well as CW been proved that the allegations of the present Bashar al-Assad become perceptibly strong. They related materials and equipment Iraq holding WMD were baseless, Government has since 2011 been are questioning why should the US including the facilities for the cooked up in the closed chambers of locked in a fierce armed army invade other sovereign development and production of these Pentagon to hoodwink the entire confrontation with so-called rebels countries flaunting military might, kill, weapons, while endorsing a plan for world. And the devastation Iraq had or Free Syrian Army (FSA). The maim and cripple thousands of Syrian-led negotiations towards to undergo with the brute US FSA is liberally patronized with innocent citizens and raze cities and peace. The process was to follow aggression could only be included as money, deadly arms and weapons villages into rubbles by carpet procedures drawn up by the one of the worst chapters of human as well as training from the US bombing with latest lethal weapons Organization for the Prohibition of history in regard to transgression of imperialism and the pro-west not excluding chemical, even Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and national sovereignty and violation of reactionary regimes of the Middle radioactive material containing agreed upon by the USA and the all sorts of human rights. Questions East like Saudi Arabia and even the weapons. Even many allies of US Russian Federation. It also held of chemical weapons of Syria and arch-fundamentalist Al Qaida war-mongers do not dare to ignore threats that in the event of non- their government using them, must forces. It also echoes the voice of its this rising public opinion and the USA compliance, including unauthorized be judged on the anvil of the past mentor-sponsor, the US imperialism, is at times failing to rally those transfer, or any use of chemical record of the USA. The US in its demand for ouster of the countries behind its design. This was weapons by anyone in Syria, the accuses the Syrian government for Assad government. Though the manifest even at the G-20 summit of UNSC should impose strict killing its own people. May the latter is carrying on capitalist rule in leading capitalist- imperialist measures in accordance with the UN Contd. on page 6 PAGE SIX DECEMBER 15, 2013 PROLETARIAN ERA Anti-imperialist militant peace movement the only guarantee of peace Contd. from page 5 Subsequently, Germany used even less than a decade, 1962 to chemical weapons, the stock of the world ask : What made the Syrian mustard gas in 1917 that caused 1971, they used this herbicide to US imperialists are as high as government carry on the present blisters on skins. Worldwide defoliate the forest and rural areas 25,000 metric tons. Who is then the war? Was it not because the so- people’s opinion after the First so that the Vietnamese guerrillas bigger merchant of death? Who called rebels, the mercenaries World War resulted in the Geneva would be deprived of cover. In this then poses greater danger to hatched- sponsored- lethally armed Protocol signed in 1925. Although noble mission of theirs for ‘saving peace? Should not the UNSC and engineered by the US the protocol prohibited the use of the world from communism,’ they have to answer this? Is it not then imperialists- its allies and chemical weapons, it did not cold-bloodedly murdered about a clear fact that with this resolution, fundamentalists launched the war in prohibit their development, 4,00,000 people and caused birth Syria, an oil-rich country and the name of fighting and production and stockpiling. In defects in 5,00,000 children only staunch opponent of US overlordism overthrowing the autocratic rule of response to Germany, Britain and in the singular case of Vietnam and Zionist Israel in the Middle Assad for democracy? It is the sole France also produced the deadly war. East, is ceremoniously prerogative of the Syrian people to mustard gas. During the Second The Chemical Weapons emasculated? decide if Assad remains in power or World War the Nazi Germany used Convention (CWC), a disarmament there is a regime change or if they the nerve gas Tabun, in 1936 and agreement convened subsequently Foil sinister design of the US would beget a revolutionary ZyclonB in gas chambers to in 1992 prohibits the use of these imperialists overthrow of capitalism there. How exterminate hundreds of thousands weapons. Yet the US imperialists Hence both the deals struck at could the US imperialist be of innocent Jews in concentration who are so vociferous against this present hour speak plainly of a concerned with that? Why are the camps. Fascist Italy, too, used possession or even attempt to fresh US imperialist design. With US imperialists and their allies chemical weapons in Libya in 1930 develop such weapons by others, Iran, the US imperialism presses nurturing ‘death squads’ inside Syria and in Ethiopia in 1936. Winston had themselves repeatedly used hard upon that country, already put and sustaining the killing spree Churchill, the then British prime chemical weapons in their wars to the corner through prolonged there? Now they are seeing people minister, reportedly held that against different countries in the sanction imposed by none other being killed in Syria. How many criticism on chemical weapons was last decades of the last century. than the USA. With Syria, it takes people of the world, including ‘squeamishness about poison gas’ Apart from using the conventional advantage of the use of chemical innocent children, women, elderly and was in favour of use of gas chemical weapons they are weapons there in August, puts a people or patients in hospital beds, (“They are really troublesome, let’s reported to have used ammunitions UN stamp on the government not just in one country but in one gas them”) against rebellious tribes made of depleted uranium in Iraq holding it responsible and then after another country, have the US of the North West frontier regions and Kosovo, which itself is highly imposes the condition of destruction imperialist rulers killed, maimed, of the then India. Sanctioning the radioactive. Right now babies are of its chemical weapon. In both the made homeless in the post-Second “most devastating chemical weapon being born in Fallujah, Iraq, with cases, the US imperialists were World War period to buttress their ever devised” against the Russian staggering rates of birth defects facing strong adverse opinion from hegemonic design and brigandish Bolsheviks, he sent a special because of exposure to depleted people of the world and more agenda? The answer is : Countless plane-loaded huge cache of a uranium used by the US military. particularly of their own country. precious human life. Who, in one of dangerous poisonous gas called ‘M This has not only mortally and So, they took recourse to cunning the most brutal instances in the devise’ that had been developed in severely affected people of the manipulations, turned the situation in human history, dropped atom bombs a British laboratory by British attacked country; even scores of their favour and changed their on two cities of Japan and made scientists short time back. This US soldiers and pilots in charge of tactics from war-manoeuvring to over one lakh and a half of common was intended to bring about dealing with these ammunitions peace- manoeuvring. The ultimate citizens to perish in seconds and massive devastating effects on the have been found to be affected by aim remained the same: to pursue leave the survivors devastatingly Red Army, as it has been revealed radioactive emission. Also, as per a overlordism further in the Middle poisoned for generations? The in a note of a British scientist who report in the Foreign Policy East, the oil-rich, strategically answer: None but the US rulers. had been sent with the weapon to magazine, based on a 1983 CIA important region of the world by Just like the hoaxed ‘WMD’ story of note the effects. The note is document, advanced research on taming the two hitherto opposing Iraq, the US rulers are now dishing recovered from the British National chemical weapons have been countries. But, how is that they are out an argument, raw and frivolous Archive. Unfortunately for conducted in Zionist Israel, known getting away with such offences by any count, that had they not Churchill, the effect was not as as the front office of international with impunity? This is the question dropped atom bombs, Japan would contemplated. gangsterism of the US imperialists that must stir the minds of all anti- have attacked US while everyone And after the Second World in west Asia, at the Israeli Centre war peace-loving people of the knew that battered and ravaged, War, the US imperialism, by far for Biological Research and world. We have already stated Japan was almost ready to took the lead and made the most weapons were produced and stored above that under pressure of the surrender? How many wars these prolific use of chemical weapons in the Negev Desert, at Dimona, growing voice of people against the US rulers have carried out since the repeatedly and without any remorse where Israel also produces its own ulterior move to precipitate war and Second World War? At least 70 during its war-adventures to reign nuclear weapons. What propriety war tension, the warlords of during the period. over the world. Of them one of then the US imperialists have in Pentagon and their associates did the most deplorable instances came crying hoarse about chemical not dare to launch any direct Labour-room of chemical in the Vietnam War. Confronted weapons of Syria and tags the military attack on either Iran or weapons with stubborn resistance of the UNSC behind its scheme to adopt Syria. Here lies the bulwark. More Come to the question of heroic fighters of the small resolution against that country? If organized, intense and powerful is chemical weapons. Who are the country of Vietnam and unable to Syria is made to destroy its arsenal the anti-imperialist militant peace inventors- developers-keepers- tackle the invincible Vietnamese of chemical weapons or Iran is movement round the world, more users of chemical weapons? Were guerrillas fighting under the debarred from developing nuclear the war cries and war initiatives of these weapons germinated in the leadership of their beloved leader armoury, why should the US be the imperialist camp headed by the workshop of any weaker country or Ho Chi Minh, the US imperialism allowed to sit on heaps of US imperialists would be under born in the labour rooms of the shocked the world with using sophisticated military hardware that check, if not blunted. So, it is capitalist-imperialist sharks? Use of terrible Napalm bombs that burnt includes nuclear, chemical and such incumbent on the anti-war peace- commercial chemicals in warfare everything hit at with human other weapons of mass destruction? loving people of the world to close began with the First World War, victims inflicting ghastly burns on Why should the US war mongers their rank and firm up their unity by when on 22 April 1915, the German their body. They also resorted to be licensed to kill people in other coordinating the surging anti- army used liquid chlorine near the rampant spraying of thousands of countries with unmanned drones? imperialist movements of various strategic town of Ypres in Belgium, litres of Agent Orange gas in the As per media report, while Syria is countries to give rise to the desired killing 5,000 Allied troops. Vietnam forests. Within the span of stated to be having 1000 tons of world anti-imperialist movement. PROLETARIAN ERA DECEMBER 15, 2013 PAGE SEVEN ASHA and Anganwari workers movement In different states of the country President of AIUTUC and including rupees for the victim’s family and Tara Devi, the victim while elicited ASHA (Accredited Social Health leaders from different states like employment for the helpless family spontaneous support in UP from Activists) workers and Anganwari Karnataka, , UP, Delhi members and ensuring security for doctors, nurses and different Sevika/ Karyakatri and Sahayika , Haryana and elsewhere staged a all ASHA workers and finally sections of government employees, (Anganwari social workers and deputation to the Union Minister of observed an all India protest day attesting to the fact that movement assistants), toil day and night albeit State for Health & Family Planning on 19 November on the above of these sections of working people with a nominal allowence, not to in Delhi on various demands of the demands wearing black badges, are drawing support from other speak of adequate monthly salary, ASHA workers, like recognition of observing silence in memory of sections of toiling masses. or monthly minimum living wages the ASHA workers as and without any social security government employees, measures. They have been fixation, thereupon, of continuing sustained movement minimum wages and all separately for years together other benefits, pending organized under the banners of their that revision of the respective unions affiliated to the incentive amount which AIUTUC. We have published a few remains static for the reports in Proletarian Era. Here last 7 years, we include summary-report for the introduction of a ASHA workers in words and the simplified, transparent Anganwadi workers in photos. procedure for payment of incentives ASHA and Anganwari workers and social security net coverage for have long-standing legitimate the ASHAs, etc. In absence of the grievances and demands arising out minister, the Officer on Special Duty of them. Though several demands received the memorandum on behalf of timely distribution of incentive, of him. The movement of the uniform, transport fare and others ASHA and Anganwadi workers could be achieved through prolonged continue. struggles, many vital ones remain The miserable condition these unfulfilled. Working in schemes sections of working people face under the much-hyped NRHM may be partially evident from the programme, they often have to two incidents cited below. On 11 July work under the mercy of corrupt 2012, the wall of an Anganwadi panchayat leaders for pittance of an centre collapsed in Nayagarh district incentive that is cut arbitrarily. of Odisha killing 7 school children Governments, central or state, do and injuring several others, speaking not even recognize them as of the miserable condition of workers. For that , they are infrastructure and safety of deprived of salaries, life insurance, Anganwadi centres. Of late on 6 provident fund and other facilities. November rural health worker of It is a cruel joke that the UP Tara Devi, was gangraped and governments which can enhance killed in her village Manopur Dera salaries and perks of MPs and village of Rajpur block in UP. A MLAs by thousands of rupees, care mother of 4 children, Tara Devi two hoots to pay these workers who came of an abjectly poor family are rendering commendable service living in a shanty. In both cases the to people in rural areas. respective sections of people In their turn, the ASHA and launched movement. Anganwari workers have held a As an emergent issue, the number of conventions and ASHA workers lead by their Union demonstrations at different places in leaders rushed to the village of Tara the country for at least the last 3 or Devi, the above-mentioned victim of 4 years in which they have pledged gangrape and murder and on 16 to continue their struggles. In a sort November staged demonstration of culmination of this phase of and lead a deputation to the district movements, on 29 August, 2013 last collector demanding arrest and death a delegation from the all India sentence of all the miscreants Committee of AIUTUC led by associated with this crime, Comrade K Radhakrishna, Vice immediate compensation of 10 lakh

ANGANWARI workers movement Clockwise from top 1.Jamshedpur 18 May 2012; 2. Kanpur convention 7 October 2012; 3. Haryana 26 August 2012; 4. Bangalore convention 1 July 2010; 5. Jamshedpur 8 September 2012. RNI No. 13932/67 P. R. No. KOL / RMS / /145 / 2013-2015

SUCI(C) supports resistance movement of Bangladesh SUCI(C) expresses people to foil the sinister move of Indian and Bangladesh profound grief governments to set up hazardous power plant at Rampal at the demise of by grabbing arable land and evicting peasants Nelson Mandela Comrade Provash Ghosh, Comrade Provash Ghosh, Also, air pollution, environmental people disastrous scheme destined to General Secretary, SUCI(C), in a General Secretary, SUCI(C), pollution caused by solid and liquid pose serious threat to the environ- statement issued on 6 December issued the following statement on wastes as well as piled up effluents ment and ecological balance. At the expressed profound grief at the 3 December, 2013 : would cause serious harm to the eco- initiative of the eminent intellectuals, demise of the legendary anti- It is a matter of grave concern system and bio-diversity and have scientists, environmentalists and the apartheid anti-imperialist fighter that totally ignoring the opinion of the poisonous effect on human health. left and democratic parties and forces Nelson Mandela. environmentalists, geologists, subject Above all, this notorious venture of Bangladesh, people there have experts and common people of would gravely endanger the been conducting a powerful tributaries. Under the leadership of Bangladesh, the governments of Sunderbans, world’s largest estuarine movement to resist the scheme. our party, the SUCI(C), people built India and Bangladesh are grabbing forest and delta and an UNESCO It is pertinent to recall that the up sustained movement to ultimately 1834 acres of land at Rampal World Heritage Site spread over the government of India in collaboration foil the ulterior move and heinous adjacent to the Sunderban area in territories of both India and Bangla- with the then CPI (M)–led West conspiracy. Khulna district of Bangladesh desh, and gradually push its natural Bengal state government had once We strongly believe that the evicting around 8,000 peasant marvel of fauna and flora towards decided to set up a nuclear power democratic-minded people of India families with a view to installing a extinction. plant in the Sunderban area of West will consider the resistance thermal power plant. As a result of In spite of having due knowledge Bengal. There was also a state movement unleashed by the people this, apart from consigning this large of all these serious consequences, government approved move by the of Bangladesh as their own and the number of displaced families to the governments of India and multinational groups to build up a combined struggle of the toiling virtual doom, the sludge of spent fuel Bangladesh, solely in the sinister tourist spot and a floating hotel there people of both the countries would and other chemicals would cause class interest of the ruling capitalists by cutting the stretches of man- force the governments of India and immense harm to the rivers, of both the countries, are going to groves, destroying vegetation and Bangladesh to withdraw this ruinous connecting canals and agriculture. implement this out-and-out anti- contaminating the rivers and scheme. Massive demonstration in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Massive demonstration of more than ten thousand people carrying a model of octopus to symbolize the all-out attack of both Congress-led central government and BJD government of the Odisha state was staged on 9 December in front of Odisha Vidhansabha in Bhubaneswar. It marked a phase in the struggle on a 13 point charter of demand concerning burning problems of people’s life and livelihood that SUCI(C) Odisha State Committee had been continuing for several months. Comrade Dhurjati Das, Odisha state secretary of the Party addressed, among others, a brief meeting at the venue, called for continuing and strengthening of the movement and led a delegation to hand over the memorandum supported by more than 8 lakhs of signatures to the Chief Minister. On a year of brutal gang-rape and murder of ‘Nirbhaya Damini’ Processions of students-youth-women on 16 December against atrocities on women in state capitals on 29 December National Convention at Mavlankar Hall, Delhi

on 30 December Parliament March EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : PROVASH GHOSH Edited & Published by Asit Bhattacharyya from 48 Lenin Sarani, Kolkata 700 013 and printed by him at Printers and Publishers Private Limited, 52B, Indian Mirror Street, Kolkata 700013. Phone : 2249-1828, 2265-3234 E-mail : [email protected], [email protected], Website : www.suci-c.in