Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 49 The year that was January 4, 2015 S. Viswam Polarisation in J & K Kuldip Nayar Anna Domini 2014 which we have consensual doctrine of “sabka saath just packed off into history became sabka vikas”. J & K demands statesmanship Narendra Modi’s year the day he Rajindar Sachar kicked the Congress out of power Modi could spout the development What is Good Governance? and led his 282-member strong agenda day in and day out, but his D.K. Giri majority party, the BJP, into the mentor, the RSS, and his party the Lok Sabha chamber to head a new BJP, and his admirers and supporters Remembering government. His proclaimed agenda committed to the promotion of Balaraj Puri was Development and Development Hindutva - the vast and numerically Wajahat Habibullah alone. Seven months into office, the strong saffron parivar, have their Niranjan Haldar political situation in the country, as own agenda. This agenda has the Nandita Haksar we kick in the New Year, shows that “conversion” of India from being Om Prakash Saraf the Prime Minister can claim only “secular, socialist, democratic” Yogesh Puri the first three months of the outgoing republic into a Hindu Rashtra Luv Puri year as his. The last few months (nation). One had expected the ••• of the year were certainly not his. public articulation and promotion of Hindutva campaign immediately On During this period, his development Understanding Indian Muslims agenda had been hijacked, and after Modi took over, and the absence new words heard long long ago but of any signs in that direction misled Choice for Kashmiris forgotten came to resonate across the country into believing that Modi Human Rights in India the nation. Conversion, forced was keeping the saffron flock in Secularisation Process in conversion, reconversion, and ghar check. That belief has faded with Punjab Politics wapasi were the new words bandied the RSS pushing Modi into the about, while cities like Meerut, background, leaving him to promote Sitapur and Lucknow allotted land relatively mundane campaigns like Editor : to facilitate construction of temples Make in India, Jan Dhan Yojana, G. G. Parikh for Nathuram Godse to celebrate Swachh Bharat and modernization Managing Editor : Guddi his “martyrdom”. Mahatma Gandhi to his heart’s content. was assassinated for the second D-15, Ganesh Prasad, time as Godse was hailed as a The Prime Minister has attracted a Naushir Bharucha Marg, nationalist patriot. Modi remained a lot of flak for maintaining a studied Mumbai - 400 007. silent spectator along the sidelines, silence on the conversion issue. But genuinely nursing the belief that there has been a saving grace for Email : [email protected] encouragement of Hindutva would him. Thanks to the BJP’s numerical facilitate the success of his declared strength, 282 members in a House 2 JANATA, January 4, 2015 of 543, reinforced by the addition Between the lines of alliance members raising the NDA tally to a level just short of 350, he has parliament eating out Communal Polarisation in J & K of his hands. On the flip side, his silence on the conversion and other Kuldip Nayar Hindutva issues has caught his government at its most vulnerable It was not plebiscite, as the The problem is not new. By in the Rajya Sabha which was outgoing Jammu and Kashmir electing the Muslims from the paralyzed for nearly a week as the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had Valley, the Kashmiris enjoy a year ended. cautioned before the polling. Yet the vicarious satisfaction of being Jammu and Kashmir election very separate from the rest of India. The Consistent with the RSS much tilted towards the People’s candidates who sustain this illusion philosophy of conversions, the get the support. However, this is BJP raised slogans demanding an Democratic Party (PDP) which nothing new. anti-conversion law in support of reminded the Valley of autonomy, the kernel of the plebiscite demand. their charge that Muslims were The National Conference, forcing Hindus and Christians to founded by Sheikh Abdullah, embrace Islam. To a lesser degree, The PDP, which has emerged the largest party with 28 seats, a popular leader in Kashmiri Christians too are at the receiving even when it was princely state, end of this charge. The demand for said during the election campaign that it would refurbish the state’s disseminated this idea when the anti-conversion legislation covers state integrated with India after both Muslims and Christians. Home identity which, according to it, had been diluted by the ruling National the lapse of British paramountcy Minister Rajnath Singh and External in 1947. Maharaja Hari Singh, the Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Conference. Perhaps this paid dividends. Hindu ruler had the opinion to stay have suggested that the legislation independent or join either India should be given across the board Unfortunately, the State which or Pakistan. He preferred to stay support. The rationale for such a independent. legislation has been laid down by has been an example of secularism for the rest of the country has been the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at I have no doubt that Jammu and somewhat polarized. The PDP won a public rally in West Bengal. This Kashmir, a Muslim majority state, in the Muslim-majority Valley. is what he is quoted in newspaper would have come to Pakistan if it However, the most blame is that reports as saying: “We are trying had been patient. The Maharaja of the BJP. It has tried its best to to create a strong Hindu society. declared independence and entered polarise the society. It’s hush-hush Those who have strayed, they have into a standstill agreement with not gone on their own. They have campaign that the State’s integration Pakistan. India refused to follow been lured and forcibly taken away. meant little when the Hindus had suit because it appeared to harbour When the thief is being caught and no say in the affairs of governance. some other ideas. my property recovered, when I am So electrifying has been the result taking back my own property, what that the party has jumped from 11 Impatient Pakistan sent troops is new in it?” To put it simply, what seats in the last election in 2008 to followed by the regular forces to Bhagwat is saying that the ghar 25 seats. take over the Valley by force. The vapasi programme only involves Maharaja sought India’s military the re-conversion of Hindus who It is obvious that the polarization support to ward off the Pakistan were forcibly converted to Islam in the State has changed the onslaught. The then Prime Minister and Christianity. Sounds reasonable complexion. Jammu has become a Jawaharlal Nehru refused to extend and fair, but is loaded with political, base of Hindus and the Valley that any help until the State acceded to social, economic and sociological of Muslims. Incidentally, the BJP India. implications. The ghar wapasi is did not get a single seat as predicted bound to stir a hornets’ nest and by Omar Abdullah, although it has The Maharaja had no alternative (Continued on Page 3) increased its vote share. except to signing the instrument of JANATA, January 4, 2015 3 accession. The Indian forces flew to off their feet. Pakistan, which was consensus. There can be a solution Srinagar at the nick of time because once unequivocally opposed to the on the basis of British Cabinet the Pakistani troops were almost proposal, has now shed its objection. Mission plan which envisaged in the precinct of airport. Had the Its expectation is that the Azad the retention of basic of partition Pakistani forces not indulged in Kashmir would ultimately join and still keeping India together. looting and delayed their departure their co-religionists, the Muslims, Ultimately, the partition formula from Baramula so as to arrive in in Pakistan. came to prevail. Srinagar before the Indian forces, the history of Kashmir would have Whatever the twist of history, A new proposal, which I suggest been different. the fact is that India cannot hand is that defence and foreign affairs over Kashmir to Pakistan, nor can of Kashmir under India should vest The integration of Kashmir Pakistan take Kashmir forcibly in New Delhi and likewise defence with India was in the hurried from India. The two have to reach and foreign affairs of Kashmir under circumstances, although, Sheikh a peaceful settlement for the Pakistan with Islamabad. The rest of Abdullah was fully behind it. Nehru betterment of the people and for the subjects should be transferred promised that the wishes of the normalization in the region. They to the Kashmiris and the border people would be ascertained after have fought three wars and a mini between the two Kashmirs should be the things had settled down. That one at Kargil. Both countries are abolished. This maybe will initiate a eventuality never came because also nuclear powers. But there is new relationship, devoid of mistrust of changes in the global picture. no end of hatred. No doubt, several and hostility. Pakistan which was claiming futile attempts have been made to (Continued from Page 2) Kashmir joined military pacts of sort out the problem. The reason is vitiate the politics and political the West and accepted weapons that Pakistan considers Kashmir an atmosphere of secular India. We from it. Those were the days of the unfinished task of partition while are sure that Modi is aware of Cold War. The Pakistan’s action was the state has integrated with India this danger. He had kept saffron taken as a step towards joining the legally. bodies like the VHP and Bajrang Western bloc. Bali at arms length in Gujarat as All the formulas and proposals chief minister. Why is he allowing Nehru said at that time that his have failed to produce a solution temples to be built for Gandhiji’s promise to ascertain the wishes of because the parties concerned are assassin? Why is he allowing the the people of Kashmir did not hold not really for an agreement but for RSS to have its way? If he wants good because of the induction of the prevalence of their ideas. to be on the same page as the RSS, weapons by the West. The Pakistan’s it can be only at the cost of and government blames Nehru for The two countries have wasted the sacrifice of India’s cherished going back on his promise but some sixty seven years in finding a goals of secularism, socialism, its acceptance of weapons by the solution to the dispute over Kashmir. democracy and human rights. He Western bloc changed the situation Both can waste another 67 years if must put an immediate end to the and diluted the Pakistan’s claim. they do not come down from the conversion campaigns in all their pedestal of rigidity on which they different forms. The choice to join either India or continue to sit. Pakistan held the ground for decades. For some time the Kashmiris have Pakistan has brought in the factor Janata Subscription raised the standard of independence of religion and has made the problem Annual Rs. : 260/- (Azadi) a sovereign country of more intractable. The proposal that their own. How a land-locked the Hindu majority Jammu joins Three Years : 750/- state would keep its freedom intact India and the Muslim majority Demand Draft / Cheque on without reaching an understanding Valley Pakistan may reopen the Mumbai Bank either with India or Pakistan for a wounds of partition. in favour of passage with the outside world is JANATA TRUST beyond comprehension. Yet azadi There cannot be one- sided D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 is what has swept the Kashmiris solution. There will have to be 4 JANATA, January 4, 2015 Jammu & Kashmir demands statesmanship

Rajindar Sachar

The exercise of forming the for people like me who believe elections 1946, Congress had the government in J&K is posing a the BJP policy of developmental largest number in coalition but the delicate situation as no single party propaganda is a chimera and its Prime Minister (as he was then can form the government on its own. inability to openly condemn the called in States) was the Muslim B.J.P. for all its broad developmental ugly communal activities of Mohan Unionist Party leader Khizar Hayhat propaganda totally failed to make Bhagwat and his disciples who Khan.] B.J.P. / P.D.P. combine will any dent except in Jammu where it are bent on spreading communal bring a representative character got a 93% of votes polled as against poison). But notwithstanding and will be a source for removing Kashmir where it got miserable 4% my personal views, the peculiar misunderstanding between the two and Ladakh even where Buddhists circumstances of Kashmir require a regions. Of course before P.D.P. are in large numbers its share in only special strategy. and B.J.P. can enter into a pact 2.39%. B.J.P. has got out of total 87 some absolute pre-conditions will seats 25 seats in Jammu region but It is for this purpose that the odd have to be accepted by B.J.P. which nil in Kashmir region. suggestion of BJP/PDP coalition in uptill now with its small-minded Jammu & Kashmir may be the better partisan politics has adopted policies So here is the unfortunate solution for avoiding Governor’s which are not permissible under our situation where no party has not role. In this the personality of PDP Constitution, namely abrogation of only got a majority but the two leader Mufti Mohammed Sayyad Article 370. The result has been its regions of J & K have voted sharply is very important as he has worked total alienation in the valley. The differently. P.D.P. with 28 seats has with BJP in NDA Government in results clearly show that sentiment to have coalition with other parties 1990. still prevails – notwithstanding like National Conference (15) and Modi’s repetitive visits to the valley Congress (12). But there is too I believe talks are going on with his trumpet of development much personality clashes amongst between National Conference and programme and the sly avoiding of the leaders of these parties to obtain BJP with efforts to rope in some mention of Article 370 it still brought workable solution. That apart, they independents. But this combination a zero result in the valley. B.J.P. will be falling over with each other will hurt the sentiments of Kashmir, must understand that the dignity to retain their support in Kashmir who have thrown out National and self-respect of the people of valley with the resultant absence Conference. Of course B.J.P. is valley of Kashmir is tied to the non- of participation from Jammu, the trying its best at this solution abrogation of Article 370. It is not as majority Hindu area. because it hopes that it will get if Article 370 is the only exception. its Chief Minister from Jammu Article 371 provides for special Historically J & K represents the Region, who will inevitably be a responsibility of the Governor enviable civilization and culture Hindu. I believe this scenario is for establishment of a separate of both Hinduism and Islam for the most dangerous for J & K and development for Saurashtra and centuries. Which place is so holy and will make any permanent solution Kutch (in Gujarat) and Vidarbha in fortunate enough to have the holy of J & K impossible. I have no Maharashtra for equitable allocation strand of Hair of Prophet of Islam hesitation in saying that both on of funds for development of the area. and at the same time of Shiv Linga principle and practical politics No objection by BJP was ever raised of Hindus which is an occasion for Chief Minister of J & K has to even when Modi was the Chief Amar Nath yatra every year, temple be from Kashmir region and a Minister. dedicated to Shankracharya, the Muslim. This is not communalism greatest exponent of Hinduism. With but appreciation of ground reality Article 371G introduced by all this complex situation a workable of the historical peculiar situation Constitution (55th Amendment solution can only be a coalition of of J & K. [In similar situation in Act 1986) provides that no Act of PDP and BJP (however distasteful pre-independence in Punjab General parliament in respect of ownership JANATA, January 4, 2015 5 and transfer of land shall apply to the State of Mizoram unless the What is Good Governance? legislative Assembly of State of D.K. Giri Mizoram by a resolution so decides. This provision is identical to Article The idea of good governance rationalisation. He also said, in 370 of the constitution regarding suddenly re-emerged into service to humankind, there should J & K. B.J.P. was a party to above Indian public domain owing to be no holidays like soldiers on amendment. Why does BJP apply a controversial announcement the borders, doctors on call, on double sandard in the case of Muslim made by the present government to policemen and women on law and majority State of Jammu & Kashmir. observe 25 December as a “Good order duty even on festive days. governance day”. Before we deal The confusion thus was created It needs to be appreciated that with the concept and practice of by the government circulars to retention of Article 370 is a matter good governance, let us look at the schools, colleges and government of self-respect and honour and needless controversy created during departments to attend the office, assertion of its distinct identity for the Christmas celebration this year. plan some activities, later by making people of J&K. Cannot BJP, even The BJP “Think Tank”, smart as it is them optional, then withdrawing the when most of parties in J&K are assumed to be, faltered in declaring orders etc. desirous of finding a lasting solution, 25 December as good governance be statesman enough to give up its day. Their logic: they wanted to The point here is that of opposition to Article 370 – which observe it on the birthday of Atal multiculturalism or multi- no Kashmiri can possibly agree to Bihari Vajpayee, by far their most religiously. If the BJP government abrogate. popular leader in current times, treats other Godly days like Eid, who was also recently conferred the Dussehra and Deepawali, etc. It is true that if the communal biggest award of the country “Bharat there is no issue. Secondly, if BJP Ratna”. The BJP government missed government would have announced activity of RSS and allied bodies the point that 25 December is also that, since 25 December is also the going ahead with their lunatic the birth day of Jesus who, to the birthday of Jesus, the Son of God activities of Ghar Vapasi, the silent Christians, is their Lord, the Son of who sacrificed his life for others, collusion with Hindu Maha Sabha God. ‘Christmas’ on 25 December we observe it as a good governance of praise of Godse, the murderer of has become a universal celebration, day, and pledge to sacrifice our Gandhiji are not strictly suppressed, across the religious communities. time and resources for the welfare Modi’s efforts at coalition with PDP If BJP was little more imaginative of others who are deprived and will be an impossibility. and accommodative, they would helpless that would have lifted have said, 25 December is also an the hearts of Christians. Some BJ.P. must consider consequences auspicious day, as Lord Jesus was would see it as a continuum in the of J & K not getting genuine elected born that day; perhaps that would action-reaction, read conversion- majority of valley in the Jammu have been seen as them being not reconversion saga. This is another and Kashmir Government. This insensitive to a community of 24 debate on the fundamental right of will spread further disillusionment. million people although Christmas citizens to faith; of course, how to Notwithstanding that Army under is a cosmopolitan religious festival. exercise it is the question. I will electoral pressure on B.J.P. was However, BJP not linking to the desist from that debate here for quick enough to admit and take spirit of Christmas - that is love, joy, now, and would focus on good hope and faith - has shrouded their governance; what it means and how action against its army officers act in suspicion i.e., if they care for we should practice it. for false encounters. But B.J.P. non-Indic religions at all. One heard Central government alone can give the BJP spokesperson in national The idea of good governance confidence to the people of J & K media, defending the decision by gained currency in 1980s. Generally especially of the Kashmir valley that alluding to Christmas spirit. He understood, the concept of good human rights violations by the State said, “I envy my Christian brothers governance is a notion that it is a or the army will be severely dealt and sisters, as good governance positive feature of political systems with. This can only be done by the day happens to be the Christmas and bad governance is a problem coalition government of B.J.P./P.D.P. day which is celebrated as love and that the countries need to overcome. Is BJP especially Modi willing to service to fellow-human beings”. Good governance consists of a list of show that statesmanship. But that was an afterthought, a good attributes of a government. For 6 JANATA, January 4, 2015 the World Bank the characteristics of Indians about the concept of kind of a tall order, delivering justice good governance are accountability, good governance. In any sector, to minimise inequalities is doable. transparency, public sector business, civil society, multilevel Justice again has three aspects in efficiency, rule of law, and order governments, there is renewed Indian context; one, equitable justice in political interaction. The United emphasis on good governance. or justice before the law, which is Nations Development Programme Indian traditionalists would argue equality in all areas of public life; (UNDP) adds participation, and that good governance is an age-old second, distributive justice, each equity to the list. concept in India dating back to the person to have access to resources, famous treatise of ‘Arthasastra’, opportunities and benefits available Thus, good governance has meant which laid down the fundamental in the country. It also means, the both the qualities of institutions principles and values to guide deprived and the marginalised will and their capacities to deliver. the rulers in making policies and be brought into a level playing field Usually, the institution referred to decisions and putting them into through affirmative action, and the in the context of good governance action. The concept of ‘Rajadharma’ third, restorative justice, this is to is the State. The State again is is invoked as a tradition of good correct the historical fault lines, viewed in many ways. When the governance. Rajadharma means whatever has gone wrong in society, State serves personal or sectional that the fulfilment of their duties environment and economy, etc. interests, it is called a predatory and responsibilities by rulers was For instance, recognising various State, and if the State is meant for the of paramount importance to the identities, respecting the dignity common good; it ensures equality, stability and orderly development of dalits, tribals and backwards; justice, is inclusive, transparent, of the society and the happiness arresting the mindless exploitation it is called a developmental State. of the individuals in the state. of natural resources, suppression of The features and the process that Rajadharma was mentioned in women, and neglect of children. enable the State to transit from the the Dhramashastra, the Hindu predatory stage to developmental Basic Law written 4th century The second element would be role constitute good governance. BC. No wonder, the former prime growth and development. India has But, there are strong arguments Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee been a poor country with at least against the State’s capability to invoked Rajadharma while chiding one third of her population which is deliver development alone and to Narendra Modi, then the Chief over 300 million below the poverty remain just, and neutral, etc. That is Minister of Gujarat soon after the line with less than one dollar a day. when a country needs other social, communal violence in the state Some estimates would put the below economic and political institutions in 2002. Vajpayee had said, Modi poverty line population up to 50 to pitch in for development, and to should follow Rajadharma which per cent. So India needs a steady secure societal values like equality, suggests that the leader should treat and high rate of growth to take its justice and inclusion, etc. Under all citizens as equals and should not people out of poverty, invest in such circumstances, the role of the discriminate one community against infrastructure, health and education, State also changes; it rolls back the other. It is so far so good with etc. So growth for India is life and and repositions itself. It becomes regard to good governance. But stagnation may be death. But the more supportive, facilitative rather the context then was a king and his nature of growth is debatable which than interventionist. So, the most subjects. Now in a democracy, it is influences good governance. In universally accepted definition of the voters and their representatives certain growth paradigm, only the good governance is to improve where it is not the benevolence or strong and the wealthy benefit, many the State as a common-goods the righteousness of the ruler, it is are left out of the growth process. In player, and to promote institutional the integrity of the institutions and a speech on good governance, the pluralism in a decentralized as well fulfilment of governance objectives. former Bihar chief Minister, Nitish as autonomous mode. Moreover, It is not a virtue, but a necessity. Kumar said, “growth is a tree whose for good governance, constant fruits must be shared among all. The generation of social capital based on What are the elements of good poor and the weak cannot be held trust, cooperation and solidarity etc. governance in India today which back from picking the fruits of the is necessary. Social capital leads to is hugely diverse, hierarchical tree of growth”. He added, growth greater cooperation, social harmony, and unequal although it is seen cannot be measured in terms of and peace in a societ to be spiritual with a spirit of GDP alone, or reserves of foreign accommodation? The first and exchange, it has to be measured also There is, like anywhere else, foremost is the issue of justice. growing awareness among Whilst achieving equality may be a (Continued on Page 23) JANATA, January 4, 2015 7

Balraj Puri was a political activist, a social worker, an academician, an author and a journalist. He started his public life as editor of a Urdu weekly in 1942 and participated in Quit India and Quit Kashmir movements. He authored and co-authored about 40 books and wrote over a thousand articles in national dailies and academic journals.

He did his M, A. in Economics. As director of Institute of J&K Affairs he conducted research studies for UNICEF, Oxfam, Indian Council for Social Science Research, Institute of Historical Studies, World Bank and organized seminars on a variety of subjects. August 5, 1928 – August 30, 2014 Closely associated with Sheikh Abbullah and principal mediator between him and Prime Ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, he was one of the few activists who was equally respected in all regions and sub-regions and among all the ethnic and religious communities of the J&K state.

Balraj Puri had been a crusader for the cause of communal harmony. Students Peace Volunteer Corpse organised by him was the only active force in Jammu region during the riots of 1947 which saved many lives of at personal risk.

In 1967, Hindu communalists declared in Jammu that they would avenge the alleged killings of Hindus in Kashmir valley by eliminating Muslims in Jammu. He organized a peace committee and offered his own blood before blood of any Muslim was taken. Some communalists did come to take his blood. But peace loving Hindus gathered round Balraj Puri. 8 JANATA, January 4, 2015

In 1986, when first anti-Kashmiri Pandit riots started In 1990 visited Kashmir valley soon after the start in Anantnag district of Kashmir, he was able to restore of militancy. On his appeal militants groups agreed communal harmony. At one place, on his appeal a group to release some innocent civilians. In 1992 visited of the Muslim audience, who was initially hostile, was Doda district which had been affected by militants. At converted to peace loving groups and was persuaded to Bhaderwah town he collected money from Muslims to contribute Rs 10,000 for the repair of a temple they had repair the houses of Hindus which had been burnt by destroyed. militants. Elsewhere common committees of the two communities were set up. He intervened in communal situation in Aligarh and Meerut. In 1987, he set up a committee for inter- He visited victims of violence in most of the cases, community dialogue and organized common meetings of irrespective of the community they belonged to and the two communities which pledged to maintain peace. whosoever was the culprit. As convenor of Committee for Dialogue on Punjab Puri addressed leading Universities of USA and UK and he was almost the first non-Sikh from outside the state after the Operation blue star in 1984 to visit the state. prestigious audiences in Europe and the subcontinent. He He toured thoughout the state and addressed gatherings has attended many international conferences, including in educational institutions, bar associations and citizens on World Peace in Canada (2007), fiftieth anniversary of groups without security and was able to dialogue with Declaration of Human Rights also in Canada 1998 and Sikh militant leaders as also Hindu leaders to ease the Religious Extremism at Dhaka in 2004. situation. As President of Associations of Voluntary Agencies In 1989, he stood in between armed Hindu and Sikh in Rural Development J&K Chapter, he contributed mobs at one place in Jammu and prevented a clash to spreading a network of voluntary organisations between them. throughout the state.

Socialist Activist

My brother, Balraj Puri was a frequent contributor to meeting was attacked by some elements encouraged by Janata, perhaps, the only democratic socialist journal Bakshi Government. left now. He had great admiration for those whose dedication sustained the journal for over six decades. Balraj Puri worked with the PSP Parliamentary Group to assist in their political-parliamentary task. He was one of the founders of the Praja Socialist He developed close contacts with top leadership of the Party in Jammu & Kashmir state, along with veteran party like, Asoka Mehta, Acharya Kripalani, Nath Pai, socialist and his friend, Om Prakash Saraf and late Dhan Hem Barua and others. Raj Bargotra. The J & K unit was inaugurated by Asoka Mehta. It got a tremendous response in Jammu city and He was also associated with New Socialist, a journal surrounding areas and the convention was well attended started by journalists and academics like G. S. Bhargava by diverse segments of society - farmers, workers and and Umashamkar Phadnis to explore and deepen the middle class intelligentsia. The people welcomed it as idea of democratic socialism. a viable third alternative to the essentially erstwhile feudal leadership of Bharatiya Jana Sangh and powerful Balraj Puri also edited a bimonthly, Kashmir Affairs oligarchic National Conference led by Bakshi Gulam from Jammu which got immediate recognition as an Mohammad, after the deposition of Sheikh Abdullah, objective journal on matters relating to diversities of who had massively denied civil liberties to the people J and K state. It brought 12 issues before it ceased in Kashmir valley. When Asoka Mehta reached Kashmir publication for want of funds. valley to inaugurate party unit in Srinagar, his public Yogesh Puri JANATA, January 4, 2015 9 Life of selfless service Wajahat Habibullah

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away he played a crucial role in Indian politics. Critical of of my old and dear friend Balraj Puri. He was a man the undemocratic manner of the ouster of J&K Prime of national stature who worked tirelessly with the Minister Sheikh Abdullah from office in 1953, he objective of building a nation worthy of the poorest and initiated and then helped mediate the game changing most deprived of its people. I realise that Balraj had 1975 Sheikh Abdullah-Indira Gandhi accord. From not been well for some time. I had visited him when India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru down to he lay comatose at the AIIMS and I sought to sustain Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Puri was repeatedly the strength of his daughter Ellora. So although I was consulted on various aspects of the Kashmir issue. He reconciled to the imminent inevitability of losing him, yet also had a role in restoring peace in Punjab in the 1980s. his going on August 30, 2014 at GMC hospital in Jammu has cast a pall, not only on some of us who knew him As a young student at a time when Jammu & Kashmir personally and admired him, but as a loss to our country was undergoing political ferment and feudalism was in as a whole, particularly in our critical times. dying convulsion, Balraj Puri began his entry on Jammu’s intellectual firmament, representing the progressive Balraj Puri was fittingly recognised by the nation voices of the region, and he continued to be associated when it conferred on him the Padma Bhushan in 2005, with progressive politics throughout his life. Described among India’s highest civilian honours, in Literature and by some as a ‘one-man army’, he could from these early Education. On 31 October 2009 he was also conferred times, shoot off a challenging letter to a state or national the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration by leader, deftly handle a tense or communal situation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On that occasion lead or organise a dharna or peace march whenever the the Prime Minister described Puri’s book “Kashmir situation warranted. towards Insurgency” as a primer for anybody seeking to But Balraj Puri’s greatest strength lay in his sound understand the intricacies of the vexed Kashmir issue. He political analysis reflecting a grasp of the complex issues recognised that Balraj Puri’s life had been one of selfless that have characterised the turbulent history of the State. service to society and to our nation. I can only echo the This makes his writings, spanning over seven decades, comment of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the an exhaustive documentation of Kashmiri politics since conferment of the Indira Gandhi Award that Balraj Puri’s Independence.This was also my first introduction to had been a life dedicated to the cause of promoting peace, him when I was DC of the border district of Poonch good-will and communal harmony. It has been a life spent and the country writhed in enforced silence under the in building bridges between regions and communities, ‘Emergency’. He and Ved Bhasin were on a visit to the sinews of India’s nationhood Poonch when I myself was an enthusiastic young officer full of wishful thinking on what opportunities for rapid Although a journalist by profession, Balraj Puri was so development had emerged. He knew Prime Minister much more, a man of many parts. In a career commencing Indira Gandhi, like her father, well. But, he told me curtly on the eve of Independence in 1942 till today Puri’s quest that the Emergency was an assault on democracy and for new and diverse mantles never flagged. In each of will set the nation on a road to disaster. And so it was on these he would never cease to be admired or to provoke. that forbidding note that our relationship, which was to He was an intellectual of standing, a journalist, a social mature into friendship, was initiated, full of debate and and political activist, a human rights crusader and an ready disagreement, but sustained by a mutual respect, incisive political analyst, using his commitment to the although he remained the elder and I the learner. truth coupled with his consistent access to the thinking of common folk, to telling effect, which made him a In a politically divided Jammu & Kashmir, he was formidable contender in any argument as many of the one among the very few who recognised that the people statesmen and national leaders of his time, with most of of the state were central to its future. So he empathised whom he was in personal rapport, were to learn, when with Kashmiris recognising that at its root their struggle he bluntly criticised their policies and actions, but with was one for democracy and justice. But he also stood never a trace of malice. In his 68 years of public life for the cause of other regions and their political 10 JANATA, January 4, 2015 empowerment. This is what marked his contribution to ethnic commonality, with care taken never to succumb the state Regional Autonomy Commission, recognition to the idea of separation on communal ground. of the pluralist nature of J&K society, a pluralism that has often been ignored at our cost. His understanding of His contribution to the understanding of the conflict the Kashmir issue - especially the debacle of its flirtation that has plagued the state lay in his emphasis on the with democracy, which led to the crisis of civil liberties, pluralities, the diversity and the political divergence and the implications of the Centre’s misplaced intrusive within the State. Jammu, in his opinion, was a clue to politics - was unparalleled. what has been described as the Kashmir tangle and till political sensitivities of the region are not incorporated The weight of Balraj Puri’s argument meant that into the larger question of Kashmir, the conflict will defy while strengthening the restoration of full democratic resolution. and federal governance in Kashmir, the cause of regional autonomy of Jammu and Ladakh regions must find It has been said of him that with his passing: Jammu place in its political evolution. The logic of autonomy as has lost the champion of its regional identity, Kashmir guaranteed under Article 370, he argued, could not stop has lost a crusader for democracy and human rights, the at the level of the State and needed to be carried to the State as a whole has lost a peace activist, and the nation level of regions, districts and Panchayat, on grounds of has lost a liberal and progressive voice.

Remembering old comrade Balraj Puri, a radical humanist and a sane voice in refused visa by the Pakistan Government. (Incidentally, Jammu & Kashmir, started his public work as the editor both of us were among 12 Indians who were denied visa of an Urdu weekly in J&K in 1942, and died in 2014 as by the Pakistan Government in 1994, when we wanted the editor of J&K Human Rights. to attend a SAARC Conference on Security, organized by Pakistan Sustainable Institute in Rawalpindi. As I He, along with Pdt. Premnath Bajaj, Radical was granted a visa in 1995, expecting that he too might Democratic Party leader, joined the Quit Kashmir get it at the last moment, he went with us to the Delhi movement in 1946 which was led by Sheikh Abdullah. airport.) In a likewise manner, the Indian Intelligence Jayaprakash Narayan had gone to Kashmir to support officers in Kashmir dubbed him as an American agent. the movement. In order to snub their whispering campaign Shri Puri accepted the offer of a Padma award by the UPA-l Balraj Puri involved himself in the political movement Government in 2006. in the state. He became a vice-president at the National Conference and later joined the Praja Socialist Party The J&K Government had appointed a committee when Sheikh Abdullah turned authoritarian. He was on decentralization in the State with Balraj Puri as its associated with all shades of anti-communal, anti- chairman. But his recommendations were not accepted sectarian and Human Rights movements. For a long by the State Government. time he was the only peace activist in India who worked for the reconciliation of different religious and ethnic He was the founder-member of People’s Union for groups within Kashmir, of the Government of India Civil Liberties (PUCL) and was its vice-president. In and the people of Kashmir, and of the people of Indian 2006, he delivered PUCL J P Memorial lecture, on the Kashmir with those of the Pak-occupied Kashmir. He theme: Jayaprakash Narayan’s role in the politics of always emphasized on the concept of Kashmiriyat to Jammu & Kashmir. fight communalism in Kashmir. Wherever in India he visited he took up the case of The publication of killings by the Indian Army, and the the violation of human rights, locally. In 1982, when Pakistan-sponsored militants in his paper antagonized we were participating in a seminar in Madras, Asghar the governments of both the countries. A conference of Ali Engineer, Balrajbhai and myself, went to the CM’s Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace & Democracy office for the withdrawal of sedition charges against the was held in Lahore, in November 1995. He was one of Bharat Natyam danseuse Chandralekha, and the activist three persons among the 100 Indian delegates who were Sadananda. –Niranjan Haldar JANATA, January 4, 2015 11 Shared bond of common commitments

Nandita Haksar

I read the news of Balraj Puri’s passing with sadness. I was no longer active in the human rights movement; But it was only when I was asked by his daughter Ellora and for the last six or seven years been out of touch with to write something in his memory I realised I knew next any political movement. I was living in exile in Goa. to nothing about him or his family. I got Balraj Puri’s number. The phone rang and he All I remembered was the first time I heard Balraj Puri picked it up. I told him the facts briefly and then made my request; actually a demand. I said if he could not find in a meeting on Kashmir. It was during the early days me a Kashmiri Pandit I would come to Jammu and sit on of the insurgency. He had spoken of how a temple had dharna outside his home till he found me the right person. been demolished by some miscreants; but the Muslims in the area had contributed to rebuild it. Now, writing this obituary I wonder how I could have spoken to him with such familiarity; with certainty that I do not remember any conversations with him; he would respond. It was because of a shared bond of just briefs encounters when I called him on my way to common commitments. Neither years of broken contact Srinagar. All I knew was Balraj Puri lived in Jammu and nor the lack of personal relationship came in the way of he was someone who I could turn to if I needed help in our conversation. Jammu and Kashmir. Balrajji asked for a little time. And in a few days he And in 2002 I desperately needed his help to save a phoned to say he had found just the right man: Sampat Kashmiri from the gallows. Prakash, the trade union leader and the only Kashmiri Pandit to continue working in the valley during the I had decided to defend a young Kashmiri lecturer Insurgency despite the risk to his life. who had been accused of conspiring to attack the Parliament of India. I believed that he was not involved; Sampat asked Balraj Puri why he was asking him to testify for a Kashmiri militant? and I still do. Balraj Puri said “Nandita Haksar has asked me.” It was also a political challenge. Sampat wanted to know who the person was, sounded If we could prove that the Kashmiri was innocent like a Kashmiri Pandit. then we would also prove that Indian democracy was not dead. Would it not win friends in Kashmir? “She is P N Haksar’s daughter.”

The only piece of evidence against the Kashmiri “But P N Haksar would not support such work.” was a two minute conversation which he had with his younger brother on the morning after the attack on the “She is a sincere human rights activist.” Parliament. The police said the conversation showed he was guilty and his family said it proved his innocence. That was enough. The problem was to get a person who would translate the conversation and then testify in the court. Balraj Puri phoned to say the witness had been found but his one condition was that he would tell no lies. I I decided that the witness must be a Kashmiri Pandit assured him that I did not expect him to. so there could be no doubt in the judge’s mind that the testimony was truthful. Where was I to get a Kashmiri Sampat came to Delhi and testified in court. The Pandit willing to testify for a Kashmiri Muslim accused Kashmiri lecturer was acquitted. Rest is history. of a terrorist act? Sampat Prakash, Balraj Puri and dare I add my The only name that came to my mind was: Balraj Puri. name – belonged to a political era when politics did 12 JANATA, January 4, 2015 not depend on personal relationships but shared ideals fascism and Muslim fundamentalism. His inner strength and commitments. These ideals went beyond narrow sustained him nourished by his values. But it must have political ideologies. Sampat was a communist, Balraj been lonely. Puri was a socialist and I was a human rights lawyer with left leanings. The last time I spoke to him was when he phoned to congratulate me on the acquittal of the Kashmiri; and he My sense of loss on hearing of Balraj Puri’s followed it by a letter full of words of encouragement. passing was the growing insecurity that such political Now when I think of Jammu and Kashmir I know there relationships are so rare now; almost impossible. will be a void. And then more recently while writing a book on I am grateful to Ellora for inviting me to share my Kashmir I read Balraj Puri’s writings, his dream of a thoughts on this occasion; for giving me an opportunity federal Jammu and Kashmir and his concerns about the to pay my respects to Balraj Puri. He and his ideas of future. And then I wished I had more conversations with him, learnt more to deepen my understanding of this federalism are even more relevant today than they were volatile part of the country. when he first enunciated them in the 1950s. The way to honour his memory would be to keep his ideas and ideals Balraj Puri must have been so agonized to see the way alive. To keep alive the hope that people can live together politics was shaping in his state. Like Sampat Prakash even if they belong to different ethnic nationalities and he must have been so pained to see the growth of Hindu religions. Books by Balraj Puri 1. Regional Autonomy in J&K — Jay Kay Publishers, Jammu, 1999. 2. 5000 years of Kashmir — Ajanta Book International, Delhi 1997 3. Kashmir Towards Insurgency — Orient Longman, New Delhi, 1993, revised 1995. 4. Simmering Volcano — Study of Jammu’s relations with Kashmir, 1983, Sterling, New Delhi. 5. Jammu and Kashmir : Triumph and Tragedy of Indian Federalisation — Sterling, New Delhi, 1981. 6. Abdullah Era — Kashmir University, Srinagar, 1982. 7. Jammu - A clue to Kashmir Tangle — Published by the author, 1966. 8. Communism in Kashmir — Institute of Political and Social Studies, Calcutta, 1959. 9. Building a New India — (Urdu), 1950. 10. Recreation and Social Education — Vohra, Bombay, 1963. 11. Cooperative Farming — Institute of Political Social Studies, Calcutta, 1959. 12. Story of Scientists (in Urdu) — National Council for promotioin of Urdu Language, 1998. 13 .JP on Jammu & Kashmir — Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 2005 14. Muslims of India Since Partition, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi-2007 JANATA, January 4, 2015 13 Voice of reason

Om Prakash Saraf

When I was 19, Balraj Puri was just 13 - both teenagers Balraj Puri blended his activism with journalism and - when we made our first acquaintance as journalists for scholarly pursuits with distinction and was a rare person the first time, 51 years ago. Interests and pursuits usually who could do so brilliantly. While he was humble, associated with the age-group, never seemed to matter humane in professing his ideas and formulations he was for us. From day one we found ourselves in the thick equally courageous whenever situation demanded him to of discussions for hours together regarding the ebb and stand for his principles and ideals. I have been a witness flow of the freedom movement in the context of the on- to that. He remained a voice of reason and rationality in going Second World War, He was soon to start his own the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir amidst weekly Pukar and write war diary for Ranbir bi-weekly. all tumultuous events, and he never compromised. I do not remember precisely when we became political Sometimes standing alone, he was able to take a public companions. Looking back now it seems somewhat position with a rare courage and consistency. amazing that we have been through such a prolonged harmonious personal and public companionship. He had an original mind and frequently commented Differences have arisen between us. His qualities of on myriad set of issues facing the country. His work on head and heart helped us to maintain out cool, never to minorities in India is original and continues to advance air even strongly felt opinions in public and eventually our understanding about their political, social and to discover many pleasant shades between the black economic aspirations of the communities. I am confident and white. I think this is a miracle and all credit is due to him. Words really fail me when I try to appraise such that his seventy-year work and activism would continue a multi-faceted personality. Volumes will be required to to inspire future generations and guide them to tread a underlines his contributions. In his small frame like that path which is destined towards building a more equitable of Lal Bahadur Shastri was truly concealed a human and just India. dynamo with boundless energy for all constructive causes which may not be always be popular. He was profoundly Balraj Puri’s life is a perfect example as to how knowledgeable on Kashmir affairs and understood the intellectual genius and passionate activism is a necessary problems facing Muslims and other minorities in the pre-requisite for strengthening democratic ethos of a sub-continent. His concerns for the minorities in his own country. And this will enable his work to remain at the homeland made him the foremost fighter for ‘autonomy’ centrefold as a guiding post whenever India’s future of Jammu within an autonomous Kashmir’. His role in relationships with the state and with respect to its post-Independence renaissance of Jammu won universal minorities will be re-examined and evolve continually recognition. as it should happen in a working democracy. Books co-authored by Balraj Puri • State Politics in India — (Chapter on Kashmir) Princeton Press, USA, 1967. • Why Autonomy to Kashmir — (One of the authors) India Centre of Asian Studies, 1995. • History of Freedom Movement in Kashmir — (one of the authors), Light and Life, New Delhi, 1980. • Social and Religious Movement in 19th & 20th Century in India — (Chapter on Kashmir), Institute of Historical Studies, Calcutta, 1979. • Historical and Political Perspectives — (chapter on Kashmir), Indian History and Culture Society, Books & Books, New Delhi, 1982. 14 JANATA, January 4, 2015 Remembering father

Luv Puri

I was born when my father was 52 years old. While other and acted as a human wall by preventing the riots. participating in the struggle for freedom in 1940s, the bulk He calmed the mobs with his intellect. The same evening of his active public life was spent in post-independent he fractured his leg when his scooter hit another burnt India. He belonged to the generation, which was imbued scooter lying in the middle of the road, which he could with ideals of freedom struggle but was conscious of the not spot because of darkness. I was with him during the fact that painstaking effort was required to ensure that accident though I escaped unhurt. the idea of India is kept alive. Personal injury could not deter him and the next day Though I used to sometimes remark about the age gap with a fractured leg, he sought the help of former Sikh between us, he always used to reply what mattered was insurgent and reformed Khalistani militant Avtar Singh to the relationship between parents and children rather than continue the peace efforts. I saw in my house how once age gap. He used to describe his children as his friends. dreaded militant was reformed by my father’s guidance and intellectual might and molded into a peace activist. As I started enjoying conversing with him about his Avtar Singh worked in a determined manner with other writings and activism, he readily discussed with me peace activists led by my father in riot relief efforts. as a friend. My introduction to his professional life During the lunch break, my father and peace activists was in the late 1980s. Post-dinner evening walks, be came back to our house, and I remember seeing Avtar it summers or winters, were the occasion that we used Singh making Chappatis in my kitchen and feeding all to have discussions on several issues. The issues could of us. Sadly, Avtar Singh was killed mysteriously after be something topical or he used to reply to my curious a few years. questions about philosophy, history, politics or even A year later, Kashmir valley turned rebellious and career options. Being a voracious reader of newspapers India’s image lay tarnished with allegations of human and journals, he was quick to apply his own mind and rights abuse. India was awashed with hyper-nationalism relate the same to his field of work. I was kind of a and Kashmir valley was at its angriest mood against sounding board for his ideas. It was a dialogic interaction, India. The establishment warned my father of security and we had these interactions till 2010 till he became so risks if he went to areas in control of militants. ill that such walks were no longer sustainable. My father was the last person to listen to these By the late 1980s, he had already established himself warnings. Though we were worried, he went ahead and as one of the leading public intellectuals of the country reached out to ordinary Kashmiris in mosques. He broke whose articles and commentary educated the citizenry the silence in the Indian press and repeatedly emphasized as well as people in the policy world on some of the through his writings that human rights violations were critical issues facing the country. In the 1980s and 1990s, weakening India’s case in the long run. I happened to witness a number of incidents, which appeared to be a continuation of his previous work, Now it may be commonsensical to emphasize the as an objective public intellectual and a brave peace respect for human rights. Early 1990s was a different activist with deep-seated commitment to secularism and era. I think it is my father’s contribution of embedding democratic socialism. the idea right from the beginning that respect for human rights in Kashmir valley and serving national interest are One of my earliest memories was chilly month not antithetical to each other. He remained consistent for of January 1989, when Hindu-Sikh riots broke out his advocacy of respect for human rights when militants in Jammu. While the city burnt on 13 January, he started killing innocent people or non-combatants. singlehandedly rode on his scooter and started visiting the areas ravaged by communal violence. On one occasion, An abundant online literature in the form of his own he stood between the two mobs baying for blood of each writings on sensitive subjects already exists for anyone JANATA, January 4, 2015 15 to read with appropriate nuances and form their own a cause for instability in the sub-continent. With regard opinion. to his political ambitions, he tried to succeed within the available structural constraints for him while calling While he remained engaged with his challenging for reforms in the existing structure of the state to be intellectual and activist pursuits, he did find abundant just to all regions of the trouble-torn state. He himself time for the family. It was a joy to be in his presence as he admitted many times that he could not realize his political regaled us with his childhood experiences spent in forest ambitions. Another ambition was to be remembered area on the foothills of Himalayas. His vast repository of as a person who remained consistent on his principles experiences based on travel all over India and to several and values till his death. I heard him say that to me on countries to attend seminars made the conversation lively numerous occasions more than his ambition to contest and educative. and win the Parliamentary elections.

Our former one bedroom house, a rented one, midst Since 1 May 2012, he had to undergo nursing care and a mini-jungle was a place where we hosted people suddenly an active public life came to an end. At once, from all over the world including his friends or people a vacuum was created in the public discourse though he referred by them. My mother enjoyed hosting them and himself used to say no one is indispensable. We continued I never heard her complain. I jokingly say to my friends to get calls in the period of his illness as people wanted that we had a hipster-like upbringing in some fashion. his comments on developments as he had done in his Snakes and wild animals were spotted quite frequently. seventy-years of public life. My father knew how to cope up with any challenge with a cool mind. While we ran helter-skelter on spotting a He died on 30 August 2014 and was consigned to snake in our house, he knew how to kill with one smash flames the next day. of a long stick. In his 60s, I remember he going on a hike with us and on another occasion even climbing a tree in While the entire family, as per the ritual, stood near our house to pluck topical fruits. the exit of the cremation house to thank the people who had come to pay respects, I heard one of the anonymous For years, till his late 60s, he rode a scooter bought men among the gathering, who may be in his late 60s, in the 1970s. I remember many used to tell him that mourning almost hysterically and loudly crying with riding a scooter did not behove his international status words that “this man was not up for sale”. Others shouted and he should get a car. I do not know what he thought at him as he was not a family member. It sounded like a about it but I recall he used to laugh it over. He bought cry from the heart. a second-hand Fiat car in 1997 though we didn’t allow him to drive because of age. To my mind, this was my father’s finest reward of long years of public life spent, amidst difficult challenges both My father certainly had ambitions in life. One of them physical as well as financial, with purpose, dignity and was to combine his role as a public intellectual with courage. He certainly realized his main ambition of life politics. He succeeded to be one of the finest analytical to live on his principles and values, which he imbibed minds working and writing on issues that continue to be from watching India’s founding fathers. Books co-authored by Balraj Puri • New Challenges of Politics in Indian States — (Chapter on Kashmir), Uppal, New Delhi, 1986. • Problem of Nationalities in India — (Chapter on Kashmir), Pune, 1987 • Panchayati Raj in J&K, — (One of the authors) Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, 1990. • Prestroika in India — VP Singh’s Prime Ministership, (chapter on Kashmir), Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990. • Democracy and Human Values — (one of the authors), Sterling, New Delhi, 1979. 16 JANATA, January 4, 2015 Balraj Puri on Understanding Indian Muslims

During the America-led war against global terrorism, a Islam. Anti-Pakistanism and Indian sovereignty over controversy arose on the attitude of Indian Muslims. Those Kashmir have been prescribed as a test of patriotism who did not support fundamentalism, communalism, for Muslims. Why then was the Imam branded anti- puritanism and militant Islam and hence were not disloyal national and demands made for his arrest on the charge to the country were asked to speak out and be counted. of sedition? Why did the police pounce on Muslim youth The liberal Muslims protested that the media noticed only in Malegaon and tear off the posters which urged boycott the extremist viewpoint and ignored them, whereas they of products of American companies? When Muslims of represented the silent majority. Kashmir demonstrated against the American bombing of Afghanistan, without raising pro-Pakistan or anti-India The fact, however, cannot be denied that Muslims slogans, why did the Indian authorities feel scared? all over the world have been affected by a sort of anti- America wave, in varying degrees, notwithstanding The question is not whether these manifestations of the the stand of their Governments and their internal Muslims’ viewpoint represent a majority or minority of contradictions. There are a number of reasons for this, the community and whether they are right or wrong. The including the post-modern communication revolution real question relates to the concept of Indian nationalism which has drastically reduced distances between and which one of the viewpoints cited above defies it. members of a community and sharpened their urge for identity. The clash of civilisations thesis and America’s Again, the widely-held presumption that Muslims are perceived anti-Muslim policies further consolidated the more easily swayed by the appeal of religion needs to current Muslim mood. No one is more conscious of it be examined more closely in this context. Religion has than leaders of the anti-terrorism coalition. Extensive two aspects: one, beliefs and practices and, two, basis diplomatic efforts, tours of the Muslim countries and of an identity. These aspects clashed in the personalities Iftar parties to neutralise Muslim hostility bear that out. of Maulana Azad and M. A. Jinnah. While the former claimed that the Quran was the sole source of his India had obvious advantages in playing its role in knowledge, the latter was completely ignorant of it. Azad, the emerging international situation. Not only its large with his humanitarian and cosmopolitan interpretation Muslim population, which had played a leading role in of the Quran, led the ulema almost as a class to become the constructive evolution of Islamic thought, but also an ally of Indian nationalism led by Gandhi. Jinnah, its traditional relations with Muslim countries as a leader steeped in western culture, was for all practical purposes of the non-aligned block, of which most of them were a non-practising Muslim. He defied many strict Islamic members, were its unique assets. injunctions in his personal life.

Far from using our external and internal assets to The moral of the pre-Partition clash between the two evolve a consensus on a possible attitude towards approaches was clear - viz, Jinnah’s concerns for Muslim American policies and global terrorism, this very issue identity and its mundane political and economic interests was sought to be used as a new loyalty test for the expressed in non-religious language triumphed over Muslims of India by a section of our countrymen. Take the religious appeal of Islamic scholars and the ulema the case of the Shahi Imam, for instance. Granted that led by Azad. In fact, the effective Muslim leadership his views are obscurantist and parochial and expression then, from Sir Syed Ahmad, Ameer Ali, Chirag Ali, is intemperate. But how do these characteristics qualify Agha Khan, Allama Iqbal to Jinnah, was westernised him to be disloyal to the country? The Imam had also and modernised. None of them could be accused of condemned General Pervez Musharraf for ``betraying being a fundamentalist or a puritan. As against that Islam’’. He also condemned jehad in Kashmir as anti- the Hindu leadership from Dayanand, Madan Mohan JANATA, January 4, 2015 17

Malviya, Vivekananda, Tilak to Gandhi was thoroughly were, culturally and intellectually, the richest Muslim religious. The cordial understanding between it and the community of the world. If, in spite of these facts, some religious Muslim leadership did not deliver the desired Muslims of India today betray tendencies towards any goods because the Muslim masses did not respond to the kind of fundamentalist, puritan and militant Islam, it is religious idiom and the message of the latter. No value for the whole nation to find out its reasons and remedies judgment is implied on the roles of Azad and Jinnah and not for the Muslims alone. except to underline the point that religion - a set of beliefs and practices - was not the decisive factor in the Muslim Cultural heritage and political aspirations of a behaviour in pre-Partition India. It should be obvious that community are as much a factor in influencing its a thoroughly religious person may not be a communalist behaviour as its theological beliefs. It is important to and a communalist need not be a puritan. And all of them understand the cultural heritage of Indian Muslims which need not be disloyal to the country. they share at the national and to a greater extent at the regional level with non-Muslims. Politically nothing The Indian ulema have, no doubt, made a seminal and hurts them more than special loyalty tests that are being original contribution to the growth of Islamic thought. prescribed for them. But historically their role in shaping the Muslim mind has been far less than that of the Sufis and the political The contribution of the Indian ulema, Sufis, Muslim establishment of Muslim kings; none of them practised poets and artists is so rich that it can inspire the rest of the Islamic codes being preached by modern fundamentalists. Muslim world. No other Muslim community is so richly The Sufis freely borrowed local customs and culture endowed. They are equally inheritors of a 5000-year- and preached more through music, poetry and humane old civilisation and citizens of a genuinely functioning conduct than through quotations from scriptures and democratic and plural country. prescribing a rigid religious code of conduct. Many of the kings were hedonists and indulged in pursuits prohibited The debate between liberals and non-liberals, between by orthodox Islam. Hindus and Muslims may continue. But it would generate more light, rather than just heat, if everyone is able to Having interacted with the two greatest civilisations proclaim that he/she is a proud inheritor of the great of the world, Indian and Western, Indian Muslims composite heritage of India. December, 2001 Choice for Kashmiris: Independence, Autonomy and Freedom

What sustains the separatist movement in Kashmir is Since 1931, when the modern phase of political a certain measure of popular alienation among Kashmiri- movement started under Sheikh Abdullah’s leadership, speaking Muslims of the State; this is not a result of azadi has been the popular slogan. Abdullah welcomed external factors alone but for which internal causes are the role of the Indian Army in 1947, which could come also responsible. only after the State’s accession to India, since it had come to defend the azadi of Kashmir threatened by Pakistan- The exceptionally long recorded history of the land sponsored tribal raiders. Since then the popular leaders of Kashmir have used independence and autonomy locked Valley of Kashmir and its proverbial beauty had interchangeably as synonyms for azadi. created a strong urge for Kashmiri identity. According to the popular perception of history, Kashmir had been Two vital considerations must be kept in view if the enslaved by outside rulers for the last four centuries, since demand for independence or autonomy is to be made 1586 to be precise, when Akbar annexed it to the Mughal achievable. First, will it be confined to the Kashmiri- empire. This was followed by the rule by outsiders like speaking Muslims? Or will it cover the other two Afghans, Sikhs and Dogras. regions of the State on the Indian side, namely, Jammu 18 JANATA, January 4, 2015 and Ladakh, which do not share Kashmir’s historical Kashmir problem. Mainly these centre on the sharp background and pride in its unique identity? Second, regional divide within the State. In 1947 when the Hindu how far will independence or autonomy being demanded and Muslim leaderships of Jammu were supporting the ensure freedom to the people? Azadi is the Urdu Maharaja’s desire for independence of the State, the translation of two distinct concepts of independence Kashmiri leadership opted for India. The reason for and freedom. Independent countries do not necessarily their diametrically opposite stand was their attitude to provide freedom to their people. the Maharaja. While Kashmiri leaders had launched a To maintain the unity of the State, an idea to which movement against what they called the Dogra Raj, the most of the leaders of Kashmir region are still committed, Jammu leaders were, by and large, loyal to the Maharaja. autonomy has to be extended to the other two regions within the State. The commitment to provide for regional After 1947, their roles were reversed. While the autonomy in the Constitution of the State made by Nehru Kashmiri leaders were keen to preserve the autonomy of and Abdullah in July 1952, and reiterated by the latter the State, their Jammu counterparts demanded full merger numerous times hence, could not be implemented, the of the State in a bid to end what they called the Kashmiri autonomy of the State gradually eroded. This erosion Raj. The controversy over full and limited accession is the major cause of popular alienation in the Valley. eventually made the issue of accession itself in doubt Otherwise too, unity in as diverse a State as J&K can which was mainly responsible for the crisis of August only be maintained in a federal set-up. 1953, when Sheikh Abdullah, the acknowledged leader of the Kashmir region, was dismissed and detained. For instance, the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Since then Article 370, which guaranteed autonomy Constitution, granting Panchayati Raj in the rest of the of the State, has further eroded and thus increased the country, is not applicable to the State. Thus, it is deprived alienation of the people in the Valley. of institutions of democratic decentralisation at district, block and panchayat levels. The Prime Minister had A via media was found in July 1952, when Pandit set up five working groups to recommend measures for dealing with some major problems of J&K State, after the Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah declared, at a joint press Second Round Table Conference, representing most of conference, that the Constitution of the State would the ethnic groups of the State, held in June 2006. Out of provide for regional autonomy. The agitation of the Praja them four submitted their reports which were discussed Parishad, the Jammu affiliate of the Jana Sangh, for full at the Third Round Table Conference in Delhi in April merger of the State was withdrawn on a specific assurance 2007. These reports are at various stages of processing of Nehru to its leaders, who were called to Delhi, after and implementation. their release from jail. Somehow the commitment of the Kashmiri leaders could not be implemented. They But the fifth working group on the crucial question of must realise that autonomy of the State would be better Centre-State and State-Centre region relations, headed guaranteed, if its logic is extended to the regions. by Justice Sagheer Ahmad, has so far not submitted its Otherwise, too, the unity of as diverse a State as J&K can report. Justice Sagheer Ahmad had pointed out sharp only be maintained in a federal set-up. Another reason divisions in the working group on the issue before it as the reason for his failure to finalise its report and that has caused confusion on the question of autonomy asked for the services of a senior political scientist to of the State is that it has so far been debated as Kashmir assist him. versus India. Let it first be discussed in terms of the interests of the people of the State. It must be ensured The sharp divisions within the State on its status that Article 370 is not used or misused by the rulers of are, in fact, responsible for many complications in the the State to curb the freedom of the people. May, 2008 Human Rights in India India was a signatory to Universal Declaration of It signified new republic’s resolve to follow the path Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948, of democracy which would ensure human rights to its just a year after its independence. citizens despite doubts expressed by leading statesmen JANATA, January 4, 2015 19 of the developed democracies about the success of such only 800 were put on trial and out of them mere 725 were an experiment in India. For these was at that time hardly convicted (Hindu 28 May 2008). There are other drastic any precedent of a newly liberated colony attempting laws like AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) doing so. under which courts have no jurisdiction over wrongful acts of the armed forces. Detentions under such laws may India’s venture was unique in many other respects be even more arbitrary. Nobody can say how many of also. For democracy was adopted in many countries after them are actually criminals or innocent. But most glaring completing the phase of industrialization. India embarked cases of unjust detentions include those of human rights upon the course of industrialization with the launching of activists. first Five Year Plan in 1951 and soon after held general election on the basis of adult franchise to all citizens and Lynching of suspected criminals by the mob is genders. Many advanced western countries introduced becoming very common as the people are losing women suffrage and voting rights to all citizens (to faith in police and justice system. Another factor that blacks in America) after India did. Again, India has the encourages crimes is easy availability of small arms largest diversities in the world - of religions, languages which are used by even young students against fellow and races - united under a democratic set up. India’s students or teachers at the slightest provocation. democratic autonomous institutions like independent India is one of the fastest growing economy of the judiciary, Election Commission, National Human world with rate of growth hovering around 9 per cent Rights Commission, Auditor General, Information and the number of billionaire are added every year. Yet Commission under Right to Information Act, free media 30,000 poor farmers under debt committed suicide in and multi-party system further guarantee human rights Maharashtra within a decade out of 1.5 lakh who killed of individual. themselves across the country, according to a study by Prof. K. Natraj of the Madras Institute of Development Except the brief interregnum of Emergency form 1975 Studies. He has analyzed data recorded by the National to 1977, Indian democracy has maintained a fairly high Crime Records Bureau from 1997 (Hindu 14 November standard. India has been freely choosing and changing 2007). Uncontrolled spiral of inflation is increasing the governments in the states and at the centre. gap between the rich and the poor.

Yet threats to individual freedom are no less While legally, socially and politically women have formidable. Religious intolerance, caste tensions, made many strides, having occupied the post of the regional chauvinism, terror threats, detentions without Prime Minister, the President and the leader of the ruling trial, poverty amidst plenty, crime against women, alliance, there has also been rise in crimes against them. custodial deaths, corruption in public life and attendant There are a number of reasons for it including greater evils are some of the threats to human rights of the media attention and reporting of such crimes, increase in citizens. Though judiciary is independent, litigation is number of working women, unsuitable working hours, too costly and time consuming to be within the reach of unescorted travelling, inefficient and insufficient policing a person with humble means. That three crore cases are and smaller number of women police. pending in the courts reflect on inadequacy in the number of judges and in the system of justice. Communal riots The promise that India had initially shown in the field like those in Gujarat show how insecure are minorities of human rights and the type of democratic institutions despite our loud professions of secularism. Inter- it had evolved, had won international recognition. For communal and inter-caste marriages often result in killing these reasons it was elected a member of Human Rights of the couple. In some cases even the parents are involved Council of the United Nations, which had replaced the in what are called honour killings. The brute form that Commission on Human Rights on 19 June 2006, by regional chauvinism can take was demonstrated by recent securing 173 out of 191 votes of the United Nations attacks on North Indians in Mumbai organized by Raj General Assembly - the maximum number of votes. Thackery’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena All the member states are to be covered within the four year Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In the first Drastic laws have not been able to curb menace of session of the council in April 2008, the UPR listed terrorism which also needs radical socio-economic and both positive and negative record of India. Among political measures. Out of 77,000 persons arrested under the positive points it noted “widespread international TADA (Terrorist and Destructive Activities Act) alone, appreciation and admiration for the sweeping proactive 20 JANATA, January 4, 2015 legal and administrative provisions for the promotion of forced disappearances from past conflicts in Punjab and protection of the full range of human rights, and Nagaland, it said. It further holds security forces whether in terms of outlawing egregious forms of responsible for rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir, caste discrimination, or affirmative action programmes Assam and Manipur. in favour of historically disadvantaged parts of the population and vulnerable sections such as women, According to the Human Rights Watch, “India children and the disabled.” urgently needs to reform its policing system. Junior police officials operate in abysmal working conditions On the negative side, India’s non-conformity with which make then more likely to succumb to corruption international human rights benchmarks received more and brutality. Senior officers, on the other hand, complain concentrated exposure during the UPR than ever had of interference from politicians. in the past. It raised pointed questions about India not ratifying the convention against torture, not being party Amnesty International, in its 2008 annual report, has to the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers said that despite economic boom, in India 300 million and their families, on refugees and stateless persons, still live in poverty. The report shows how India is the ILO Convention on the abolition of child labour, replicating the US model of fighting terror with human on the rights of indigenous and tribal people, and the rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern government’s persistent refusal to cooperate with the states, Gujarat, Naxalite affected states of Chhatisgarh, council’s special procedures with respect to torture, Madhya Pradash, Bihar and Jharkhand. The report has and treatment of human rights defenders, summary also mentioned Nandigram violence in West Bengal. The and arbitrary executions, sale of children, arbitrary report, however, noted that India signed the International detentions, child prostitution and child pornography and Convention for the Protection of All Persons from arbitrary detentions. Most persistent were questions about Enforced Disappearance in February. the lack of implementation of India’s comprehensive constitutional and legal framework for protecting human The experience in Kashmir and elsewhere amply rights. underlines the vital fact that human rights violations harm the interests of whosoever indulges in them, security In a similar vein, Human Rights Watch, the leading forces or the militants. human rights organization of the USA, concedes that India is a vibrant electoral democracy and takes note It needs to be realized that higher standard of human of the various measures for the protection of human rights is in the best national interest. To be a world rights, including training of government officials, armed power that India is aspiring, it cannot depend on its hard forces, prison officials and legal officers. But while power i.e. economic, industrial, technological and armed welcoming the government efforts, HRW still believes strength alone. The role of soft power, which depends on that human rights violations are rampant. According to cultural, moral and political values, including democratic it, serious abuses are being committed in many states and human rights of the people, is being universally where there is a violent campaign by Maoist Naxalite recognized. India need not search for any model groups. Further the government is ignoring the crime elsewhere. It should aspire to be a model for others. October, 2008 Secularisation Process in Punjab Politics

Most of the current interpretations like anti-incumbency Delhi. As a reaction, Hindus - including parochial and and anti-price rise factors are far too, inadequate to communal sections of them -, tended to vote for the only explain the verdict of the recent election to the Punjab viable alternative of the Congress. assembly. Above all, it marked a crucial shift in the tradition of politics of the state towards secularisation. This time Akali Dal did not make Sikh grievances as the main election issue. Instead corruption and So far the Akali Dal has been the champion of the development problems were highlighted. Far from cause of the Panth and its election plank used to be anti-Hindu overtones, it gave tickets to seven Hindu grievances of the Sikh community against Hindus or candidates and included many Hindus to campaign for JANATA, January 4, 2015 21 it. Hindus were no longer afraid of its success and also the lecture hall was over full. Outside I met some armed voted for its candidates and its ally the BJP, which, too, Sikh youngmen who introduced themselves as followers put up five Sikh candidates for the assembly election and of Sant Bhindrawala and told me that they knew only fire brand Navjot Singh Sidhu for Lok Sabha byelection. one form of dialogue ie through the gun. I expressed my Price-rise issue also mattered for this community. The inability to dialogue through that medium. They said election of Naresh Gujral to the Rajya Sabha, on the that the only thing they knew about me was that I was Akali Dal ticket, as a follow up to the assembly election, a friend of Sikhs and they had been deputed to provide was an eloquent testimony to its secularisation process. me security for my meetings.

While traditional secular-tradition paradigm of the My speech and question and answer session lasted state politics seems to have become irrelevant and should for about three and a half hours. I took up most of the be welcome, contours of a new stable paradigm have yet issues that agitated the Sikh youth. I asked my audience to emerge. But before that the factors responsible for the possible character of Khalistan. Would non-Sikhs be changing situation needs to be studied. allowed to live there? What would be their status? Would that be a democratic country with free judiciary and other I belonged to the small minority of non-Sikhs who had democratic institutions? None was prepared for such supported the cause of Punjabi language and Punjabi Suba questions. I was told that it was slogan that they raised in and held Hindu leadership that opposed it for weakening sheer desperation. I further told them that if the demand the cultural identity of Punjab. There was a time when of restoration of all Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab and Sikh leaders were willing to consider option of Devnagri autonomy under Anandpur resolution was conceded, it script for Punjabi language for those who could not use would become a Hindu majority state who could rule the Gurmukhi. Principal Jodh Singh had moved a resolution state without sharing power with the Sikhs and if Punjab in the senate of the Punjab University suggesting option was excluded from autonomous federal institutions like of two scripts on which Hindu members of the senate the Supreme Court, Sikhs would be the worst victim. walked out. I had warned how self-defeating the policy I analysed the Sikh problem essentially as deprivation of the Hindu leaders was to their interest. from political power. For the Congress party returned to power with the bulk of Hindu support plus marginal I was equally critical of the Sikh leaders who had support of sections of Sikhs like Ramgariya and Mazahbi campaigned for Punjabi language and Punjabi Suba as Sikhs, excluding the mainstream of Sikh community. If a Sikh demand through a Sikh party of Akali Dal. Thus Akali Dal turned into Punjabi Dal and was able to secure they were guilty, according to me, of breaking political the same percentage of Hindu support, Sikhs could rule identity of Punjab. My campaign on two fronts was over the state for ever. I was asked if any Hindu would mostly through my writings, and occasionally through join the new Punjabi Dal. I replied that many Hindus interactions with and lectures at intellectual gatherings. I who genuinely believed in a Punjabi identity would also got a positive response from master Tara Singh and join it. I recalled Gandhi’s comment when Sheikh Sant Fatch Singh through dignitaries like Jayapraksh Abdullah converted Muslim Conference into National Narayan and PSP leader Asoka Mehta who met them Conference in 1939. He had said “even if not a single respectively in Jail and whom I had briefed. Both Sikh Hindu joined the new party, Abdullah’s moral strength leaders gave a categorical assurance that Akali Dal had been multiplied”. I further argued that Hindus were would be turned into Punjabi Dal after Punjabi Suba not immune from temptation of becoming an MLA and was formed. A similar assurance was given by Sant sharing power as ministers. That category alone would Langowal to Indar Kumar Gujral and Kuldip Nayyar ensure the requisite Hindu support. who met him in jail. The success of my approach at Amritsar emboldened This background was extremely helpful to me in my me to address similar meetings in all the towns of Punjab. role as a convenor of Dialogue on Punjab, in dialoguing Later, on my request, Sarva Seva Sangh agreed to send with the leaders of the two communities after the about 100 Gandhian workers from all over the country Operation Blue Star. I was almost the first person to who were allotted different parts of the rural areas of visit Amritsar after the tragic Operation. Some friends in the state. They were briefed about the basic problem of Guru Nanak Dev University arranged my lecture there. I Punjab at Ferozpur and were asked to report back their was warned that it was the citadel of Khalistani militant. reactions after a fortnight at Amritsar where all their Anyhow, I took the risk and visited the university where queries were answered. We met finally at Pathankote 22 JANATA, January 4, 2015 and assessed the final outcome of their dialogue between secular front. Akali Dal for its long term survival must the two communities. In between I was called by the transform itself into a genuine secular regional party leaders of the Panthic party which was organizing the with adequate share for non Sikhs in the highest decision militant movement in the state at their well fortified making forum. After all Sikh history has set an example underground cell. I was told that they might not follow of real secularism. If Gurus used two swords Piri and my highly intellectual and sophisticated arguments but Miri and two platforms Akal Takhat and Harminder Sahib were convinced that I knew Sikh mind and the problems as symbols of secular and religions affairs, less mortals of the community. I was assured of full security for me and my team in my activities. must separate political and religious leadership also. Let the lesson of the latest assembly election be carried to It is far from me to claim credit for the development its logical conclusion. that eventually culminated in partial secularization of the A genuine and full-fledged secular regional party in Akali Dal. I was simply associated with the trend that I could anticipate was bound to take place in the politics Punjab would not only be able to play an important role of Punjab. Above all, it was compulsion of power that in national politics but will also enable it to promote made Akali leaders to realize that Hindu support was vital understanding between emerging Punjabi identities in for their attaining power. But a combination of a Sikh India and Pakistan which could substantially contribute party and a Hindu party does not make a viable stable in promoting peace and prosperity in the subcontinent. Books co-authored by Balraj Puri • Revolution Counter Revolution — (Ed), (Studies on the Emergency), Newman, New Delhi. • Non-violence and Democracy — (one of the authors), Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi, 1968. • The Punjab Crisis — (one of the authors), Mittal, Delhi, 1985. • Islam in Modern World — (one of the authors), Kashmir University, 1982. • Islam in India since Independence (One of the authors), Kashmir University, 1988. • Khwaja Ahmed Abbas — (One of the authors), Haryana Urdu Academy, 1989. • Reconstruction of Islamic Thought — (One of the authors), Biat-Al-Hikmah Trust, New Delhi, 1991. • Mandal Commission Controversy — (one of the authors), Ajanta Publications, Delhi, 1991. • Jainendra — Sheikh Hai Peerian in Hindi (One of the authors), 1990, Published by PurvodyaPrakashan, Delhi. • Why Autonomy to Kashmir? (One of the authors), 1995.Published by Indian Study of Asian Studies. • Towards Understanding the Kashmir Crisis (one of the authors), 2002. Published by JamiaMilliaIslamia, New Delhi. • Pakistan in a changing strategic context (One of the authors), 2003, Published by Knowledge World, New Delhi. • Religious Militancy and Secuirty in South Asia — (One of the authors), Published by Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies, Dhaka, 2006. • Kashmir After the Quake: Prospects for Peace, Delhi Policy Group,2005 JANATA, January 4, 2015 23

(Continued from Page 6) in terms of level playing fields in very fibre of country’s politics. The need no elaboration. All these education, employment, nutrition, second UPA government was caught values are best achieved in a vibrant healthcare, social security, housing in a spate of corruption scandals democracy. The challenge is to make and protection and preservation which badly affected the confidence democracy deliver. In order to do of ecosystems and biodiversity. of people in governance. There so, to revitalise democracy, and The latter measurement connotes cannot be good governance at any make it substantive, the primacy of inclusive growth which means good rate without seriously tackling the voters needs to be restored through governance. menace of corruption. a political structural adjustment (see Giri, Do Voters Matter, Janata, The third element is that Finally, in order to deliver good 21 December 2014). So, as we of transparency, integrity and governance, India has to pursue saw, governance is process, not a elimination of corruption. The the values of equality, identity, policy prescription, nor a product. process of liberalisation was meant pluralism, dignity, security and The process is continuous and to reduce corruption, but ironically, solidarity. These values are widely self-renewing with structural and it has given rise to a demon of discussed in governance as well strategic changes to build a good corruption that is eating into the as development literature, so they society.

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Yusuf Meherally Centre Visit www.yusufmeherally.org, D-15, Ganesh Prasad,1st Floor, Call: (022)-2387 0097, Naushir Barucha Marg, Fax: (022)-2388 9738 or Grant Road (West), E-mail : [email protected] Mumbai 400 007 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 24 JANATA, January 4, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2014 Published on Sunday, January 4, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday January 7, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 69 No. 50 Governance by ordinances January 11, 2015 Rajindar Sachar

Bangladesh needs fresh start Kuldip Nayar I am getting more and more nearly six years and BJP ironically convinced of the truth of the idiom was the vociferous opponent of Do voters matter attributed to Marx namely, “that the bill in the last Lok Sabha. The D. K. Giri the bourgeois government is the history of L.I.C. since 1956, when executive committee of the big life insurance was nationalized by Gandhi’s vision of India business and industrial houses”. paying just Rs. five Crores to the Anil Nauriya This is sharply brought out by Modi then private insurance companies government issuing ordinances on has been a gold mine to the union Resurgence of Godse increased FDI in Insurance and the government. L.I.C. has given to the Ram Puniyani Coal Mines (Special Ordinance) the central government hefty amounts very next day after the Parliament yearly (2008 – 09 to 2012 – 13) of A new resolve for the New Year adjourned, notwithstanding that it had Rs. 929.12 Crores, 1030.92 Crores, Javed Anand over three weeks to get these Bills 1137.62 Crores, 1281.23 Crores, introduced and get them passed. Of 1436.38 Crores respectively (It also th Let’s reclaim faith course it is well known that BJP lacks donated Rs. 7000 Crore in 7 Plan). Jyoti Punwani majority in Rajya Sabha. But then It defies logic why in such a situation why it did not call for a joint session central government should welcome Peshawar massacre where it claims it has majority? That a FDI resulting in loss to L.I.C. which Adnan Sattar devious game was deliberately being will have to share premiums paid by played by BJP in resorting to two Indian citizens to foreigners, unless it Forcing Aadhaar card ordinances is clear from the Union is a commitment given by Modi on his Sankara Narayanan Finance Minister’s open declaration U.S.A. visit. So much is the desperate (even during parliament session) that attempt to woo foreign investors that “if the opposition did not relent, the when their reaction was the expected government was ready to take a joint one, namely that they would wait for Editor : session route” – notwithstanding regular law to be passed before risking G. G. Parikh this boast the government opted for their investment, union government Managing Editor : Guddi undemocratic route of ordinances. came out with a convoluted version in the press that even if ordinance is not D-15, Ganesh Prasad, It is well known that there are approved by the Parliament, enhanced Naushir Bharucha Marg, serious differences in Parliament FDI made during ordinance period Mumbai - 400 007. about the very motive of passing the would remain valid and irreversible. amendments allowing increased FDI This proposition is legally unsound Email : [email protected] in Insurance Sector – that is why the because unless Parliament passes the insurance bill has been held up for law by endorsing the ordinance, all 2 JANATA, January 11, 2015 actions under the ordinance, would The ordinance regarding land had also represented to you seeking be unconstitutional. acquisition is the limit of hypocrisy a meeting. and shows total contempt for The ordinance regarding auction parliamentary system. The Act Ordinance making power is the of coal blocks is even more was the result of years of massive legacy of British colonialism. This mischievous. I can understand that agitation by organizations like should have no place in free India, the blocks having been cancelled Narmada Bachao Andolan to get nor is it to be found in any other by the Supreme Court last year some justice to the evictees of democratic countries. But Modi had to be auctioned afresh. But land taken for the benefit of big Government is flouting the norm under the cover of re-auctioning, business and industrialists. Surely openly by having already readied an mischievous steps are being taken this unanimous legislation by ordinance on Arbitration Act. What to erode the provisions of Coal the previous Parliament cannot urgency can possibly explain such a Mines (Nationalization Act. 1973) be set at naught by an executive bizarre move? which provided that all rights title fiat – the irony being that the Act in relation to coal mines shall stand was approved in the previous Lok The Supreme Court has very strongly commented as far back as in vested in the central government. Sabha by a parliamentary committee 1987 that ordinance making power It also provides that no person headed by the present BJP Lok “is in the nature of emergency power other than the central government Sabha Speaker. The puerile excuse to take action when the legislature or a government company or a that it was necessitated by keeping is not in session. This power is to corporation managed or controlled exemption of atomic plants from the be used to meet an extraordinary by central government can engage provision of the Act is phony because this would have required only situation and it cannot be allowed to in mining. I am convinced that be perverted to serve political ends”. union government deliberately amendment of Section 105. There avoided introducing the bill in Rajya was no urgency to dilute social impact assessment measure and the Thankfully Modi’s undemocratic Sabha. I say this because by the exercise of power is being resisted ordinance the union government has provision of enhanced compensation which was to benefit the millions of by trade unions who went on a token surreptitiously indirectly amended poor and dispossessed. Why does strike have also decided to hold the Coal Mines Nationalization Act, not BJP openly admit that it owes a joint demonstration and protest 1973. It knew very well that for BJP a debt to big business by displacing before the parliament when it holds to reopen nationalization by a debate lakhs of farmers/poor residents its next session. in the parliament would make it run so that it could open up Delhi- for cover and an open charge of Mumbai corridors for the corporate serving the interest of its election sector for which Modi’s first visit fund donors. The ordinance is a half- to Japan was the precursor. In fact clever sly trick to bring private sector ordinance specifically empowers into coal mining after a lapse of over the government to exclude industrial 40 years. People in coal business corridors from the applicability of have explained that ordinance the Act. explicitly allows private-public joint ventures and permits commercial No Mr. President Mukherjee Sir, mining by state government Your Excellency seeking clarification companies - activities which the from three Union Ministers was only Supreme Court had said were part obligation under the Constitution illegal. This will benefit favourite when issuing the ordinance – the real companies of Modi government stake holders, the millions of poor Price: Rs. 20/- that are already partnered by state farming population needed to be government companies which consulted and heard through their Janata Trust lack mining expertise - an indirect well established representatives D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), method to scuttle the coal mining prior to issuing the ordinance Mumbai 400 007. nationalization law. especially when these organizations JANATA, January 11, 2015 3

Between the lines Bangladesh needs fresh start Kuldip Nayar

Dhaka was understandably in anniversary of her election boycott. Yet what is the solution for the midst of violence a few days peaceful governance? New Delhi, ago because Begum Khalida Zia of Bangladesh won independence which helped the Bangladeshis to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) through the blood of thousands liberate themselves, could play a had given a call for blockade. Hers of people who fought the then role. But it is backing Sheikh Hasina was a protest against the polls held ruling Pakistani army. The because of her secular credentials. on January 5 last year when Prime country should have settled down Begum Zia has staked her future by Minister Sheikh Hasina won a to peaceful conditions by now. aligning with the Jammat-e-Islami majority even before a single vote But, as has happened in other which is fundamentalist and which was cast. liberated countries, the freedom sided with the anti-liberation forces, fighters themselves battle against including the Pakistani army, during Begum Zia is to blame herself one another to register supremacy. the freedom struggle. Islamabad largely because she boycotted Bangladesh is no different. continues to try to fish in troubled the election. She suspected that waters. But its dependence is on the What is painful is the effort the polls would be a farce and extremist elements which do not that it was futile to contest. But to tear the social fabric which seem to sell at this juncture. that argument did not hold water the liberators and custodians of democracy had inherited when because the election held despite her Despite an appeal in the name Bangladesh was born. But over boycott was by and large a free and of Islam, Bangladesh remains a a period of time they have been fair affair. General H.M. Ershad’s secular, democratic state. Although Jatia Party was able to return some concentrating more on usurping the Indian Muslim League, which numbers who constitute the main power and wanting to dominate. founded Pakistan, originated in East opposition in parliament today. And they seem to stop at nothing Bengal, later East Pakistan could in achieving them. Bangladesh That Sheikh Hasina is is in the midst of something like not silence the voices of liberalism authoritarian is nothing new. But that. The army once took over the that have been the bedrock of this Begum Zia gave legitimacy to state and tried to govern. But it area. The people, increasingly Sheikh Hasina’s strong methods by found that the Bangladeshis loved becoming religious today, are liberal avoiding the polls. Sheikh Hasina’s to rule themselves, raucously and at heart. Nearly one million Hindus governance is a one-person rule irrationally. still live there and go about their and even the judiciary feels shy religious obligations without much of giving judgments which may Therefore, the army does not interference. annoy her. As for bureaucracy, it has want to burn its fingers again. The become a rubber stamp. two Begums, Sheikh Hasina and Pakistan, although trying its best, Khalida Zia, continue to fight and has not been able to make headway Begum Zia’s charge that she was have no compunction in harming the because of the murders and atrocities forced to stay in her party office country to establish their supremacy. its army committed to suppress the for the whole night may be true. However, good fallout of their Bangladeshis’ freedom movement. The police themselves admit that never-ending confrontation is that The cold blooded murder of the they had beefed up the security the people have learnt not to obey cream of the Bangladesh society and were willing to take her to her their calls for hartal or disturb the was meant to deny it a future of home. Apparently, she wanted to go work. Bangladesh has sustained the meritorious people. Islamabad’s somewhere else so as to pursue the growth rate at six percent a year for army was instrumental in the worst call for a demonstration on the first the last two decades. kind of pogrom. 4 JANATA, January 11, 2015

A book entitled, The Blood Telegram—India’s Secret War in Do voters matter - II East Pakistan, by Gary G. Bass, has confirmed this. But what the D. K. Giri book reveals is the misreporting of events in Bangladesh. Many of “In a democracy, all citizens, democracies, or for that matter US Embassy staff did not approve regardless of their interest, hold the state. Alexi de Tocqueville, in of them. “(The US) Embassy has office. Every one of us is in a his major study of “Democracy in had full-scale revolt on general position of responsibility. We the America” had argued that state may issue by virtually all officers in people are the boss. We will get overgrow and become an intrusive Consulate General, Dacca, coupled the kind of political leadership regulatory agency in the daily lives with forfeiture of leadership for we demand and deserve”. These of people. The assumption that American community there, Dacca’s were the famous and loaded words the state was guarantor of public reporting has been tendentious to an from John F. Kennedy. We need welfare and progressive change was extreme,” says the book. to deeply reflect on this statement fallacious, argued Tocqueville. He to see how much of it is true in cautioned, “If this gravely mistaken Bangladesh has not been liberated present context. Was Kennedy being assumption was not countered in in the true sense because it heavily platitudinous? Or did he mean this to theory and practice, it would become depends on foreign aids. There is a be the true role and status of citizens a recipe for capitulation to the consortium with America playing in a democracy? Let us recall a few dictates of public administrators”. He the leading role to provide Dhaka more perceptions of democracy. suggested a series of countervailing with foreign exchange and a large Martin Luther King III exhorted forces including decentralisation amount of Takka, the Bangladeshi the citizens, “if we are to be a great of governance, forming social currency. democracy, we must take an active and political associations to stand role in our democracy, our role between the individual and the As long as the Bangladesh goes far beyond simply casting our state when the latter became leaders do not look within, they votes”. But why do people vote? It is unrepresentative and exclusive, and will continue to depend on foreign just to choose their representatives. nurturing the spirit of liberty. powers which will naturally exact a But do they really represent the price. Engaged as they are in internal people? Giuseppe Prezzolini, an Tocqueville’s countervailing squabbles, the political parties have Italian writer, author and editor, strategy has not worked effectively no concrete programmes to liberate strongly derided the representative as the state became too powerful themselves from foreign influence. democracy, “Representative to control by the citizens. What is In fact, the assistance of foreign government is artifice, a political therefore suggested here is another powers is sought to deal with the myth, designed to conceal from approach where voters become a domestic problems. However, this the masses the dominance of a structural part of the governance is not a long-term solution. self-selected, self-perpetuating, and process, and thereby inform self-serving traditional ruling class.” and influence the state actions. The tragedy of Bangladesh is that He debunks the assumption that, in For instance, let us look at the both the Begums, because of their a democracy, power rests with the possibility of voters becoming co- personal enmity, continue to build people, and is exercised by them legislators along with their MLAs their support with the help of outside directly, or indirectly, through a in Assemblies and the MPs in the powers. As long as they dominate system of representation involving Parliament. A short term and ad the political scene, Bangladesh has free elections. It is true that voters hoc experiment was made in 2012, when civil society representatives little future. But then how does in most democracies are let down (voters) were invited to co-draft this change? Unfortunately, no by their representatives who, once the Lokpal Bill. Anna Hazare led a alternative is emerging. And many elected, behave as their leaders or rulers. formidable movement for institution attempts in the past have made no of Jan Lokpal to check all pervading headway. There are concerns among corruption in the society. Sensing the political leaders and scientists growing appeal of Anna’s struggle (Continued on Page 7) about the alienation of voters from to the people, the then government JANATA, January 11, 2015 5 invited Anna and his nominees to be to offset the democratic deficit. the United Kingdom and receives a part of a joint drafting committee. The ECI allowed any national of a a custodial sentence of 12 months; This was done not to initiate a new European Union country to take part second, the House of Commons legislative procedure, but to placate in the legislative process to make it suspends an MP for at least 10 Anna and diffuse his appeal. That is more participative, although some days when Parliament is sitting why the arrangement fell through in conditions apply to this procedure. and three, an MP is convicted of an no time. Co-legislation could be part One condition is, in order to qualify; offence under section of 10 of the of the constitutional arrangement an initiative must be approved by Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 through an amendment. Voters could the citizens/voters from at least which is intentionally providing be consulted through a referendum one quarter of EU member states false and misleading information or voters could be asked to suggest that is 8 states out of 29 at the to claim MP’s allowances. If one issues to be legislated upon. The moment. The second condition is, of these conditions exists, and if legislators will be constitutionally the initiative organisers then have 10 percent of voters in the MP’s bound to take up those suggestions. twelve months to collect one million constituency sign a recall petition, signatures of EU citizens to have then the MP in question will have A co-legislative practice has been their proposal examined by the to face a by-election. This is a path- initiated recently in the European European Commission. If successful breaking reform in partly restoring Union (EU). It is pertinent to note in meeting these conditions, the the primacy of voters in respect of that Union of India and the European initiative organisers can present their representatives. Union are quite similar in their it to the parliament. However, political and social texture although irrespective of the conditions or a There could be several such both have come up through dissimilar particular procedure with regard constitutional reform initiatives trajectories. On independence itself, to the contexts, the significance to engage the voters. It becomes India began as a Union of states, a of such arrangements on voters increasingly important when one plural society, and has been alert in engagement is worthy of discussion looks at the conduct and ability preserving its unity and pluralism, and emulation. Interestingly, many of MPs or MLAs in carrying out while European Union is being Members of European Parliament legislative duties. In India, due to built out of independent states say, although ECI requirements may continuous disruptions, normal coming together. Be that as it may, seem hard for the average citizen to sittings in the Parliament as well the initiative taken in the European meet, this is where people need to as state Legislatures are quite Union to give a greater say to the rally and create a real momentum to low in number. We are said to voters in EU affairs is called the wrest part of the legislative privilege be the largest democracy in the European Citizens Initiative (ECI). from their representatives in whom Martin Schulz, the president of the they seem to be losing faith. The idea world, but our Parliament fares European Union Parliament had of ECI must be shared by the entire poorly by international norms. hailed this move and said, “it is the community and truly transnational Britain’s Parliament met for 162 very first experiment in participatory tools may be developed to pool and days in 2013-14, whereas Indian democracy at an EU level and an share ideas throughout the European Parliament, the Lok Sabha, for opportunity for the people in EU Union. a decade, 2003-13 met for an to set the agenda.” What is ECI? In average of 68 days a year. The European Union, although there was The above was one concrete state Assemblies did even worse. growing awareness about the creation example of how citizens/voters During the same period, the Delhi and growth of EU as a supranational must be involved in the political Assembly met only for an average entity, the voter like anywhere else process. There is another example of 21 days, Goa 26, Bihar 31 and was losing interest as it was evident of how voters are getting more Haryana Assembly for a shocking from steadily declining voter turnout powers in addition to voting once 13 days per year. Furthermore, in EU parliament elections. Since in 4 or 5 years. In Britain, the ‘right Indian Parliament has also not the direct elections to the European to recall’ bill has been passed last passed a single private member’s Parliament started in 1979 when year. The power to recall an MP bill - an important indicator of the turnout was 62 per cent, it fell means that an MP is forced to stand MP’s independence from party down to almost half at 34 per cent in down and face by-election if s(he)is lines - since 1970. Such is the 2014. The ECI was created to arrest found guilty of wrongdoing on three role and efficiency of people’s the voters’ alienation, also thereby counts: one, an MP is convicted in representatives in the legislatures. 6 JANATA, January 11, 2015

Our argument, therefore, is that voters must be brought into the Gandhi’s composite vision of India governance process - in legislative, executive, and watch-dog roles. And Anil Nauriya they must be rewarded for doing so. Why should voters be involved without material gain to themselves, This article was written a few years ago in the context of a play that had which is some cash reward, like sought to glorify Gandhi’s assassin. The issues with which it deals are relevant any other service provider in the in the current context in which similar tendencies have re-surfaced. system? Voters can no longer be courted with platitudes and moral sermons on good citizenship. In It is difficult to share the as an exercise of the freedom of fact, the perks and privileges given certitude of those who have been expression. The matter is therefore, to the legislators could be cut down opposing as “nonsense” a ban not as simple as has been made out. to compensate the voters for their on the play glorifying Gandhi’s After all, what must a play contain time and energy. Otherwise, voters assassin. Liberal opinion, or before its performance may be may not participate beyond voting. what passes for it, has tended to validly restricted as a permissible A survey was done to measure invoke freedom of expression to ‘reasonable restriction’ on freedom citizens’ participation. It was found compare the restrictions, illusory of expression as envisaged by the that 91% voted in elections, 25% as they maybe, with M F Hussain’s Constitution? joined any campaign, 33% made recent unpleasant experiences. contact with officials, and only 11% This comparison is erroneous One can, however, be more open joined protest demonstrations. So the Mr. Hussain’s paintings did not to a position which, while admitting fear that voters are not much active preach violence or the politics of that the play deserves a legal ban, beyond voting comes true. assassination. asserts that the misinformation contained in it needs to be tackled To conclude, theoretically, in a If there were a play which sought politically. The play is supposedly democracy, which is essentially self- to justify Adolf Hitler and to ‘give based on the statement, which the rule, voters should be active, and his perspective’ on why it became convicted murderer made in the practically, if voters are not actively ‘necessary’ to eliminate millions course of his trial. That statement is engaged, not only democracy of Jews, or a play justifying the a tissue of suppressio veri suggestio suffers, voters’ unrest and cynicism anti-Sikh pogrom in Delhi in 1984, falsi. The role played by the Hindu grow as their representatives would this also now be justified as an Mahasabha at each stage from 1928 become apathetic as well as self- exercise of freedom of expression? onwards in complicating settlement serving. The only way to revitalize democracy - generate hope and The glorification of the sati incident of the communal problem is deliver governance - is to engage in Rajasthan was rightly interdicted throughout sup-pressed from the the voters, because voters matter in by an ordinance; also the local statement. Nor does Gandhi’s a democracy. public demonstration in support assassin mention the fact that the of the Bhagalpur blindings - on two-nation idea was propounded the ground that those blinded were by Savarkar in the presidential Janata Subscription criminals - was condemned by civil speech from the Hindu Mahasabha society. platform in December 1939. Annual Rs. : 260/- That a columnist of Harijan In this speech, Savarkar attacked Three Years : 750/- and former editor of that paper the territorial concept of nation: and of Young India should be “This conception has...received a Demand Draft / Cheque on shot dead by the editor of Hindu rude shock in Europe itself from Mumbai Bank in favour of Rashtra was an extraordinary way which it was imported wholesale JANATA TRUST to settle a political argument. to India and the present war has D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Imagine an editor today killing justified my assertion by exploding Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 another editor and a play justifying the myth altogether”...Instead that killing being bruited about he propounded the alternative JANATA, January 11, 2015 7 conception that “...we Hindus are in a statement he issued a fortnight definition of nation is emphatically marked out as an abiding Nation by before his death: non-religious, non-denominational ourselves”. (Indian Annual Register and secular in every sense of the I 939, Vol. II, p. 317). “Delhi is the Metropolis of India. term, while Savarkar’s and Jinnah’s If therefore we really in our hearts definition of nation is religion- Jinnah’s formal adoption of the do not subscribe to the two-nation based. Gandhi’s concept of nation two-nation theory came soon after theory, in other words, if we do not was and is shared by millions of this and is simply the other side of regard the Hindus and the Muslims Muslims, Hindus Sikhs, Christians the coin. Savarkar, the assassin’s as constituting two distinct nations, and others while the Savarkar- ideological mentor and co- we shall have to admit that the Jinnah definition of nation was and accused, then, must rank among the picture that Delhi presents today is a source of communal conflict ideological forebears of Pakistan. is not what we have envisaged and made anti-humanistic demands Similarly, having spoken of equal always of the capital of India. Delhi for exchanges of population and rights for all in Pakistan in August is the Eternal City, as the ruins of eviction. Hindu Mahasabha and 1947, Jinnah relapsed to speak its forerunners Indraprastha and RSS members prior to independence Savarkar’s language in December Hastinapur testify. It is the heart of acted especially to injure the concept 1947. At the League Council India. Only a nitwit can regard it of a composite Indian nation. As meeting in Karachi, Jinnah spoke as belonging to the Hindus or the the veteran socialist, N G Goray, of Pakistan as a “Muslim State” Sikhs only. It may sound harsh but wrote in the Congress Socialist of (though not an ‘’ecclesiastical it is the literal truth. From Kanya May 14, 1938, the Mahasabhaites state”). And on March 28,1948, Kumari to Kashmir and from and RSS workers attacked the apparently unmoved even by Karachi to Dibrugarh in Assam, all May Day procession, tore up the Gandhi having staked his life for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, nationalist flag and beat up leaders a composite concept of Indian Christians and Jews who people like Senapati Bapat and Kanitkar. nationhood, Jinnah said: “Pakistan this vast sub-continent and have is the embodiment of the unity of adopted it as their dear motherland, (Continued from Page 4) the Muslim nation and so it must have an equal right to it. No one Fundamentalism is no solution remain”. (Jinnah’s speeches and has a right to say that it belongs to because it seeks to mix religion statements as Governor General of the majority community only and with politics, apart from the archaic Pakistan, 1947-48, pp. 211-212). that the minority community can thinking it cultivates. There is no On August 15, 1943 Savarkar only remain there as the underdog. go from democracy. But the hitch declared: “I have no quarrel with Whoever serves it with the purest is that hostility between the ruling Mr. Jinnah’s two-nation theory. We devotion must have the first claim. Awami League and the BNP is Hindus are a nation by ourselves Therefore, anyone who wants to concentrating on how to grab power. and it is a historical fact that Hindus drive out of Delhi all Musalmans as The key to unlock the problem lies and Muslims are two-nations”. such must be set down as its enemy with Shiekh Hasina. (Indian Annual Register, 1943,Vol. No. l and, therefore, enemy no. l 2, p. 10) of India. We are rushing towards It is probably too much to expect the catastrophe. It is the bounden from the Prime Minister Hasina to The vital difference between duty of every son and daughter of announce fresh elections so as to Gandhi’s approach and the Savarkar India to take his or her full share give a chance to the BNP to seek its line, to which the assassin subscribed, in averting it”. (Letter to Men fortunes from within the system. But is thus not mentioned in the court and Women of Gujarat, Jan14, that seems to be the only way out statement. This lay in their entirely 1948, Selected Letters, Navajivan in a country that is sharply divided different definition of the nation. Publishing House, Ahmedabad, p. and engaged in political feuds. The Gandhi’s definition of nation was 324). poverty of the people which both one of composite Indian nationhood parties promised to eradicate is not while Savarkar’s concept of nation, Over-emphasis, especially in possible until there is a reasonable like Jinnah’s was religion-based. Anglo-centric writings, on Gandhi’s normalcy. This cannot happen Gandhi’s understanding of Indian religiosity has sometimes blinded without a fresh start in the political nationhood is summed up succinctly scholars to the fact that Gandhi’s field. 8 JANATA, January 11, 2015 Resurgence of Godse

Ram Puniyani

Times are a changing; and Mahasabha are all set to build the nothing to do with Godse and he was changing fast. During last many country’s first temple for murderer not a member of RSS when he killed decades most Hindu nationalists of Mahatma Gandhi in Meerut. Mahatma Gandhi. Just to recall, have kept the appreciation of their There are several demands from the in early 1998 Professor Rajendra hero, Nathuram Godse under wraps. Hindu Mahasabha offices to install Singh, the then RSS chief, had stated The programs appreciating his his statues. The Hindu Mahasabha “Godse was motivated by akhand politics did use to make small has requested land from the Centre Bharat. His intention was good but news here and there some time; to erect a statue of Godse in the he used the wrong method.” (April but as such it was a muted act not national capital. The paperback issue 27 1998, Outlook) much publicized and generally of Godse’s book is already running kept as a low key affair. During last into second reprint. How do we understand the few years Pradeep Dalvi’s play in whole issue? The major backdrop Marathi, “Mee Nathuram Boltoy” The BJP MP Sakhshi Maharaj to understand the issue is to see the (I, Nathuram speaking), attacking recently called Godse as nationalist; politics of Hindu nationalism as Gandhi and upholding Godse, drew of course he retracted it soon; expressed through Hindu Mahasbah packed houses in various places in apparently to ensure that the ruling and RSS. These organizations Maharashtra. Many people had also party, BJP, is not embarrassed on the remained aloof from the freedom protested against staging of this play issue. At the same time, BJP’s parent struggle. Hindu Mahasabha (HM), off and on. organization RSS has come out was more interested in the immediate with two books meant for internal participation in politics, as the flag With the new dispensation coming circulation. These books claim to bearers of Hindu communal politics, to power (Modi Sarkar, May, 2014) ensure that RSS viewpoint is reached and the RSS wanted to concentrate many communal assertions, acts to its Pracharaks, swayamsevaks. on making a network of ‘cadres’ and intimidations are up in the air. These books are “RSS- Ek Parichay” before forming organizations and It seems these acts are being silently (RSS-an introduction) and “RSS- infiltrating into different arena of appreciated by those in power. Ek Saral Parichay” (RSS-a simple education, culture, electoral politics This inference is logical as none in introduction), the second of which and state apparatus. There was a lot the positions of power have either is written by veteran RSS member of overlap in the agenda of these reprimanded or opposed these Godse M. G. Vaidya. Shri Vaidya claims organizations as they were both acolytes. The main reason is that due that “a narrative of accusation was working for the common goal of to the compulsions of power they built around RSS”, so the book to Hindu Nation. Nathuram Godse, do not openly support the Godse dispel that. Essentially these books ‘uniquely’ symbolized the fusion of appreciation clubs. They also do aim to dissociate RSS from Godse. both these two trends. not condemn these voices as they While the Prime Minister Modi too belong to the Godse ideology is maintaining maun (silence) on RSS could get away with of Hindu nationalism. This Hindu the subject the opposition leaders dissociating with Godse or rather nationalism in popular parlance is are strongly criticizing Hindu underplaying Godse’s association projected as ‘Nationalism’, keeping Mahasabha’s and others’ views on with RSS as there was no official the Hindu prefix in the silent mode. the murder of Mahatma Gandhi by record of members of RSS, and so Nathuram Godse. they could disown Godse at legal The latest in the series of level. In 1930 Godse joined RSS and acts - statements by this Godse What is the relationship between very soon rose to be the “bauddhik appreciation clubs is the bhumipujan Godse and RSS? Was he part of RSS pracharak” (intellectual propagator). (earth prayer-a ritual before and later left it or was he part of it Like both HM and RSS he was beginning of new construction) and also joined Hindu Mahasabha ardent Hindu Nationalist. by Hindu Mahasabha for Godse in mid-1930s? As for as official line temple in Meerut (Dec 25 2014). The is concerned RSS has tried to keep As a strong Hindutvawadi he activists of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu its slate clean by stating that it had was extremely critical of Gandhi’s JANATA, January 11, 2015 9 ahimsa (non-violence) and the anti-British movements led by Abominable him. Godse had very poor opinion of Gandhi’s role in freedom However, nothing could have channel was abominable beyond movement. RSS-Hindu Mahasbha been more despicable than the words. The Hindu Mahasabha’s kept criticizing Gandhi for his campaign of the Hindu Mahasabha national general secretary, involving all religious communities to glorify the assassin of Mahatma Acharya Madan, justified the in the freedom movement. Gandhi Gandhi. It must be mentioned Mahatma’s murder by Godse. kept religion as personal matter and that the first statement hailing projected overarching Indian identity He argued that “killing for a for all. This was what annoyed the Nathuram Godse as a “patriot” cause” was no crime, and that HM-RSS combine, as they wanted had come from a senior BJP MP, patriotic Godse had a just cause. only Hindus to be recognized as Sakshi Maharaj. As a result of the The anchor asked him whether Indians. Godse’s assessment of prime minister’s private advice or his unacceptable behaviour could nationalism of Gandhi is expressed directive to him, he withdrew his give others the right to strangulate in a way which identifies nationalism statement and declared that he no him. He ducked the question but with Hindu kings. He used very longer thought that Godse was a went on pontificating that “Mr peculiar parameters to assess patriot. Yet nothing deterred the Gandhi” was responsible for the Gandhi, “His (Gandhi’s) followers Hindu Mahasabha from demanding death of “10 lakh Hindus”. This cannot see what is clear even to the the construction of Godse temples was the result of Partition, for blind viz. that Gandhi was a mere and installation of his statues across which the responsibility was “Mr pigmy before Shivaji, Rana Pratap the country. To this folly, it added a and Guru Govind (Pg. 40, Why I Gandhi’s”. The Hindu Mahasabha new doctrine on conversions. Since assassinated Gandhi?) and finally spokesman went on to say that, the reconversion of Muslims to about the winning of swaraj and unfortunately, there was no law Hinduism would lead to “genetic freedom I maintain the Mahatma’s under which “Mr Gandhi” could abnormalities”, said a leader contribution was negligible.” (Ibid. be brought to book. So Godse did pg. 87) of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, Muslims “should what he had to. There was not He held Mahatma responsible be packed off to Pakistan”. Why an iota of support for the Hindu for appeasing Muslims, and thereby Pakistan would accept such a huge Mahasabha’s position during the the formation of Pakistan. About exodus from this country or what TV debate but it is scandalous his association with RSS and Hindu the international community would beyond measure that so little Mahasabha, he writes, “Having think of India’s expulsion of 13 per notice was taken of the vile words worked for the uplift of the Hindus cent of its population seems to be against the father of the nation I felt it necessary to take part in of no concern to Godse’s bhakts. and so much praise heaped on political activities of the country his murderer. Both government for the protection of just rights of and Opposition parties have been Hindus. I therefore left the Sangh and What happened during a debate joined Hindu Mahasabha (Godse, on the subject on a TV news equally neglectful in this respect. ‘Why I Assassinated Mahatma Gandhi’ 1993, Pg. 102). –Inder Malhotr

Hindu Mahasabha was at that deep differences between the politics to ‘The Times of India’ (25 January, time the only political party of of Gandhi and that of the followers of 1998); Gopal Godse, who was also Hindutva, and he became general the Hindu Rashtra. These two reasons an accomplice in the murder tells secretary of its Pune branch. In are proffered merely as a pretext for us the reality behind Nathuram’s due course he started a newspaper, the same. statement that ‘he left RSS’. Gopal called “Agrani or Hindu Rashtra”. Godse says “The appeasement As such Gandhi murder was not What does Godse mean when he policy followed by him (Gandhi, on the charges propagated by them says that he left RSS? Is it true? This added) and imposed on all Congress (Partition and insistence on paying truth behind Nathuram’s leaving governments’ encouraged the Muslim Pakistan’s dues (Rs. 55 crore) from RSS, is clarified by his brother separatist tendencies that eventually the treasury), but due to the basic Gopal Godse. In an interview given created Pakistan…Technically and 10 JANATA, January 11, 2015 theoretically he (Nathuram) was a member (of RSS), but he stopped A new resolve for the New Year workings for it later. His statement in the court that he had left the RSS Javed Anand was to protect the RSS workers who would be imprisoned following the murder. On the understanding that It’s time Muslims seriously No doubt, the TTP, other “good they (RSS workers) would benefit considered making a long overdue terrorists” and “bad terrorists” from his dissociating himself from New Year’s resolution: bidding from Pakistan, the self-proclaimed the RSS, he gladly did it.” farewell to the state of denial, saying Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), “no more” to conspiracy theories. the Boko Haram in Nigeria, the al- So this is the logic of Godse saying Shahab in Kenya and Allah knows that he ‘left’ RSS. The dual membership How does the mere condemnation who else, are plotting their next (RSS+HinduMahasabha) was not a of the cold-blooded massacre of barbaric deed. Sooner than later, problem. Thus the murder of Gandhi schoolchildren in Peshawar by a will there be mere condemnation one was steeped in both the streams of suicide squad of the Tehreek-e- more time, repeat “this is not Islam” Hindutva politics, RSS and HM. Taliban Pakistan (TTP) help? A host declarations? His editing the paper called, ‘Hindu of maulanas and maulvis promptly Rashtra” was quite symbolic. This expressed outrage, denounced the This surely is no cure for the murder had a broad sanction of savagery, asserted that those guilty malaise within today’s lived Islam. the followers of HM and RSS, as of such heinous crimes cannot be To cry out not-in-my-name is they celebrated Mahatma’s murder called Muslims. “This is not Islam,” one thing. But to insist that the by distributing sweets, “All their they said. But the unrepentant TTP perpetrators of terror cannot be (RSS) leaders’ speeches were full has no doubt it is more-Muslim- Muslims is to deny personal agency, of communal poison. As a final than-thou. evade moral responsibility for what result, the poisonous atmosphere was created in which such a ghastly some Muslims do in the name of tragedy (Gandhi’s murder) became Within hours of the shooting a shared faith. Perhaps Muslims possible. RSS men expressed their spree, it released a photo (taken should heed the Friday sermon of joy and distributed sweets after earlier) in which the soon-to-turn- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at Srinagar’s Gandhi’s death.” (excerpt from mass-murderers could be seen Jama Masjid a day after the killings. Sardar Patel’s letters to M. S. staring straight at the camera, with a He said: “The Peshawar attack Golwalkar and S. P. Mookerjee.). banner in the backdrop proclaiming was barbaric and gruesome. It Godse was no freak. The way Hindu Islam’s core article of faith: “La has become incumbent on Islamic communalists were spewing poison ’ilaha ’illa-llah, Muhammadun scholars and religious preachers to against Gandhi, it was the logical rasulu-llah (There is no god but God, introspect and look for reasons that outcome of their politics. And Godse Muhammad is the messenger of cause certain elements to commit had the ‘benefit’ of the teachings of God)”. The very next day, it quoted such crimes and thus defame Islam.” both RSS as well as HM. They used out of context a hadith (saying) of the word “wadh” for this murder. the Prophet that a boy with pubic Where did the “certain elements” This word “wadh” stands for killing hair is no longer a child. Thus, get their Islam from? For believing a demon who is harming the society. according to the TTP, the butchery Muslims, the primary sources of In a way Gandhi murder was the was entirely halal. Islamic law are the Quran and the first major offensive of the Hindutva Ahadith (plural of hadith, words and politics on Indian nationalism; in No doubt, the killers must deeds of Prophet Mohammed). Do a way it was to herald the onset have prayed prior to the carnage, the Quran and the Ahadith promote of bigger strides which Hindutva beginning with the words, peace or violence? The Quran, the politics has assumed during last “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the Bible or the Gita promote neither few decades, and this is what we are name of Allah, the most merciful, peace nor violence. It is the believers witnessing today. the most compassionate)”. They who choose to interpret passages of killed and died with the absolute their holy texts one way or the other. So though officially RSS family conviction that their “virtuous mass kept dissociating from Gandhi’s murder” would guarantee them a Who does the interpreting? (Continued on Page 12) permanent place in paradise. Muslims will tell you there is no JANATA, January 11, 2015 11 place for priesthood or a pope in Islam. That’s theory: things Let’s reclaim faith don’t work that way in real life. Like followers of other faiths, Jyoti Punwani most Muslims have neither the theological wherewithal nor the time or inclination to unravel the Divine Muslims who say what was done most of us practise. Commands on their own. Inevitably in Peshawar was anti-Islamic and, then, they rely on some Dharam hence, those who did it are not Why then are so many articulate Guru, high priest, “Shaikhul Islam” Muslims, forget that the TTP may and politically aware Muslims for guidance. well declare them ‘kaafirs’. “Jai finding it difficult to say that the Sri Ram” was the cry raised by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) The dubious distinction of warping rioters as they attacked Muslims are Muslim? “This is not Islam,” the Muslim mind in the modern who had dared to venture out during has been repeated many times over era goes to four highly influential the January 1993 riots in Mumbai. the last few days, as has “They are theologians: Mohammad ibn Abd Reading about these cases, I was not Muslims.” Indeed, they are. al-Wahhab (founder of Wahhabism repulsed by the way L.K. Advani They derive their inspiration from in Arabia), Hassan al-Banna and and associates had transformed the Islam. The picture of the gunmen Sayyid Qutb (Muslim Brotherhood, name of one of our most revered released by their organisation has Egypt) and Maulana Abul A’la and popular gods. A month earlier, the kalima in the background. The Maududi (Jamaat-e-Islami, Indian I had felt ashamed of being a kalima is what you recite when subcontinent). According to these Hindu, watching the saffron hordes you convert to Islam, it is what you founding fathers of “political Islam”, demolishing an ancient structure recite when you are about to die, so unlike other religions, Islam is not that had become the touchstone of that you go to jannat. That’s why merely a moral or spiritual compass our country’s secularism. these gunmen made their targets but a political ideology, a theology recite it just before shooting them. of power. And it was/is the bounden When Babu Bajrangi boasted that They were mindful of their religious duty of every Muslim to struggle he felt like Rana Pratap as he killed duty. through every means possible (jihad) Ehsan Jafri, most Hindus watching to dismantle all man-made laws and the sting operation on TV felt sick. How many times have we heard institutions and to enforce sharia Hearing Sadhvi Rithambara (in “Islam prohibits the killing of laws through the instrument of an Indore, 1990) and Sadhvi Saraswati innocents; one innocent killed is Islamic state. (at the Virat Hindu Sammelan last the killing of humanity. Hence these Sunday) call Muslims gaddaars, I men cannot be Muslims”? Isn’t An Islamic state and sharia rule was filled with loathing. this a convenient way of washing are precisely what the likes of the one’s hands off the reality that TTP, Isis, Boko Haram and al- From the lynch mobs of 1993 these killers belong to one’s faith? Shahab seek to establish. No doubt, to the Bajrangis of 2002 to Dara Their version of Islam doesn’t gel many followers of Wahhab, al- Singh, who killed Graham Staines with one’s own, for whom Islam Banna, Qutb or Maududi distance and his little boys in 1999, to Yogi means peace and mercy. That themselves from the terrorist Muslim Adityanath declaring that if “they is fine. But at least it should be outfits. But who among them can convert one Hindu girl, we will acknowledged that, for them, the deny that more often than not, it is convert hundreds of their girls”, same religion means slaying the these very leaders who provide the they have been proud Hindus, enemy mercilessly. Accepting that theological “base camp” of all the deriving their inspiration from doesn’t take away from Islam. In terrorist Muslim outfits? Hindu mythology, harking back fact, it obliges one to counter their to a distorted version of history. version of Islam with a different The Students Islamic Movement In their imagination, they are the one. in India (Simi) is an organisation that rishis and rajas of yore, roaming the was spawned by the Jamaat-e-Islami countryside to slay rakshasas and Muslims who say that what was Hind (JIH) in the 1970s. Having invaders. Not for a moment can I done in Peshawar was anti-Islamic subsequently graduated to the ideals say: “They are not Hindus”, though and, hence, those who did it are (Continued on Page 12) I can say this is not the Hinduism not Muslims, forget that the TTP 12 JANATA, January 11, 2015 may well declare them kaafirs. “Jis JIH for having reneged on the ideal. Perhaps they should get better Hindu ka khoon na khole, khoon teachings of Maududi. The Isis acquainted with Hassan al-Banna’s nahin woh paani hai (The Hindu aspires to overthrow the original younger brother, Gamal, who died whose blood doesn’t boil doesn’t sponsors of Wahhabi Islam — the last year. have blood but water)” is a slogan Saudi monarchy. coined by the RSS. For them, many According to Gamal, Middle Age of us are not Hindus at all. But Muslims cannot even begin interpretations of the Quran “should who has given them the right to to deal with the malignancy in be thrown into the sea”. In 2008, say so? The same applies to those their midst until they disown the he wrote a book arguing that all who declare that the TTP are not inherently capable-of-mutating sayings attributed to the Prophet that Muslims. Who is to define who is legacy of Wahhab, al-Banna, Qutb are misogynistic, against freedom not a Hindu or a Muslim? Many and Maududi, purge themselves of of religion or promote violence, Indian Muslims were not even the idea that while a secular state must be rejected since they are willing to believe that the Peshawar is a compulsion where Muslims are not consonant either with Quranic attack was the work of the Taliban. in a minority, an Islamic state is the teachings or the life of Mohammed. Excuses like “tribals’’ or “bearded – Indian Express imposters” were being made till they were left with no choice after Asaduddin Owaisi must tender apology the TTP owned up to the killings. Forum for Muslim Studies & India is a secular country and in Analysis (FMSA) has strongly such a country the statement of Yogi Then there’s the other excuse: condemned the statement of AIMIM Adityanath that every person is a “Terrorism has no religion.” It Chief, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin born Hindu and that of Asaduddin certainly does. Sadhvi Pragya is Owaisi in which he had said that Owaisi that every human is born a Hindu, as are Colonel Purohit every human being is born as as Muslim are a conspiracy to and Swami Aseemanand, who are Muslim. divide the country and society on accused of terrorist acts against communal grounds and it is against Muslims. Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur When a child is born, he or she our Constitution. He said that Indian Rehman Lakhvi are proud Muslims. remains a human being and it is we government should take strict lawful Let us accept that religion is at the who divide them geographically heart of much terrorism in India actions against such elements. and religiously. If our religious and Pakistan. By doing so, we don’t betray our faith. By denying and political leaders do not deliver Dr. Aftab Alam said that presently it, we shrug off our responsibility provocative statements as Asaduddin India is a dev eloping country and is to reclaim it. Owaisi has done then we can emerging as an economic power on achieve unity in diversity, said Dr. global level. Religious beliefs and Jasim Mohammad while chairing faiths are personal for an individual. (Continued from Page 10) a fortnightly meeting of Forum Politicisation of religion roadblocks murder by Godse, in private for Muslim Studies & Analysis the development of country and so many members not only uphold held on Media Centre Aligarh. He Indian society must reject that. the dastardly act, but also have pointed out that Asaduddin Owaisi succeeded in undermining the is a politician and not an Islamic Prof. Shahabuddin Iraqi said that importance of Mahatma and they it is very unfortunate that Asaduddin do ‘sympathize’ with Godse. This scholar. If every born person is complex trick kept going on so far. Muslim then what is the aim of Owaisi has delivered such a Now with Modi Sarkar there is no having Iman (believe) on Islam? provocative statement which will need to hide the true ideology and He called upon people to strongly ultimately give political mileage to thinking of this combine and so the condemn the statement of Asaduddin communal parties only. He open efforts to glorify Godse! Owaisi. He also said that recent and reminded that Islam rejects religious earlier statements of Asaduddin controversy and favours respect Owaisi clearly indicate that Hindu to all religions. Asaduddin Owaisi (Continued from Page 11) Mahasabha and AIMIM are two should withdraw his statement and of jihad, shahadat (martyrdom) and sides of the same coin. He said that apologize to nation and society. the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, the Simi denounces the – J. Mohammad JANATA, January 11, 2015 13 Peshawar massacre

Adnan Sattar

It struck you in the pit of Surely, moral outrage and anger remember and how? You could view your stomach. The pain was gut- are all too natural in the face of such Peshawar as an isolated incident, wrenching. You felt as if the ground a gruesome incident. If calculated a total aberration in an otherwise beneath your feet had parted. Your murder of over 10 dozen children acceptable state of affairs. Or, mind was blown into a million does not make us angry, perhaps you could see it as the extreme little pieces. How do you cope nothing will. However, anger also end of a spectrum of violence that with the images of schoolchildren, blunts your capacity to see things in defines contemporary religious some as young as 11 and 12, their perspective. It engenders a tunnel- terrorism. The conceptual choice school uniforms drenched in blood, vision manifested in the punitive has significant consequences for their faces peering out of coffins? overdrive the Pakistan government how the public thinks about an event Mothers wailing inconsolably, went into immediately after the like this and how policymakers fathers with a vacant stare in their Peshawar massacre. The unofficial respond to it. eyes; eyes that looked like dried-up moratorium on the death penalty, wells in the middle of a parched which had been in place since What happened in Peshawar has desert. Mirrors to souls wounded so 2008, was lifted. The hangmen no exact parallels. Yet, children deeply that life itself had ceased to were called up and at least six falling prey to terrorism and violence have any meaning. convicted terrorists were executed is now so common — and in such by December 21, 2014, despite a wide variety of contexts — that The massacre of 141 people, urgings by international human it hardly strikes you as something including 133 children, at Army rights groups to the contrary. unusual. Violence against children Public School in Peshawar on is now part of what Hannah Ardent December 16, 2014, was, at first, Almost everyone in Pakistan memorably called the ‘banality of beyond comprehension. The grief today is saying they want to stand evil’. and pain of the parents and siblings, true to the memory of children many of whom had just managed slaughtered in Peshawar. That The Taliban, for one, have made to escape the orgy of killing at the seems to be the least common a career out of blowing up schools school, defies rendering in ordinary denominator across the political on both sides of Durand Line, the language. and societal divide. Exceptions are official border dividing Pakistan rare. These include increasingly and Afghanistan. Children, let us The initial shock soon gave way jittery Taliban supporters, such as not forget, also find themselves to an all-consuming rage. Pakistan’s Maulana Abdul Aziz, the head Imam within the ranks of suicide-outfits military and civilian leadership, of the Red Mosque in Islamabad from Boko Haram in Nigeria to the which had hitherto been unable to that was stormed by the Pakistan Taliban in Pakistan. Some of these see eye to eye on how to deal with Army in 2008 following a prolonged children themselves witnessed the Taliban, met in Peshawar and standoff. Underneath this common extremes of physical violence declared to the citizens of their resolve, however, lie fundamentally before being duped or coerced beleaguered country that ‘enough divergent worldviews and into becoming soldiers of jihadist was enough’. Significantly, Prime ideologies, currently concealed by Islam. Minister Nawaz Sharif, flanked shared grief and anger. by opposition leaders, including Malala Yusufzai, mature beyond erstwhile cricketer Imran Khan — The struggle of man against her years, nailed it when she said known to be a Taliban apologist — power, wrote Milan Kundera, is recently: “I tell my story, not because told newsmen that there would be no the struggle of memory against it is unique, but because it is not.” distinction made any more between forgetting. The key question today To transcend your own suffering ‘good Taliban’ and ‘bad ones’. is what is it that you decide to and to connect it with that of others 14 JANATA, January 11, 2015 is indeed a sign of a beautiful mind — as the standard practice goes, imply that you can wriggle out of and a spacious soul. on instigation by local extremists collective failures. — under Pakistan’s notorious Now that we have decided to Blasphemy law bequeathed to the The ‘we shall not forget Peshawar’ remember, let us also remember nation by dictator Zia-ul-Haq. In pledge, ringing out across Pakistan that, as Malala fought for her life the apparently evolving consensus today, must also encompass an after being shot in her school van, against the Taliban in Pakistan, no acknowledgment of a million many in Pakistan had the temerity one has dared to openly suggest guises that violence parades in. We of calling her a Western stooge. She the following: Let us now repeal must also promise our children, all had herself shot to gain popularity this draconian and blatantly children, that militants will never and find herself a foreign passport. discriminatory law. Enough is be used as strategic assets. We must So went a shamelessly repeated enough. also acknowledge that teaching conspiracy theory. How is that for children to glorify wars and belittle denial and moral depravity? To me, as a Pakistani and as those who do not happen to share In her Nobel Prize acceptance someone who has worked with their own faith or nationality is also speech, Malala remembered children across the country, a form of violence, albeit not as schoolchildren killed by the Taliban including Peshawar, this is not the spectacular as the cold-blooded mass in Afghanistan — children who way to honour the memory of little murder we witnessed in Peshawar. in official accounts in Pakistan souls butchered by the Taliban We have no choice but to become are dry statistics, if anything at on December 16, 2014. Sure, fully conscious of the brutalisation all. The truth is, children caught responsibilities must be fixed. Those of children in conflict zones, on in violence, children blown up in involved in planning and abetting its peripheries, and in seemingly suicide attacks, as well as children the massacre must be caught and put normal settings. Only then will we orphaned by acts of terrorism are on trial. Fixing individual criminal cease to pass on violence blindly to all victims. Seldom do we pause to responsibility, however, does not future generations. think that children within the folds – The Hindu of the Taliban, who blow themselves up having been brainwashed into Forcing people to get Aadhaar card believing that it is the shortest route to paradise, are victims too. So are Sankara Narayanan Afghan refugee children in Jolazai and Mosazai camps at the outskirts of Peshawar, whose only fault is When Aadhaar was unfolded All personal information about that they were born on the wrong with a lot of fanfare by UPA-II the citizens will also be available side of the border. Yet, as Pakistan government, a series of objections with the private companies involved mourns the Peshawar massacre, tumbled out from print and electronic in the execution of the UID scheme many hyper-patriotic politicians media and a few experts pinpointing for a period of seven years. There and TV anchors are demonising the grave risks to the citizens. are very many outside companies. refugees and demanding that they By collecting and holding all the One such company was promoted be driven out supposedly because personal details, the state can easily by the notorious Central Intelligence Agency of the USA. refugee camps serve as sanctuaries put the individuals to ransom, if for the Taliban. needed. We are regularly flooded A Public Interest Litigation Consider also the suffering of with information how unscrupulous (PIL) was filed in the Apex Esha, 14, who has problems walking elements are playing havoc with Court challenging the validity and speaking, and Esham, 13. They our money in banks by way of of Aadhaar on several grounds. are the children of Asiya Bibi, a knowing our account number or Infringing the fundamental rights Pakistani Christian woman who has credit card details or ATM pin. of a citizen and endangering the now spent four years on death row Less we talk about our Income Tax sovereignty of the nation were for allegedly insulting the prophet of returns exposed to mafia elements, among several issues pointed Islam. She was framed and convicted the better. out in the PIL. The petition was JANATA, January 11, 2015 15 admitted by the Supreme Court to the bank as well as the LPG have stopped the distributors from and the matter is subjudice. distributor goes like this: “I confirm accepting the request for a refill that I do not have Aadhaar number cylinder. During the interregnum, oil as on date. As soon as I receive the marketing companies (OMCs) Aadhaar number, I will link the The consumers can directly call started insisting people to produce same to my LPG consumer number the IVRS number and the request Aadhaar card to avail subsidy on by giving a copy of the same to my is forwarded to the distributor. cooking gas. Several other state distributor and also will get it linked Whenever a bill is raised, the agencies forced people to produce to my bank account.” consumer gets an SMS alert, said Aadhaar card to enjoy a few other a consumer activist. He said that facilities. This was brought to the If a consumer does not give the unless the consumer colludes, there notice of the Supreme Court by the Aadhaar card despite having it, is no possibility of diversion of petitioners. he will face punishment under the subsidised cylinder. According to Indian Penal Code for giving false a few studies during the past four The Supreme Court had scrapped information. Justice K S Puttaswamy, years, Aadhaar which is expected the Aadhaar card in its interim order, a retired judge of the High Court of to check the misuse of government saying that it was not mandatory to Karnataka, who had moved the schemes for poor people is a fraud. avail the card to get government Supreme Court against the Aadhaar subsidies. But, people are still being card, termed these measures contrary Aadhaar was linked to the LPG asked to furnish the cards, once they to the BJP’s national manifesto and delivery system to achieve the are issued, to get subsidy on cooking the Supreme Court directions. registration target, on which already gas cylinders. Rs 8,000 crore has been spent. “The interim orders passed by When the Centre realised that they The Central Government had the Supreme Court on a batch of were failing in this scheme due to already spent Rs.8000 on this scheme petitions on Aadhaar card have lack of interest among the people, without the sanction of Parliament. virtually scrapped the Unique particularly the middle class, they While the validity is under challenge Identity (UID) scheme. Yet, the linked LPG subsidised cylinders to before the Apex Court, the state government is pushing for it. The Aadhaar. governments are going ahead with BJP is stepping back from its poll promises,” said Justice Puttaswamy. These contradictions were the scheme at breakneck speed. The Centre was trying to push for the brought to the notice of the courts People are cajoled and threatened project by bringing in the National by some activists. In the lower court, by the state in various fora to rush Identity Authority Bill in parliament. they failed. But, when they learnt and enroll failing which they will be about a PIL in the Supreme Court, denied several benefits. Opening a Officials promoting this scheme they intervened in the petition. They bank account will be possible only believe that diversion of subsidised expanded the argument by bringing when a citizen produces Adhaar card LPG can be checked through the UID. discrepancies to the notice of the is another threat. What will happen It is a bogus claim. The subsidised Apex Court. to all these efforts, harassment to the cylinders can be diverted even after public and the money spent already/ making Aadhaar mandatory. They also expressed serious being spent now, if the court strikes reservations over the UID, saying down the UID scheme? The percentage of diversion that US-based L-1 Identity Solutions, is now at a minimum as the oil where one retired CIA director - Documents provided by consumer companies have understood the George Tenet - is on the roll, has activists show that consumers problem and have taken many been assigned the task to execute wanting to avail non-Aadhaar- corrective measures. The OMCs have the programme. based LPG subsidy transfer need realised that a 14.25-kg cylinder will to make a submission that they will be enough for a family of four for If we are conscious citizens, furnish the Aadhaar card to the bank 21 days. So nobody can avail a refill should we not file a batch of contempt once it is issued to them. One of the cylinder before 21 days. Another of court petitions against the Centre, testimonies needed to be furnished important measure is the IVRS States, OMCs and banks over the by the non-Aadhaar card holders system whereby the oil companies violation of court order? R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, January 11, 2015 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MH/Tech/WPP-210/West/2014 Published on Sunday, January 11, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday January 14, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 69 No. 51 What price education? January 18, 2015 S. Viswam

Can India democratize Sri Lanka? Education, a wit is reported toehold on education and breath Kuldip Nayar saying, is a wonderful thing, every policy down the necks of state school should have it. We may add educators, the states themselves are Corporate Fiction a few more items to the list. Looking not clear of the direction education Vandana Shiva at Indian conditions we may say should be given in state planning. The schools should also have toilets for result is that instead of progress and the students, separate for boys and advance, there is regression. In Wanted - Justice girls, well-aired class rooms, fans and urban areas, parents find education for Rural Innovator coolers in the summer and heaters quite expensive, the higher the child Bharat Dogra in the winter, blackboards, chalks, rises the more is the investment desks and chairs and ultimately needed. In rural India, parents have The end of an era in journalism teachers to teach. Most of these to be goaded, cajoled and persuaded N. D. Pancholi prime requisites are absent in our to send their wards to schools, and schools, the more pathetic situation more often than not, we find that the being that where there are students drop-outs in school come from rural Religious conversions there are no teachers and vice versa. areas and because parents find K. Pratap Reddy Talk of education and the image of keeping the child in school is an teacherless schools and empty economic liability. classrooms appear on the horizon. Year after year, we find Seven decades after government schools getting more and independence, the state of education more unattractive to the parents in India is pathetic, to use a mild relative to private schools, even if Editor : word. The overall impression is that they are more expensive. We have G. G. Parikh there is more confusion over the problem of drop-outs, capitation education than any other nation- fees in higher institutions, specific Managing Editor : Guddi building activity. We sometimes disciplines like medicine and wonder whether it was a mistake to engineering beyond the reach of the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, put education in the state list. There common citizen. Yet, the paradox is Naushir Bharucha Marg, might perhaps have been greater that India is turning out more doctors, Mumbai - 400 007. uniformity if education had remained engineers and technologists- in the central list. Today, while the technicians than can be absorbed in Email : [email protected] Centre does everything to retain a the employment streams. 2 JANATA, January 18, 2015

Interestingly, it is these doctors and Between the lines engineers on whose behalf hefty investments have been made by their parents who naturally expect good Can India democratize Sri Lanka? returns on money invested. The only blessing or curse such expensive education has brought instantly is not Kuldip Nayar jobs and positions with high salaries alone but a steep rise in the “market value” of the boy or girl in the New Delhi has lots to explain should conduct an “independent matrimonial market! when Mohinder Rajpaksa was and credible” investigation into reelected as Sri Lanka’s President allegations of violations of Education has become a problem for the second time. India had international human rights law and subject, whereas there ought to have supplied him small arms which he the untold atrocities committed in been maximum clarity on and about liberally used to kill the Tamils, the the last phase of the war. it. The real cause for concern is not largest minority in that country. He Unfortunately, one message that at the higher levels of education should have been tried for war came loud and clear was that New which have, fortunately overcome crimes because he killed 40,000 Delhi tried its best to defend the the challenges at those levels and Tamils in cold blood even after the Rajpaksa government. But the 47- stabilized themselves. It can be surrender by what was then called nation strong body, led by the US, argued that for a country of India’s the LTTE, the militant face of Tamils not only brushed aside the India’s size, population and diversity, we in the Northern Sri Lanka. objections but also refused to have yet to touch the fringe! water down the resolution. In That he tried to woo both the protest to Delhi’s attitude, the Most disturbing is the finding that military and police chiefs to stay back DMK had withdrawn its support government-run schools are not even after the defeat shows how to the government at that time. popular and hence pupils are more adroitly he led a democratic India up attracted to the private schools. But to a garden path. Yet New Delhi It is still not too late to constitute that is not as bad as the other finding should have known what was all the Lessons Learnt and that while the government is over that he ruled the country by Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) spending on infrastructure it has not force. His one brother was the suggested by India at that time, to invested enough in the quality of Defence secretary. probe the whole happening which learning. In the past five years there would bring out the skeletons out of has been no improvement in major I can never forget his role the Sri Lankan cupboard. A similar areas. More than half of the children because the police harassed me at attempt earlier proved to be futile in rural areas are behind in reading, night - my only crime was to observe because the Sri Lankan government, writing and “rithmetic. Twentyfive that the now-defunct LTTE should the accused, held the probe itself. percent students in Class VIII be fought politically, not militarily. Naturally, nothing worthwhile cannot read Class II textbooks. Only That night there was a knock at my emerged from the investigation, 25 per cent of children enrolled in door. The police did nothing except which was a sham. Class V can read simple English to see my passport. The message sentences and around 26 per cent was clear. I left the country the Indeed, it is heartening to see Sri of Class III students can do a two- following day and has never returned Lanka returning to the fold of digit subtraction. The Pratham to Colombo. democracy. But it is unfortunate that survey covered more than 15000 in contrast, the Pakistan’s people are government schools of which 8844 Now that the country has ousted not asserting themselves to have the were primary schools and 6362 were the dictatorship it should implement real democracy back. The surrender upper primary schools. the old US-sponsored resolution, of politicians on the constitution of adopted by the UN Human Rights military courts is the recent example. The Pratham survey said that there Council in Geneva. The resolution What it meant is an amendment in (Continued on Page 3) said that Sri Lankan government the constitution to provide for trial JANATA, January 18, 2015 3 of terror suspects by military courts harm it would be doing to the cause (Continued from Page 2) for a period of two years. of Tamils’ rights and their own say in governance. is a lack of flexibility in the system Unfortunately, the only comment whichwhich can help children catch came from Gen. Raheel Sharif, My hunch is that bureaucrats in up with the better performers. The Pakistan military chief, who said the Ministry of External Affairs, with percentage of children in Class II ‘special courts are not the desire of their mindset, decided to stay absent, who still cannot recognize numbers the army but need of extraordinary what they thought was “in the upto 9(nine) has increased from 11.3 times’. The timid politicians gave interest of the country.” The then in2009 to 19.50 in 2014.The ability concurrence by their silence. hapless foreign minister Salman to do division among class VIII Khurshid went along. He probably students has been dropping since Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan are wanted the release of 100 fishermen 2010. The proportion of Class VIII our neighbours. What happens there who had “strayed” into the waters students who could correctly do a can have repercussions in India. claimed by Sri Lanka. three digit by one digit division That the roots of democracy in our problem was 68.3 per cent in 2010 country are deep enough to I was not surprised to read the and the number has dropped to 44 withstand such developments is Rajapaksa government’s per cent in 2014. heartening to see. Yet a dictatorship reaction: Thank you. No doubt, next door is disconcerting. New New Delhi was under pressure What is to be done? First, Delhi cannot export democracy to from the democratic world, led education planners have to look into other countries. But it should do all by America and that China and the language policy. Is the three- it can to see the will of people Pakistan, where democracy has language formula working? Why is prevailing in the neighbourhood, been reduced to a relative term, it that English is not being learnt with without interfering in the internal supported Colombo. the same zeal in some states and is affairs of the countries. more popular in some states? Are I do not regret the obliteration of our teachers lacking in Dictatorships get a fillip when the LTTE which was largely a professionalism and talent? Is democracies falter. India committed terrorists’ organization. But as a teacher–selection and appointment this cardinal sin when it abstained humanist, I feel sad over the killing done scientifically? What can be from voting at the UN Human Rights of soldiers and their supporters after done to stop drop-out phenomenon? Council a few years ago. A the surrender. The Sri Lankan army, A re-think is obvious in various areas. resolution was sought to be passed obviously with the blessings of The Pratham report is indeed a to seek an international, transparent President Rajapaksa and his brother, wake-up call. inquiry to find out whether Sri Defence Minister Gotabhaya Lanka had killed in cold blood 40,000 Rajapaksa, had no remorse over Janata Subscription soldiers and others in the wake of their indulging in a blood bath. hostilities against the Liberation of Annual Rs. : 260/- Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) - even The world would not have after they surrendered known about the killings if the Three Years : 750/- unconditionally. enterprising BBC Channel 4 had Demand Draft / Cheque not shown the documentary on the on India’s abstention at that time killings and atrocities committed not reminded me of the words of Prime only against the LTTE troops but Mumbai Bank Minister Jawaharlal Nehru: When also against the innocent Tamils. in favour of aggression takes place or human Colombo’s own inquiry was rights are violated, we will not and eyewash, exonerating the army and cannot remain neutral. Yet the heaping the blame on the Tamils JANATA TRUST Manmohan Singh government was who wanted an equal say in the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, found placating the dictatorial affairs of Sri Lanka. Will they get Naushir Bharucha Marg, government headed by Rajapaksa. it under the new regime? It is a Mumbai 400 007 New Delhi did not bother about the test for its democratic governance. 4 JANATA, January 18, 2015 Corporate Fiction

Vandana Shiva

As the New Year begins, I feel be protected. property or a new use of a known compelled to reflect on how fictions substance is not an invention. and abstract constructions are ruling Corporate fictions that have us; the nature of being and already had disastrous impacts on When corporations claim existence is being redefined in such the biodiversity of the planet, nations ownership of a seed that contains fundamental ways that life itself is and on farmers whose time a gene from a Bt-bacteria, it is, in threatened. When corporations that immemorial rights to save and fact, a new use of a known were designed as legal constructs exchange seeds are being substance. When they introduce the claim “personhood”, then real criminalised under patent law and gene into a plant by “shooting” the people who stand in line at polling new seed laws. gene through a gene gun into the booths, eke out livelihoods, and raise cell of a plant, the reproduction of families lose their rights. When biotechnology corporations the cells and the life cycle of the claim to have “invented” the seed plant is a biological process. The This has happened recently in and courts and governments uphold biotech industry is not assembling Vermont and Maui. Residents of this fiction, millions of years of the organism, nor are they Maui County, Hawaii voted on evolution and thousands of years assembling future generations of November 4 to ban the growing of of agricultural history gets erased. seeds. genetically modified crops on the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai Seeds are not automobiles or circuit Section 3(j) of Indian Patent Act until scientific studies are conducted boards; life cannot be manufactured. is a legal interpretation of the on their safety and benefits. It is not an invention. It is not scientific principle of the self- Monsanto and Dow Chemical’s unit engineered, piece-by-piece, by a organisation of life. That is why the Mycogen Seeds have sued the worker on an assembly line. Living Appellate Board of the Indian county in federal court to stop the organisms are self-organised Patent Office ruled in the case of law passed by the people. And complexity. Chilean scientists Monsanto’s climate resilience patent Vermont, which passed a GMO Maturana and Varela differentiated application: “the claimed method is labelling law through a legal, between two kinds of systems considered as a series of generic democratic process, is being sued autopoietic and allopoietic. steps modified by the plant cell… by a conglomerate of corporations Autopoietic systems are self- In the case like the present which on the false premise of corporate organised and make themselves. does not involve a simple leap from personhood, and the influence of Allopoietic systems are put together prior art to the invention but rather money as corporate “free speech”. externally. A seed is an autopoietic entails a journey with many generic system constantly self-organising, method steps that are essentially This is at the heart of new free evolving and adapting to changing biological taken in sequence and we trade treaties based on “investor contexts. To claim that by adding one have found the invention is not rights”. Denying citizens the right gene a corporation creates the seed involving inventive step, mere fact to know violates the fundamental and all future generations of that of human intervention would not principles of food democracy. Dow seed is an ontological flaw, a scientific change the position as we have and Monsanto sued Maui, thus outrage and an ethical violation. otherwise found it not patentable in subverting the democratic process view of obviousness and new use that rests on the will of people, not India’s laws have a clear of known substance.” on the power of corporations. This articulation that biological and living corporate jurisprudence needs to systems are not inventions. Article While the Indian law recognises be reversed if human rights and 3(d) of India’s patent laws states that seeds make themselves, the rights of Mother Earth are to clearly that the discovery of a new including future generations of JANATA, January 18, 2015 5 transgenic seed, which have a gene Wanted - Justice for Rural Innovator introduced from an unrelated organism, the American laws treat the transgenic seed as a “machine” Bharat Dogra invented by corporations. This position of seeds as machines and It is a widely accepted precept ancestral land had to be auctioned. corporations as inventors was that farmers and villagers who have elaborated in the US Supreme Court best understanding of local conditions When Mangal Singh protested case of Bowman vs Monsanto. should be encouraged for innovations repeatedly against this injustice the Bowman had bought mixed which help villagers and protect Department of Rural Development soyabean seeds from a grain environment. of the Government of India elevator and planted them. appointed Dr. B.P. Maithani former Monsanto claimed that the seed Mangal Singh from Lalitpur Director National Institute of Rural being planted to get a crop was not district of Uttar Pradesh is an Development to prepare an the natural reproduction of a seed outstanding example of a farmer- evaluation report on Mangal Singh’s sprouting into a plant, which then cum-innovator whose invention projects taken up with CAPART produced the next generation of Mangal Turbine (which has obtained (Council for Advancement of seed. The US Supreme Court a patent) has been widely People’s Action and Rural upheld Monsanto’s claim that the appreciated by senior officials and Technology). This report has clearly reproduction of the plants in experts for its potential of great established that allegations against Bowman’s fields was a “replication contribution to reducing farmers’ Mangal Singh (and hence all of a machine” invented and expenses as well as for protecting vicitimisation based on this) were patented by Monsanto. environment by reducing greenhouse completely wrong and unjustified. gas emissions. This innovation helps This report has shown how some From the very beginning, to lift water from streams and officials with their own selfish Monsanto’s push for GMO seeds rivulets without using diesel or agenda ignored and/or violated the has been for claiming creation and electricity. directions of their own Director ownership of seed. General to continue to inflict injustice A study by the Indian Institute of after injustice on Mangal Singh. India’s Protection of Plant Technology, Delhi and Vigyan Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, Shiksha Kendra said, “This turbine The report prepared by Dr. B. P. 2001, has a clause on farmers’ is a fine example of common Maithani for the Departmnt of Rural rights, which states, “a farmer shall people’s inventiveness, and should be Development (to be referred to be deemed to be entitled to save, encouraged by all means for people’s henceforth as BPM-RD report) says, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share benefit.” “It will be clear from the above or sell his farm produce including account that Shri Mangal Singh was seed of a variety protected under As news about this highly useful harassed and harmed in the process this act in the same manner as he innovation and its appreciation by of implementation of the project. was entitled before the coming into experts and senior officials spread, This has happened not only in force of this act.” Mangal Singh started working with connection with the project under government agencies like CAPART reference which was the last The US would like to force India and DRDA to take his work further. sanctioned by CAPART. It has to adopt a false science and laws happened in respect of all projects that dictate that seeds have been Unfortunately Mangal Singh, who sanctioned by CAPART to Shri created by Monsanto and are has a knack for speaking very Mangal Singh earlier too.” therefore Monsanto’s property. frankly and fearlessly particularly when he comes across any This report further says, US President Barack Obama irregularities or injustice, did not get “CAPART should compensate for will be the chief guest at our the due encouragement from the the damage of its project sites and Republic Day celebrations. It is government. Instead he was also the monetary loss suffered by (Continued on Page 15) harassed to such an extent that his Shri Mangal Singh. This should be 6 JANATA, January 18, 2015 the part of out of court settlement of ? Mangal Singh should be a letter from CAPART dt. 21.10.2014 the dispute. One possible way to do compensated for all his losses on the which offered to make a settlement this could be to reimburse the net basis of the Govt. of India (Dept. of keeping in view the Maithani Report. present value (NPV) of the Rural Development) appointed However Mangal Singh said that the investment made in these projects by Maithani Committee in 2011. offer is not at all in keeping with the Shri Mangal Singh minus the NPV Maithani Report and he considers the of the amount already released by ? On the basis of the offer made to be very unjust. Dr. CAPART.” recommendations of the same Maithani also said clearly that what committee and also in keeping with was said in the letter was not at all in “The Secretary RD, Government the broader policies of the keeping with his report. of India speak to the Secretary / Government of India and the widely Principal Secretary Rural acknowledged excellent work done Mangal Singh is a highly talented Development and also to the APC by Mangal Singh, he should be farmer-scientist of great Uttar Pradesh Government to suitably rewarded and encouraged achievements and even greater withdraw the false cases against Shri for future work, including provision potential. But due to apathy and Mangal Singh, defreeze bank of adequate facilities for spreading injustice he is a completely shattered account and restore his land through the technology of Mangal Turbine. man today. He should be helped and an out of the court settlement a justice based settlement should be process. For this the inquiry report Recently Mangal Singh received made before it is too late of Shri Arun Arya IAS exonerating Shri Mangal Singh of inaction and A non-trivial threat to ecological economic security misappropriation charges could be the basis for such an action by the On 29th August 2014 the Ministry of State for Environment, Forests State Government. of Environment, Forests & Climate and Climate Change with Change of the Government of India Independent Charge on 18th “Shri Mangal Singh needs to be (hereinafter referred to as MoEF & November 2014. The report was not suitably rewarded for his invention CC) set up a High Level Committee made public at that time. However, and contribution for the betterment headed by former Union Cabinet it was leaked, and it soon became of society.” Secretary T. S. R. Subramanian, IAS available on various websites of (Retd.). This Committee was given media and environmental and social Instead of acting on this report a comprehensive mandate: to review action groups. Soon after, an submitted in 2011, the Government all laws and judgments pertaining to embarrassed Ministry also made the has unfortunately gone on adopting environment, wildlife and forest report available on its website. delaying tactics such as constituting protection, and also those relating to more committees or ordering more pollution control, and then produce a In our critique of the High reports. Even Dr. B.P. Maithani was report with specific Powered Committee Report, we find asked to join a second committee recommendations for reforms in law that the entire exercise has been when no worthwhile action was and governance. This enormous and undertaken in a hurried manner, taken on his earlier report’s complex exercise of review of laws without sufficient inquiry into the recommendation which had already and judgments, and governance relevant factors, without addressing examined all the relevant issues in practices, followed by the formulation concerns of a range of communities, great detail. and presentation of a report with especially those which are recommendations for amendments to indigenous and natural resource Also there is clear need for existing laws, was to be completed dependent, and without at all spreading this innovation at suitable within two months. considering the importance of sites in the country. This has the consulting elected representatives support of many eminent experts. The deadline for completion of the from Local Government, The work already initiated by Mangal Committee’s tasks was extended by Legislatures and the Parliament. Singh but damaged by anti-social a month, and the final report was This report, thereby, is an outcome elements should also be repaired and submitted by the Committee to Shri of a comprehensively democracy completed. Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister (Continued from Page 10) JANATA, January 18, 2015 7 The end of an era in journalism

N. D. Pancholi

B.G. Verghese who passed away previous day, anxious to seek safety wake up a tired prime minister and on December 30, 2014 at the age rather than stay with the news. brief him about the night’s dramatic of 87 at Gurgaon was an Tejpur became a Ghost town. The developments. The imbecility and inspirational personality, not only to State Bank had burnt its currency paralysis that had come to a large number of journalists but notes. Official records were characterise Delhi and the pompous also to the generations of social and destroyed so that Chinese could not vacuity of the official information civil liberty activists. He belonged get possession of the so-called ‘state policy could not have been more to that rare breed for whom secrets’. The administration had strikingly demonstrated. For days journalism was a sacred mission, unlocked the gates of the mental and even weeks earlier, everybody not a mundane profession. He hospital and around thirty bemused from jawan to general, including Bijji started his career in 1949 in Times inmates could be seen wandering Kaul (Lt.Gen.), had been tuning in of India and his rise in profession around the town like lost souls. to Peking (now Beijing) Radio to coincided with the period when Nehru broadcast to the nation that find out what the hell was going on modern India was in the making, his heart ‘went out’ for the people in their own battlefront.” brick by brick, and he not only of Assam and promised that struggle witnessed the process closely but would continue. He writes : “…His (Nehru’s) took care that each of his steps words offered cold comfort and to was to be his contribution to the However, eleven journalists this day the North-easterners hold said ‘making’. remained in the ghost town, only two it against him and the Indian State of them Indian, one Prem Prakash that they had been bidden One of his distinguished qualities of Visnews, also covering for farewell.” ( First Draft - Witness was ‘fearlessness’. During the Reuters, and the other B. G. to the Making of Modern India by ‘Indo-China War’ of 1962 he was Verghese. They wandered around B. G. Verghese). sent to NEFA to cover proceedings the deserted town having their of the war at the North East front. companions the hapless mental How many journalists there are Chinese had launched a sharp patients and a number of uneasy in India at present who, instead of offensive that scattered the ill- dogs and cats, waiting for the relying upon the official handouts, equipped Indian forces. Verghese invading Chinese and what would generally unconvincing to the was in Tejpur in Assam when news follow. Unexpectedly, a radio discerning eyes, would risk their came on 18th November that broadcast during November 19-20 lives in trying to find out the truth Chinese had attacked the Se La midnight broke the news that Chinese of the claims and counter-claims of which fell to them without a fight had announced unilateral withdrawal. rival sides in situations prevailing at and they were further advancing. Radio stations around the world present on either sides of our Lt. Gen. B. N. Kaul, commander started flashing this news then borders where cross firings and of the 4th Corps stationed at Tejpur onward, but for All India Radio ceasefire violations seem to have disappeared somewhere and the (AIR) it was otherwise. In the words become the order of the day and battalion was called back to Gauhati. of B. G. Verghese : each side keeps on blaming the In the prevailing anxiety and other? confusion order came to evacuate “AIR’s early morning bulletin still Tejpur and the North Bank as part had the Indian Army valiantly I came in touch with B. G. of scorched earth policy and the fighting the enemy, while all other Verghese during the Emergency Nunmati refinery to be blown up. stations around the world and the when he joined People’s Union For By the evening of November 19, newspapers carried the Chinese Civil Liberties & Democratic Rights Tejpur town was evacuated. Indian ceasefire announcement and other (PUCL) in 1976, after having been Press had already left the town details. None in Delhi had dared to ousted from the post of Editor of 8 JANATA, January 18, 2015 the Hindustan Times on account of This case resulted in the celebrated persons, a brother and a sister, his opposition to the policies of the judgment (1978) on jail reforms namely Sanjay and Geeta Chopra, then governmentt, especially his delivered by Justice Krishna Iyer. in New Delhi in 1978, raped the criticism of the annexation of sister and murdered both near Sikkim and proclamation of the Verghese was part of the Budha Garden. There was wide Emergency. The PUCL was investigating team which was spread anger among the public who founded in October 1976 at New formed on behalf of CFD in 1977 did not know how to ventilate its Delhi by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash to enquire into the allegations of feelings. The present types of Narayan and V. M. Tarkunde to killings of Naxalites in Andhra organized demonstrations were organize opposition to the Pradesh in so-called police unknown in those days. It was B. Emergency and to fight for encounters. The other team G. Verghese who organized a big restoration of the democratic rights. members were Justice V.M. public meeting in protest. To my He also joined the Citizens For Tarkunde, Naba Krushna memory this was the first organized Democracy (CFD) which was also Choudhury, K.G. Kannabiran, Arun demonstration in Delhi in protest floated by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Shourie, M.V. Ramamurthy and K. against ‘rape’. An award i.e.‘ Child Narayan and V. M. Tarkunde in Pratap Reddy. The report of the bravery award’ was instituted in the April 1974. committee revealed that many of names of brother and sister by the such deaths were the result of cold Indian Council of Child Welfare. After the end of the Eemergency blooded killings. This report was the in March 1977, Verghese who was first systematic exposure of fake Soon after joining the Hindustan then working in Gandhi Peace encounters by the police. The report Times as Editor in 1969 Verghese Foundation, was elected as was widely discussed and started a regular column on one President of the Delhi chapter of reinforced the demand for reforms village, namely Chhatera, as a mirror the CFD and myself as its in the police administration. to rural life at a time when news Secretary. He continued to guide and public attention used to be fixed CFD for about four years in that The 2nd Police Commission, on urban developments, even of the capacity till he joined the Indian called as ‘Dharamvira Commission’, most trivial kind . This village was Express in 1982. CFD took up many appointed in 1978 to suggest police situated in Sonepat (at that time notable activities under his reforms, submitted its report in Rohtak) district in Haryana, had a leadership and guidance like jail 1981. By that time Government had population of around 1500 composed reforms, electoral reforms, changed and the new Government of land owning Jats and Brahmins campaign for autonomy for radio, was not willing to publish the report. and landless Harijans. It was the voters’ education, etc.etc. To work CFD and other organizations were most neglected village and therefore under his stewardship was very agitating for publication of the report an ideal choice for Verghese who profitable experience for me. but the Government did not respond. used to visit it almost fortnightly CFD then filed writ petition in the along with experts of various kinds He constituted a committee for Delhi High Court praying for to discuss the problems of the jail reforms which included V. M. mandamus to the Central villagers and seek their solutions. Tarkunde, B. G. Verghese himself, Government directing it to publish Discussion would take place in the Amiya Rao, Leila Fernandes, Arun the report. After some hearings the cemented Jat Chaupal and none Shourie and myself, amongst Government was forced to publish was barred on caste grounds. The others. Delhi Administration the same under pressure of the problems of education, health, appointed all the members of the Court in 1982. Thereafter campaign communications, sanitation committee as ‘jail visitors’ for Tihar for implementation of the ,availability of fertilizer and many jail under Prison rules and the said recommendations of the commission other things used to be attended. members used to visit Tihar commenced which campaign is still Regular fortnightly column ‘Our regularly. Several suggestions were going on though more than 32 years Village Chhatera’ in the Sunday made for reforms. CFD also have passed since then. Magazine of HT began to appear intervened in ‘Sunil Batra Vs. Delhi from 22nd February 1969 focusing Administration’ case in the Supreme Two notorious criminals Billa and on the problems of the village till Court and submitted its suggestions. Ranga had abducted two young 1975 when Verghese was ousted JANATA, January 18, 2015 9 from the newspaper. The feature Arbitrary prevention of travel carried a logo showing a pretty but shy eight year old Dalit girl, Premvati , holding a staff and with People’s Union for Civil Liberties deplorable as Ms. Priya was a lamb draped around her neck. The strongly condemns the arbitrary, travelling to London at the invitation authorities took notice. Much highhanded and illegal action of the of British MPs to talk to them about needed bridge was constructed. A immigration officials of the the destructive and potentially branch of Syndicate Bank was Government of India at the New damaging environmental and social opened and within four hours Rs. Delhi airport refusing to permit Priya impact of coal mining in the Mahan 20,000/- were deposited. Young Pillai, senior campaigner of forest area of Madhya Pradesh on interns and junior doctors of AIIMS Greenpeace, to board her flight to local tribals and other vulnerable started visiting the village. Scientists London on 11th January, 2015. communities. The coal mining from the Indian Agricultural Worse still was the vindictive act of project being undertaken by a Essar Research Institute conducted the immigration officials stamping group company and Hindalco, has complete soil survey and water Priya Pillai’s passport as been opposed by local people as analysis. The number of tube wells ‘OFFLOADED’ thereby effectively being environmentally destructive, doubled in four years. Separate ensuring that she cannot leave India ecologically devastating and posing toilet blocks for boys and girls were until and unless the Government of serious threat to life and livelihoods made beside the school to habituate India revokes the unannounced ban of local people. children to use a latrine rather than on her travel. go out in the fields. A TV set was PUCL would like to point out that installed in the Panchayat where all Ms Priya had valid business visa Ms. Priya, as a whole time used to sit together, irrespective of and all her travel papers were in environmental campaigner, was only caste or gender to view programmes order. There is thus no acceptable exercising her fundamental right of between 6 and 7 P.M. Many reason for preventing her from free speech and expression (u/s Art. developmental activities were travelling to London as she is neither 19(1)(a)) to inform people, including undertaken. Chhatera became the a convicted person nor is there any ordinary citizens, decision and policy most completely documented village judicial restraint order prohibiting her makers and the media about the ill in India and a lesson as to how travel abroad. effects of the Mahan coal mining ‘development journalism’ can project, which is well within her become an agent of change. It is objectionable and shocking freedom. that no reason for preventing Ms. Two years back CFD was revived Priya from leaving for London was A 7-judge Bench of the Supreme (it had become non-functional since disclosed by any of the authorities Court in ‘Maneka Gandhi vs Union th 1997 due to certain reasons) and on 11 . Incredibly, the Ministry of of India’ (1978) held that the freedom Verghese gave his blessings for the Home Affairs has reportedly stated of speech guaranteed under Art. effort. He agreed to become member that they had no information about 19(1)(a) is exercisable not only in of its newly constituted national such an order being passed, while India but also outside and if State council. Thirty four Burmese- Arakan the immigration officials state that action sets up barriers to its citizen’s and Karen freedom fighters, who they were acting on orders from the freedom of expression in any country were in Indian jails for about 13 Government of India. PUCL in the world it would violate Art. years, first in Andamans and then condemns this shameful action on 19(1)(a) as much as if it inhibited transferred to Kolkata, were got the part of the Government of India’s such expression within India itself. released as a result of strenuous officials from shirking to accept efforts made by Nandita Haksar. responsibility, as it is unbelievable Ms. Priya and Greenpeace are They were in Delhi in June 2012. On that such a drastic decision could only fulfilling their “Fundamental the occasion of the observance of have been taken without the initiative Duties” under Article 51A of the Anti-Emergency Day on 26thJune, and instruction at the highest level. Constitution of India which makes it 2012, CFD decided to honour them. a duty of every citizen of India to The action to prevent Ms. Priya “protect and improve the natural (Continued on Page 15) from travelling is particularly environment including forests, lakes, 10 JANATA, January 18, 2015 rivers and wild life, and to have her travel papers are in order. PUCL intimidation-free environment compassion for living creatures” also calls upon the Government of enabling people to share, discuss and (Art. 51A(f)) and “to develop the India to stop hounding and targeting debate in a democratic spirit crucial scientific temper, humanism and the rights activists for coercive or police issues of development projects and spirit of enquiry and reform”. (Art. action and instead create a programmes. 51A(h)). Moreover Art. 48A enjoins conducive, non-adversarial, the State to “protect and improve the -Prabhakar Sinha, Dr. V. Suresh, environment and to safeguard the President and General Secretary, PUCL forests and wild life of the country”. (Continued from Page 6) The peremptory and unexplained deficit effort, and promotes a fundamentally. action of the Government of India’ schema for environmental reforms, lends credence to the charge that the which, if adopted could result in With this in view, and in the government acted clearly to prevent widespread chaos in environmental interest of present and futures Ms. Priya from sharing with the governance and jurisprudence, and generations of the country, and also outside world about the potentially also would result in irreversible in securing the extraordinary damaging nature of the coal mining damage to the environment, cause biodiversity of the region that has project and the legal infirmities widespread loss of natural evolved over billions of years, we abounding in the project clearance. ecosystems and could further fuel urge the Government of India to fundamental violation of human comprehensively reject the In a globalised world, negative rights in a country where discontents recommendations of this Committee. impacts - both economic and over environmental decisions are In the national interest we urge the environmental – has implications become increasingly contentious. Government to repeat the exercise globally and is not confined to national ensuring terms of reference are borders. Thus any assertion of rights There are elements in the clear and not caged by catch of local communities, articulation of Committee’s report that are worth phrases that confound more than environmental concerns and creation taking note of and possibly clarify, by involving an inter- of public opinion has to necessarily implementing. But these are few and disciplinary committee consisting of be global. It is therefore sinister of far between, and a bulk of the women and men, experienced and the Government of India to dub rights Committee’s recommendations are expert members, and drawn from activists, including the environmental based on an extraordinary reliance various geographies, supported by a campaigners, as “anti-national” and on the capacity of technical deeply democratic process and with against “national interest’ whenever bureaucracy to deliver good sufficient time and space for public they raise concerns of environmental environmental governance, on market consultations nation-wide, so that the destruction posed by specific forces to meet environmental outcome would be recalled as a projects. management objectives, on a slew of monumental effort that not only new regulatory and judicial forums secured national interest, but also PUCL calls upon the Government to police the system, without actually that of a world precariously edging of India to immediately desist from making an effort to enquire and justify towards runaway climate change criminalising rights activities, if such comprehensive makeover in induced impacts. including environmental campaigns, the environmental decision making and give due recognition to their system is essential at all. Neither does A copy of the critique of the contribution to the nation. the Committee formulate its tasks High Powered Committee Report, clearly, nor does it make any effort to entitled “A Non-trivial Threat to PUCL demands that the clearly explain the basis of its India’s Ecological and Economic Government of India immediately recommendations. In light of which, Security” may be accessed at: revoke its decision to ban foreign what the Committee recommends www.esgindia.org. Comments and travel by Priya Pillai of Greenpeace, comes across as a set of confusing criticisms are welcomed. strike out the stamp in her passport proposals which if implemented could of being “Offloaded” thereby confound the environmental Leo F. Saldanha Bhargavi S. Rao enabling her to travel abroad if all governance system quite Environment Support Group JANATA, January 18, 2015 11 Religious conversions

K. Pratap Reddy

It is unfortunate that new set of (untouchable) brothers were forms of worship. Thus Islam came controversies on religious subjected to by the upper class as a religion to India several conversions are emerging in various (Brahminical) members of the Hindu centuries before it came as a parts of the country. It is a matter religion. political force.” of shame that, while the whole world is advancing towards intellectual, Now, let us have a glimpse into It must be understood that our scientific and technological growth the historical advent of Christianity oppressed “untouchable” brothers taking human evolution to celestial and Islam into our country. While were attracted to the preaching of levels, some sections of our society the Portuguese, Dutch and English message of equality and humanity and more particularly those belonging tradesmen came into India in the spread by Christian and Islamic to the majority, are indulging in such 17th century, the Christian missionary missionaries and adopted the controversies tending to lead the led by Saint Thomas, bringing the religions where they were given society and the country into medieval message of Jesus Christ of equality equal treatment; either by Christians period which would adversely affect came into India in the 2nd century or Muslims, as the case maybe. It our constitutional goal of integrity of itself. Likewise, while the so-called might be true that the Christian our nation. Islamic rule was established in the missionaries have given to our 13th century, Arab traders came into erstwhile Panchama brethren free It cannot be denied that in all India in the 6th and 7th centuries education, shelter but it is not true to efforts of finding a remedy to a bringing the message of equality, say that the conversion was by use malady, it is always necessary to go justice and compassion of Prophet of force. into the origin or cause of the malady. Mohammed. Jawaharlal Nehru in In such process of tracing the origin his celebrated book “The Discovery As stated above, while the or causes of the present malady, we of India” in Capter VI referring to Islamic state or Islamic rule, as the inevitably come down to the the growth of Hindu-Muslim culture case maybe, came into India in the deplorably inhuman caste system and Indo-Arab relationships wrote 13th century, the English rule came going down to the lowest level of the as follows: “There were no into India through the East India concept of untouchability existing in invasions, contacts between India Company in the 18th century and the Hindu Religion. We all know the and Arab world grew, by travel to directly in the middle of the 19th horrible condition of our and fro, embassies were century. It must be realized by our “unthouchable” (also known as exchanged…These trade and Sangh Pariwar brethren that the Panchamas) brethren. They were cultural relations were not confined conversions of our erstwhile driven to live in separate habitats and to North India. The southern states “untouchable” brethren into either deprived of all civic rights. They of India also participated in them, Christianity or Islam were much were forced to live on the carcasses especially the Rashtrakutas, on the earlier to the establishment of either of dead animals. Even if they came west coast of India…This frequent Islamic rule or the British rule. to the main village of upper castes intercourse inevitably led to Indians to attend to menial work of the latter, getting to know the new religion, One other aspect, our the Sangh they were forced to come with a Islam. Missionaries also came to Pariwar brethren who are involving Jhadu (sweep stick) tied to their back spread this new faith and they were in this present controversy of in order to satisfy the inhumanly welcomed, mosques were reconversion must realize that the whimsical belief that the path trodden built…There was no objection raised conversions of Hinduism to either into by them was cleansed by the means either by the State or by the people, Christianity or Islam are only from of the Jhadu. These are but a few nor were there any religions the oppressed members of Hindu of the inhumanly uncivilized conflicts. It was the old tradition of religion who were subjected to treatments that our Panchama India to be tolerant to all faiths and inhuman and humiliating treatment by 12 JANATA, January 18, 2015 the upper class (Brahmanical) Plachimada/Cola Compensation Bill members of Hindu religion.

One other aspect of this process S. Faizi of “reconversion” (being called “ghar vapasi”) is to what caste these “ghar vapasi” people will be The letter from the central Home primarily due to the difference in the added. Will they once again be Ministry to the Kerala government temporal coverage, in fact by filling added to the same “pancham” ‘requesting’ it to withdraw the the time gap in regard to the community or will they be given a Plachimada Coca Cola Victims Plachimada locale the Bill provides higher status as Brahmins, Compensation Claims Special an excellent complement to the NGT Kshatariyas or Vysyas, inasmuch Tribunal Bill, 2011 constitutes a Act. The Home Ministry repeating as the caste system is not only glaring act of subversion of the the challenge of the Cola company continuing but taking stronger roots Constitutional process. The reasons that the State Assembly has no in the country in the socio-political raised by the central Home Ministry legislative competence to enact context of the reservation of seats are an outlandish repeat of the legislation to redress the damages in in Parliament, Assemblies, multinational company’s ‘legal the areas of health, agriculture, labor Panchayat Raj, employment and opinion’ it had submitted to the UPA (loss), animal husbandry, ground- educational fields. government. water etc, all listed in the State List (II under the Seventh Schedule) is It was in this context, the great The Home Ministry provides posing a serious question on Centre- saints like Swamy Dayananda gratuitous advice to the State State relations, and all democratic Saraswathy and Guru Nanak in the government in line with the forces should be concerned about west and north, Ramakrishna multinational’s ‘legal opinion’- to this. Paramahamsa in the East and social approach the National Green Tribunal reformers like Narayan guru, Sane (NGT). This betrays the sad fact that The Bill does not by any means guruji, Basaveshwar, Subramanya the Home Ministry officials have not comes in conflict with the Centre’s Bharati and Gurujada Appa Rao, even read the National Green Tribunal powers as provided by Articles 253 Unnava Lakshmi Narayana, in the Act, 2010. Section 15.3 of the Act and 246; it flows from the State’s south struggled all their life for the requires the petitions for compen- Constitutional responsibility to act abolition of castes. sation to be filed within a period of 5 upon the violation of the Article 21 years, with a grace period of 6 months. and has got nothing to do with any The Father of the Nation The most critical damages to international declaration. “Mahatma Gandhi” along with his groundwater and toxic contamination struggle for independence of India caused by the Cola company at It is surprising that the while the from foreign rule campaigned for Plachimada occurred during 2000- Home Ministry refers to the abolition of untouchablity, at times 2004, way before the five years and responses of the Department of undertaking fast unto death. In spite six months time bar set by the Act Legal Affairs and the Solicitor of several such movements the caste and therefore this Act cannot be used General that favour the Cola system and also untouchability, to redress the tragedy at Plachimada. company, it tactically ignores the though in the name of “Schedule This is the reason why the Bill was categorical support to the Bill Castes”, is also existing in spite of (unanimously) passed by the officially expressed by the relevant the constitutional mandate of abolition Assembly. And it may be recalled ministries long time ago. And these of untouchability. that the NGT became operational ministries are: the Ministry of only in May 2011. The Home Ministry Agriculture, Ministry of Rural My humble request to our “Sangh officials and their legal advisors should Development, Ministry of Water Pariwar” brothers is first to be held accountable for deliberately Resources, Ministry of Food undertake a campaign with a misinforming a State government. Processing Industries and the missionary zeal to abolish the Department of Justice under the abominable caste system still There is absolutely no conflict Ministry of Law. That is obviously a prevailing in the Hindu society. between the NGT Act and the Bill, tactics adopted to favour the JANATA, January 18, 2015 13 powerful American company, to squarely reject the Centre’s company for which show cause especially at a time when the US letter, and moblise political forces notice was given by the Pollution president is set to visit India. with the democratic society to have Control Board in 2007, under the the assent obtained. If the assent is Hazardous Wastes (Management The Home Ministry is subverting further delayed by the Centre, the and Handling Rules). the Constitutional process by refusing State Assembly may pass a to pass on the Bill, with the resolution on the subject and There is no justification for the government’s comments, to whom commence the enforcement of the State government’s delay in it was originally addressed - the law, as there is no case of registering case against the Cola President, even after three years and repugnance involved. company under the SC and ST in spite of seeking and obtaining (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as numerous clarifications. The State Government shall not recommended by the Plachimada further delay initiating criminal High Power Committee. I call upon the State government proceedings against the recalcitrant Appoint Grievance Redressal Authority

Kailash Awasya The Social Justice bench of the and then requested Sanjay Parikh to rehabilitation that has totally derailed Supreme Court presided over by plead on behalf of the representatives, the policy and squandered crores Justice Madan Lokur and Jusice petitioners of farmers, labourers and of Rupees from rehabilitation U.R. Lalit began hearing on the case fish-workers in thousands. funds without completion of related to further raise in the height rehabilitation. of Sardar Sarovar dam, on 9th of Adv. Parikh narrated the history January, 2015. The apex court had of violations of Narmada Water The fake registries scam, she said, received summary submission with Dispute Tribunal Award, the state has led to making affected persons data and arguments from the rehabilitation policies as well as the landless instead of giving them better petitioner, Narmada Bachao Andolan judgments of the apex court of 1992, standard of living, promised through through Medha Patkar and other 2000 and 2005. policies. Project Affected Persons along with respondents, Union of Indian/ The land and livelihood based The Bench enquired about the Narmada Control Authority and rehabilitation, he argued, is far from present status and functioning of states of Madhya Pradesh, completed and the same is evident Grievance Redressal Authorities; Maharashtra and Gujarat. from the official documents and she got it confirmed before the reports. Hundreds of cases are Bench that hundreds of cases are At the very outset, counsel for pending before each Grievance pending before GRAs while there is Government of Gujarat, Harish Salve Redressal Authority, chaired by a no chairmen the bodies in Madhya and Attorney General of India for former judge and hundreds of orders Pradesh and Gujarat today. The Union of India challenged the locus are not complied with. Land offered bench then directed to appoint standi of Medha Patkar, accusing and/or allotted to many is un- urgently five GRAs in Madhya her and Narmada Bachao Andolan cultivable and hence against law and Pradesh and two in Maharashtra with quoting from single judgment on court’s judgment. and Gujarat each. Further, the Omkareshwar dam and calling Bench stated that it would like to Andolan and Ms. Patkar as Ms Patkar was granted get pending cases redressed and obstructionists to the dam and permission to plead as party-in- GRAs to give their assessment on asserted that she should not be heard person against the request of the the differing data presented by and the Andolan should not be opponents. She in her turn, put forth parties. The Bench also directed all permitted henceforth to be in the the situation on the ground as well the three states to consult respective Supreme Court. The Judges listened as the violations. She narrated the authorities and come back with to all the argument on maintainability story of the big scandal in names of the GRAs. 14 JANATA, January 18, 2015 Red carpet for corporate honchos, iron fist at farmers

While the Government of Gujarat Rajkot.. In the dead of the night - Narmada waters and diverting it to is splurging on the jamboree called around 12.30 am - Sagar Rabari and industries. Vibrant Gujarat it is a crime to raise Lakhan Musafir were arrested. the issue of farmers’ suicides and low Other prominent farmers detained 3) Repeal of draconian anti- cotton prices. Sanyukta Khedut include Mansukhbhai (Rajkot), farmer laws such as Special Invest Sangharsh Samiti had planned to Pradyumansinh and Ramdevsinh Region Act, and Gujarat Irrigation make a peaceful representation Chudasma (Dholera), Mahendrasinh Act. before Gujarat Government on 11th Karmariya, Nipul Patel, Yakub Gurji Januaray, 2015. Farmers were setting (Bharuch), Lalji Desai (Becharaji- 4) Immediate withdrawal of the out for the action spot in their Mandal). The Mansa MLA Amitbhai, Ordinance making the Right to Fair thousands. In a wanton display of its Dehgam MLA Kaminiben and Compensation and Transparency in paranoia as well as dictatorial Jashubhai Rana of Gandhinagar were Land Acquisition Act meaningless. tendencies the Government first tried also arrested. to scare away bus and other It has become the standard transporters. They attempted to force The farmers’ demands were practice for the Government of them to cancel farmers’ bookings. simple and basic: Gujarat to clamp down on demands Farmers demonstrated their resolve of the poor and toiling people of by finding other means to reach the 1) Support Price for Cotton at Gujarat rather than addressing them. appointed spot. Thousands of farmers 1200 / 20 kg, and Rs. 1000 / 20 kg This Government believes in ruling were detained in tens of places across for groundnut. via ordinances on the one hand and Gujarat. Shivlal Vekaria (ex-MP) and organising public relations jamborees Chandulal Shingala were detained in 2) No de-commanding of - all at the tax payers’ expense. –Persis Ginwala, Rajni Dave, Anand Mazgaonkar We want change and we will change “We women have been subjugated planning for career of our own liking, facilities. to many traditions and superstition- we demand freedom and spare time based rituals for centuries together. for that hence we demand freedom Vaishaly Chitte was felicitated We were asked to worship the from the drudgery of rituals and family for receiving training in Australia Banyan tree on Watsavitri day and functions. We hope our menfolk about how to nurture HIV-affected pray to get the same husband for at would appreciate our aspirations and children. She narrated some of her least seven future lives. But there is expectations and create congenial experiences in canvassing help of no reciprocal ritual prescribed for atmosphere for our liberation”, the rural folk for extending help on men. Observing more than a dozen observed Nisha Bhosale, activist of the basis of equality, not to be such rituals all the year round put Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti, scared of getting infection and great strain on our time and energy Solapur. She was addressing a huge maintain congenial atmosphere so because we have to perform all daily women’s rally organised by Rashtra that the HIV-affected children can chores of house-keeping from Seva Dal at Yenegur in Osmanabad also enjoy their childhood and morning till night every day. Secondly, district on 25th December, 2014. receive education. we have to put in hard labour to organise family functions like Barase She was followed by Pushpa Vyankatesh Hambire, Editor of and Dohaljevan for our female Kshirsagar, a teacher and a Sangharsh Daily said that women relatives besides the engagement and poetess. She called upon men to should render the old saying “women marriage ceremonies which are not appreciate the aspirations of their are the enemies of women” infrequent. We yearn for being freed female relatives and help them by outdated. When a neighbour asks a from all this monotony. As we are reducing burden of age-old customs woman about her newly-wed entering educational institutions and and make available necessary daughter-in-law, she complains that JANATA, January 18, 2015 15 she is disobedient and tries to alienate must be done away with. He also equality does not mean class the son from her. And when the exhorted the women to vigorously struggle of women against men. Men neighbour enquires about her newly- campaign for prohibition in their and women should treat all as equal wed daughter, she proudly says that villages. human beings. For that, the menfolk her daughter is fully controlling her should liberate themselves from the husband and the latter is also Subhash Ware of the SM Joshi old hegemonic mindset. amenable. Such double standards Socialist Foundation said that gender –Pannalal

(Continued from Page 9)

B. G. Verghese chaired the meeting Draft–Witness to the Making of In his demise, India has lost a and welcomed the Burmese who Modern India’. The last one, besides great journalist and good human were overwhelmed by his affection being his autobiography, is in my being-a humanist to the core. Having and warmth. They soon got opinion the best book to better closely associated with him in some recognition as refugees by the understand the historical of the activities concerning struggle UNHCR and are now in Netherlands. developments of the post- for democratic rights, I pay my tribute None of us was aware during the independent India. to him and salute him. function that Verghese was born in Burma in 1927. (Continued from Page 5) time to start a planetary dialogue enhance and deepen the common Verghese stood for democratic and a civilisational exchange based freedoms of the people of India rights of the people and fought for on us all being part of the Earth and the US, and not just the the freedom of the Press. He family; and based on our inalienable freedoms of corporations, which repeatedly said that in a democracy right to Swaraj, including “bija are undermining the freedoms of people had a right to know as to what swaraj (seed democracy). citizens in both countries and the terrorists have to say. He equally across the world. criticized the terrorists’ attempts to We hope Mr Obama’s visit will intimidate the journalists and dictate to them as to what they should publish and what not. He stood for secular Madhu Dandavate values and communal harmony. He relentlessly criticized the communal By propaganda pursued by the Sangh Pariwar. At the beginning of militancy in Kashmir in 1990 the Sangh Pariwar, B. Vivekanandan with a view to justify its campaign towards destruction of Babri Masjid, had launched a propaganda campaign alleging that hundreds of Hindu Price: Rs. 20/- temples had been destroyed in Kashmir by the Kashmiri Muslims. Verghese investigated such allegations and found them false. His report dented the Sangh Pariwar’s Janata Trust mischievous campaign. He was great votary of ‘Indo-Pak people to people D-15, Ganesh Prasad, contact’ campaign and made Naushir Bharucha Marg, significant contribution to the said Grant Road (W), process. He wrote important books such as ‘Waters of Hope’, ‘India’s Mumbai 400 007. North-east Resurgent’ and ‘First R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, January 18, 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, January 18, 2015 & Posted on Wedenesday January 21, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 69 No. 52 Wise advice January 25, 2015 S. Viswam

Much of a muchness It is a sad reflection of the state circumstances. The president is also of national politics in India that traditionally the supreme commander The idea of India after seven decades of conducting of the armed forces. Of course, being Kuldip Nayar parliamentary democracy the a figurehead does not debar him from country’s head of state has to remind sharing his thoughts and experiences the nation of the politicians’ duties with the people, a privilege which Who needs the WTO? and responsibilities. His sage counsel, senior leaders like Pranab Mukherjee Sankara Narayanan born out of experience of many can exercise for the betterment of the years of public service, is applicable nation and its polity, and the society both to the country’s rulers and to at large. His latest intervention in Government-Corporate nexus its opposition parties. Also, his wise national politics is one such example, against people and democracy words were targeted at the appropriate and the country will naturally take a Prem Singh quarters - students of higher education serious note of his wise words even if institutions whom he addressed via a only because they have a vital bearing video link. on the current political situation in which, paradoxically, progress and Liberalisation of education India is one of the few countries impasse seem to run together. widened caste inequities that have set a record of working the K. S. Chalam parliamentary system successfully The President touched on two despite being a new comer to the hugely relevant points. The first was international scene as an independent, the manifest tendency of the Modi Evolutionary Socialism sovereign, secular, socialist republic. government to run the country through Bhagwat Prasad Rath True, seven decades is not a long time ordinances even while parliament is in in the life and career of a nation, but session. As many as nine ordinances in politics diversions and distractions have been promulgated. Too many Editor : can occur to take the country in wrong by any account, even if one concedes G. G. Parikh directions unless wiser counsels that with the numerical configuration prevail. in the Rajya Sabha running adverse to Managing Editor : Guddi the ruling dispensation the temptation Under the Indian system which to resort to ordinances as an expedient D-15, Ganesh Prasad, follows the Westminster pattern or a way out of a logjam is often Naushir Bharucha Marg, closely, presidents, like monarchs, are irresistible. Of course, it is needless Mumbai - 400 007. merely constitutional (figure) heads to emphasise that ordinances are with no real powers of governance, not meant to replace parliamentary Email : [email protected] the Constitution allots them powers to processes or requirements but only be exercised on special occasions and as “temporary holding devices” 2 JANATA, January 25, 2015 awaiting conversion into legislations provides a way out when one of the a patient majority,” the President to be enacted by the two houses. two Houses is dysfunctional. The added. His well-meant advice was “Ordinances,” the President pointed way out is to hold a joint session rounded off with the comment that out, “are meant for a specific purpose and getting the legislation passed. when parliament fails to discharge to meet an extraordinary situation Here again, the President had vital its responsibilities, it breaches the under extraordinary circumstances.” guidelines to offer. He said that trust reposed in it by the people. That The mandatory requirement is that holding joint sessions was not a was neither good for democracy nor the ordinance has to be replaced with practical solution. Since 1952, there for the policies anchored in the laws a normal legislation six weeks after were only four joint sessions held passed by parliament. parliament resumes. Failure to do so to pass laws. On the question of leads to its lapse. The government is disruption the President said that it A word to the wise is enough, therefore taking a calculated risk in was the responsibility of the political it is said. The timing and aptness issuing ordinances. The President establishment as a whole to ensure of the President’s intervention is has perhaps said the last word on the passage of laws. The opposition noteworthy. The stalemate in the the subject. also was as responsible as the ruling Rajya Sabha is based on legitimate party in ensuring smooth passage concerns of the Opposition about The second issue Pranabda of laws. the activities and conduct of the referred to was that of parliamentary parties and individuals in the saffron proceedings getting stalled due to the The cardinal principle of Parivar. It is the government’s duty Opposition’s obstructionist tactics parliamentary democracy is that to meet these concerns and convince and the normal conduct of legislative the majority has the mandate to the Opposition of its bona fides. business getting disrupted, thereby rule while the Opposition has the The government can encourage leading to loss of time and resources. right to oppose, expose and if the sectarianism only at the risk of Coincidentally, the President’s numbers permit to depose. But under damaging the country’s pluralistic reference came at a time when no circumstances should there be structure and fabric. The President’s the Rajya Sabha is disrupted and disruption of proceedings because of advice must be seen and heeded to as no business could be transacted Opposition’s obstruction. “A noisy a wake-up call delivered in national for several days. The Constitution minority cannot be allowed to gag interest. Much of a muchness

The run-up to this year’s Republic The world is telling India, in Modi’s war cry of “development” Day began a week ahead and could various ways and through various and “good governance” has worn not have started on a happier note means directly and indirectly that out a wee bit around the edges for prime minister Narendra Modi. in Modi India has the right man for but is holding. The slogan of It is not all prime ministers who the right job at the right time and ridding India of the Indian National get themselves described as “God’s Indians should regard themselves Congress (Congress-mukt Bharat) gift to India” as the well-known fortunate in being led by him. God’s has scored impressively, the BJP economist Jagdish Bhagwati has gift needs to be appreciated with the having acquired control of more done, adding for good measure that right kind of gratitude. The message states between May, when Modi he has met all the (Indian) Prime is going home, but there are many took over and now, when Modi Ministers but never anybody like ifs and whys and wherefores to completes eight months in office. Modi . It is definitely a rare occasion be tackled at the same time before Meanwhile, a pile of slogans have when Nobel laureates like the highly Indians en masse give Modi similar been coined and they have enriched popular and well-informed Paul certificates of conduct, competence the Indian political, economic, Krugman call India “the country and capability. But there is no social and cultural lexicons. Modi of the future”. It is a sign of the doubt that Modi is still riding the may or may not prove a great prime times that renowned scholars and crest of the wave of popularity that minister but few politicians can academics like Nissim Nicholas catapulted him to the Indian throne beat him as a slogan-coiner and as a Taleb declare with solemn sincerity in an electoral tsunami the like of practitioner of using alliterations in that “if I were Indian, I would vote which is unlikely to recur in the the conveyance of thought. We are for Modi”. near future. now engaged in building many new JANATA, January 25, 2015 3

Indias, the Swachchh, the digital, its little bit by predicting that by Although India’s record as a Make in India, Pradhan Mantri Jan 2021 India would be an exclusively secular nation is exemplary, the Dhan Yojana which aims to put a Hindu nation, hinting subtly that BJP behaves, obviously at the dictat bank pass book in every villager’s non-Hindus had better behave. An of the RSS and its constituents the hands and the latest innovate in India insight into the thinking that goes Sangh Parivar that Hinduism is in and so on and so forth. into the concept of Hindu Rashtra, danger. This is obvious from the founded on the philosophy and fantastic suggestion of another BJP Not all the new schemes, not even culture of Hindutva was provided MP Sakshi Maharaj advising Indian a few of them, envisaged under the by a colleague of Modi and that too women to have four children each aegis of the ear-catching slogans on the floor of parliament. BJP’s to protect their religion. The call, may aim at poverty-eradication Union Minister of State, Saadhvi which again created a huge rumpus, but we are assured that they point Niranjan Jyoti said all BJP supporters got no reaction from Modi. Another to that direction. Indeed, the word were “raamzadas” whereas all BJP MP reinforced the suggestion ‘poverty’ rarely but rarely figures in others were “haramzadas”. Modi with his own call to women to the political discourse these days, attributed the reprehensible remark produce not four but five children! and it looks like it has been forgotten to the minister’s rural origins and As if there was a competition amidst the plethora of newly-coined unfamiliarity with the working in force, the Shankaracharya of slogans that are supposed to underpin of parliament. Modi virtually Badrikashram Shri Vasudevanand the ideal of development. exonerated the minister despite demanded that Hindus should have her comment being outrageously ten children! And, mixing religion An India engaged with the high communal. with politics (!) he said that this adventure of national multi-sided was necessary because Hindu unity development is a heart-warming Consistent with the Hindutva had enabled Modi to be PM, and prospect, but unfortunately such a campaign, the party launched the hence to maintain the majority in picture does not emerge from the ghar wapsi programme. It set parliament Hindus should have ten ground realities. Modi may want off adverse reactions in both the children. The seer said that Islam development and shout from the minority Christian and Muslim and Christianity had originated from roof tops for it, but he and his party, communities who were apprehensive Hinduism and hence ghar wapsi and that party’s mentor, the RSS, are of being targeted by RSS goons programme should be allowed to be not on the same wavelength here. for forcible conversions. Mohan conducted freely. Modi’s best slogan to date is one Bhagwat proclaimed that all that universally acceptable and welcome, the programme meant was that The divisive, communal politics “Sabka saath, sab ka Vikas” but his the Hindus were reclaiming their of the saffron parivar is being party does not subscribe to it. In properties which were stolen conducted as an adjunct to Modi’s this context, what is disturbing is by non-Hindu outsiders! In this programme of Sabka Saath, sabka that Modi has done little to rein in atmosphere all non-Parivar Indians vikas. It is difficult to reconcile the hotheads of the RSS-dominated were shocked at the statement of a the two. The Modi stream is quite Sangh Parivar. And by way of BJP member of parliament hailing acceptable to all since it is premised on reaction to the divisive politics Nathuram Godse as a nationalist doctrines of all-round development. played by the Parivar hotheads, and a patriot. At the same time, there Modi can be very persuasive and Modi’s silence is deafening. Modi were reports of BJP trying to build charming in both public and private has had nothing to say about the temples for Godse in select centres discourse, and there is agreement in highly disturbing statements of of UP and MP. No one was surprised the country that he is an engaging the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, when external affairs minister conversationalist. He has made a endorsed by the VHP leader Ashok Sushma Swaraj recommended the good impression on foreign leaders Singhal that Modi’s advent in Delhi adoption of the Bhagwat Gita as the in high office with his vision for heralded the emergence of the Hindu “national scripture”. Many in the India and the various schemes he Rashtra after 800 years and that India country reminded her that in secular, has in mind for development. Yet, it was now a Hindu country that had democratic, socialist India, only the is inexplicable why he is permitting come to stay. The RSS affiliate, the Constitution was the acceptable the entrenchment in public discourse Dharma Jagaran Samiti, contributed national scripture. of a political rhetoric that is divisive 4 JANATA, January 25, 2015 in approach and sectarian in content. Between the lines His party senior Atal Behari Vajpayee was as good or as bad as Modi as a BJP member, but he conducted a The idea of India pattern of consensus politics that found favour with all parties in the Kuldip Nayar political spectrum. When Jawaharlal Nehru declared in the same way but found a united It is quite nice to hear Modi talk on January 26, 1929, from the banks country to defend the northeastern of an India of the future which is of Ravi that India wanted complete territory which in ordinary times closest to the India of everyman’s independence, not the dominion was considered arguably a point for dreams. It is nice to hear him talk status, hitherto demanded, very few discussion. The only explanation is of India as a 20 trillion dollar people believed that they would see that an outside invasion unites the economy. It is not however as nice the end of the British rule 18 years country, not the dangers of division to hear his partymen talk of four or later. But it happened non-violently or dispute. five children to defend Hindutva or of a ghar wapsi programme which and without any rancour. There was However reprehensible the will increase the Hindu population no bitterness and the people looked reason, it does not hold water today. through re-conversion. Which India forward to a polity which would The country has been furrowed deep is the real India which the real Modi be independent and would have by caste and religion. This becomes is sponsoring? On this Republic their elected representatives to help all the more appalling when the Day, an answer will be welcome, as them realize the ethos of pluralism state is found mixed up in strife. welcome as an assurance that under and egalitarianism which they had Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Modi the country will not witness cherished. emphasis on development, however a politicians-sponsored communal Why the social fabric has got torn praiseworthy, loses its sheen when polarization, but will ensure the continuation and entrenchment of and why the dream of a pluralistic he meets the RSS leaders who make the prevailing pluralism. May India society has become more distant are no bones about their ideology of always be great! the questions that stare at our face. Hindu Rashtra. From whichever angle you look –S. Viswam at, the fault lies with the political The BJP rules at the centre and parties. Their parochial ideologies it endangers the idea of India, a and an eye on power have pushed democratic and pluralistic society. aside the ideals which inspired us I do not buy the argument that to throw out the mightiest colonial radical Islam is encouraging the power without firing a shot. violent fringe among the Hindus. The RSS is systematically changing Having gone through the ordeal of the complexion of the polity so that freedom struggle we were inspired it looks Hindu. Its chief Mohan by idealism and values. Little did we Bhagwat has proudly said many a realize that the British had divided time in public that the Hindu raj has us so much that for the time being returned after 800 years! What effect we pushed into background our it would have on the minorities? inclination to caste and community. Several Muslim leaders have told This schism reappeared soon after me that the community lives in fear. Price: Rs. 20/- the last British soldier left the gateway of India at Mumbai. And Things have reached such a today we are divided caste-wise, pass that serious Muslim thinkers Janata Trust are worried over the extremism in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir religion-wise and language-wise. Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), Islam (Islam literally means ‘Peace Mumbai 400 007. One can argue that China, when upon you’). Even there is a move to it attacked India in 1962, thought admit Hindu students in madarsas. JANATA, January 25, 2015 5

The Muslim students also want to join the DAV and Arya Samaj Who needs the WTO? educational institutions. Sankara Narayanan What is disconcerting is that even activists from secular parties are making a beeline for the BJP. It US poultry imports were eyeing the Indian market to sell cannot be the love for ideology but banned by India on account of chicken legs frozen for the last avian influenza. World Trade four-five years at may be Rs 40-50 sheer aspiration to be on the side Organization (WTO) has called the a kg compared to Rs 160 -170 a which is in power. Such personalities decision ‘unscientific’ in its October kg price prevailing in India,” said like Kiran Bedi who have stood 2014 judgment. The government is another official. against communalism all their lives set to challenge the order asking it are proudly parroting the stand of the to lift a ban on poultry imports from But as per WTO rules, national BJP. Basically, it is the lure for key the US. treatment must be accorded, which positions in the party they consider means the domestic industry must would come to power. The government is consulting with be subjected to the same rules as the stakeholders on ways to protect the foreign seller. The fallout of these developments growing domestic poultry industry US will export chicken legs that is not healthy. It is making the from the inflow of US chicken legs, are four to five years old. India minorities insecure and forcing which are cheaper by about Rs 100 at best could restrict imports to them to think that they are second per kg. A breeder from Coimbatore products that are not more than six class citizens. This will sap the said, ‘Currently, fresh chicken in months old. Even for this, the Food energy of India and come in the retail was selling for Rs 180 a kg Safety and Standards Authority of way of development. Until there is a and chicken legs for Rs 240 a kg. On India must come out with standards. feeling among the minorities and the the other hand, chicken drumsticks According to experts, India could marginalized that they will equally from US come in at around Rs 50- also look at options such as anti- gain, there will be no concerted 60 a kg’. dumping duties to curb imports and effort to push the wheel of India use the argument that the chicken are ahead. A government official said. fed with genetically modified food. “We are committed to protect the The increasing strength of the industry with huge employment “US chicken is given genetically BJP should be a point of concern potential and are looking at various modified feed, which is not allowed not only for the minorities but also measures to that effect. We have had in India. They are also injected with the liberals in the country. The idea a meeting with the poultry industry a lot of hormones,” said an expert. of India, as inspired by Mahatma and breeders.” The EU banned US chicken on Gandhi, is a state where all are account of chlorine treatment. An equal before the law and enjoy equal Last week, China banned the anti-dumping case could be possible opportunities. The feeling of the import of US poultry and eggs after but difficult. Muslims is that they are increasingly the detection of an avian flu strain in pushed to the wall. This may lead to the Pacific Northwest. More than 20 It is really funny that Indian desperation. The world has seen such countries, including members of the officials are planning to challenge developments in the past and more EU, South Korea and South Africa, in WTO the safety of American dangerously in the present. have imposed curbs on poultry chickens landing in India on the from certain US states or the entire plea that these chickens are fed The killing of 12 people by the country. with genetically modified feed. armed gunmen early this month in Americans will not miss to point the Paris office of the Charlie Hebdo With US consumers preferring out a very recent statement of our is not justified even by the tenets chicken breasts, the less-favoured Forest & Environment Minister chicken legs are frozen for export to in Parliament that there was no of Koran. The insult of the Prophet other markets at highly competitive scientific proof to establish the Mohammad is not acceptable but prices. “As Russia has also banned hazardous nature of GMO to people (Continued on Page 6) American poultry, they are really and living organisms. 6 JANATA, January 25, 2015

All our major malls are selling This decision was welcomed by all (Continued from Page 5) the US made GMO eatables without farm associations across the nation. any restriction. But the government Though the reaction was mute, India killing the people connected with it is suddenly woken up to the hazards Inc, trade bodies and economic is also equally condemnable. I can understand and appreciate the hurt of GMO because they have to protect experts expressed their displeasure. and anger the insult of the Prophet the powerful Indian poultry lobby. What is good for farmers is bad for must have caused. But to kill the our Lalas and experts. We will attract international people allegedly connected with it is ridicule if the government complains a blow against humanity, particularly TFT was desperately sought after about the injected hormones in the freedom of expression. by the powerful western nations. That American chickens. Last year an environmental NGO (Centre for was the real trump card for Indian The axiom that your liberty ends Science and Environment) exposed government to negotiate our food where my nose begins holds good through studies how dangerously security issues. But the commerce in this matter. But in this case, the the Indian poultry products were minister subsequently agreed to sign revenge is the killing. It will be a law injected with hormones. It went on to the TFT on American soil, without of jungle if the individuals take upon warn us that this would lead Indians finalising the food security issues, themselves to avenge the insults to to be non-reactive to antibiotics succumbing to the pressure groups the religious icons. People’s anger is soon. Indian poultry breeding majors within and without. Please note understandable and all efforts should called this study a coup organised that the Indian commerce minister be made to assuage it. But what kind by the poultry MNCs to damage the gave this assurance not to WTO but of world it would be if people take to native industry. to America. Once Americans give arms because their religion has been green signal, WTO’s acceptance is insulted or their icons run down? Have we not tied a rope around just a formality. So much for this Methods are very important. our necks by signing the WTO treaty international body’s independence! on dotted lines? If the US succeed Mahatma Gandhi said that if in WTO appeal, which is very means are vitiated, the ends are Strong economies from East likely because this organisation is in bound to be vitiated. It is a pity and West are applying enormous American coat pocket, Indians will that the Indians have not come pressure on Indian state to allow be condemned to eat chicken legs up to that standard. But this does that are four to five years old. fishing trawlers in our sea coasts not falsify the nobility of what he and dumping of dairy products, said. In a world, crisscrossed by Indians farmers have all along cotton, silk, rubber, fruits, oil seeds, fanaticism, extremism and jihad, the been opposing India’s entry into potato, tomato etc made out of huge only dictum to adopt is cooperation WTO. The ‘’informed’’ Indians kept state subsidy. Our economists also and conciliation. This was the dream quiet all along. Now they will also strongly vouch for this as the Indian of Nehru when he raised the flag face the music in the form of health consumers will have the freedom to on the banks of Ravi. I wish that risk. With the cheap poultry products choose the world class products at India would follow that path and from America, not only the big the cheapest of prices. Indian state be an example for other countries, breeders will be hit. Poultry supports is inching towards giving permission particularly the neighbours. many a small farm households as an to such demands. alternative source of income. Now that is in peril. Now it is the turn of American Janata Subscription chicken legs. Sooner our markets Annual Rs. : 260/- Last year Modi government, in spite of the strong pressure from EU will be flooded with the best of farm Three Years : 750/- and the US, refused to sign the Trade products from alien lands for the Demand Draft / Cheque on Facilitation Treaty (TFT) till the food informed Indians to enjoy. But the Mumbai Bank security issues (state procuring from day is not far off to witness Indian in favour of farmers and fishermen becoming JANATA TRUST farmers at an administered minimum D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir support price and stock piling for pirates to attack international ships Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 PDS) are resolved satisfactorily. as Somalians are doing now. JANATA, January 25, 2015 7 Government-Corporate nexus against people and democracy

Prem Singh

The Land Acquisition, in LARR Act 2013. As per this Modi instead of Manmohan Singh Rehabilitation and Resettlement Section five areas – national security, and Sonia Gandhi because they were Act 2013 (LARR Act 2013) was defence and defence production aggravated by MNREGA, Land enacted in the parliament after projects; industrial corridors Acquisition Act, Food Security Act incorporating suggestions from the projects; rural infrastructure projects; and the like. Manmohan Singh was BJP and with its due support. Sumitra infrastructure/social infrastructure an economist prime minister who Mahajan, presently the Speaker of projects, mostly fall under the followed the classicist approach the Lok Sabha, then had headed the public private partnership (PPP); towards neo-liberal reforms whereas Parliamentary Committee, which and housing projects for the poor – Narendra Modi is taking blind okayed the law. The LARR Act 2013 will not require either prior consent leaps. BJP’s propaganda against which came into effect from January or Social Impact Assessment. It is Manmohan Singh as a weak 2014 empowers land-owners, for a matter of speculation if any areas prime minister was misleading; the first time, with the right to fair are left out of these five! For these nonetheless, it proved to be an compensation for acquired land five areas, even fertile multi-crop effective winning campaign in the along with consent right. As per cultivable land can be acquired general election. As the progenitor the Act the provisions to pay fair straightaway. The government and facilitator of neo-liberalism in compensation to the farmers and decided to bring in this amendment India, Manmohan Singh will be seek their prior consent were to to the LARR Act 2013 after the remembered as the strongest prime be implemented over and above winter session was over. When the ministers ever. He removed India’s the existing 13 laws in the matter President inquired into the reasons economic policy and its goal from the within a year’s time. The LARR Act as to the hurry regarding the matter, axis of the Constitution and installed 2013 was meant to replace the Land three ministers on the part of the it instead on the axis of various power Acquisition Act of colonial times government clarified their reasons stations of neo-liberalism like World enacted in 1894. The staggering scale and the President’s permission was Bank, IMF, WTO, World Economic of destitution of peasants and tribals, promptly obtained. Thus, whatever Forum, various multi-national social unrest and environmental role the peasants and tribals had companies and so on. He believed devastation resulting from the post- come to have in the process of the in the wisdom that the capitalist 1991 new economic policies had acquisition of their lands as per law way to growth is the only right way. forced the UPA government to was snatched by this amendment From the Harshad Mehta scandal to enact this law. This law mandates and the powers placed back instead the numerous scandals during his prior permissions of 70 per cent into the hands of bureaucracy tenure - nothing ever brought even land-owners in cases where land is and corporate houses. Whatever a slightest shadow on his brow. That acquired by the government, and justifications the BJP leaders are is because he honestly believed that prior permission of 80 percent land- giving for this amendment, ought the path of capitalist development owners, in cases of acquisitions by to have been given at the time of has to traverse through corruption. private companies. Along with this, enactment of the Bill. Explicitly, Narendra Modi is an extension of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) has the government has compensated Manmohan Singh because the same also been made mandatory. for the support of the corporate policies and practices are being houses in the Lok Sabha elections carried forward by his government The ordinance promulgated by by bringing the amendment in such too. the present government on the last a hasty manner. day of December 2015 adds Section It is inherent in the spirit of the 10 A to the Act which undoes the It seems as if the corporate houses Constitution as well as has been rights which the land-owners got had placed their bet on Narendra explicitly reiterated by the Supreme 8 JANATA, January 25, 2015

Court in 1987 that amendments ministership of Narendra Modi, fold of neo-liberalism as advisors ought to be brought only during just after its formation, had made to the governments) cannot be a an emergency or an extraordinary it clear that it intended to amend permanent solution. They will have situation. It will be well to remember the four months old LARR Act to understand that the awareness that the sequence of ordinances had 2013. It considers the thirty per and participation of the people begun in Manmohan Singh’s tenure cent electoral mandate to be a that they talk about in their NGO as finance minister. The Vajpayee gift of corporate houses, not of endeavour means nothing without government swiftly carried the the voters. In such a scenario, the active political participation. strategy forward. The UPA-2 interests of big business houses government too was a government become of utmost importance to Most parties, including of ordinances - promulgating at the government. The point is, if the the Congress, have opposed least five ordinances in a year. money of corporate houses is not this ordinance. Many peoples’ But the current government in its kept out of elections, it will not be organizations, farmers’ unions seven months’ tenure, by coming possible to keep out the ordinances and important citizens have also out with nine ordinances during promulgated in their interests. opposed it. Justice Rajindar Sachar and after the parliament session, has expressed harsh criticism in his has delivered the severest blow to With this ordinance the already statements as well as columns. He the parliamentary democracy till complicated issue of water, forest is equally opposed to the Insurance date. To say that amendments harm and land (Jal, Jungle, Jameen) will and Coal Mines ordinances. The parliamentary democracy is – as become even more confounded. farmer cell of the BJP too has some critics have observed – merely Monetary compensations against opposed the ordinance as its affiliate a technical objection is misleading. acquired lands do not ensure trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor The pertinent question is: why did salvation for farmers and tribals. Sangh participated in the token the previous governments or the Most farmers have small land strike of the Coal Mines Workers present one resort to it. The only holdings and that are their only Union along with other trade possible answer is that governments assets. With the land acquisition, unions against promulgation of do so in the interest of the global they are rendered rootless. The the Coal Ordinance. This protest bodies of corporate capitalism, compensation is usually blown will be meaningful only if all multi-national companies and up in frivolous expenditures and these parties and organizations corporate houses in the country. addictions. Very few people are identify, recognize and oppose the Thus, it is a one-sided power play able to invest the compensation root cause: that is, the neo-liberal that ruins the already marginalized money judiciously for the future. economic policies and the capitalist farmers and forest-dwellers. Non-land-owners like dalits and model of development. craftsmen castes who depend on In the neo-liberal times, elections land farming for their livelihood Along with opposition to the have become extremely expensive. did not receive any compensation ordinance, some important measures According to some news reports, amount, residential plots or jobs must also be taken. Political parties in the last parliamentary elections, right from the time of the Land must fight for the strengthening of the BJP spent twenty to twenty five Acquisition Act of 1894. In such a the LARR Act 2013, and they must thousand crores and the Congress situation, land acquisition without also insist on the formation of a spent about ten to fifteen thousand prior consent or any social impact Land Use Commission, as has been crores of rupees. This money comes assessment will invariably lead to demanded by the Socialist Party from corporate houses. Prime social discontent, and might even (India). This commission must ministerial candidates openly increase Naxalite violence. have comprehensive representation participate in the conclaves and of farmers, tribals and non-land- conferences of capitalists and solicit The important lesson in the Land owners of villages. The farmers their support saying ‘make us win Acquisition Ordinance is that the have played an important role in and we will do your bidding’. supposedly apolitical efforts of the freedom movement. It has Indian democracy has, thus, been a few good people (who wish to had several important leaders and hijacked by corporate houses. The bring respite to farmers-tribals- thinkers including Gandhi himself. BJP government under the prime labourers by working within the (Continued on Page 12) JANATA, January 25, 2015 9 Liberalisation of education widened caste inequities

K. S. Chalam

Education as a process of princely states. It was formalised be 26 lakh dalits in all categories of assimilating and disseminating by the British India government in jobs if the policy is implemented knowledge is one of the important the admissions of schools through without distortions. This is around factors that has civilised groups and the recommendations of Hunter one per cent (1.3) of the 20 crore nations. Interestingly, it has been Commission in 1882. Thus, the dalits in India. Does the country used as a tool to socially exclude struggle for equality of opportunity not afford to contribute this paltry some groups like castes to enter the initiated in the education sector is amount to call itself a civilised mainstream society. It is once again again brought under the regime of nation or viswaguru? The amount proved that the same old traditions exclusion through public policy of sacrifices and the contributions are prevailing in India in making the of liberalisation and privatisation. of these groups in the form of benefits of education inaccessible to Two decades of planning from remaining illiterate, sick and jobless socially and educationally backward 1990s and remorseless response for six decades after independence people. The NGO Pratham’s 10th to needs of the underprivileged are greater than what was stacked annual survey report released brought the education system at a in Swiss Bank or Mauritius or recently has brought out some stage where Mahatma Phuley left it. Singapore. Yet, both the politicians startling but expected results. The Dalits, OBCs and Muslims are not and the policy makers have remained learning outcomes of children in adequately represented in quality silent on this important issue making the rural schools particularly in the institutes and disciplines though the forward castes educated at their government schools is very poor as government claims achievement of cost and migrated to the West and majority of the children in V class universal enrolment in elementary now open the system to market. It is are not able to read a paragraph education to satisfy UN MDGs. now openly admitted by economists of II class and similarly fail to do like Kaushik Basu and others that simple division and multiplication The social reform movements markets have failed the masses and in mathematics. This is happening and the so-called communal inequalities are widened. when the nation is said to be growing representation popularly known as at a faster rate of growth than before reservation in admissions and public Inequalities in education sector due to further liberalisation of the jobs have substantially improved the and the divides and despairs that it economy. This brings into focus the Human Development Indices in the has created in post-Independent India age old dichotomy of growth on the South. In two of my publications in is seen everywhere. Though some of one hand for the few and decay and the 1990s I have provided empirical the “paid intellectuals” refuse to degradation for the underprivileged. data on how it has happened. The probe into the factors responsible for Is this a manifestation of our World Bank and the UNDP in the inequities now, the fact remains traditional values re-emerging or their reports noted the positive that education particularly technical getting new lease of life despite the contributions of reservations in education provides the necessary absence of the mlecchas who were India and compared them with competencies to enter the job market once considered as responsible for that of preferential representation which the reservation communities our troubles or the same old story to Bhumiputras in Malaysia and are missing. It is common sense continuing in different garb? similar policies in other countries. knowledge of everyone that the Yet, people keep on referring to this Government schools and colleges Indian caste system based on simple measure as an aberration have become dumping grounds occupational reservations had without knowing the size of caste- for SC, ST,OBC and poor to get been subjected to disparagement based reservations of let us say (15 admission into B.A, B.Sc., B.Com, from the time of Buddha, was per cent) scheduled castes. There are etc while the rich and those who structurally confronted in the 175 lakh jobs in government (state, can meet the opportunity cost get in nineteenth century by providing union, local body, public sector) to technical institutes. Privatisation representation to the unrepresented where the caste –based reservations of higher education has created castes in bureaucracy in certain are observed. It means that there will caste cleavages of institutions that 10 JANATA, January 25, 2015 thrive on public money in the name of fees reimbursement. But, the Status of schooling underprivileged and poor who fail to pay the remaining part of The Annual Status of Education • Nationally, the percentage of institutional cost drop out or remain Report (ASER) 2014 was released children out of school (age unfinished or are thrown out due to in the last week. This is the tenth group 6-14) remains at 3.3%, caste prejudices in states like Andhra annual report. ASER is the largest the same as the figure last year. Pradesh to which our media pay little annual household survey of attention. children in rural India that focuses • In some states the proportion on the status of schooling and basic of girls (age group 11-14) out It is in this context the 10th learning. Facilitated by Pratham of school remains greater than ASER survey report evoked some Education Foundation, in each 8%. These states are Rajasthan interest as it has reported that the rural district ASER is conducted by (12.1%) and Uttar Pradesh levels of learning like reading a II local organizations and institutions. (9.2%) class text by a III class student is ASER 2014 reached 577 districts limited to only 25 per cent and so and 16,497 villages, and about • Although enrolment levels on. Though some of the findings 570,000 children in the age group are very high for the age are not reckoning with NCERT 3-16 were surveyed in just over group covered by the Right survey due to conceptual issues, it 340,000 households. to Education Act (i.e. 6 to 14 is declared that enrolment in 6-14 years), the proportion of 15 to 16 age elementary education is 96 per Every year, ASER finds out year olds not enrolled in school cent or almost universal. It is also whether children in rural India go is substantial. Nationally, for reported that the enrolment in tuition to school, whether they can read rural areas, 15.9% of boys and fees paid private schools is 30.8 per simple text and whether they can 17.3% of girls in this age group cent and in cities like Hyderabad 54.8 do basic arithmetic. In 2005, 2007, are currently out of school. per cent. However the differences in and every year since 2009, ASER the performance of dalits and others has also included a visit to one The proportion of children persist. For instance, reading of a text government school in each sampled enrolled in private schools has is performed by 58 per cent of dalits village. Since the implementation increased slightly from last year. while it is 69 per cent for forward of the RTE Act in 2010, school castes in private schools while the visits in ASER have included • In 2014, 30.8% of all 6-14 year difference in government schools indicators of compliance with those old children in rural India are is large 42 per cent and 65 per cent norms and standards specified in the enrolled in private schools. This for dalits and others respectively. Right to Education Act that are easy number is up slightly from 29% It is reported in some studies that to measure. In 2014, ASER visited in 2013. government schools are considered 15,206 government schools across as schools for reservation folk and rural India. • As in previous years, in each therefore neither the teachers nor age group, a higher proportion the public servants are bothered Key Findings of boys go to private schools and they slowly perish. Perhaps like 2014 is the sixth year in a row as compared to girls. In 2014, the Public Sector enterprises that that enrolment levels are 96% or in the age group 7-10 years, are designed to make losses to be higher for the 6-14 age group. The 35.6% of boys are enrolled in confiscated by crony capitalists, the proportion of children currently not private schools as compared education system is perhaps heading in school remains at 3.3%. with 27.7% of girls. For the age towards that goal. But, the situation group of 11-14 years, 33.5% in countries like USA, Pakistan • India is close to universal of boys are in private schools and China with whom we always enrolment for the age group as compared to 25.9% of girls. compare is different. There the state 6-14, with the percentage of takes the responsibility of ‘no child children enrolled in school at • Compared to similar figures in left behind’ unlike India that makes 96% or above for six years in 2013, there has been an increase an RTE Act and forget. a row. in private school enrolment in JANATA, January 25, 2015 11

almost all states. The only Std V. and Andhra Pradesh are the exceptions to this are Gujarat, exceptions where the situation Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, • Looking at trends over time, in has been more or less the same Nagaland and Kerala. many states the reading status of for the past several years. children is largely unchanged. • Five states in India now have However in some states, like Ability to read English is private school enrolment rates Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, unchanged for lower primary in the elementary stage that Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh grades. are greater than 50%. These and Maharashtra there are Assessments of basic English are Manipur (73.3%), Kerala visible declines in reading have been carried out in 2007, 2009, (62.2%), Haryana (54.2%), levels over the last 5-6 years. 2012 and 2014. Uttar Pradesh (51.7%), and Meghalaya (51.7%). Math continues to be a serious • Children’s ability to read and major source of concern. English is relatively unchanged Reading levels remain low and • The All India (rural) figures for in lower primary grades. In unchanged. basic arithmetic have remained 2014, about 25% of children • Overall, the situation with virtually unchanged over the enrolled in Std V could read basic reading continues to be last few years. In 2012, 26.3% simple English sentences. This extremely disheartening in of Std III children could do number is virtually unchanged India. In 2014, in Std III, only a a two digit subtraction. This since 2009. fourth of all children can read a number is at 25.3% in 2014. For Std II text fluently. This number Std V children, the ability to do • However, a decline is visible rises to just under half in Std V. division has increased slightly in upper primary grades. For Even in Std VIII, close to 75% from 24.8% in 2012 to 26.1% example, in 2009, 60.2% of children can read Std II level in 2014. children in Std VIII could read text (which implies that 25% simple sentences in English but still cannot). • There are other trends which are in 2014, this figure is 46.8%. quite worrying. For example, • Some very small improvements the percentage of children in • In 2014, of those who can read in reading are visible in the last Std II who still cannot recognize words (regardless of grade), few years. For example, the numbers up to 9 has increased roughly 60% could explain the proportion of Std V children over time, from 11.3% in 2009 meanings of the words read. Of who can at least read a Std II to 19.5% in 2014. those who can read sentences, level text has inched upwards 62.2% in Std V could explain from 46.8% in 2012 to 47% • Similarly, the ability to do the meaning of the sentences. in 2013 and to 48.1% in 2014. division among Std VIII Depending on the class, the 38.7% of Std III children could students has been dropping ability to say the meaning read at least a Std I level text in since 2010. The proportion of (of words and sentences) was 2012. This number is slightly Std VIII students who could higher in previous years. higher at 40.2% in 2014. correctly do a three digit by School observations one digit division problem was • In some states, reading levels 68.3% in 2010. This number ASER 2014 visited 15,206 have improved since last year. has dropped to 44.1% in 2014. government schools with primary For example, in 2014 a higher sections. Of these 8,844 were proportion of children in Std V • Few changes are visible since primary schools and 6,362 were in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, last year (except in Tamil Nadu upper primary schools which also Bihar, Odisha and Karnataka where there are improvements). had primary sections. can at least read Std II level However looking over a five text than was the case last year. to eight year period, it is clear Teacher and child attendance Tamil Nadu shows major gains that math levels have declined show no major changes from last in reading over last year for in almost every state. Karnataka year. 12 JANATA, January 25, 2015

• In 2014, ASER data indicates • Of the government primary 32.9% in 2010 to 53.3% in that 71.4% of enrolled children schools visited in 2014, over 2013 to 55.7% in 2014. In in primary schools and 71.1% one third are “small schools” four states, more than 75% of of enrolled children in upper with a total enrolment of 60 schools visited had useable primary schools were present children or less. girls’ toilets. These states are on the day of the visit. In 2013, Gujarat, Kerala, Himachal these figures were 70.7% in • In 2009, the percentage of Pradesh and Haryana. primary schools and 71.8% in government primary schools upper primary schools. visited that were “small” was • There is a small increase in the 26.1%. For the most part, availability of computers in the • As in previous years, children’s improvement in school facilities schools visited. The 2014 figure attendance varies considerably continues. stands at 19.6%, as compared across the country. States to 15.8% in 2010. Several like Himachal Pradesh, • The percentage of schools states stand out in this regard. In Gujarat, 81.3% of schools Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, complying with RTE mandated visited had computers; this Maharashtra, Karnataka, pupil-teacher ratios has number was 89.8% in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and increased from 45.3% last year 46.3% in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have attendance to 49.3% in 2014. In 2010, this figure was 38.9%. 62.4% in Tamil Nadu. levels that range from 80 to 90%. But in states like Uttar • Nationally, as far as office/store, • The proportion of schools Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, playground, boundary wall and with libraries has increased Jharkhand, and Madhya kitchen shed are concerned, substantially, from 62.6% in Pradesh, attendance rates are progress is visible from year 2010 to 78.1% in 2014. In much lower and range from 50 to year. about 40.7% of schools that to 60%. were visited, children were • With respect to drinking water seen using library books as • Trends over time show that provision and availability, compared to 37.9% in 2010. children’s attendance both in drinking water was available in primary and upper primary 75.6% of the schools that were (Continued from Page 4) schools was higher in 2009 as visited. In 2010, this figure was compared to 2014. In 2009, 72.7%. In four states (Bihar, In the post-independence era, attendance was at 74.3% in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and from Chaudhary Charan Singh to primary schools and 77% in Himachal Pradesh), drinking Mahantha Devaru Nanjundaswamy, upper primary schools. water was available in more Kishan Patnaik and Sachidanand than 85% of schools. Sinha, there have been people • Since 2009, there has been a who have deeply deliberated small decrease in the attendance • ASER records whether toilets upon the nature and problems of rates of teachers. For primary are available and useable on agriculture and agriculturists vis- schools, in 2014, 85% of the day of the visit. Since a-vi industrialization in previously appointed teachers were present 2010, there has been significant colonized countries including India. in school on the day of the visit progress in the availability of This unique legacy must become as compared to 89.1% in 2009. useable toilets. Nationally in a part of the present discourse of The 2014 figure for teacher 2014, 65.2% of schools visited development/progress. There are attendance in upper primary had toilet facilities that were peasant movements and leaders schools is 85.8% as against useable. In 2013, this figure world over, even in the Europe, who 88.6% in 2009. was 62.6% and in 2010, it oppose the conditions imposed by was 47.2%). The proportion the WTO in the interest of certain The proportion of “small schools” of schools visited where multi-national companies operating in the government primary school girls’ toilets were available in agriculture sector. Lessons can be sector continues to grow. and useable has gone up from learnt from these movements. JANATA, January 25, 2015 13 Evolutionary (Science-Directed) Socialism: Part-VII

Bhagwat Prasad Rath

Environmental problems are government funds - something public ears by the media and the ringing a warning bell for humanity. of the insanity our present world state-controlled economists. Does We can ignore it at our peril. To financial system is based on has the world need more growth, quote Fred Magdoff, “Not just become increasingly visible. Could as mainstream economists and climate change, but also pollution we do things differently? Are we politicians continually affirm, or a of the air, water, soil, and living mortgaging our earth to pay for planned de-growth, as ecological organisms, the loss of biodiversity a style of living that can only be economists like Martinez-Alier, both aboveground and in the soil, the sustained for a minority of humans, Simms and Johnson advocate? Does extinction of species, and the overuse for a brief period.” it need a different kind of growth? and misuse of both renewable and If so, what, and how could his be nonrenewable natural resources” Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel-winner managed? (‘Building an ecologically sound and economist, is alarmed at the World Herman Daly points out the socially just economy’ in Analytical Bank and IMF imposed policies logical fallacy in models of economic Monthly Review, September-2014). ruining the world: “Economics of growth: “In its physical dimensions These issues plague the whole of the Fund-Bank kind is bad for many the economy is an open subsystem humanity. Also unemployment, reasons. It is intellectually dishonest, of the earth ecosystem, which is inequality and poverty should and does not really benefit countries finite, non-growing, and materially not be tolerated by any state. The or reduce their poverty; profits closed. As the economic subsystem Brundtland Report-1987 says that created at human expense can be grows it incorporates an ever greater ‘development is that which meets seen as morally bad, specifically proportion of the total ecosystem the needs of the present without bad Karma. The destructive impact into itself and must reach a limit at compromising the ability of future of escalating debt is the essence of 100 percent, if not before. Therefore generations to meet their own needs.’ bad economics.” its growth is not sustainable. The Why are the rulers of different term ‘sustainable growth’ when Today illusive money is ruling countries accepting these wrong applied to the economy is a bad the world. To quote from the book policies? Actually, democracy has oxymoron…Rather, it (GDP growth) ‘Ecology Economy’: “Money has crumbled in almost all countries of is an economic system that has basic come to exist more and more in the world. In the US, one percent of internal forces - especially the profit token form - from notes to electronic people are deciding the policies and motive and competition among firms trading. In relation to massive debt, strategies of the government. (Stiglitz - that operate in such a way as to the whole edifice of money stands says that American democracy is promote exponential growth while increasingly revealed as a colossal “of the 1%, by the 1% and for the simultaneously causing massive illusion. Phantom wealth is created 1 %”). Both the Republicans and negative social and ecological through a phantom mountain of Democrats are controlled by the effects.” – ‘Ecology Economy’. debt.” Andrew Simmas’ ‘Ecological leading capital-owners, who are one Debt’ contrasts the impossible, un- percent of the public of the US. In It is unfortunate that we forget that repayable financial debts that Third India the situation is not different. we are living in an inter-dependant World governments owe to First The two leading parties, the BJP and world. “All living beings are World banks with a different level Congress, are at the beck and call of members of ecological communities of real debt owed by the world’s corporation powers. The people of bound together in a network of financial elites to the regions whose the democratic countries are misled interdependencies. When this deep resources they have plundered. by the media owned and managed ecological perception becomes part by the corporation elite. of our daily awareness, a radically “Since the bailout of banks in new system of ethics emerges” the US and the UK - starting in “Perpetual growth” is the wtites Fritjof Capra in ‘ The Web 2008 with massive injections of formula constantly dinned into of Life’. 14 JANATA, January 25, 2015

Non-violence is considered as the In the book ‘Power and Morality’ particular direction to produce the greatest value of the Yoga system. two world-level sociologists Prof. human species on the earth (Prof. The Mahabharata places non- Pitirim A. Sorokin and Walter A. Stuart Kuffman violence at a higher level than truth Lunden write, “When the morality (Adiparba-Kausika Myth). Violence and mentality of rulers and the calls it “order for free”), scientists shatters the web of life and disturbs ruled are measured by the same generally accept the idea that man’s the normal pace of nature. moral and mental yardstick (and not appearance on the earth is an

by the double standard discussed accident. Darwin madeth the greatest Mining companies are making above), then the rulers’ morality discovery of the 19 century but he profit only because of state’s support. and minds appear to be marked by gave competition the key role in a much stronger dualism - by greater evolution. Male-dominated Euro- ‘Out of This Earth’ (Padel and mental and moral schizophrenia than centric thinking biased Darwin. Das 2010), with a cost-benefit the morality and mentality of the The same bias guides many leading analysis of Aluminium projects members of the ruled populations. scientists of the world. Scientists showed that making alumina and The moral behaviour of ruling like Stephen Jay Gold and Lewontin Aluminium can only make a profit groups tends to be more criminal raised their voices against scientists with huge subsidies on the price and sub-moral than that of the ruled having the race bias but they too of electricity, water and transport, strata of the same society. The forgot that we would be living in a and by excluding pollution costs, greater, more absolute, and coercive world free from wars and aggressive etc. as ‘externalities’. Also, the power of rulers, political leaders, nationalism, had female intellect any mining makes a profit only and big executives of business, directed world affairs. Non­violence if the basic cost of ore is kept labour and other organizations, and in the ambience is necessary for abysmally low-far lower than it the less freely this power is approved freedom of all the species on the should be considering the huge by the ruled population, the more earth. Man went against nature’s environmental and social costs corrupt and criminal such ruling direction when he gave importance involved. Keeping costs and prices groups and executives tend to be.” to violence. low is what cartels are about.’ They alsowrite, “In regard to the In the Hindu of December-28, America’s top aluminium captains of finance and wealth, it 2014 Harsh Mander writes: “To expert wrote: Aluminum making is was said long ago that it is easier draw men into struggles against dependent on vast for a camel to pass through the eye patriarchy, 1,200 activist from 94 of a needle than for the rich to enter countries converged in Delhi for continuing grants of low-cost the kingdom of God. The truth of a conference titled Men Engage. electricity…. (It) is no great maker of this maxim is well confirmed by the “Patriarchy and gender injustice employment, uses little skilled labor, experience of the past as well as by remain defining characteristics of and adds little to the independent the careful histories of the modern societies around the world with development of an area…. The US big fortunes and by the biographies devastating effects on everyone’s cannot any longer afford to make of recent captains of industry and daily life,” the conference declared. aluminium if it can be obtained finance, go-betweens, and some Patriarchy constitutes “immense in large enough quantities an on labour leaders. These histories and threats to human wellbeing” because favorable price terms from other biographies show that in recent “no matter who we are, and no sources. (Anderson 1951:21, as cited times, just as in the past, there are matter where we are in the world, in Padel and Das few, if any, big fortunes amassed these forces make our relationships without crime, just as there are few less fulfilling, less healthy and Stiglitz writes, “Resources captains of industry and finance, and less safe. From an early age, they should belong to the people and few powerful labour leaders that are introduce suffering, violence, governments should represent the free from criminal violations of law illness, hate and death within our people, which means government and morality.” families and communities. They can’t permit the appropriation of strip us of our fundamental human public resources by the private Though computer scientists have rights and hinder our ability to live sector.” discovered that nature moves in a a life with love, dignity, intimacy JANATA, January 25, 2015 15 and mutual respect. They hamper he responded, ‘but the boys took it Globalization has led to the development of our economies away.’ lumpenization of the proletariat and and keep our global society from the elite also. Societies are becoming flourishing.” Why did you give them the atomized as well as herdlike. Human money, we asked. His response society through millions of years caught us totally off guard. A landmark UNFPA study developed its intelligence and confirms how closely men and My son put a pistol to my head social abilities. Man lived in band boys in India conform to these and took the money away. This societies. Human bands consisted domineering models of masculinity. is becoming quite common here. of about 148 members. Prof. Dunbar Ninety-three per cent men felt that They (the boys and the young men) and his colleagues researched “to be a man, you need to be tough”; are only interested in three things: and came to the conclusion that 60 per cent of men report that they gadi, daroo, bandook (cars, liquor the volume of human mind was are violent with their intimate and guns). Come with me one proportional to the number of partners. Nine in 10 men felt that a evening after sundown to the road members in a band. Gibbons are not woman must obey her husband, and which bisects the SEZ area. I will so intelligent. They live in bands three in four that, in family matters, be able to show you the line of new of five or six. Chimpanzees live in a man’s word should be final. Only jeeps (SUVs) parked along the road. bands of 50 to 60 members. They 15 per cent of men involve their Loud disco music blares out of the are more intelligent than Gibbons. wives in making family decisions. vehicles. The boys drink and make Socialized bands of humans was merry in them till the early house definitely the contribution of the How devastating the unholy of the morning. Our bahu-betis females of society. Big bands of combination between capitalism and (daughters-in-law and daughters) humans gave them safety from the male chauvinism can be, comes out have stopped stepping out in the in the book ‘Churning the Earth, the predatory animals. To-day, within evening. It used to be very safe here. Making of Global India’ by Aseem decades, we are undermining our Now it isn’t. The boys return home Shrivastava and Ashis Kothari. heritage of millions of years. We in the early hours of the morning, The two authors went to an area are going in a reverse direction to sleep till the afternoon, and in the which the Government wants to evolutionally nature’s intention of evening return to their favourite building a matricentric socialist declare as SEZ (special economic hideaway to repeat the routine. How zone). An area of 25,000/-hectares society because we (the rulers and many months will Rs.22 lakh last if commoners) are getting atomized will be in this SEZ. The state is it is being burnt at this rate? displacing the farmers of a number and lumpenized at a fast pace. What of villages with the help of the The farmer’s wife says, “This to speak of band societies of 148 police and the anti-social elements is not just the forced takeover of members? Even families consisting created and energized by the think our land and ancestral village, it is of a few members are breaking tank of the reliance industry. In the also the decimation of our culture in different countries. Man is a words of Shrivastava and Kothari: ­ and roots. Alcohol was always product of society. Lumpenization “To be sure, some famers (hedging a problem in our villages. Now, is an enemy of social values. To- their bets) have sold a part of their with easy money, alcoholism is a day economic globalization and land. Others have made distress daily nightmare. Men are out of lumpenization reinforce each other. sales, given the tough economic control. Domestic violence is all Economic globalization is also conditions. But they have not too common. We do not belong to creating ecological disturbance. been able to take advantage of the the city. And our own village seems How to prevent both is the question compensation money. We asked a alien to us now. Hum toh kaheen ke that cries for answer among the farmer in Pelpa who was attending a nahin nabe (We belong nowhere social thinkers of the world. meeting of the village elders (known now)…Rural society in Haryana as taus) what he did with the money is in a state of moral breakdown. A Earlier installments of the essay he had received from Reliance. He certain despair haunts people here. were published in Janata issues of responded that he barely got to It is the despair of ‘traumatized August 17, September 14, October see the money. We asked whether communities that have lost control 5, October 26, November 16 and Reliance had paid him. ‘Of course,’ over their fate.” December 7, 2014. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, January 25, 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, January 25, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday January 28, 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 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 1 Annual Number February 1, 2015

Sting in the tail S. Viswam

Tilt towards America Kuldip Nayar

The Business of Government Subsidies Neeraj Jain

Understanding the Ambedkar–Gandhi Debate Rajmohan Gandhi

The Abolition of Truth Dilip Simeon

Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Bharat Dogra

Editor : G. G. Parikh Managing Editor : Guddi D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Mumbai - 400 007. Email : [email protected] 2 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Martyrs’ Day Bhopal January 30, 2015

100 days Anti Liquor Walk in Tamil Nadu from 2nd October 2014 to 12th January 2015 JANATA, February 1, 2015 3 Sting in the tail

S. Viswam

The home truths offered by the visiting US president colour, creed, religion and gender. Fortunately, India and Barack Obama shortly before ending his three-day visit the Indian Constitution fully subscribe to the postulate to India could not obviously have gone down well with enunciated by Obama that “every person has the right a section of the Indian political class. For those who to practice their faith as they choose, or no faith at all have been advocating the conversion of India into Hindu without fear or discrimination.” Obama pointed out that Rashtra, any comment by anybody challenging such in both the democracies, people “dream big”. Referring advocacy can only be anathema. If such a challenge to himself and Narendra Modi, he said that these were comes from a visiting world leader, that too leader of the countries where the son of a tea vendor can be PM, can world’s second largest democracy, it can hurt the saffron draft the Constitution (BR Ambedkar) and the grandson parivar, just as it can enthuse the entire secular spectrum. of a cook can be President.” He paid tributes to India for Predictably, barring the right wing parties drawing promoting gender equality. inspiration from the RSS, all other parties have endorsed Obama’s reminder to the BJP-led ruling dispensation Although Modi said in a statement that he and his that “with power comes responsibilities” and that such “friend” Obama had forged a close relationship, the responsibilities include the upholding of Article 25 of the president’s comments on the breach of religious tolerance Indian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion”. in India must have cut him to the quick. In particular, Obama’s comment that India will succeed as long as it Obama’s comment must be seen as not one of the is not splintered on sectarian lines was direct hit at the pontificatory generalities spouted by visiting dignitaries policies the current government is promoting, supporting but as one pointedly addressing the government of or permitting. It is no wonder that the Congress has been the day. Speaking about religious freedom and gender elated at the presidential remarks and Congress leaders equality, he said that in all countries upholding those and spokesmen have asked Modi to understand them in freedoms was the responsibility of the government and their true perspective. It is however too much to hope the citizenry, adding that religion has been used to tap into that programmes like ghar wapasi, which have begun to the dark side of man. In other words, religion was used to splinter the nation on communal lines and have vexed spread hate and disrupt communal and social harmony. the Muslim and Christian minorities, will be withdrawn Considering that both India and the US, are victims of by the saffron parivar. The ghar wapasi programme is fundamentalism and extremism that impact adversely being projected as an instrument of the Hindu Rashtra on the cultural and social diversities characterizing the movement. The danger is that the dissatisfied minorities ethos of the two nations, Obama’s remarks were timely, may be tempted to launch ghar wapasi programmes of critical of the divisive forces in India, and suggestive their own. of the fact that the US was quite conscious of the pro- Hindutva preferences of the newly elected government Aside from the “sting in the tail” comment on India in India, whose Constitution defines it as a” secular, needing to be fully secular, the Obama visit must be seen socialist, democratic republic”. as a great success from both the countries’ point of view. The agreements signed by him and Modi, in particular the Indeed, in this age and time, when democracy has been one enabling the breakthrough of the nuclear deadlock, firmly established in India and the US, it is still necessary the deepening of the strategic and economic partnerships, for attention to be focused on either religious freedom have upgraded the bilateral ties to a new level where each and gender equality because these two attributes are still country can better further their interests. Doing business not being respected or honoured in several countries, with India has been made easier for the US and vice versa, some of them even calling themselves both modern and and even in the defence field, the expansion of bilateral progressive. This is rather unfortunate but true. In his cooperation is imminent. Obama’s visit has truly been own country, said Obama, he had often felt being treated path-breaking. It was replete with both symbolism and “differently” because of the colour of his skin. In India,we substance, a phenomenon acknowledged by Obama are still fighting many disabilities arising from caste, himself. 4 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Between the lines

Tilt towards America

Kuldip Nayar

Prime Minister Nareandra Modi must be regretting his press conference at Delhi brought his strong support that he invited President Barrack Obama for the to Ukraine without any ifs or buts. Republic Day. The latter made no secret of demolishing the Bhartiya Janata Party’s ‘ghar wapsi’ slogan and the Prime Minister Modi, a post-cold war leader, is other programmes related to Hindutva ideology. He conscious of America’s military and economic prowess, reminded India of its commitment to religious freedom, compared to weak Russia’s. He is also pragmatic enough consecrated in the Constitution. to bring that in consideration when looking ahead. He has cautiously moved towards America knowing well which A more charitable explanation can be that Modi side of the bread is buttered. It may soon be followed by wanted his Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) to know what proximity with Australia and Japan. These two countries the democratic world thought about its new zeal for a are already on the American side. Hindu Rashtra. Whatever the case, the BJP has got such a rebuke that it will be difficult for the party to show its Washington seems to have no doubt in its thinking that face in the democratic world. its real adversary is Beijing. America cannot find a better partner than a larger and economically burgeoning India. President Obama reminded the Indian nation that it That is the reason why Beijing has reacted adversely to can succeed so long as it is not splintered along religious President Obama’s visit and has warned India not to be lines and allowed people to freely “profess, practice taken in by America’s overtures. New Delhi is sensitive to and propagate” religion. Whether the BJP has liked his China’s sensitivities. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is frank statement or not, the nation as a whole is happy herself going to Beijing to assure it that India’s friendship that tall leader like Obama has reminded the country of with America is not at the expense of China. its pluralistic ethos. Some BJP leaders are upset because they have been hinting at building the Ram temple at the Beijing is not naïve about the possible dangers. It site where the demolished Babri Masjid stood. understands that India is the only power in the region which can challenge China. True, its 1962 victory against The visit of President Obama has some other fallout India is a heady wine which still intoxicates Beijing. But regarding India’s status in the international affairs. it also knows that New Delhi has come a long way since. Probably, realizing this one Pakistani television channel It realizes that New Delhi is militarily stronger and more telephoned me to sum up the outcome of Obama’s visit. resourceful than it was in 1962. I said in reply: A tilt towards America to the chagrin of China. Let me explain. Then the non-aligned status of India was a bone of contention with America. Still it responded to Jawaharlal Even during the cold war when New Delhi was leading Nehru’s request for weapons and air umbrella. It is the non-alignment movement, its deference to Moscow another thing that Beijing announced a unilateral was apparent. Since India provided a stable and reliable ceasefire after making pulp of India’s military strength channel to the Soviet Union, Washington would take and defeating it decisively. New Delhi’s tilt in its stride. President Obama’s visit is a guarantee that India would Today, Moscow is neither strong nor commands not be alone if ever such a situation develops again. It support from what was the then eastern Europe. True, can feel secure after his visit. New Delhi tried its best President Vladimir Putin has put a strong foot forward. to wean America away from Pakistan. Prime Minister But he is conscious of his limitations. Ukraine’s standard Modi reportedly talked more than once to President of revolt is one example. America’s support to it is open Obama, but he could only get support for action against and public. So much so, a question to President Obama at (Continued on Page 30) JANATA, February 1, 2015 5 The Business of Government Subsidies

Neeraj Jain

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre giving away lakhs of crores of rupees as subsidies to is not only continuing with the anti-people policies of the rich. Had it really been concerned about the fiscal the previous UPA government, it is implementing them deficit, it could have easily reduced these mind-boggling at an accelerated speed. give-aways! But in the new economic lexicon preached by the High Priests in Washington, these concessions Just like his predecessors, the Finance Minister Arun are called 'incentives' and are considered essential for Jaitley too is claiming that government subsidies to 'growth'. On the other hand, the concessions given to the poor (also called social sector expenditures), that the poor, which are aimed at making available essential is, expenditure on providing cheap welfare services welfare services like education, health, food, transport, - education, health, food, drinking water, etc. - to the electricity, etc. to them at affordable rates, are given people, have reached very high levels1. On August 13, the derisive name 'subsidies' and are being drastically 2014, the government set up an Expenditure Management reduced in the name of containing the fiscal deficit. Not Commission to suggest ways to reduce food, fertiliser only that, these essential services are being privatised and oil subsidies, and thereby reduce the government's too — resulting in fabulous profits for the private sector. expenditure minus its revenues, called the fiscal deficit2. Even before the Commission has submitted its Let us take a look at some of these so-called incentives recommendations, there are reports that the government given to the rich, especially the giant foreign and Indian is moving to prune the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural business houses. Employment Guarantee Scheme and confine it to the 200 poorest districts in the country. The UPA government had i) Tax Concessions reduced MGNREGA allocation from Rs. 40,100 crores Every year, for the past several years, the budget to Rs. 33,000 crores; the new government is proposing to documents have included a statement on the estimated reduce it further by Rs. 3000 crores. The government is revenue forgone by the government due to exemptions in also proposing to reduce its expenditure on education by major taxes levied by the Centre. The budget documents Rs. 11,000 crores and on health by Rs. 7,000 crores. The reveal that for the year 2013-14, the government gave Departments of Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and away Rs. 5.32 lakh crores in tax exemptions/ deductions/ Sanitation are facing average cuts of about 25 percent3. incentives to the very rich. (The write-offs as mentioned in the budget are actually Rs. 5.72 lakh crores. From One of the conditionalities of the World Bank-dictated that, we have deducted the Rs. 40,000 crores forgone on structural adjustment programme (SAP) imposed on personal income tax, since this write-off benefits a wider India following the foreign exchange crisis of 1990- group of people.) These major write-offs are in direct 91 was that the government must strive to reduce its corporate income tax, customs and excise duties4. These fiscal deficit. Since then, each and every budget of the tax concessions given to the rich exceed our fiscal deficit government of India (even though the coalition at the for 2013-14 (Rs. 5.25 lakh crores)!5 Had Chidambaram Centre has been changing) has made reduction in fiscal really been concerned about reducing the fiscal deficit, deficit a central task of the budget. he could have reduced these concessions given to India's richie rich. Of course, neither the World Bank, nor any of our Finance Ministers — from Arun Jaitley to P. Chidambaram Successive governments at the Centre have been to Manmohan Singh — have really been concerned about doling out these concessions to the 'corporate needy and reducing the fiscal deficit. This is obvious from the way the undernourished rich' for the last several years, ever they have been handling the various components of the since the economic reforms began. Budget documents government's expenditures and revenues. The fiscal reveal that over the nine-year period 2005-06 to 2013- deficit is the excess of the government's expenditures 14, the tax write-offs given by the government to the over receipts. Even a cursory look at the policies being super-rich total a mind-boggling Rs. 36.6 lakh crores! pursued by the government of India reveals that it is That amounts to roughly one-third of our 2013-14 GDP.6 6 JANATA, February 1, 2015

These tax concessions are being given to some of the (ii) Plundering Resources richest people in the world. Forbes, the oracle of business journalism, puts out a list of the world's billionaires every a) KG Basin Gas Scam year. Its 2013 list included the names of 55 Indians, with Though hydrocarbon reserves of the country belong to an average net worth of around Rs. 19,080 crores. Their the people, in 2000, the government of India handed over total net worth is …er, Rs. 10.5 lakh crores, double our exploration of gas reserves in D-6 block of the Krishna fiscal deficit for 2013-14.7 Godavari basin to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). The Production Sharing Contract with RIL stipulated that RIL The obscenity of these tax concessions becomes is to pay the government only 10% of the total revenue evident from just a single statistic: in 2013-14, the until it recovers 1.5 times its investment; thereafter, the single biggest chunk of customs duties forgone was on government’s share is to rise.11 RIL, in naked collusion diamonds and gold, accounting for Rs. 48,000 crores, with the government, through a series of manipulations, nearly one-fifth of the total customs duty revenue has indulged in absolutely mind-boggling plunder of the forgone. The waiver on gold and diamonds in just 3 years country's natural gas wealth. We briefly give two of these (2011-14) was Rs. 1.6 lakh crores — equivalent to 30% frauds below: of our fiscal deficit for 2013-14. No wonder that three new Indian entrants to Forbes 2013 Billionaires List were • In 2004, the government allowed RIL to over-invoice from the field of jewellery.8 its capital expenditure in developing the D-6 block from the original estimate of $2.4 billion to $8.8 Tax-GDP Ratio: Lowest in World billion. This 'gold-plating' by RIL is estimated to It is because of these huge tax concessions that India's have caused a loss to the government of at least Rs. tax-GDP ratio, at 18.5% of GDP, is far below not only the 37,000 crores.12 ‘advanced economies’ (36.7%), but also the ‘emerging market and developing economies’ (27.9%). Even the • In 2003, the public sector National Thermal Power countries of sub-Saharan Africa, considered to be one of Corporation (NTPC) agreed to buy gas from RIL the poorest regions in the world, have a tax-GDP ratio for its thermal plants at the rate of $2.34 per unit of of 27% (Chart 1). It is thus obvious that there is a huge gas [One unit of gas = One million British thermal scope for increasing tax revenues in the country. units (mBtu)] for the next 17 years — even though ONGC was supplying gas (to industries such as These mind-boggling transfers to the corporate trough power and fertiliser) at the rate of $1.83 per unit are going to continue at an accelerated pace under the of gas. (According to one estimate, RIL's cost per new government at the Centre. Arun Jaitley, the finance unit of gas is $1.43; another estimate puts it at less minister of the BJP/NDA government, has gone on than $1.) And then, in 2007, the government allowed record to say that the country had a “high tax regime”, RIL to double the price of gas being supplied by it and that as the economy improves, he would announce (to NTPC and other industries) to $4.20 per unit! 10 more income tax concessions. The total profit to RIL due to this price increase — a cool Rs. 1,20,000 crores (this is over and above the profit it was making when it was supplying gas at 13 40 36.7 $2.34 per unit)! Three-fourth of the natural gas in the country is consumed by the power and fertiliser 27.9 30 27 industries,14 implying that this largesse to RIL is one 18.5 of the reasons for the steep hike in price of electricity 20 and urea fertiliser in recent years. 10

% of GDP Adding up all of the above, the total loss to the 0 exchequer is going to be Rs. 1.6 lakh crores at the Advanced Emerging Sub-Saharan India Economies Market and Africa minimum. This, for gas fields identified by the ONGC, Developing which also has the necessary technology and expertise Economies needed to explore and develop these gas fields — in other Chart 1: words, there was no need to transfer them to RIL! But General Government Revenues, % of GDP, 2007-119 then that is what globalisation is all about!! JANATA, February 1, 2015 7 b) The Iron Ore Mining Scam (80 hectares) of prime land to Larsen and Toubro in In 2005, the US-Korean multinational POSCO signed the industrial zone of Hazira in Surat also at Re. 1 an agreement with the Odisha government to build a steel per sq metre. plant in the state, along with a captive port and allocation • 24,021 hectares was gifted to Archean Chemicals of iron ore mines. The agreement allows POSCO to Ltd and 26,746 hectares to Solaris ChemTech in the extract a total of 600 million tons of high grade iron ore Rann of Kutch for manufacturing salt and salt-based for use in its proposed steel plant in the area, and also chemicals, at just Rs. 150 per hectare. mine another 400 million tons of iron ore for export to its • The Essar Group, another Modi favourite, was steel plants in South Korea. While the project is billed as allotted 2.08 lakh sq metres of Coastal Regulation India's largest FDI proposal, it is also going to result in Zone land and forest land for a steel plant, that can’t stupendous profits for POSCO. We make a rough estimate be allotted as per Supreme Court guidelines — as below (for only its mining operations):15 if to atone for this crime, Essar paid Rs. 20 lakhs as 16 • Taking cost of extraction, processing and transport fine and peacefully continues to occupy the land. of iron ore for POSCO to be a generous Rs. 800 per ton; and taking the market price of iron ore lumps iv) Direct Cash Transfers to Corporations to be Rs. 5000 per ton (an underestimate), on which POSCO has to pay an absurdly low 10% royalty to a) Costly People’s Car the government; State governments are competing with each other to • POSCO therefore stands to make a profit of at least give thousands of crores of rupees as subsidies to private Rs. (5000 – 800 – 500) = Rs. 3700 per ton of iron corporations for setting up projects in their states. After ore mined. POSCO will be mining 600 million tons Tata Motors was forced to move out of Singur by a of iron ore for its steel plant over the next 30 years determined people's movement, Modi rolled out the red — giving it a total profit of over Rs. 2.22 lakh crores. carpet to welcome Ratan Tata to Gujarat. It was a carpet • Additionally, POSCO has been allowed to export with gold linings. Here is a brief list of the concessions 400 million tons of iron ore to South Korea — thus given to the Tatas to set up the Nano car project in giving it an additional profit of Rs. 1.48 lakh crores. Gujarat: • Tata Motors was allotted 1100 acres of land for the All this, just from mining iron ore, that belongs to project in Sanand, Gujarat at a discounted price of Rs. the people of the country, when we have public sector 900 per sq metre, when its market rate was around companies with all the necessary technology and Rs. 10,000 per sq metre — a total concession of Rs. expertise needed to mine it. 44100 crores. • On top of it, Tata Motors was given the facility of That is just the legal iron ore mining scam. Apart from making the payment of Rs. 400 crores for the land this, millions of tons of iron ore is being illegally mined in 8 equal instalments at 8% compound interest with and exported from the country. a moratorium of two years. (iii) Great Land Grab • The total project cost is estimated at Rs. 2200 crores. Tens of thousands of acres of land is being handed No financial institution grants a loan of more than 70- 80 percent of the project cost; however, Tatas were over to private corporations virtually for free to set up given a soft loan of Rs. 9,570 crores at an interest their projects. A few examples from Gujarat: of 0.10 percent per annum, with repayment deferred • The Gujarat government allotted a staggering 14,305 for 20 years. acres — equivalent to 5.78 crore square metres — of • The state government also volunteered to meet the land in Kutch to billionaire Gautam Adani controlled cost of shifting the project, estimated to be Rs. 700 Adani Group at prices ranging from Re. 1 to Rs. crores. 32 per sq metre (average price less than Rs. 10 per sq metre). Adani paid less than Rs. 60 crores for • Tatas were exempted from payment of stamp duty, the huge chunk of land, whose market price was registration charges and transfer charges. anywhere between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 per sq metre. • The state government allotted 8 lakh square metres • The Gujarat government promised to build a four- 8 JANATA, February 1, 2015

lane highway for the facility; it also agreed to • Plans for new infrastructure projects such as port acquire land for a railway line leading to the plant, projects, airports in smaller cities, and expressways, for ancillary industries and for setting up a township all to be set up through the PPP route; for Tata Motors ... • Revival of Special Economic Zones; • Setting up 100 smart cities; The total costs to the Gujarat exchequer? Rs. 33,000 crores over the next 20 years! The installed project • Setting up a National Industrial Corridor Authority capacity is 2.5 lakh small cars per annum, so the plant to coordinate development of several new industrial would be producing 50 lakh cars over these 20 years — corridors. implying that for each car produced, tax-payers would be shelling out Rs. 66,000!17 But the ‘VGF Scheme' is just one of the many ways in which lakhs of crores of rupees in subsidies are b) PPPs in Infrastructure Sector being given to investors in the infrastructural sectors. The economists sitting in Washington/Paris/London To give another example, private corporations building keep coming up with innovative ideas about how to expressways and metro projects are additionally being transfer government funds to the private sector. One given vast amounts of real estate for commercial use. such concept that has been embraced by the government Thus, in the case of the infamous Yamuna Expressway of India in a big way is Public-Private-Partnership built by Jaypee Group under the PPP model, the Group (or PPP). Under this, the private partner is not only was allowed to acquire five parcels of land along the guaranteed a minimum rate of return on its investment expressway, each of 500 hectares each, for township (the government making up for any shortfall in profits), projects. The expressway cost the Jaypee Group roughly is not only given land and other resources at concessional Rs. 13,000 crores. The Group must have got 40% of this, rates, even the investment money is also often provided that is, Rs. 5200 crores, as investment subsidy. But the by the government in the form of long term loans at real bonanza for the company was the 2500 hectares of concessional rates. What a partnership! land allotted to it — it acquired this land from farmers for around Rs. 1500 crores (at the rate of around Rs. 5 One of the most common forms of PPP subsidy is what lakhs to 60 lakhs per hectare), and its present market the government calls 'Viability Gap Funding' (VGF). value has zoomed to a whopping Rs. 1.5 lakh crores! In the name of making their investments 'viable', the That is some deal.21 government of India provides a direct subsidy to investors in the infrastructural sector of up to 40% of the project v) Firesale of PSUs to the Private Sector cost!18 And if the investor is somehow able to pad up his One of the most important elements of the WB-imposed project cost, he can then extract an even higher subsidy! SAP is privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs). Governments of all shades that have come to power at The scale of the PPP scheme is enormous: the cost the Centre since 1991 have dutifully implemented this of projects completed, under implementation or in the diktat and have been gradually selling government equity pipeline as on March 31, 2012, comes to nearly Rs. 13 in public sector companies to private investors; in many lakh crores.19 These projects are in highways, ports, firms, the government has even sold majority stake and airports, railways, power, urban infrastructure, and handed over management control to the private sector. other sectors. Assuming that most of these projects are Each and every such disinvestment in these PSUs, receiving VGF grants @ 40% of the investment, the total built out of the hard earned savings of the people of public 'subsidy' to these projects works out to more than the country, has been done at scandalously low prices, Rs. 5 lakh crores. resulting in huge losses to the government. Some recent examples: That was during the UPA regime. Soon after assuming office, the new BJP Finance Minister announced a host of • In 2001, the then NDA government sold 51% of new infrastructural projects, all involving huge transfers Balco, the giant public sector aluminium producer of government funds to the private sector via the PPP (valued at more than Rs. 5000 crores and with fixed 20 route. These include: deposits of Rs. 350 crores), to Sterlite for just Rs. • A slew of measures to fast-track PPP projects that 550 crores — an amount less than half the value of have been held up for various reasons; Balco's captive power plant!22 JANATA, February 1, 2015 9

• In 2002, the government handed over 25% share they continue to enjoy their heated swimming pools, and absolute control of Videsh Sanchar Nigam rooftop helipads, foreign homes, fast cars. The banks Ltd (VSNL), the telecommunications giant, to the simply write off their loans. In a presentation made to Tatas for just Rs. 1439 crores. VSNL was a cash- bankers, Reserve Bank of India deputy governor K. C. rich company with cash reserves and surplus to the Chakrabarty revealed that over the past 13 years (2001- tune of Rs. 6,000 crores and had made a profit of 2013), Indian public sector banks have written off a Rs. 800 crores over the paid-up capital of Rs. 285 whopping Rs. 2 lakh crores of loans, of which more crores in the year ending 2000. At the time of its than Rs. 1 lakh crores was owed by corporate houses.25 sale, VSNL had a market capitalisation of about Rs. 10,000 crores. In addition, it had prime properties Loan write-offs, however, make bad news, both for the in all major cities, whose value would also be many corporates and the banks/government. So public sector thousands of crores of rupees.23 banks are adopting a new stratagem to provide succour to these 'helpless' rich, they 'restructure' their loans. That's India's rulers have become so shameless that they have the buzz word today, 'Corporate Debt Restructuring' actually been gloating over this sale of 'family jewels' at (CDR). Under its name, the payback period may be throwaway prices. During his roadshows across Asia and extended, interest may be waived, a part of the loan Europe in early 2013, the theme of the presentation made may be converted into equity; the corporation is even by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram before foreign given another loan to tide over its 'crisis'. Data provided investors was: “Why Global Investors Should Invest by the RBI shows that banks, led by state-run lenders, in India.” One of the arguments he gave was that the have cumulatively recast loans worth more than Rs. 2.5 government was going to sell-off shares in India's leading lakh crores under the CDR mechanism till June 2013. public sector corporations, and it presented investors with Another report by the industry body FICCI says that the an “Opportunity to Reap High Yields”.24 total volume of restructured loans is much more than this, and stood at over Rs. 4 lakh crores, as banks restructure vi) Robbing Banks loans outside the CDR cell too.26 As if giving them tax concessions, cash transfers, control over the nation’s natural resources and profitable If the Government was Serious ... public sector enterprises was not enough, the government If the government was indeed serious about containing is allowing private sector corporations to siphon off the fiscal deficit, the simplest way of doing so would public sector bank funds too! It is the grandmother of have been to curb some of the above mentioned freebies all scams. to India’s billionaires — withdraw some of the tax concessions given to them, ask them to pay more for their Small time bank robbers are put in jail (if caught); wives’ jewellery, get them to pay market prices for the ordinary people defaulting on bank loans have their land they purchase, make them repay their bank loans, house/scooter/other assets seized; farmers are driven restrain them from plundering our natural resources ... to suicide for not being able to pay the instalments on their bank loans. But when the super rich default on their But that is precisely the point we are trying to make: (public sector) bank loans, nothing happens to them, the government is not really interested in reducing the they go scot free, even their names are not disclosed; fiscal deficit.

Withdrawal Of ‘Subsidies’ To The Poor

If that is so, then why have the IMF-WB and ‘subsidies’ given to the rich are justified as being all the governments at the Centre since 1991 been necessary ‘incentives’ for ‘growth’, the social sector harping upon the necessity of reducing the fiscal expenditures — whose purpose is to provide the bare deficit? Because it provides them with a theoretical means of sustenance to the poor at affordable rates justification for drastically cutting down social sector — are condemned as ‘subsidies’, as being wasteful, expenditures of the government, and privatising these inefficient, benefiting the wealthy rather than the poor, sectors. In a deft use of language, while the breathtaking promoting parasitism, and so on. 10 JANATA, February 1, 2015

The neoliberal doctrine that each and every sector of predecessors in the Finance Ministry and the ‘Chicago the economy must be profitable is nothing but economic boys’ who are their economic advisors are all blithely rubbish. A society provides free or low cost food, lying when they claim that the subsidies to the poor are water, education, health, housing, sport, transport and very high! The total social sector expenditure of the other essentials to its citizens so that they can live like government (Centre and States combined) of India is human beings and develop their abilities to the fullest barely 7% of the GDP.29 extent. This ‘subsidy’ is actually an ‘investment’ for the future. Human beings are nature’s highest creation, their It is because of this very low social sector spending potential is infinite. However, people must be given the that India is at the bottom of the pyramid when it comes appropriate social circumstances and opportunities to to overall human development. According to the UN realise their inherent potential. When such human beings Human Development Report 2011, 53.7% of the Indian pool in their energies and engage in collective labour, population is “multidimensionally poor” — a measure they can create heaven on earth. The wealth they will that captures how many people experience overlapping create will be many times the ‘subsidies’ invested on deprivations in living standards, health and education, them. This is simple economic commonsense. and how many deprivations they face on the average. India’s Human Development Index ranking fell from Already at the Bottom 119 in 2010 to 134 in 2011.30 Most developed countries have a very elaborate social security network for their citizens, including And yet the WB-IMF and the foreign corporate unemployment allowance, universal health coverage, houses and their concubine governments are pressurising free school education and free or cheap university the government of India to further reduce its social education, old age pension, maternity benefits, disability sector expenditures, and Delhi’s Badshahs are slavishly benefits, family allowance such as child care allowance, implementing their dictates. The Indian government is allowances for those too poor to make a living, and much cutting its already low expenditures on all social services, more. Governments spend substantial sums for providing from education, health, electricity and public transport, to these social services to their people. The average public the public distribution system designed to provide food social sector expenditures of the 34 countries of the to the poor at affordable rates, to even drinking water OECD is around 20% of the GDP, and for the EU-27 supply. Worse, in the name of improving the quality of is even higher at around 30% of the GDP. The average these social services, they are also being privatised — public social sector expenditures for the 21 countries of either through the infamous PPP route, or even outright. Latin America and the Caribbean has been rising and is Private corporations are jumping with glee — being presently 18.6% (in 2009-10).27 essential services, the scope for profits is huge.

In contrast, the public social sector expenditures of We briefly discuss the abysmally low social sector the government of India are very low! Jaitley and his expenditures of the government of India in the health sector, and its consequences for the people. 40 Collapse of the Public Health System 29.5 The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 30 that countries should allocate at least 5% of the GDP 21.9 for public health services. Public health care spending 18.6 20 in the advanced countries is around 7% of the GD, while it is between 3 to 5% of GDP in several emerging economies — especially in East European countries and 10 7 several Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil and Chile. It is because of these high expenditures on 0 public health services that nearly all OECD countries EU-27 OECD Latin India have universal or near-universal access to health care; America the same is the situation in most of Eastern Europe, Chart 2: Public Social Sector Expenditures of and several developing countries in Asia, Africa and 28 Developed Countries and India, 2010 (% of GDP) Latin America.31 JANATA, February 1, 2015 11

In contrast, public health expenditure in India actually • According to the WHO (2008), of the total number fell from 1.3% of the GDP reached in 1985 to a shocking of deaths due to disease in a sample of 192 countries 0.85% of the GDP in 2004-05.32 In the Eleventh Plan across the world, India accounted for nearly one- (2007-12), the government promised to raise it to 3% fourth of the deaths due to diarrhoea, more than one- of the GDP, but it did not make the necessary financial third of the deaths due to leprosy and more than half allocations and hence budgetary allocation for health of the deaths due to Japanese encephalitis.39 (both Centre and States combined) rose to only an abysmal 1.29% in 2011-12.33 India’s public health • Of the seven million children who died before the age expenditure is amongst the lowest in the world, even of five in 2011 in the world, one-fourth of these child lower than sub-Saharan Africa, according to the WHO.34 deaths (1.8 million) took place in India. The bulk of these deaths are preventable, with an appalling This has forced citizens to bear the brunt of health one-third of the deaths being due to pneumonia and spending. India has amongst the most privatised health diarrhoea alone. India also accounted for one-fifth systems in the world — households undertake nearly (56,000) of the 287,000 maternal deaths in the world 40 three-fourths of all the health spending in the country in 2010, according to a UN report. (72%), public spending accounts for just 28%.35 Obviously, in such a situation, the poor are going to India’s public health care system is seriously sick, be the worst sufferers. An appalling 21% of Indians it is in ICU (intensive care unit). But the thick-skinned no longer seek medical treatment of any kind for their ruling classes are unconcerned. While the government ailments — up from 11% a decade ago — because they is unwilling to raise its meagre expenditures on public cannot afford it.36 health in the name of ‘keeping the fiscal deficit under control’, it is giving ‘incentives’ to corporate houses The consequences are predictable. India’s health to set up five-star hospitals! For instance, several of system is in crisis. Some alarming statistics: Mumbai’s leading private hospitals — from Jaslok to Breach Candy, Leelavati, Hinduja, Nanavati and Ambani • India has not succeeded in controlling many Hospitals — have been given prime land at a fraction of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, the market value; several of them have in fact been given kala azar, filariasis, dysentry, typhoid, hepatitis and land on a token lease rent of 1 rupee per annum. Other Japanese encephalitis. Malaria alone kills nearly 2 concessions include additional FSI, concessional rates 37 lakh people in India every year. for water and electricity, low-interest loans from public • India is in the grip of a tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. sector banks, customs duty exemptions on imported WHO statistics for 2011 give an estimated incidence machinery, income tax exemption on more than 85% of figure of 2.2 million cases of TB for India out of a their income, etc.41 The majority of the Indian population global incidence of 8.7 million cases. WHO estimates is too poor to afford treatment in these elite hospitals. that around 3 lakh people die of TB every year in the And so they are busy providing healthcare services to country, nearly 1000 a day.38 the rich from across the world! Obscene Inequality

The sharp reduction in government’s already low of India’s GDP for 2013-14.43 India now has the sixth expenditures on the poor and multi-billion dollar transfers largest number of billionaires in the world, and is ahead to the rich transforming the country into a ‘first world – of the UK, Japan and Canada.44 fourth world’ society. Last year (2013), the number of Ultra High Net Worth On the one hand, the rich have never had it so good! individuals in India, defined as those having net assets “Its raining billionaires in India” — to quote one (meaning company shares, real estate, art, cars, planes, newsreport.42 India now boasts of 56 billionaires with a yachts, etc.) of above $30 million (Rs. 200 crores or so), collective net worth of $191.5 billion, as per the latest increased by 120 to reach 7850, and their total wealth global ranking of the super-rich by Forbes magazine. grew to $935 billion. To give an idea of what this means, That amounts to …er, Rs. 11.7 lakh crores, or one-tenth this amount is just a tad above 50% of India’s GDP.45 12 JANATA, February 1, 2015

On the other hand, crores of ordinary people have v) More than 44% of the households in the country still been pushed down to fourth world immiseration. They have no access to electricity, more than six decades have never had it so bad! We have already given figures after independence.48 about the health crisis gripping the country. Some more statistics: Secession of the Rich i) 75.5% of the rural and 73% of the urban population India’s Westoxicated elite has abandoned all concern were unable to access the minimum recommended for the tribal child dying of malnutrition in Melghat, the 2200 / 2100 calories in 2009–10! farmer in Andhra Pradesh committing suicide because of ii) 50% of the children under the age of five suffer his inability to pay his medical bills, the old man dying from malnourishment. According to UNICEF, of cold on the streets of Patna because of lack of social malnutrition is more common in India than in sub- security, the village beauty sold off to pay her father’s Saharan Africa. One in every three malnourished debts in Bundelkhand... children in the world lives in India.46 iii) 42% of the children in India drop out of school The major political parties that dominate the Indian without completing basic schooling (elementary Parliament, and the corporate houses that control the education). reins of power from behind the scenes, have decided to iv) 62.6 crore people do not have access to toilets and secede from the people. They have decided to dump the are forced to defecate in the open — sixty percent vision of our nation’s founding fathers embedded in the of the global total. 47 Directive Principles of our Constitution.

References: 1. “Subsidy Burden is Very High: Arun Jaitley”, July 18, 2014, profit.ndtv.com 2. “Bimal Jalan to head Expenditure Commission”, Aug 13, 2014, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com 3. Jayati Ghosh, “The Unkindest Cut”, Frontline, Dec 26, 2014, http://www.frontline.in; Puja Mehra, “Social sector funds slashed”, The Hindu, Nov 27, 2014, http://www.thehindu.com 4. “P Sainath on Corporate Bailout #Rs. 36.5 trillion #Budget 2014”, July 13, 2014, http://www.indiaresists.com; GDP for 2013-14 estimated at Rs. 113 lakh crores – see Key Fiscal Indicators 2003-04 to 2014-15 BE (12/07/14), http:// planningcommission.nic.in 5. “Key Fiscal Indicators 2003-04 to 2014-15 BE (12/07/14)”, ibid. 6. “P Sainath on Corporate Bailout #Rs. 36.5 trillion #Budget 2014”, op. cit. 7. P. Sainath, “The feeding frenzy of kleptocracy”, The Hindu, March 16, 2013, http://www.thehindu.com; Fiscal Deficit for 2013-14 was Rs. 5.24 lakh crores - see Key Fiscal Indicators 2003-04 to 2014-15 BE (12/07/14), ibid. 8. “P Sainath on Corporate Bailout #Rs. 36.5 trillion #Budget 2014”, op. cit.; “The ‘Fiscal Deficit’ Bogeyman and His Uses”, op. cit.; P. Sainath, “The feeding frenzy of kleptocracy”, ibid. 9. Original source: IMF WEO Database, www.imf.org; taken from: “The ‘Fiscal Deficit’ Bogeyman and His Uses”, ibid. 10. “High tax regime makes the economy lethargic: Jaitley”, http://www.moneycontrol.com; “More tax concessions when economy improves: Arun Jaitley”, PTI, July 12, 2014, http://indianexpress.com 11. Rahul Varman, Cowboy Capitalism: The Curious Case of Reliance KG Basin Gas Business, Feb 24, 2013, http://sanhati.com 12. “A Modest Proposal regarding Subsidies”, Aspects of India’s Economy, No. 51, Aug 2011, http://www.rupe-india.org 13. “A Modest Proposal regarding Subsidies”, ibid.; Rahul Varman, Cowboy Capitalism: The Curious Case of Reliance KG Basin Gas Business, op. cit. 14. “A Modest Proposal regarding Subsidies”, ibid. 15. All facts given in this section taken from: Iron and Steal: The POSCO-India Story, Mining Zone Peoples’ Solidarity Group, http://miningzone.org 16. “Doing Big Business In Modi’s Gujarat”, Forbes, Mar 12, 2014, http://www.forbes.com; “State govt gifts Adani 5.78 cr sq mt of land in Kutch for peanuts”, DNA, Mar 1, 2012, http://daily.bhaskar.com; “Thousands of acres of land doled out to Adani by Modi govt on throwaway prices”, Nov 23, 2013, http://www.ummid.com 17. All facts in this section summarised from: Corporate Cronyism in ‘Vibrant Gujarat’, July 10, 2012, http://www. hardnewsmedia.com; Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, “India: Cheapest Car Rides on Govt Subsidies”, Inter Press Service, May 23, 2009, http://www.globalissues.org; “Rs. 30,000-crore sops for Nano project: document”, The Hindu, Nov 12, 2008, http:// www.hindu.com; “Modhwadia blasts Modi govt over Nano sops to Tatas”, Mar 5, 2011, http://archive.indianexpress.com 18. “Behind the Attack on ‘Subsidies’”, Aspects of India’s Economy, No. 49, Aug 2010, http://www.rupe-india.org; “FAQs - Public Private Partnership in India”, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, http://pppinindia.com 19. “Draft Compendium of PPP Projects in Infrastructure, 2012”, p. 14, Planning Commission, Government of India, Jan 2013, www.infrastructure.gov.in 20. “PPP is new mantra for infra in Jaitley’s maiden budget”, July 10, 2014, http://zeenews.india.com; “Budget 2014-15: PPP Is the New Mantra for Infrastructure”, July 10, 2014, http://www.outlookindia.com; Institution for Mainstreaming PPPS will be Set-Up: Shipping, Inland Navigation, Airports and Roads Sector Given Priority, Press Information Bureau, Government JANATA, February 1, 2015 13

of India, Ministry of Finance, July 10, 2014, http://pib.nic.in; “Big-ticket infrastructure projects in sight, all roads lead to PPPs”, July 11, 2014, http://www.indiantollways.com; M. Rajendran, “Revival of SEZs on the cards”, Hindustan Times, July 11, 2014, http://www.hindustantimes.com 21. “Yamuna expressway to become operational this month”, TNN, Apr 7, 2012, http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes. com; Naazneen Karmali, “Road to Riches”, Apr 12, 2010, http://www.forbes.com; Jyotika Sood, “Road to disaster”, Jun 15, 2011, http://www.downtoearth.org.in 22. Praful Bidwai, “Of Sleazy, Criminalised Capitalism”, Frontline, May 12-25, 2001, http://www.frontline.in; V. Sridhar, “Battle over Balco”, Frontline, Mar. 17 - 30, 2001, http://www.frontline.in 23. Purnima S. Tripathi, “A familiar ring”, Frontline, Feb 26-Mar 11, 2011, http://www.frontline.in; Tapan Sen, “Now, ‘Post- Closing’ Fraud!”, People’s Democracy, Feb 16, 2003, http://pd.cpim.org 24. “Why Do Credit Rating Agencies Press India to Reduce Government Spending?”, Aspects of India’s Economy, No. 53, May 2013, http://www.rupe-india.org 25. K. C. Chakrabarty, Two Decades of Credit Management in Banks, Bancon 2013, http://www.slideshare.net; Mayur Shetty, “Rs 1 lakh crore bad loans of corporates written off: RBI”, Nov 17, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com 26. “Need to revamp corporate debt restructuring mechanism: Report”, PTI, Aug 12, 2013, http://articles.economictimes. indiatimes.com; Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2012-13, p. 67, Reserve Bank of India, 2013, http:// rbidocs.rbi.org.in 27. For OECD: Government social spending: Total public social expenditure as a percentage of GDP, OECD iLibrary, Dec 20, 2013, http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org; For EU-27: “Chapter 3 – Social Protection Systems Confronting the Crisis” in Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2012, European Commission, Brussels, Jan 2013, www.europarl.europa. eu; For Latin America: Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: regional perspective towards the post- 2015 development agenda, United Nations ECLAC, July 2013, www.eclac.org 28. See endnotes 79 and 81. 29. SAARC Development Goals: India Country Report 2013, p. 36, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India 30. “The ‘Fiscal Deficit’ Bogeyman and His Uses”, Aspects of India’s Economy, op. cit. 31. David Coady et. al. (edited), The Economics of Public Health Care Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies, pp. 23-34, International Monetary Fund, 2012, http://books.google.co.in 32. “Policy Brief: Save Public Health – Ensure Health for ALL NOW! ”, Cehat, www.cehat.org; Sakti Golder, “Public Expenditure for Healthcare”, 2011, http://www.theindiaeconomyreview.org 33. SAARC Development Goals: India Country Report 2013, p. 36, op. cit.; Reclaiming Public Provisioning Priorities for the 12th Five Year Plan, 2011, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, New Delhi, www.cbgaindia.org 34. David Coady et. al. (edited), The Economics of Public Health Care Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies, p. 288, op. cit.; Kounteya Sinha, “Health spend set to double in 12th Plan”, TNN, Nov 19, 2011, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com 35. World Health Statistics 2013, World Health Organisation, 2013, Switzerland 36. P. Sainath, “Health as someone else’s wealth”, The Hindu, July 1, 2005, http://www.hindu.com 37. T. J. John, L. Dandona, V. P. Sharma, M. Kakkar, “Continuing challenge of infectious diseases in India”, Lancet, Jan 12, 2011, http://www.thelancet.com; N. Dhingra, P. Jha, V. P. Sharma, et al., “Adult and child malaria mortality in India”, Lancet, 2010, http://www.thelancet.com 38. “Tuberculosis in India”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org; “Global Tuberculosis Report 2012”, World Health Organisation, 2012, http://who.int 39. David Coady et. al. (edited), The Economics of Public Health Care Reform in Advanced and Emerging Economies, p. 288, op. cit. 40. V. K. Paul, H. S. Sachdev, D. Mavalankar, et al., “Reproductive health, and child health and nutrition in India: meeting the challenge”, Lancet, Jan 12, 2011, http://www.thelancet.com; “UNICEF - Goal: Reduce child mortality”, www.unicef.org; “India tops in rate of maternal deaths worldwide”, 16 May 2012, DNA, http://www.dnaindia.com 41. Nikhila M Vijay, “Medical tourism - Subsidising health care for developed countries”, Third World Resurgence, Nov/Dec 2007, http://www.twnside.org.sg; Ravi Duggal, The Uncharitable Trust Hospitals, June 17, 2012, http://righttohealthcare. blogspot.in; Jyoti Shelar and Lata Mishra, “One-sided deal: Hospitals get but don’t give back”, April 26, 2012, https:// kractivist.wordpress.com 42. “India’s top 10 billionaires”, April 13, 2010, http://www.rediff.com 43. India’s GDP for 2013-14 is estimated at Rs. 113 lakh crores – see Key Fiscal Indicators 2003-04 to 2014-15 BE (12/07/14), http://planningcommission.nic.in 44. “Billionaires Wealth compared to GDP”, March 19, 2014, http://stats.areppim.co; “List of countries by the number of US dollar billionaires”, http://en.wikipedia.org, accessed on May 2, 2014 45. Saritha Rai, “Amid Economic Distress, India Gains The Most Uber-Wealthy Among BRICS”, Sept 11, 2013, http://www. forbes.com 46. UNICEF India – The children – Nutrition, http://www.unicef.org 47. R. Prasad, “India is drowning in its own excreta”, June 15, 2012, http://www.thehindu.com 48. Integrated Energy Policy, 2006, p. 2, http://planningcommission.nic.in 14 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Rural India Focus

PRESENTING THE NATION WITH A REPLICABLE MODEL OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ADIVASI WEEKLY EYE RUNS THREE GIRLS CAMPS AT HIGH HOSTEL THE YMC SCHOOLS AT TARA, HOSPITAL, PANVEL TARA, PANVEL

YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE FINANCE A CATARACT SURGERY AND YOU 10 to 15 eye operations are performed There are ways in which you can join the at the weekly eye camp held at the YMC movement in bringing education, Maharashtra State Government funded healthcare, women empowerment, hospital building. Sponsor a cataract employment generation, relief and growth operation for Rs. 15,000/-. to our rural villages. Visit our Centre, volunteer your help, buy our products, CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL become a Life Member. You could also CORPUS support the cause by donating to our various initiatives. YMC runs 3 high schools - 2 Marathi, 1 Urdu medium. With only 2 of these on SPONSOR AN ADIVASI GIRL'S HOSTEL goverment aid, the Centre needs Rs.1 STAY crore as corpus to run the 3rd and maintain, conduct extra-curricular It takes Rs.15,000 per year to meet the activities in all 3 and finance its building expenses for supporting a girl child's stay at expansion plans. Give generously. the hostel in Tara, Panvel Taluka.

Yusuf Meherally Centre Visit www.yusufmeherally.org, D-15, Ganesh Prasad,1st Floor, Call: (022)-2387 0097, Naushir Barucha Marg, Fax: (022)-2388 9738 or Grant Road (West), E-mail : [email protected] Mumbai 400 007 JANATA, February 1, 2015 15 Understanding the Ambedkar–Gandhi Debate

Rajmohan Gandhi

In 1936, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was invited to deliver The first face-to-face meeting between Ambedkar and a lecture in Lahore – then very much part of India – by Gandhi took place in Mumbai in 1931, shortly before a Hindu group opposed to untouchability. When the their piercing verbal encounters. Begun in the autumn of group saw an advance text of the lecture, which was 1931 in a well-lit London arena (the 1931 Round Table entitled ‘Annihilation of Caste’, it cancelled the invitation Conference on India’s political future, convened by because towards the lecture’s end, the author had declared the British prime minister), these encounters continued his intention of leaving the Hindu fold. In a riposte to in 1932 in a dark Pune prison, where the British had the cancellation, Dr. Ambedkar published Annihilation incarcerated Gandhi, and where a successful negotiation of Caste. Its contents elicited an immediate comment resulted. Robust exchanges were, however, resumed from Gandhi in his journal, Harijan, to which Ambedkar before the Indian public in the mid-1930s, mainly via issued a rejoinder. the press.

A major text from India’s recent history, Annihilation The Ambedkar–Gandhi debate was interrupted by of Caste has been republished many times and has Gandhi’s frequent imprisonments, resulting from his been translated into several languages, often with the struggles against British rule. From 1932 to 1934, and Ambedkar–Gandhi exchange added to the main text. In again from 1942 to 1944, Gandhi was behind bars. In March 2014, a new edition was published in Delhi by contrast, Ambedkar, who believed that the battle for Navayana. In this new edition, Annihilation of Caste is social democracy was more important than the fight for national independence, was not only never jailed by the preceded by a 153-page text by Arundhati Roy, entitled British, he was also included in the Viceroy’s Executive ‘The Doctor and the Saint’, which is presented as an Council from 1942 to 1945. introduction to Ambedkar’s classic ‘undelivered’ lecture. In the summer of 1945, Ambedkar published ‘What This is a response to Arundhati Roy’s ‘The Doctor and Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables’, a the Saint’. However, it also bears an indirect connection strong attack on Gandhi and on the Congress movement to the historic debate between Ambedkar and Gandhi, led by him. Absorbed from 1944 in what turned out to be which took place during a period well removed from a losing battle to avert partition, Gandhi offered no reply our times. While Gandhi’s assassination occurred nearly himself to Ambedkar’s 1945 charges, but he encouraged seven decades into the past, Ambedkar died in 1956, ‘Ambedkar Refuted’, a short tract written by Chakravarti almost six decades ago. Rajagopalachari.

The two were involved in a positive, if impersonal, The period from 1947 to 1948 saw an unexpected – relationship during the 1920s. Though they did not meet and, from any perspective, remarkable – rapprochement each other in this period, Ambedkar appreciated Gandhi’s between Gandhi and Ambedkar. Prime Minister concern for the plight of Dalits, and he also welcomed Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Premier Vallabhbhai Patel the method of satyagraha that Gandhi had introduced. were party to this accord, which resulted in Ambedkar’s However, the 1930s saw sharp, and from a historian’s entry into free India’s first cabinet and his leadership of standpoint revealing, exchanges between the two. the Constitution-drafting process, culminating in the 1950 Constitution. The exchanges help our understanding not only of two powerful individuals in history, but also of continuing However, in 1951 Ambedkar resigned from the flaws in Indian society and the tension in the first half cabinet. In the 1952 elections, and again in a by-election of the twentieth century between the goals of national in 1954, he opposed the Congress, losing on both independence and social justice. occasions. Shortly before his death in 1956, he led lakhs

Excerpts from P.V. Narsimha Rao Memorial Lecture delivered at Hyderabad as on 28th December, 2014. 16 JANATA, February 1, 2015 of fellow Dalits out of Hinduism and into an embrace of some of the flaws in her attacks on Gandhi. Before doing the faith and vision of the Buddha... so, I should, of course, acknowledge that Gandhi merits criticism, including on some of the points underlined by Many have bought and no doubt read her work, ‘The Arundhati Roy. Doctor and the Saint’. Excerpts and quotes from ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ have been widely published in the Though he constantly asked caste Hindus to repent for print media and on the internet. Roy’s lectures on her the great sins of untouchability and caste superiority, he tract have been well-attended and well-reported. only rarely led or encouraged direct struggles for Dalit rights, whereas he led and triggered a large number At first, I was disinclined to read ‘The Doctor and the of direct battles for Indian independence. During his Saint’. The sections that I had come across suggested South African phase, he struggled for Indian rights, not – to me at any rate – that Roy had created a false, easy- directly for Black rights. These are undeniable – if also to-ridicule, straw-man Gandhi. Eventually, however, I well-known – truths, and Roy has every right to reiterate obtained and read a copy. For one thing, people were them, even if Gandhi had his reasons for choosing certain likely to ask me what I thought of it. More importantly, priorities at different times in his life. it was wrong for me to mentally label a text without reading it in its entirety. I should freely concede something else. Some of Roy’s unreasonable attacks may have been the result of a lack Having read ‘The Doctor and the Saint’, I must confess of knowledge. She has not been a Gandhi scholar for that it took me a while to understand its chief purpose. any length of time. A discussion of the thesis of Annihilation of Caste is not her focus. Nor, certainly, the Gandhi–Ambedkar The omissions in ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ constitute relationship. Not even the Ambedkar–Gandhi debate. the text’s most serious weaknesses. Hindering even a Nor an evocation of the times in which the debate took limited knowledge of where Gandhi stood on caste, race place. ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ comes across mainly and religion, these exclusions also keep readers from as a fierce indictment of the Mahatma, and there are understanding the nuances in the Ambedkar–Gandhi indications here and there that the demolition of Gandhi debate. More importantly, perhaps, these gaps in ‘The is its true aim. Doctor and the Saint’ prevent its readers from feeling with their mental fingers the true textures of India’s Many Dalits have censured ‘The Doctor and the Saint’, intertwined movements for national freedom and social not so much for its disagreements with Ambedkar, but justice in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. largely, it would seem, because three-fourths of its 153- page text, presented as an ‘Introduction’ to a new edition The pages that follow will provide some of the of Annihilation of Caste, is about Gandhi, and only one- material that Roy’s text unfortunately excludes. I believe fourth about Ambedkar. She has only used Ambedkar to this left-out material corrects and completes the picture attack Gandhi. that Roy has painted.

There is nothing necessarily illegitimate with that * – except that she should have been frank about her intention. ‘Though dead for decades, the Mahatma takes care of himself.’ This is a view I too have held and usually My response is being offered because of Ms. Roy’s continue to hold. fan following, which is the result not only of her well- earned reputation as a writer; it has to do also with her However, Gandhi stands for a whole set of crucial willingness to take out-of-favour positions. Not everyone values that are also under attack today – fairness, concern agrees with all the unpopular stands Ms. Roy has taken, for the neediest, refusal to bow before the god of money, but many (including this writer) may agree with one or and goodwill among people of different nations, religions, two of them. races, castes and classes, being some of them. Pointing out Gandhi’s failings may, at times, be necessary. As Since what Arundhati Roy says carries weight with some readers may be aware, it is something I too have several good people, I thought it necessary to point out attempted – respectfully, I hope, but also frankly. JANATA, February 1, 2015 17

I say ‘respectfully’ for personal reasons. Others may Thereafter, they were attacked with sticks and clubs by have broader reasons for wanting to respect Gandhi even infuriated groups of the orthodox class. while criticising him. Those who wish to be irreverent will not find someone such as me objecting, and I suspect Ambedkar, who was present in Mahad, wisely asked that Gandhi himself might have welcomed such a stance. his people not to hit back. As Roy concedes (107), Gandhi wrote ‘approvingly of the Untouchables’ composure in Yet, it is altogether another matter when a denigrator the face of the attacks.’ However, Roy does not want her is ‘creative’, or conceals what he or she knows to be readers to know that Gandhi had said much more than true. That it might feel ‘safe’ to be irreverent towards that in the Young India article cited by her, and therefore, Gandhi – whereas caution seems a prerequisite while one assumes, read by her. questioning others – is a poor reason for launching untrue or half-true attacks. Praising the Dalits’ ‘exemplary self-restraint’, Gandhi wrote that, the ‘so-called orthodox party’, not having It is hardly a secret that those opposed to an India reason on its side, had used ‘sheer brute force’. ‘Dr. that exists for everyone – an India where all have equal Ambedkar,’ Gandhi went on in an article in Young India rights – have been working for decades to destroy the on 28 April 1927, ‘[was] fully justified in putting to the physically dead, but still (to them) an obstinate Gandhi test the resolution of the Bombay Legislative Council who obstructs their path, even as – for identical reasons and the Mahad Municipality by advising the so-called – the living Gandhi was gunned down in January 1948. Untouchables to go to the tank to quench their thirst’ (emphasis added). The Mahatma also urged ‘every Gandhi’s legacy is a precious ally in many necessary Hindu opposed to untouchability’ to publicly defend the struggles today. When he is misleadingly attacked by courageous Dalits of Mahad ‘even at the risk of getting a person with a significant platform, these struggles his head broken’ (CW 33: 268). demand that he be defended. Thanks to my having studied, over the course of many years, his life and times, This, again, is radical stuff. Roy deliberately hides it. I am perhaps better able than some others to spot falsities Later in the year, in an article published in Young India on in attacks on the Mahatma. 20 October 1927, Gandhi wrote that a satyagrahi against untouchability ought not to allow entry to ‘hate, haste, I would like to argue that the narration in ‘The Doctor thoughtlessness or exaggeration’. Once impelled to fight, and the Saint’ of the Gandhi–Ambedkar relationship, however, the satyagrahi should not retreat (CW 35: 100). which saw both conflict and partnership, is seriously flawed. Even if examining it was not the central purpose In December 1927, Ambedkar and his followers of Roy’s text, this relationship features in it. publicly burnt a copy of the Manusmriti in Mahad. I, for one, do not know what Gandhi’s comment on this was. I would also like to show that Roy’s attacks violate the Whether Ambedkar was wise in what he did in December principles of historical debate. These principles require, 1927, and whether Gandhi ought to have supported him first, that attacks on a statement that X or Y or even a more actively than he did, are questions on which there Mahatma may have made 50 or 100 years ago should may be two or more opinions. provide the context in which the statement was made. Second, the norms require that pertinent information is But there can be only one comment on Roy’s not scissored out. suppression of what Gandhi wrote in April 1927 about Ambedkar and the Mahad satyagrahis: it was not an * honest thing to do!

Ignorance, however, cannot explain Roy’s near- These are only a few examples of the numerous total suppression of Gandhi’s comment on the Mahad concealments in ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ regarding Satyagraha of 1927. This was conducted in Western Gandhi and Dalit rights. Here is one more. While Roy Maharashtra under Ambedkar’s leadership by a large concedes (123) that the Indian National Congress’s number of Dalits who had been denied access to a tank of Karachi resolution of 1931 on equal rights for all – a water in Mahad. As part of their satyagraha, they surged forerunner of the equality pledged in India’s 1950 forward in unison to the tank and drank from its water. Constitution – was a ‘valuable, enlightened document’, 18 JANATA, February 1, 2015 she avoids mentioning that Gandhi had played a principal Every affliction that we labour under in this sacred role in its drafting. land is a fit and proper punishment for this great and indelible crime that we are committing (CW 13: Here is another. She names ‘the beloved Bhakti poets . 232–33). . . of the anticaste tradition’: ‘Cokhamela, Ravidas, Kabir, Tukaram, Mira, Janaba’ (37). (Her spelling of the Mahar Orthodoxy attacked him. This is how Gandhi replied poet Chokhamela’s name is incorrect.) But, of course, in Godhra (Gujarat) in November 1917: she will not inform her readers that several of these were I shall continue to be my own guru . . . It is no good among Gandhi’s favourite poets too, or that their songs quoting verses from Manusmriti and other scriptures in were frequently sung in his ashrams and prayer meetings. defence of this orthodoxy. A number of verses . . . are Or maybe she is again not aware. apocryphal, a number of them are quite meaningless Here is another omission (out of a number of possible (CW 14: 73–77) ones). She gathers much amusement (132–33) from a Reiterating his position, that verses quoted from piece by Gandhi called ‘The Ideal Bhangi’, and pokes fun scripture could not override the individual conscience, at Gandhi’s concern with sanitation and reproduces many he added that verses from scripture ‘cannot be above sentences from it. But she carefully omits the sentence reason and morality’ (CW 14: 345). that conveys Gandhi’s anger at the way the Bhangi was/ is treated, published in Harijan on 28 November, 1936: A year later, in April 1918, in a preface to a book of ‘But I know this much that by looking down upon the poems by the Gujarati writer Padhiar, which described Bhangi, we – Hindus. Mussalmans, Christians and all – the cruel treatment of Dalits, Gandhi asked for the poems have deserved the contempt of the whole world’. to be ‘read out to men and women in their millions, in the same way that works like the Bhagavat are read out Yes, Gandhi was troubled by caste injustices and by to them in every square’ (CW 14: 344–5). India’s insanitation and by much else. Two years later, after the Non-Cooperation Movement Gandhi, Untouchability and Caste was launched, he said through his article in Young India in November 1920, At the time of Gandhi’s death, India remained caste- ridden and continued to ill-treat Dalits. Indian society has We shall be unfit to gain Swaraj so long as we keep in not greatly changed in the decades since. Yet, Gandhi’s bondage a fifth of the population (CW 19: 20) words and deeds have contributed to whatever change Before the year 1920 ended, Gandhi ensured that the that has occurred. removal of untouchability was, for the first time, made Roy’s readers should be made aware of the positions an integral part of the political programme of the Indian he took first in South Africa, where he interpreted the National Congress. discrimination against Indians as a just reward for In 1920, the Non-cooperation Movement for Swaraj untouchability in India, and thereafter, following his was launched, which, among other things, saw the return to India. opening of national schools. Gandhi’s orthodox foes In 1907, in South Africa, in an article first published in Gujarat attacked him in violent language because he in Indian Opinion on 11 May that year, Gandhi wrote of refused to bar Dalits from these schools. Through the ‘the wicked superstitions about untouchability’ and of press, in letters and via a whispering campaign, these how ‘in India some of us oppress the bhangis and force men warned Gandhi that unless Dalits were excluded, them to . . . speak in obsequious language’ (CW 7: 470). they would support the Raj and kill the swaraj movement. When satyagraha sent many Indians to prison in South They also alleged that Gandhi’s interest in Dalits was Africa, he rebuked those prisoners who refused to eat borrowed from Christian friends, in particular from Rev. food touched by Dalits or to sleep near them (CW 9: 181). Charles Andrews.

On 16 February 1916, a year after returning to India, Gandhi’s response was two-fold. First, in his Gujarati this is what Gandhi said about untouchability in a public weekly, Navajivan, on 5 December 1920, he expressed speech in Madras: confidence that ‘God will vouchsafe me the strength to JANATA, February 1, 2015 19 reject the swaraj which may be won by abandoning the that massacre in this speech to the Suppressed Classes Antyajas’ (CW 19: 73). (‘Antyaj’, connoting something Conference, but added, like ‘the end-person’, was at this time the word that many used for a Dalit.) What crimes for which we condemn the government as Satanic have not we been guilty of towards our Second, writing to Andrews and then in public ‘untouchable’ brethren? . . . We make them crawl on speeches, he recalled the start of his work against their bellies, we have made them rub their noses on untouchability. To Andrews, in a letter dated 29 January the ground; with eyes red with rage we push them out 1921, he said, of railway compartments – what more than this has British rule done? What charge that we bring against I began this work in S.A. – before I ever heard of Dyer and O’Dwyer may not others and even our you and I was conscious of the sin of untouchability people lay at our door? (CW 19: 572). before I came under other Christian influences in S.A. The truth came to me when I was yet a child. I used Does Roy allow her readers to know anything to laugh at my dear mother for making us bathe if we contained in the preceding dozen or so paragraphs? Not brothers touched any pariah. It was in 1897 that I was only does she not; she is unwilling to accept Gandhi’s prepared in Durban to turn Mrs. Gandhi away from recollections regarding Uka! Disbelievingly she writes, the house because she would not treat on a footing ‘Gandhi later insisted that untouchability troubled him of equality Lawrence who she knew belonged to the since he was a boy . . . ’ (84). Elsewhere she says, ‘From pariah class and whom I had invited to stay with me his childhood he resurrected the memory of Uka . . . ’ . . . (CW 19: 288–90) (105). One can only marvel.

Andrews having expressed keenness for Gandhi’s * focus against untouchability to remain strong and sustained, Gandhi added the following in the same letter: Roy’s observation that Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj, written in 1909, makes ‘no mention’ of untouchability, and that You are doing an injustice to me in even allowing a discussion of ‘caste is absent’ (84) from it, is entirely yourself to think that for a single moment I may be correct, but hers is not an original discovery. The subordinating the question [of untouchability] to any omission was discussed in a study done by me (1995, others . . . It is a bigger problem than that of gaining 161) and no doubt others too have marked it. In that Indian independence, but I can tackle it better if I 1995 study, I also speculated on Gandhi’s likely reasons. gain the latter on the way (CW 19: 288–90; emphasis added). If, as Gandhi recounted (Pyarelal 1932, 303), Hind Swaraj was largely a reproduction of a dialogue that he Three months later, on 13 April 1921, Gandhi addressed had had earlier in 1909 with a radical friend in England, a Suppressed Classes Conference in Ahmedabad. He said, possibly that friend, Pranjivan Mehta, did not discuss caste or untouchability with Gandhi. Or, Gandhi may I was hardly yet twelve when this idea had dawned on have felt that an admission of untouchability practised me. A scavenger named Uka, an ‘untouchable’, used to over the centuries would hurt Hind Swaraj’s picture of attend our house for cleaning latrines. Often I would the virtues of Indian civilisation. ask my mother . . . why I was forbidden to touch him? If I accidentally touched Uka, I was asked to perform Though the absence of caste and untouchability from the ablutions, and though I naturally obeyed, it was Hind Swaraj undoubtedly weakens it, we have seen the not without smilingly protesting . . . I often had tussles clear evidence showing that Gandhi was an unceasing with [my parents] on this matter. I told my mother that foe of untouchability from much earlier. she was entirely wrong in considering physical contact with Uka as sinful (CW 19: 572). It is also a fact, however, and one that Ambedkar would justifiably underline, that the fight against untouchability Exactly two years earlier, the Jallianwala Bagh did not gather adequate momentum in the 1920s. Why did massacre had taken place, under the aegis of Brigadier- it not? In part because of the rigidity of Indian society, General Dyer and Governor O’Dwyer. Gandhi recalled but also because Gandhi and his colleagues had other 20 JANATA, February 1, 2015 tough goals as well which they were striving to reach, untouchables even for the sake of winning the freedom including swaraj and Hindu–Muslim unity. of India’. He claimed (on 13 November 1931) that those demanding the separate electorate ‘do not know * their India, do not know how Indian society is today constructed’ (CW 48: 297–8). On 2 August 1931, shortly before he was to go to London for a Round Table Conference (RTC) on India’s Though Roy devotes several pages to the Gandhi– political future convened by the British Prime Minister, Ambedkar debate in London in the autumn of 1931, she and around the time when he and Ambedkar, who too carefully expunges the sentences I have quoted. was going to the London RTC, had their first meeting (in Mumbai), Gandhi made a significant statement in Ambedkar’s demand for a separate Dalit electorate Ahmedabad: was backed by many RTC delegates in London, most of whom were nominated by the Raj. A separate electorate If we came into power with the stain of untouchability could be introduced, the Raj indicated. Gandhi declared unaffected, I am positive that the ‘untouchables’ would he would, if need arose, fast unto death against it. be worse off under that ‘Swaraj’ than they are now, for the simple reason that our weaknesses and our failings Gandhi and South Africa’s Blacks would then be buttressed by the accession of power. (Pyarelal 1932, 303) A good chunk of ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ is devoted to Gandhi’s oft-discussed and undoubtedly deplorable Gandhi was admitting here that swaraj would give ignorance and condescension regarding black South India’s upper castes political power in addition to the Africans during some of his time in South Africa. social and economic power they already enjoyed, and However, here too Roy is carefully selective. Thus she thus make Dalits ‘worse off’. Since the swaraj goal could totally leaves out a notable 1908 speech that Gandhi had not be abandoned, the solution – as Gandhi saw it – was made on the subject in Johannesburg during a period to attack untouchability alongside the struggle for swaraj. when he entertained high hopes from the British Empire: At the London RTC in the autumn of 1931, Gandhi I have endeavoured to study the question [of Indians and Ambedkar had their famous clash over separate in South Africa] as it [also] affects the Africans and versus joint electorates. If the Raj could provide separate the Chinese. It seems to me that both the Africans and electorates for Sikhs, Muslims and India’s Europeans, the Asiatics have advanced the Empire as a whole; we why not a separate Dalit electorate? Gandhi answered can hardly think of South Africa without the African with a counter-question, races . . . South Africa would probably be a howling Sikhs may remain as such in perpetuity, so may wilderness without the African races . . . They (the Mohammedans, so may Europeans. Will untouchables African races) are still in the history of the world`s remain untouchables in perpetuity? learners. Able-bodied and intelligent men as they are, they cannot but be an asset to the Empire . . . But there was something more worrying, a hurtful reality. Here is how Gandhi described that reality in It is well for me to be a loyal subject of the Empire, London on 31 October 1931 at Friends House, the Quaker but not I hope as a member of the subject race . . . centre in Euston: If we look into the future, is it not a heritage we The ‘untouchables’ are in the hands of superior have to leave to posterity, that all the different races classes. They can suppress them completely and wreak commingle and produce a civilisation that perhaps the vengeance upon the ‘untouchables’ who are at their world has not yet seen? (CW 8: 242–46) mercy. I may be opening out my shame to you. But . . . how can I invite utter destruction for them? I would This is from a well-known speech given at the YMCA not be guilty of that crime (CW 48: 258). in Johannesburg, reproduced at the time in two issues of Indian Opinion (6 and 13 June 1908), included later in Gandhi said before the Minorities Committee of the The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, and discussed RTC that ‘he would not sell the vital interests of the in more than one modern study, but Roy is either unaware JANATA, February 1, 2015 21 of it (so much, in that case, for her diligence) or she does Nelson Mandela, whom Roy professes to admire (87), not want others to learn of it. Though hardly revolutionary wrote the following in a 1995 publication: by today’s standards, the speech was ahead of the times in which it was made. Not many Indians in South Africa “Gandhi had been initially shocked that Indians were or in India spoke in 1908 or later of the ‘commingling’ classified with Natives in prison . . . All in all, Gandhi of ‘all the different races’. In fact, few people anywhere must be forgiven these prejudices in the context of the did; not very many will even today. time and the circumstances” (Mandela 1995).

Gandhi’s prejudices at that time (which almost all ‘The context of the time’ is precisely what Roy cuts his contemporaries shared) should be frankly faced, but away. Thus, she makes much of, and derides, Gandhi’s why does Roy cover up the more favourable side of the caution regarding a premature African–Indian alliance ledger, which was rare for its time? (74–75). Yet, her readers should know that in 1913, John Dube, the first ANC president, thought that black Predictably, Roy also leaves out Gandhi’s well- resistance along the lines adopted by Indians under documented friendship with John Dube, one of the Gandhi would fail: he believed that the blacks would lose founders of the African National Congress, whose centre discipline under provocation, and that the white reprisal near Durban was not far from Phoenix, where Gandhi would be devastating (quoted in Patel 1989, 216–17). established his first ashram. Like Gandhi, John Dube too hesitated to support the Zulu Rebellion of 1906 and Interviewed in 1976, another founding member of said, in fact, that ‘we should . . . assist the government the ANC, Selby Msimang, also thought that the African to suppress the rebellion’ (quoted in Reddy 1995, 21). leadership of Gandhi’s time ‘would, in any case, have found Indian politics too radical to countenance an Heroic yet also tragic, that rebellion bore similarities alliance’ (Swan 1985, 133). with India’s 1857 rising, from which contemporaries such as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Ishwar Chandra However, such acknowledgments would belie the Vidyasagar and Sayyid Ahmed Khan kept their distance, picture that Roy wishes to present. and which another contemporary – Jyotiba Phule – openly opposed. Also relevant to an understanding of Gandhi’s attitude towards blacks is Gandhi’s 1905 comment on American Roy also leaves out Gandhi’s praise in Indian Opinion slavery. Summarising the life and times of Abraham (30 December 1905 and 17 March 1906) for the efforts Lincoln for readers of the Gujarati edition of Indian of the African journalist and educator, Tengo Jabavu, in establishing a college for Africans, writing of ‘an Opinion on 26 October 1905, here is what Gandhi wrote: awakening people’ and of ‘the great Native races of South It is believed that the greatest and the noblest man of Africa’ and adding that ‘British Indians in South Africa the last century was Abraham Lincoln . . . have much to learn from [Jabavu’s] example.’ (quoted in Reddy 1995) Nobody [then] saw anything wrong in openly selling Roy speaks of Gandhi’s alleged ‘disdain’ for blacks Negroes and keeping them in slavery. The high and (83), but fails to mention that Gandhi’s offensive remarks the low, the rich and the poor saw nothing strange in were provoked by the shocking conduct witnessed by owning slaves . . . Religious minded men, priests and him of men convicted for serious crimes, with whom he the like, saw nothing amiss and did not protest . . . shared his prison cell. Some even encouraged [slavery], and all . . . thought that slavery . . . was a divine dispensation and that the Gandhi’s stance regarding South Africa’s blacks was Negroes were born to it . . . [E]ven those [who thought influenced by the circumstances and prejudices and that slavery was wrong] . . . preferred to remain silent, also the equations of his time. Since blacks lay at the being unable to assert themselves . . . Even today our lowest rung of South Africa’s political and social ladder, hair stands on end to hear an account of the atrocities Gandhi’s fight for Indian equality with whites necessarily, inflicted on slaves. They were tied up and beaten; if also regrettably, called for separating Indians from they were forced to work; they were branded and blacks. This angle is of no interest to Roy. handcuffed . . . 22 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Lincoln alone of all men made, and put into execution, Gandhi felt that the time for a common African/Indian his resolution to change the ideas of men, ideas which front had arrived. [had been] indelibly carved on their minds . . . (CW 5: 50–52). Aim of ‘The Doctor And The Saint’

Was the writer of these and similar lines a man who Here, I ask myself, why bother to show Roy’s ‘disdained’ blacks? In Yeravada Jail in Poona, where unconcern with the real Gandhi? After all, she has hinted he had been detained from 1922 to 1924, Gandhi made at her aim with ‘The Doctor and the Saint’. She desires, friends with Adan, a Somali prisoner who had become she says, to ‘rearrange the stars in our firmament’ (140), a warder. An incident involving Adan was observed not to analyse or understand Gandhi. She wants to shoot by Gandhi’s prison-mate and occasional critic, Indulal Gandhi down from the sky, not get to know him. She Yagnik, who described it in a 1943 book, Gandhi As I wants – in her own words, expressed not in ‘The Doctor Knew Him: and the Saint’ but at a meeting where she tried to explain her text – to ‘move the Gandhi monument out of the “One evening our Negro warder from Somaliland was way’, in order, she says, that Ambedkar may be better bitten by a scorpion on his hand. He gave a shout. Mr. understood and honoured (Roy 2014a). Gandhi was quickly on the spot . . . He first asked for a knife to cut the wound and to let out the poison. But he This logic is hard to understand. Our minds can have found the knife dirty. So missing no moment he quickly the space to understand both, and our hearts to honour washed the area around the wound and applying his lips both, and it is no tribute to Dr. Ambedkar to say that his to the wound began to suck out the poison. He went on legacy depends on the destruction of Gandhi’s. spitting after sucking and eventually stopped when Adan felt relief” (Yagnik 1943: 303). However, the trouble I am taking is called for. As I have already acknowledged, Roy enjoys a following, Was this the reaction of one who ‘disdained’ blacks? which she has won through her writing skill and a Not that Roy would ask such a question, or even let her willingness to take unpopular positions. My belief is readers know that Gandhi reacted thus. Or maybe she that many of Roy’s admirers would welcome a scrutiny was not aware of this incident. She also suppresses or such as the one I am offering of her attacks on Gandhi. belittles Gandhi’s increasing willingness to write openly of black rights. I should also ask: what provoked this strong dislike in Roy? Was it Gandhi’s lifestyle? Or his oft-expressed On 22 July 1926, Gandhi declared in Young India that belief that despite their conflicts, human beings – and he could not think of ‘justice being done to Indians [in races, castes, classes and nations – should find solutions South Africa] if none is rendered to the natives of the soil’ that allow bitterness to melt? I do not know. Roy’s (CW 31: 181–2). Two years later, when a few Indians in popular novel, The God of Small Things, might have South Africa objected to a plan to send Indian students supplied a clue or two, but I have not managed to read it. to Fort Hare College, which had been established for Africans, Gandhi, in an article in Young India on 5 April In any case, ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ makes clear 1928, likened the sentiment to what ‘is expressed by the Roy’s total disapproval of what she thinks to be Gandhi’s South African whites in respect of ourselves,’ and added, lifestyle. According to her, Gandhi ‘left his followers ‘Indians have too much in common with the Africans to with a legacy of a joyless, joke-free world: no desire, no think of isolating themselves from them. They cannot sex, . . . no food, no beads, no nice clothes, no dance, no exist in South Africa for any length of time without the poetry. And very little music’ (81). active sympathy and friendship of the Africans’ (CW 36: 190). How truthful is this picture? The ‘very little music’ that she reluctantly concedes to the Gandhi legacy was In 1939, he told a visiting black leader from South actually a daily affair in his life, morning and evening. Africa, Rev. S.S. Tema, that Africans ‘are the sons of the True, it was religious or spiritual music, yet Gandhi had soil who are being robbed of their inheritance’; theirs was an ear for song and, in fact, possessed a decent singing ‘a far bigger issue’ than that of South Africa’s Indians voice, which fellow ashramites and fellow prisoners (Harijan, 18 February 1939; CW 68: 272–4). By 1946, spoke of. JANATA, February 1, 2015 23

It is true, too, that the ballroom dancing lessons he “Gandhi returned to India in 1915 after twenty years took in London as a student were later never put into of political activity in South Africa, and plunged into the practice, but no one who spoke as often as Gandhi did of national movement. His first concern, as any politician’s ‘dancing with joy’ could have been an enemy of dance. would be, was to stitch together the various constituencies And although Roy may not be aware, Gandhi frequently that would allow the Indian National Congress to claim it quoted poetry in his journals – English, Hindi, Bengali, was the legitimate and sole representative of the emerging Urdu or Gujarati poetry. nation” (58; emphasis added).

As for his ‘joyless, joke-free’ world, here is what She is hugely condescending here, and in some William Shirer, the American author of ‘Rise and Fall respects quite incorrect. of the Third Reich’, said, referring to a time that he and a few others had spent with Gandhi: Gandhi was not part of the INC when he arrived in India in 1915. But he was perhaps the only Indian at “In no time at all Gandhi had us all laughing and this time with a conscious goal of involving all Indians completely at our ease . . . If in this world of varied – caste Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, peasants and industrial personalities there is a single man even half as charming labour – in a national movement; the first person striving as Gandhi, I have not seen him (quoted in Jack 1956, to enlist people from outside his or her linguistic/cultural 399).” region; the first to insist on using local languages to reach And he enjoyed others’ jokes. Writing, in 1932, from the ordinary Indian; perhaps the first person determined a Pune prison to Srinivasa Sastri, Gandhi said, ‘Sardar to get to know the whole land of India and as many Vallabhbhai is with me. His jokes make me laugh until as possible of its people. As for his ‘plunging into the I can laugh no more, not once but several times a day’ national movement’, it might be fairer to say that in (Parikh 2, 91–2). Everyone who spent more than a few 1919–20 he created a national movement into which he minutes with Gandhi came away with stories of his and others plunged headlong. merry side. But the ‘stitching together’ notion is apt for Gandhi. Like some others in history who took on daunting goals, Gandhi had strict views on sex. Many will disagree His imperial foes – men such as Churchill, Linlithgow with those views, but the dreary Gandhi painted by Roy and Wavell – were never in two minds as to Gandhi’s was never encountered by his friends or foes. Such a purpose, all of them agreeing that ending British rule Gandhi never existed. was his dominant passion. While Churchill’s antipathy towards Gandhi is well-known, not many may be aware Gandhi’s Aim that in 1947, Wavell, the British commander-in-chief during the Quit India Movement and viceroy from 1943 In the course of her pursuit to demolish Gandhi, to 1947, called Gandhi ‘an implacable foe of Empire’ Roy pauses to describe Gandhi as ‘perhaps the most and the ‘most formidable’ of the opponents ‘who have consummate politician the modern world has ever detached portions of the British Empire in recent years’ known’ (58). Since most politicians usually nurse a clear (Moon 1973, 439). aim, at least at any given time, we may ask, what was the goal towards which Gandhi applied his ‘consummate’ Now, here is the interesting – actually damning – skills? thing about Roy’s text: in this 153-page demolition exercise, Roy mentions the freedom struggle not at all Roy refrains from providing her own clear views and the ‘national movement’ only once or twice. This regarding this, though here and there she insinuates that Great Context of the debates on caste, class, race and Gandhi was not really pro-poor and that equality was gender that ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ fervently (and not his real goal. Yet, it is not enough for a ‘consummate selectively) discusses is missing altogether. Was it politician’ to know what, allegedly, he does not want. He consciously banished? Or did it never enter the talented must know what he wants. author’s mind? At one point, Roy appears to inch towards understanding I have no means of knowing the answers to these something about Gandhi’s goal. She writes: questions. Yet, the talented author’s admirers ought to be 24 JANATA, February 1, 2015 reminded that nothing said by Gandhi or Ambedkar or Even the slavery of the Negroes is not worse than anyone else in the India of the first half of the twentieth this. (CW 14: 73–7) century can be understood without an awareness of the context. In November 1932, he wrote,

That context meant that Indians pained and shamed Socially [the ‘untouchables’] are lepers. Economically not just by Indian injustices but also by alien rule were they are worse than slaves. Religiously they are denied obliged to prioritise. Time and again, they had to choose entrance to places we miscall ‘houses of God’. They between struggling against an Indian oppression and are denied the use, on the same terms as the caste men, struggling against European subjugation. Or, they of public roads, public hospitals, public wells, public alternated and oscillated between the two. taps, public parks and the like, and in some cases their approach within a measured distance is a social crime, In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, some [or] . . . their very sight is an offence. persons of conscience in what until then was Britain’s American colony had also been forced to prioritise. They are relegated for their residence to the worst Should they focus their energies on opposing slavery or quarters of cities or villages where they practically get on ending British rule? In the end, independence attracted no social services. Caste Hindu lawyers and doctors more American energy than opposing slavery, which, in will not serve them . . . Brahmins will not officiate at fact, was even subtly codified into the US Constitution1 ; their religious functions. The wonder is that they are at it was only in 1865, shortly before the South surrendered all able to eke out an existence or that they still remain in the Civil War, that slavery was declared illegal. within the Hindu fold. They are too downtrodden to rise in revolt against their suppressors (CW 51: 347). As for that War, President Abraham Lincoln thought, Despite scores of similar utterances by Gandhi (all along with many other Americans, that the Union had censored out by Roy), and despite the struggles he waged to be preserved, and the South’s secession ended, before for Dalit rights, Roy insists that he was ‘the Saint of the slavery could be abolished. Ambedkar, who obtained a PhD at Columbia University in New York, was well Status Quo’ (40). aware of this fact (Ambedkar 1945, 271). The Gandhi–Ambedkar Relationship The India that Gandhi and his generation faced also Gandhi was a prisoner of the Empire in Pune’s presented more than one challenge to people with a Yeravada Jail when, in September 1932, he announced conscience. To name three, India was a subject nation his fast of indefinite duration, directed at the separate ruled by aliens; Indian society practised untouchability; and there was the Hindu–Muslim divide. Dalit electorate as well as at the caste Hindu conscience. Meeting in Bombay a day before the fast was to Although, as we have seen, Gandhi’s imperial foes saw commence, India’s most influential caste Hindu leaders him primarily as an enemy of British rule, all of us know resolved that ‘one of the earliest Acts of the Swaraj that he also embraced the struggles against untouchability Parliament’ would be to assure to ‘untouchables’ equal and for Hindu–Muslim friendship. He was stitching access to ‘public wells, public schools, public roads and together India’s divided constituencies. all other public institutions’ . Pressured by Gandhi’s fast, they signed an historic, if overdue, pledge. * While Ambedkar would note this pledge (Ambedkar Since Roy does not let her readers know of any of 1945, 103), Roy, of course, banishes it from her survey. Gandhi’s passionate statements against untouchability, let me remind – or inform – them of two more. In 1917, only Across India, goaded by Gandhi’s fast, temples closed two years after his return from South Africa, Gandhi said, for centuries to the ‘untouchables’ opened their doors. Brahmins invited Dalits to meals in their homes. The Ravana was a rakshasa but this rakshasi of Empire, on its part, opened the doors of Yeravada prison, untouchability is even more terrible than Ravana... and Ambedkar went inside to confer with Gandhi. 1 See “Constitutional Topic: Slavery.” US Constitution. http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_slav.html JANATA, February 1, 2015 25

A settlement was reached. Gandhi not only agreed to To caste Hindus, he conveyed a warning: what he had earlier opposed – namely reserved seats for Dalits in legislatures – he also said that Dalits should have The political part of [the settlement] . . . occupies but seats in proportion to their population. In its scheme of a small space in the vast field of reform that has to a separate-electorate-cum-reserved Dalit seats, the Raj be tackled by caste Hindus during the coming days, had prescribed only half that number of seats. namely, the complete removal of social and religious disabilities under which a large part of the Hindu From his side, in order to save Gandhi’s life, Ambedkar population has been groaning. agreed to give up his demand for a separate electorate, where only Dalits would have voted for or against Dalit I should be guilty of a breach of trust if I did not warn candidates. fellow reformers and caste Hindus in general that the breaking of the fast carried with it a sure promise of Finding common ground, the two agreed on their a resumption of it if this reform is not relentlessly Pact. A cable went to London, where His Majesty’s pursued and achieved within a measurable period (CW 51: 143–5). Government accepted the joint proposal sent from one of its imperial prisons, and Gandhi broke his fast. However, he feared that the caste Hindu change was not going deep enough. To Andrews, he wrote in a letter The essence of this Pact was subsequently enshrined on 30 September 1932: in free India’s Constitution. Every subsequent Indian election in the 82 years since the Pact – whether I did expect a mighty response from the orthodox, but nationwide or in a state, town or village – has been I was unprepared for the sudden manifestation that conducted on the basis of that Pact, with reserved took place. But I shall not be deceived. It remains to seats for Dalits but without a separate electorate. With be seen whether the temples opened remain open and independence, separate Muslim and Sikh electorates the various other things done persist (CW 51:154). also ended. Was reform ‘relentlessly pursued and achieved within Gandhi had claimed during the fast that ‘an increasing a measurable period’? Much was done, but much more army of reformers’ would resist ‘social, civic and political remained undone. Did Gandhi then start another fast unto persecution of the Depressed Classes’. The issue was of death? No, he did not, though he did fast for 21 days over untouchability in May 1933. Was he, therefore, a ‘transcendental value, far surpassing Swaraj’, he added hypocrite and a secret foe of the Dalits, as Roy alleges? (CW 51: 119). Or was he an unusual human being fighting, with all his human limitations and the limitations of his people, Expressing his ‘Hindu gratitude’ to ‘Dr Ambedkar, and yet with all he had in him, for more than one tough Rao Bahadur Srinivasan and . . .Rao Bahadur M. C. objective? Rajah,’ – the Dalit leaders who had conferred with him in Yeravada – Gandhi added: * Shortly after signing the Pact, Ambedkar said he had They could have taken up an uncompromising and been ‘surprised, immensely surprised’ to find ‘so much in defiant attitude by way of punishment to the so-called common’ between Gandhi and himself. ‘If you devoted caste Hindus for the sins of generations. yourself entirely to the welfare of the Depressed Classes’, Ambedkar said to Gandhi, ‘you would become our hero’ If they had done so, I at least could not have resented (Pyarelal 1932, 59). their attitude and my death would have been but a trifling price exacted for the tortures that the outcastes Gandhi’s close British friend, Charles Andrews – of Hinduism have been going through for unknown the one who called Gandhi ‘Mohan’ and was called generations. But they chose a nobler path and have ‘Charlie’ by Gandhi – tendered the same advice. thus shown that they have followed the precept of Recalling that Gandhi had ‘again and again’ said that with forgiveness enjoined by all religions. Let me hope that untouchability, Indians were ‘not fit’ for Swaraj, Andrews the caste Hindus will prove themselves worthy of this asked his friend to focus solely on untouchability and not forgiveness. (CW 51: 143–5). try ‘to serve two masters’ (Gracie 1989, 155). 26 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Whether or not we agree with Gandhi, we can look Roy briefly acknowledges Ambedkar’s warmth for at the reasons he gave for declining the earnest advice. Gandhi at the time of the Poona Pact, but immediately adds: To Andrews, 15 June 1933: My dear Charlie: Now for your important argument about untouchability . . . My “Later, though, having recovered from the trauma, life is one indivisible whole. It is not built after the Ambedkar wrote: ‘There was nothing noble in the fast. compartmental system. Satyagraha, civil resistance, It was a foul and filthy act” (126). untouchability, [and] Hindu-Muslim unity . . . are indivisible parts of a whole . . . Ambedkar indeed used those severe words. But when? When he recovered from the trauma of Gandhi’s fast, says You will find at one time in my life an emphasis on Roy. How many days would it have taken Ambedkar, one thing, at another time on [an]other. But that is just Gandhi’s irreverent adversary, to recover from Gandhi’s like a pianist now emphasizing one note and now [an] ‘pressure’? Seven days? Seven months? The words that other. But they are all related to one another . . . Roy quotes, while suppressing their date, were actually written in the summer of 1945 – thirteen years after the [I]t is utterly impossible for me to say: ‘I have now fast and the Pact – in an impassioned tract that Ambedkar nothing to do with civil disobedience or Swaraj!’ Not titled, ‘What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the only so . . . Full and final removal of untouchability Untouchables’ . . . is utterly impossible without Swaraj . . . Love. Mohan (CW 55: 196–9; emphasis added). In this fiery text, Ambedkar attacks Gandhi’s fast, and the working out of the Poona Pact, but – let us clearly * mark – not the terms of that Pact.

Though still its prisoner, the Empire allowed Gandhi to In places in his 1945 text, Ambedkar, in fact, claims edit from jail a journal called Harijan, through which he that the Poona Pact was a victory for him. Thus he hoped to continue his campaign. In its 11 February 1933 writes, ‘When the fast failed and Mr. Gandhi was edition, he explained his choice of the word ‘Harijan’ obliged to sign a pact – called the Poona Pact – which and recalled that an ‘untouchable’ reader of Navajivan conceded the political demands of the Untouchables, he (which the Raj had banned in 1932) had suggested that took his revenge by letting the Congress employ foul the name ‘Harijan’ – God’s person – be used to designate electioneering tactics to make their political rights of no a so-called ‘untouchable’. avail’ (Ambedkar 1945, 259).

Since (said Gandhi) God was, above all, the protector Roy says that Ambedkar ‘didn’t stand a chance’ (126) of the helpless, and since none were more helpless when facing a fasting Gandhi. A few pages later, she than the ‘untouchables’, the word ‘Harijan’ seemed speaks of ‘the debacle of the Poona Pact’ (137). Yet, appropriate to him. When, Gandhi added, caste Hindus Ambedkar not only refrained, in his tempestuous 1945 realised their folly and changed, they too would be text, from criticising the Pact’s terms, he also did not – entitled to be called Harijans (CW 53: 266–7). then or later – try, as far as I can figure out, to have that Pact annulled or replaced. Far from seeing the Pact as Gandhi asked caste Hindus to realise that, in effect, a ‘debacle’, he seemed to view it as a compromise that many of them ‘despised’ Dalits, whatever they might benefited everyone, including the Dalits. claim. In his new journal, he wrote on 25 February 1933: Only two years after writing his 1945 text, he would If to relegate a body of people to distant locations, begin the process of steering the passage of a Constitution to regard their touch, approach or sight as pollution, that incorporated the Pact, which from today’s perspective to throw at them the leavings of one’s food, to deny stands out as a statesmanlike settlement. them the use of public roads and institutions, even the use of public temples, is not to despise them, I do not As for Gandhi’s 1932 fast, Ambedkar acknowledged in know what the word ‘despise’ means (CW 53: 405). his 1945 text – even if Roy does not – that conservative Hindus too saw it as pressure on them and resented the * Pact it produced. While observing that ‘the Untouchables JANATA, February 1, 2015 27 were sad’ because of the concessions he had made, However, he claimed that ‘varna’ was different from Ambedkar added: caste, and tried to justify ‘varna’ by saying that the hereditary occupations for which he claimed ‘varna’ “[T]he caste Hindus very definitely disliked [the stood could ensure harmony and thrift. He added, Pact], although they had not the courage to reject it however, that restoring a pure varna system was like ‘an (Ambedkar 1945, 90–91).” ant trying to lift a bag of sugar’ or ‘Dame Parkington pushing back the Atlantic with a mop’. He was saying Orthodox opposition to the Pact and to the fast that the varna system was impossible. produced two attempts on Gandhi’s life in 1934 – one in Jasidih in Bihar and the other in Pune. However, Gandhi This seeming ‘defence’ of varna was neither easy felt that orthodoxy was losing ground. To Nehru, he wrote to comprehend nor convincing, and Ambedkar easily (15 February1933), picked holes in it.

The fight against sanatanists is becoming more and That is how we would judge the debate today. In more interesting if also increasingly difficult . . . 1936, what many took from Annihilation of Caste was The abuses they are hurling at me are wonderfully Ambedkar’s categorical statement in it to all Hindus: ‘I refreshing. I am all that is bad and corrupt on this am sorry, I will not be with you… I am go[ing] out of the fold’ (Ambedkar 2014, 317). What they also took from earth. But the storm will subside . . . [I]t is the death the 1936 debate was Gandhi’s defence of Hinduism and dance of the moth round a lamp (CW 53: 309–10). his regret that Ambedkar had ‘transferred’ to Hinduism the ‘disgust’ he justifiably felt against ‘a part of its No wonder (as ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ would not professors’ (Ambedkar 2014, 322). acknowledge), some sanatanists tried to kill Gandhi in 1934. Eight years after Gandhi’s death, Nehru would tell the European journalist, Tibor Mende: * “I asked [Gandhi] repeatedly: why don’t you hit out Ambedkar was the clear victor over Gandhi in at the caste system directly? He said, ‘I am undermining their 1936 argument over caste, varna and hereditary it completely by tackling untouchability’. . . . [Gandhi’s] occupations – an argument triggered by the former’s genius lay in finding the weakest point of the enemy, the lecture of that year, Annihilation of Caste. breaking of his front” (quoted in Mende 1958).

Some months before their 1936 argument, Gandhi had Realising that he would unite pro-orthodox ranks if publicly given up defending ‘caste’. ‘CASTE HAS TO he started with an attack on caste, Gandhi chose to zero GO’ was his heading to a 16 November 1935 article in in on an evil none could defend. Harijan in which he wrote, ‘The sooner public opinion abolishes [caste], the better’ (CW 62: 121–2). * In the elections of 1937, the bulk of India’s Hindus, Before 1935, Gandhi had at times claimed that ‘an including a great many Dalits – called Harijans at that ideal’ form of caste could be justified, while nearly time by Gandhi and many Indians, including Dalits – always adding that ‘the ideal’ never existed in practice, voted for Gandhi’s Congress rather than for Ambedkar’s and always insisting that any notion of superiority and party. inferiority was utterly wrong. This seeming ‘defence’ of caste was Gandhi’s way of sugar-coating the bitter pills As Roy does not acknowledge, a Dalit minister he was asking caste Hindus to swallow. was part of almost every provincial cabinet formed by the Congress in 1937. By December 1939, when the In his 1936 debate with Ambedkar, Gandhi reiterated Congress quit office (because the war that had begun in his rejection of caste, said that it was ‘harmful both to Europe in September 1939 had sharpened the Empire– spiritual and national growth’, and did what he had thus Congress divide), these ministries had accomplished a far hesitated to do: he publicly affirmed his acceptance of few things for Dalit rights. In Madras Presidency, for inter-dining and inter-marriage (Ambedkar 2014, 326). instance, a 1938 law made discrimination against Dalits 28 JANATA, February 1, 2015 in jobs, wells, public conveniences, roads, schools and That Pact was hardly the folly that Roy paints it to be, colleges an offence. As a result of another law that and it would be difficult to make a case that the India of protected temple officials willing to open doors, Dalits 2014, or the Dalits and Adivasis of 2014, would be better entered several of the South’s great temples for the first off with separate Dalit and Adivasi electorates. time. * What was the context for the fierce language of Ambedkar’s 1945 text, which he wrote in New Delhi in As Gandhi saw it in the 1920s and the 1930s, if his official residence on Prithviraj Road? At this time, he Dalits and caste Hindus were locked in a fierce clash in was a Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. The every village and city of British-ruled India, that would war was about to end. After three years of detention for constitute an insurmountable barrier to independence, Quit India, which had stirred much of India, the Congress larger even than the barrier created by Hindu–Muslim leadership was about to be released. The British were on mistrust. It would also constitute a compelling reason for the verge of proposing a new political scheme for India, the Empire to deny independence to India, and would and new elections were imminent across the country. have been accepted as such by the world.

The brilliant thinker and Member (minister in effect) Moreover, in the circumstances of the time, when caste writing the 1945 tract was also someone who wished to Hindus enjoyed an ever greater superiority in terms of influence any new British scheme. In addition, he was a money and arms than they do today, such a clash, Gandhi political leader unable to forget the results of the 1937 thought, would destroy the Dalits. His opposition to a elections, which – because the war had intervened – separate Dalit electorate stemmed, he claimed, from his were the last to have taken place. He hoped to do better concern for Dalit safety. in 1945–46. Through this 1945 tract, an Ambedkar still vexed by the 1937 results presented his case to Britain’s In Gandhi’s assessment of the real world around him, leaders and simultaneously to India’s voters. steering caste Hindus towards national independence, and simultaneously shaming them for the practice of However, the elections of 1945–46 confirmed that untouchability, was the right strategy for all concerned, the INC commanded the bulk of the Indian electorate, Dalits and caste Hindus included. For him, independence including a good deal of Dalit support. Obtaining caste from British rule was a pre-requisite for a successful Hindu as well as Dalit votes, the INC won an even larger fight against what, to him, was the even greater wrong proportion of Dalit seats than it had in 1937. of untouchability and caste superiority.

Many Dalit candidates have understandably resented Nothing that has happened in the 67 years after the fact that non-Dalit voters can cause their defeat. independence suggests that this strategy was wrong. Just Unfortunately, this happened to Ambedkar himself in the as, for practical reasons, America needed independence 1952 general elections, after he had resigned from the and a Union before it could tackle slavery, India needed cabinet in disappointment at the Congress’s slowness in independence before it could confidently, safely or passing the Hindu Code Bill, and again in 1954, when adequately tackle caste arrogance, but it had to be an he contested a by-election. independence that recognised the evil of caste arrogance.

In a joint electorate, good people of all jaatis, including As independence seemed closer, Gandhi seemed to the Dalits, would at times be defeated by votes from free his radical side for tackling India’s society. On 1 outside their jaati, and at other times be elected, thanks August 1946 – a year or so before independence – he to ‘outsider’ votes. wrote to Vallabhbhai Patel:

Founded on Ambedkar’s legacy by Kanshi Ram, Who are the people who beat up Harijans, murder the Bahujan Samaj Party has more than once led a them, prevent them from using wells, drive them out of government in our largest state, Uttar Pradesh, thanks schools and refuse them entry into their homes? They in part, some might say, to the Poona Pact and the joint are Congressmen. Aren’t they? It is very necessary to electorate. have a clear picture of this (CW 85: 102). JANATA, February 1, 2015 29

Three months after writing this letter, Gandhi found avarna, if you treat the Shudras, the ‘untouchables’ and himself in Noakhali in eastern Bengal, where communal the Adivasis as equals then something good will have violence had flared up. In January and February 1947, come out of a bad thing [partition] . . . (CW 95: 286–7) he and a handful of companions walking from village to village halted overnight in 47 east Bengali homes, where The battle for swaraj having been won, the Congress their hosts, many of them Dalits, included washermen, had no excuse now, Gandhi was saying, to delay the fishermen, cobblers and weavers. battle for social justice.

In Noakhali, Gandhi told caste Hindu women that None of this is of any consequence to Roy, according if they continued to disown the ‘untouchables’, more to whom, ‘There was never much daylight between sorrow would be in store. The women of the village of Gandhi’s views on caste and those of the Hindu right.’ Chandipur were given radical advice: She adds, ‘From a Dalit point of view, Gandhi’s assassination could appear to be more a fratricidal killing Invite a Harijan every day to dine with you. Or at least than an assassination by an ideological opponent’ (128). ask the Harijan to touch the food or the water before you consume it. Do penance for your sins (Tendulkar For herself, Roy acknowledges an ideological clash 1951, 7: 350; CW 93: 229). between Gandhi and the Hindu right. Thus, she writes, ‘[The] message of tolerance and inclusiveness between On 24 April 1947, he said in Patna that for some Hindus and Muslims continues to be Gandhi’s real, time he had ‘made it a rule not to be present or give his lasting and most important contribution to the idea of blessings for any wedding unless one of the parties was India’ (82). The implication seems to be that while she a Harijan’ (CW 87: 350). can understand the ideological confrontation, Dalits cannot. But Roy is not interested in any of this. Or maybe she simply does not know. *

In June 1947 – two months or so before independence There was one Gandhi proposal, initiated in December – Gandhi proposed that ‘a Harijan like Chakrayya2 or a 1946, which Nehru and Patel did accept (See Gore 1993, Harijan girl should be made the nation’s first President 180–81; Ramachandran 1964, 179)3. Dalit literature and Jawaharlal should become the Prime Minister . . . has recorded Gandhi’s crucial role in the remarkable [S]imilar arrangements [can be] made in the provinces invitation extended by Nehru and Patel to Ambedkar to too . . . ’ (CW 95: 217). join free India’s first cabinet (See Gore 1993, 180–81; Shastri 1975, 32–33) but Roy throws a thick blanket over A purely symbolic suggestion? Perhaps. However, it. After providing scores of pages of Ambedkar’s sharp the symbol would have been powerful. It was one of the criticism of Gandhi and the INC from 1933 to 1947, she several suggestions made by Gandhi that Nehru, Patel, merely says: Rajendra Prasad, Rajagoplachari and other INC leaders successfully resisted in the last year of their ‘master’s’ “In a gesture of goodwill, and perhaps because there life. was no one as equal to the task as he was, the Congress appointed Ambedkar to the Constituent Assembly. In On 14 June 1947, by when partition had been accepted August 1947, Ambedkar was appointed India’s first Law and independence was only two months away, Gandhi Minister and Chairman of the Drafting Committee for asked the Congress to frontally address untouchability the Constitution” (138). and caste injustice and also the question of the adivasis: That’s it. Offering no comment on the statesmanship And what about the ‘untouchables’? . . .If you say that behind the invitation and behind its acceptance, she ‘untouchables’ are nothing, the Adivasis are nothing, effectively suppresses a remarkable coming together of then you are not going to survive yourselves. But bitter adversaries, resulting in Gandhi’s partnership with if you do away with the distinction of savarna and Dr. Ambedkar in the final phase of his life. 2. An Andhra Dalit who had greatly impressed Gandhi in his Sevagram ashram 3. Particularly, see M.S. Gore’s quotation from C.B. Khairmode’s biography of Ambedkar. According to G. Ramachandran, apparently Gandhi insisted on Ambedkar’s inclusion as an essential part of the ‘atonement’ due to India’s ‘untouchables’. 30 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Everyone knows of the amazing results of Ambedkar’s Both agreed, however, that struggle had to be peaceful induction into Constitution-making. A brilliant and – resolute, fearless and passionate, yes, but not violent, passionate human being, who happened also to be an for killing usually damaged a struggle’s goal. For Indian and a Dalit, piloted a Constitution assuring equal Ambedkar, and also for Gandhi, Dalit solidarity, Dalit rights to all in a society that for centuries had called education and the Dalit vote were weapons far superior people like him inferior and untouchable and had treated to the lathi or the gun; when used by a vulnerable Dalit, them harshly, and an elected Constituent Assembly, the latter only played into the hands of the better-armed where a large majority were caste Hindus, welcomed enemy. and adopted such a Constitution. Both realised that the culmination of a struggle for When, two months after Gandhi’s death, Ambedkar justice was usually negotiation and a settlement rather married Sharada Kabir, a Brahmin doctor4, Vallabhbhai than surrender by the foe and complete triumph for one’s Patel wrote to him, ‘I am sure if Bapu were alive he would side. Despite harsh experiences, both knew that the have given you his blessings.’ Ambedkar replied, ‘I agree adversary in a struggle, the Other, was a human being too, that Bapu, if he had been alive, would have blessed it’ and that justice seldom endured without reconciliation. (Das 1971, 6: 302). The Poona Pact of 1932 and, 15 years later, the This sort of exchange would make no impact on Roy. Gandhi–Ambedkar partnership at independence, In her stern and pessimistic view, the Constitution that represented victories for India’s society and polity, and resulted from the Ambedkar–Gandhi rapprochement and also for the two individuals concerned. Their agreements from discussions in the Constituent Assembly ‘reflected with each other may only have been occasional, their the views of its privileged-caste members more than arguments more frequent. But the agreements were Ambedkar’s’ (138). She also seems unhappy that many hugely consequential for India and even beyond. Ambedkar statues in the country show him holding the Constitution in his hand. She would rather have him hold Works referred to Annihilation of Caste (44). 1. Ambedkar, B. R. 1945. What Congress and Gandhi Have Nothing wrong with that wish. Yet, for Roy to Done to the Untouchables. Bombay: Thackers. 2. Ambedkar, B. R. 2014. Annihilation of Caste. New Delhi: suppress the partnership forged in 1947 between Navayana. Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru and Patel only strengthens 3. Birla, G. D. n.d. A Talk on Bapu, Kolkata. our scepticism over her text. 4. Durga Das, ed. 1971. Sardar Patel’s Correspondence (10 vols). Ahmedabad: Navajivan. Roy quotes a characteristic Gandhi statement, made 5. Gandhi, Mohandas K. Collected Works of Mahatma in 1931: Gandhi (100 vols.). New Delhi: Publications Division. 6. Gandhi, Rajmohan. 1995. The Good Boatman. New Delhi: Penguin. “It has been said that Indian swaraj will be the rule 7. ———. 2006. Mohandas. New Delhi: Viking. of the majority community, i.e. the Hindus. There could 8. Gore, M. S. 1993. The Social Context of an Ideology: not be a greater mistake . . . If it were to be true, I for Ambedkar’s Political and Social Thought. New Delhi: one would refuse to call it swaraj and fight it with all the Sage. strength at my command, for to me Hind Swaraj is the 9. Gracie, David M. 1989. Gandhi & Charlie. Cambridge, Mass.: Cowley. rule of all the people, of justice.” 10. Jack, Homer. 1956. The Gandhi Reader. New York: Grove Press. But, adds Roy, ‘For Ambedkar, “the people” was not 11. Mandela, Nelson. 1995. “Gandhi the Prisoner”. In a homogeneous category . . . ’ (45). Mahatma Gandhi: 125 Years, edited by B. R. Nanda. New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Nor was it for Gandhi. Both understood the inevitability 12. Mende, Tibor. 1958. Conversations with Nehru. Bombay: Wilco. of struggle between different sections of a diverse and 13. Moon, Penderel, ed. 1973. Wavell: The Viceroy’s Journal. at times sharply separated people – between classes or London: Oxford University Press. castes of Indians, between groups formed by language, 14. Patel, Ravjibhai. 1989. The Making of the Mahatma. religion, sect or party. Ahmedabad.

4 Ambedkar’s first wife, Ramabai, had died in 1935. JANATA, February 1, 2015 31

15. Pyarelal. 1932. Epic Fast. Ahmedabad: Navajivan. 16. Ramachandran, G. 1964. Thoughts and Talks. Madurai. 17. Reddy, E.S. 1995. Gandhiji: Vision of a Free South Africa. New Delhi: Sanchar. ‘ 18. Roy, Arundhati. 2014a. “Arundhati Roy Replies to Dalit Camera.” Round Table India. http://roundtableindia.co.in/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7284:arundhati-roy-replies-to-dalit-camera&catid=119&Itemid=132 19. ———, Arundhati. 2014b. The Doctor and the Saint. New Delhi. Navayana 20. Shastri, Roshanlal. 1991. Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar Ke Sampark Me 25 Varsh. New Delhi: Buddhist Society of India. 3rd edition. 21. Swan, Maureen. 1985. Gandhi: The South African Experience. Johannesburg: Ravan. 22. Tendulkar, D.G. 1951. Mahatma (8 vols.). Mumbai. 23. Yagnik, Indulal. 1943. Gandhi As I Knew Him. Delhi: Danish Mahal. (Continued from Page 4) terrorists. There is a separate paragraph in the statement Dawa has been banned. Only its back account has been urging Islamabad to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 frozen. Washington should exert more pressure. carnage to justice. I wish President Obama were to use his good offices to In Washington’s scheme of things, Pakistan’s support arrange a meeting between India and Pakistan. However is essential in the war against terrorists. In principle there divergent their viewpoints are, the two countries cannot be any difference on this point. Yet the reality is might find a way to have trade and tourism. Once the that Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, urging jihad against us, two countries meet, they may find other avenues for is openly preaching hatred against India. The Pakistan cooperation. With trust deficit on the one hand, and no government ran a special train to facilitate travel of his contact with each other on the other, the gulf between supporters to attend his rally. the two is bound to grow further.

On top of it all, there is no serious interest in pursuing President Obama’s offer to finance solar energy the 26/11 attack on Mumbai where some 200 people were production may prod New Delhi to go for this type of killed. Judge after judge has been transferred. There are power in a big way. Already Rajasthan has some plants. hearings all over again. Pakistan is afraid of the Taliban Their expansion or installation of new ones can produce inside and outside the country in proceeding with the so much power that it can be transmitted across the case, much less taking action against the perpetrators. border. Pakistan is presently short of power. Washington can pursue President Obama’s suggestion and ensure President Obama’s statement that they should be that India share the additional production. There may be brought to book makes little sense when he has done other economic avenues which, if followed, can increase nothing to ensure some action. It is obvious that he India’s earning. His personal interest in such projects will does not go beyond a point lest he should embarrass not only ensure their early completion but also impress Pakistan. Yet, America is the only country which can on New Delhi that the economic sinews are the best ties force Pakistan deliver. Pakistan denied that Jammat-ud- that can bind India and Pakistan together.

Footprints of A Crusader (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore)

by Rohini Gawankar

Published by Kamalakar Subhedar, Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), Mumbai 400072. Mobile: 9820092255 Contribution: Rs.300+ 32 JANATA, February 1, 2015 The Abolition of Truth

Dilip Simeon

A fanatical conspirator enters a prayer meeting open to evil. In November 1946 he spent several weeks all, and shoots dead a 79 year-old unarmed and unguarded walking in the areas around Noakhali, in Chittagong man at point-blank range. For nearly seven decades, one division of East Bengal, where Hindus had been section of our intelligentsia looked upon the murderer as a the victims of communal violence. He stayed there martyr and hailed his act as it were something admirable. and walked for 190 km; speaking of the need for Today these fans of Godse and Savarkar are thrusting repentance, harmony, and justice. This was in the their hate-filled ideas down our throats. What is this if face of the hostility of the Muslim League provincial not the brazen celebration of communal terrorism and government and the vicious behaviour of their cadre murder? towards him. Some of their tallest functionaries even accused him of instigating the massacres in Let us be clear about this - if Godse’s preparedness Calcutta. They repeatedly called him the arch- for death signifies something virtuous to the ‘parivar’, enemy of Muslims. the activities of all the jehadis, maoists, khalistanis and sundry insurgents across the sub-continent also become When Gandhi went to Bihar early in 1947 to virtuous. Don’t all terrorists have their admirers? How calm the communal fires there (here, conversely, do we adjudge one brand of murder as virtue and another Muslims were targeted), he was accused of being as evil? partial to Muslims. The same accusations were hurled at him in August 1947, when he remained in One big lie is that Gandhi was responsible for Calcutta. In his speech in Delhi (January 18, 1948) the partition of India, overlooking the fact that he calling off his last fast, he referred to a Muslim referred to partition as a sin, and resisted it to the visitor in Patna who had given him a book by a end of his days. He accepted it with sorrow only after cleric, in which he read that kafirs deserved to be the leadership of the Congress, most importantly exterminated. Gandhi denounced and despaired of Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru recommended it such views (which were also condemned by Maulana as the only way out of the political crisis of 1946-47. Azad that same evening). The entire commentary The truth is complex and it is a matter of shame that may be read on page 446, vol 90 of the collected senior leaders of the so-called Sangh Parivar should works. Such observations are indeed available be spreading falsehood and half-truths for narrow throughout his writings and speeches. But both partisan ends. If the Two Nation Theory was false kinds of religious extremists relentlessly accused and evil, why did their hero V. D. Savarkar support him of being partial to the other side. For them, it? Here is what he said on August 15, 1943: “I have nothing but total submission to their hateful world- no quarrel with Mr Jinnah’s two-nation theory. view would suffice. We Hindus are a nation by ourselves and it is a historical fact that Hindus and Muslims are two Yet another lie is that his last fast was directed nations” (Indian Annual Register 1943 vol.2 p.10). at forcing the Union Government to part with the 55 crores owed to Pakistan. Undoubtedly Gandhi The other big lie is that Gandhi did not condemn wanted the Union Government to fulfil its obligation Muslim fanaticism, was more concerned with the to hand over to Pakistan what was rightfully its protection of Muslims and ignored the plight of property. But the facts show clearly that his fast Hindu victims of communal violence. This is utter was meant to calm the fires of communal hatred nonsense, yet repeated day in and day out. In his and violence then raging in Delhi and North India, speeches at his prayer meetings and in his writings and to secure the restoration of the tomb of Khwaja Gandhi makes it clear time and again that good and Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Chisti in Mehrauli. Had he bad people were to be found in all communities, not staked his life for this cause, we would have had that no community held a monopoly of good and another Babri-type fabricated dispute on the edge JANATA, February 1, 2015 33 of the capital. Gandhi’s last fast, or yajna, as he So are the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini, ABVP, called it, led to the Delhi Declaration of January 18, BMS and a host of other organisations. Is there 1948, which was agreed to by all parties and groups, any doubt that most cadre and followers of the RSS including the Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya political family hold these beliefs? Have the leaders Swayamsevak Sangh. This declaration was a solemn of the RSS distanced themselves from such ideas? It commitment to uphold communal harmony and is all very well to be clever and dodgy, but cleverness friendship among all communities, to refrain from cannot forever substitute for truthful speech. revenge attacks on innocent people, and to return all places of worship to their rightful owners. As The editor of a prominent news portal has written With his infinite love he Rajkumari Amrit Kaur said, “ an opinion piece where he argues that the debate was trying to quench the anger that raged in many about Gandhi’s assassination requires us to go breasts. He was the one thing that stood between ‘beyond the binary of good and evil’. His argument us and disaster, for lawlessness and disorder and shifts imperceptibly towards matters of public hate and violence can lead nowhere else.” perception and relativism: “If someone has a right to eulogise Gandhi, surely others have a right to The hate-fielled utterances are an avowal of criticise him or praise his nemesis? If we can today political murder. They undermine the ethic of lawful write books giving imaginary versions of Ravana’s government and they corrode the authority and side of the story (and not Ram’s), surely we can legitimacy of the Indian Union. Those who have live with the ideas of those who think Godse was been trained in communal half-truths and deceit not pure evil?”. Well put. Of course we can live (and for decades will not be able to see what is dangerous about this new-found bravado of the Godse-brigade. die) with the murderous ideas floating around us. But responsible citizens hope that judges, IAS and We have been doing so for decades. Even when IPS officers and other constitutional officials can such ideas are aired by the highest in the land, as in see the Parivar undermining the integrity of the ‘when a great tree falls, the earth shakes’; and ‘every state. The portents are not good. When India’s action has an equal and opposite reaction’ - etc. But Chief Justice makes a gushing statement about the who has questioned anyones’ right to an opinion? ‘goodness’ of Narendra Modi, it gives rise to concern “The only thing absolutely about his impartiality. The editor continues: wrong about what Godse did was putting bullets If state officials - including elected representatives through the Mahatma instead of debating him and - forget that they are servants of the Constitution, converting the Indian public to his cause. But, at not of the government of the day; if they let fear that time, the public was besotted with Gandhi and timidity affect their official performance, let and unwilling to listen to others. Godse’s ideas them understand that they are contributing to the were checkmated by Gandhi’s popularity, and this subversion of the Constitution. In which case, they frustration drove him to murder..” should refrain from talking about Maoist subversion in future. They are worse, because they are sworn What does it mean to say “The only thing wrong to uphold the law of the land. about what Godse did”? As far as public debate is concerned, what else did he ‘do’ aside from killing Do Prime Minister Modi, his party colleagues, and Gandhi? The murder is precisely the point at issue. their RSS mentors believe in and support vigilante Would this debate be taking place at all if Gandhi violence and political assassination? If they do not, had not been killed? Or if Hindutva ideologues were they should come out and say so. If they do, on what not defending political assassination? Incidentally, grounds can they ask insurgent groups to give up it is also incorrect to say ‘the public was besotted violence? The Kesari article demonstrates yet again with Gandhi’. He was immensely popular, but there the Sangh Parivar’s contempt for law. There’s no were also people who hated him, and during his point saying this is not the official position of the last upavas, there were demonstrations of large BJP, or that these are ‘fringe elements’. The RSS is numbers of refugees from Pakistan who shouted not a fringe of the BJP. The BJP is a front of the RSS. ‘let Gandhi die’. 34 JANATA, February 1, 2015

Well before January 1948, the Mahasabha and firm believers in Hindutva, in the two-nation Savarkar had attacked Gandhi in speech and print. theory. For them, Indian secularism is their biggest The editor fails to note that (aside from several enemy and Godse is a hero for having killed one of physical assaults and attempts at inflicting serious its biggest proponents. For them, Gandhi is not the injury on him, right from his days in South Africa) man who helped Indian win freedom and the world there was a bomb attack in 1934, an attempted train discover the merits of ahimsa over violence; he is derailment in 1946, another such in 1947, and two the person who helped create Pakistan...” more attacks in January 1948, the last of which What is wrong about the manner in which the killed him. All these involved persons and groups apologists of the ‘parivar’ discuss this issue? It is the that objected to his ideal of composite nationhood, fact that the act of murder is lost sight of, and we and of Hindu-Muslim unity. prefer to keep our attention focused on the stated motives of the murderers. The same may be said But it is not the ideas of Hindutva that are being for protests against this or that film, book, cartoon, discussed, noxious though they were (and remain). etc. Note the current campaign by the Savarkarites It is the fact that the men around Savarkar were to bring in the pain of partition as the justification hell-bent on murder. The editor may well deflect the for the murder of Gandhi. Who can deny the pain discussion into an argument about the respective of partition? But what does that have to do with merits of Savarkar’s ideas and the right of people murdering Gandhi? How does it justify political to hold such ideas. But he ought not to trivialise assassination? the murder by saying “the only thing absolutely There’s no doubt that the world is complex, as wrong about what Godse did was putting bullets are the motives of human beings. We wish good through the Mahatma”, because the assassination and evil to be clearly demarcated, but unfortunately is the central issue that has been highlighted by the they often come in mixtures. Gandhi was well aware admirers of Godse themselves. His brother Gopal of this. For him, the fact that in the Mahabharata Godse is on record stating his pride in the deed. One the wrong-doers had good men like Bhishma and opinion piece in an RSS journal has even stated that Drona on their side was a sign that, “evil cannot by Godse should have killed Nehru, and many others itself flourish in this world. It can do so only if it is have spoken admiringly of Godse’s deed. allied with some good”. He wrote this in 1926 and remained consistent in his belief. In 1940, he said, These days, India’s Prime Minister invokes “Goondas do not drop from the sky, nor do they Gandhi at every available opportunity. As journalist spring from the earth like evil spirits. They are the product of social disorganization, and society Sandipan Sharma says, “the PM’s efforts to eulogise, is therefore responsible for their existence... they emulate and hardsell the Mahatma should have by should be looked upon as a symbol of corruption now triggered a Munnabhai-type revival of the in our body-politic”. Confronted by riots in 1946 he Gandhian ideals in India. And yet, ironically, the said, “I deprecate the habit of procuring a moral exact opposite is happening: it is Godse’s cult that alibi for ourselves by blaming it all on the goondas. appears set for a cultural renaissance.” He goes We always put the blame on goondas. But it is we on: “There are many pitfalls of turning Godse into who are responsible for their creation as well as a hero... once you defend Godse’s action, the same encouragement”. At the height of the violence of logic can be extended to every terrorist who kills 1947 he said, “it is time for peace-loving citizens for his ideology - political or religious - making it to assert themselves and isolate goondaism. Non- impossible to differentiate between the assassins violent non-cooperation is the universal remedy. of Gandhi, the butchers of Peshawar and the Good is self-existent, evil is not. It is like a parasite perpetrators of 9/11 or 26/11. None of these were living in and around good. It will die of itself when the support that good gives it is withdrawn.” seeking personal vendetta; all were promoting their political ideologies through violent means. However, complexity does not abolish the The people who valourise Godse are, at the core, distinction between right and wrong, good and evil. JANATA, February 1, 2015 35

To arrive at that point would be to leave behind the with three simple sentences: capacity that makes us humans. Goodness is indeed a first principle - we can’t define it in simpler terms. Gandhiji has been killed by his own people for Disagreement between people about what is good or whose redemption he lived. This second crucifixion bad would be impossible if they did not first agree in the history of the world has been enacted on a that there is a difference between good and bad. Friday - the same day Jesus was done to death one thousand nine hundred and fifteen years ago. The central question of our time is violence, not Father forgive us. the multifarious justifications produced by those who practice violence. Violence feeds on itself, it The Indian people need to stand up and fight has always done and will always do. Those who against the propaganda directed against Mahatma still cannot see this are doomed to remain in an Gandhi, and the celebration of his murder by people endless cycle of argumentation & intimidation. This whose minds are crazed by hatred, ignorance and is why Gandhi remains relevant. Above all, he was spite. It is a crying shame that this campaign is an advocate of friendship and dialogue. He stood being led by people who are close to or indeed, for atma-bal, or soul-force and satya-bal (truth members of the ruling dispensation. It will bring force) as against sharir-bal, or physical force. He them nothing but disgrace. Gandhi belongs to read all the religious scriptures and asked his fellow humanity. The Reverend Martin Luther King said: Indians to do the same. He concentrated on what “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. was common to them, rather than on dogma and He lived, thought, and acted, inspired by the vision doctrine. He drew sustenance from the fact that of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and there were good persons among all communities, harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk.” and that was proof enough that their faith must have provided them with an impulse toward goodness. In the worst of circumstances, in the midst of utter barbarity, in Noakhali, Patna, Delhi and wherever he went in those last weeks of his life, he appealed With Best to the wrong-doers to look inwards, to remember their common humanity, to recognise the evil they Compliment had wrought, to repent (prayaschit) and change their ways.

Gandhi was an optimist of the soul. We need him as much today as we needed him in 1948. Even those who hate him need him, an old horse upon whose tired back we can off-load all our remorse and anger and pain. Well may the ‘Parivar’ hail his assassins of (there were more than one). They seek to kill him yet again, to wipe out the last sweet traces of his memory from our minds. But to do that, they would have to abolish the very human capacity to love, smile and befriend people. As Gandhi said, The force of love is the same as the force of the soul or truth. We have evidence of its working at every step. As long as we retain those capacities, they will fail.

On January 31, 1948, as India and indeed the whole world was plunged in grief (barring those whom Gautam Electricals Sardar Patel accused of distributing sweets), the Hindusthan Standard published a black front page, 36 JANATA, February 1, 2015 Adapting Agriculture to Times of Climate Change

Bharat Dogra

The extensive damage suffered by farmers in several the seeds which were specifically aimed at being more parts of the country in recent years due to adverse and fertiliser-responsive. Clearly there is a contradiction highly erratic weather conditions has raised questions here and so we have to go back to the heritage of rich whether this may be related to long term climate change. diversity of our traditional seeds as our basic treasure Therefore there is a clear need for adapting agriculture in of genetic material on the basis of which farming can time to meet the challege of increasingly erratic weather progress on a sustainable basis. behaviour. Any changes we make should be compatible with other widely accepted aims of equality, poverty Thirdly, it is very clear that we can’t look at organic reduction and protection of environment. farming in isolation, we also need to look at improving systems of water-and-moisture concentration, good Keeping in view climate change related new threats, green cover in the form of trees and pastures and overall government’s policies need a huge and significant shift conducive conditions for animal husbandry to flourish (including budget allocation, overall thrust of governance well. Due to the high risks, hazards and uncertainities and other aspects) in favour of poorest and marginalised associated with genetically engineered crops, there sections, small farmers, rural life and farming based should be a ban on the introduction of any genetically livelihoods (with their lower GHG emissions and engineered crops, and strong bio-safety regimes should importance for food security), environment protection be introduced to check genetic pollution. and disaster prevention as well as better relief work at the time of disasters and adverse conditions. It can no Cottage industry longer be business as usual for the government as new Cottage and small-scale industrial activity should threats bring new responsibilities. Budget allocations be encouraged in villages and small towns. The spirit should shift very significantly in favour of agriculture, of swadeshi and maximum possible self-reliance of and related activities and environment protection. village communities emphasised by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom movement must be revived to Sustainable farming meet contemporary needs. Growth of desi (indigenous We need a change that strongly favours organic varieties) cotton can become the base of revival farming. In the conditions of India’s villages, along of hand-spinning and hand-weaving (khadi cloth). with organic we need to strongly say, “as low-cost Cottage industry like khadi/handloom should get as possible” and “as self-reliant as possible”, these increasing strength from the emphasis on reducing two aims being strongly inter-related. Our context is GHG emissions and environment-friendly textiles. A basically that of small farmers with a low resource- wide range of cottage industries related to agriculture, base. Dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides animal husbandry and minor forest produce, as well as made them indebted. It is certainly not desirable that other cottage scale labour-intensive industries can be one dependance should be replaced with another started. The kind of small-scale industrial activity that dependance, for example dependence on expensive doesn’t displace or threaten farmers but instead provides market-purchased bio-fertilisers. So the entire emphasis additional livelihoods to them should be encouraged. should be based on making the best possible use of local resources (dung, crop-residues, leaves, cow-urine etc.) Policy changes and farming practices like maintaining diversity, suitable Indiscriminate spread of combine harvestors has been rotations etc. to become as self-reliant as possible in critisised on grounds of loss of livelihoods and wastage maintaining the fertility of land and in keeping away of fodder. There were objections also to excessive harmful insects and pests. extraction of groundwater using electricity and diesel as this lowered the water table and hence damaged Secondly, a question that needs to be asked is whether sustainable aspects. Now in times of climate change all the promotion of organic farming can be compatible with these objections to excessive mechanisation get further JANATA, February 1, 2015 37 emphasised by the need to reduce GHG emissions and priority can be given to crop for other local economic curb the use of fossil fuels as much as possible. activities such as fodder for dairying, cotton for hand- spinning and handloom work. On the other hand renewable energy sources need to be encouraged. Innovations by rural innovators relating A system of farming which integrates agriculture to improved tools and smaller machines relating to and animal husbandry should be adopted, with agriculture and crop processing should be encouraged. encouragement for care and concern for welfare of farm- Innovations such as Mangal turbine should have a better animals. Protection of indigenous breeds of cows and spread. Improved bio-gas plants and stoves also need to bullocks and other farm animals should be encouraged in spread more widely. a big way. Promotion of animal husbandry and welfare of farm animals should get high priority. Water and soil-conservation Water and soil-conservation work is very useful and Women farmers important but at present it is marred by many problems. The greatest possible encouragement should be given There is huge scope for improving this work and its to women farmers. Their initiatives and independent benefits. Watershed projects should be integrated with identity should be recognised and encouraged. All egalitarian objectives, land reforms and need to help land titles should be together in the name of husband the poor on a priority basis. Cropping-patterns should and wife. However there should not be any insistence be compatible with water availability. For some years on division of land among all sons and daughters and concentration should be on better use of existing transfer of land-ownership outside the village should be irrigation sources. Water needs of agriculture and avoided. Even sons should as far as possible work jointly animal husbandry should get priority over water needs instead of dividing land in every generation. However of industry. in case of single women, they should get rightful share of land whenever they need it. When a marriage takes Low cost farming place, the bride’s name should be entered into the land At all levels efforts should be made to reduce the records along with the husband’s name. costs of farmers and thereby reduce the chances of indebtedness. Loans at significantly reduced interest rates Tree farming should reach farmers wherever these are actually needed, When forest department wants to plant trees on its and relief from loan or interest should be provided at degraded or vacant land, this should be done with the the right time in case of adverse weather. Loans should help of landless or nearly landless poor rural households, be on simple interest basis and not compound interest with special emphasis on tribals. Till the trees have not basis. Self help groups for self-reliance in meeting small grown sufficiently, these families must be paid for their credit needs should be encouraged and helped. work for planting trees and care for them under the various poverty alleviation and afforestation schemes. Farmers should get a higher price for their crops Once trees have grown adequately these families will which should be based on treating farming as highly have full hereditary right over minor forest produce. skilled work. Farmers’ needs should be evaluated These rights will not be disturbed till these families keeping in view the realistic size of a farm family. fulfil the responsibility for protecting trees. They can Organic produce should get further encouragement get additional remuneration for protecting wild life. and financial incentives. Direct links of farmers and Indigenous species of trees which have good minor consumers should be encouraged. Even while paying forest produce and good soil and water conservation higher returns to farmers, price of healthy, organic properties should be planted. Efforts should be to food can be kept within reasonable limits by reducing approach conditions of natural forests as much as expensive inputs and reducing the share of exploitative possible. middlemen. Dues of farmers should be paid promptly. Land reforms Food first Land distribution among the poor should get very In terms of crop-choices, the first priority should be high priority, and optimum use of all the existing laws for a diversity of local staple foods including cereals, (including ceiling laws) and favourable administrative millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, spices. Second orders should be made. In addition new laws and 38 JANATA, February 1, 2015 administrative guidelines may be needed. Fertile this land. All new allottees should gets help for minor farmland should be protected from diversion to other irrigation, soil and water conservation. uses. Displacement should be reduced as much as possible. Agriculture should be mainly based on small Strengthen decentralisation farmers. Landless farm workers, including particularly A highly decetralised approach will be needed to cope dalit-adivasi farm-workers, should be helped to become with times of more erratic weather behaviour so that last small farmers making available 1 to 2 acres land to each minute chages can be made more easily to cope with landless family. Marginal farmers having less than one any unexpected weather conditions. Keeping in view acre of land can also be given some additional land. this enhanced need for decentralisation, more attention Those who have already received land but could not should be given to strengthening and improving cultivate it should be helped to occupy and cultivate panchayat raj.

Western Railway Employees Union Grant Road Station Building (E), MUMBAI – 400 007.

WREU, the oldest trade unions in the country, earlier known as BB&CI Railway Employees' Union, is in the services of Railway men since 192o. WREU, a free, independent and democratic trade union, is a founder member of AIRF and HMS.

WREU fought for upliftment of railway men and their family in particular and labour class in general for the last 94 yea.rs. WREU/AIRF is instrumental in creation of PNM, grievance solving machinery in 1951, payment of PLB to Railway men since 1979, implementation of series of Cadre Restructuring in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ categories in Indian Railways, implementation of recommendations of the 4th, 5th and 6th CPCs with modifications and RELHS Scheme for Railway men.

WREU was led by prominent trade union leaders, viz. late Miss. Maniben

Kara, Late Com. Jagdish Ajmera, Late Com. Umraomal Purohit, Late Com. Chandrashekar Menon, etc. In memory of late Maniben Kara, WREU established a charitable trust namely “Maniben Kara Foundation” with the objective of lighting against the evils of the society.

Apart from trade union activities, various non-bargaining activities such as organizing Health Check-up Camps, Blood Donation Camps, Family Planning Camps, Anti-Dowry campaigns, HIV-AIDS Awareness Campaigns, Safety Seminars, Trade Union Education Class,’ Adult Education, Guidance Camp, etc. are conducted for the benefits of the railway men and the general public. (R.C. Sharma) (J.R. Bhosale) President General Secretary

Mahatma Gandhi’s death ends an epoch of Indian history of which he was the originator ... Each one of us who has raised his hand against innocent men, women and children during the past months, who has publicly or secretly entertained sympathy for such acts is a collaborator in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. –Mian Iftikharuddin (President, West Punjab Muslim League)

***

I and others may be revolutionaries but we are disciples of Mahatma Gandhi, directly or indirectly, nothing more nothing less. –Ho Chi Minh JANATA, February 10-17, 2013 31

HeJANATA,4 was a socialist February and 1, in 2015 spite of his age he had wished to Shubha could not countenance it.JANATA, She wished August a 17,decent 201439 speak. But he could not keep his promise. He died on the cremation for her affectionate and illustrious father. The morning of 1st May 1993. He had made a will donating living won over the dead. his body for medical research. But then his only daughter

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Vol. 70 No. 2 A narrow escape February 8, 2015 S. Viswam

Not all of us perhaps fully realize some issues of importance to the Storm in a teacup and appreciate that the nation has maintenance of those features in the Kuldip Nayar fortunately ridden out a dire crisis Constitution that guarantee a variety which, if it had not blown over as it of freedoms including the freedom This is treason, has, would have impacted disastrously to practice one’s religion without let Mr Prime Minister on the polity’s character and future. or hindrance. The issue of retention Rajindar Sachar We refer here to the recent needless or deletion of the two words socialist controversy resulting from subtle and secular was needlessly raised and not so subtle suggestions and no doubt but it was mounted on the Why should Colonel Rais have to die? demands from the saffron parivar for party platform. If and when Mr. Modi Sandeep Pandey the deletion of the words “socialist” endorses Mr. Shah’s stand, the party and “secular” from the Constitution and the government would be on the of India. The controversy was set off same wavelength on an issue that State must ensure water by the call for a national debate on has a vital bearing on the cultural, Debadityo Sinha the issue by Union Communication social, and demographic content of Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who our polity. Indian Youth took the cue from the Shiv Sena Sankara Narayanan which wanted the two words dropped Mr. Modi should have his say at from our national charter. The nation the earliest for two reasons. First, we Wider role of teaching ought to be deeply indebted to the can’t guarantee that the constituents Amartya Sen Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit of the saffron parivar will not rake Shah for burying the controversy and up the issue again. Second, not till asserting that the Preamble as it stands he puts his seal of approval on Mr. should remain unchanged. Shah’s clarification will the minorities Editor : in the country feel safe and secure. We still need to keep our fingers G. G. Parikh The question of minority insecurity crossed since the final word on has surfaced after the launch by the Managing Editor : Guddi the subject has to be said by none Vishwa Hindu Parishad and some BJP other than Prime Minister Narendra units of the ghar wapasi programme. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Modi. Mr. Modi is a powerful Even Mr. Amit Shah has demanded a Naushir Bharucha Marg, orator, and no one can deny he is legislation banning forcible religious Mumbai - 400 007. an excellent communicator. But conversions. for all that he chooses to remain Email : [email protected] silent when circumstances warrant Mr. Modi has chosen not to react to his direct and vocal intervention on the varied demands raised by saffron 2 JANATA, February 8, 2015 parivar units from time to time. Even Between the lines such a shocking development as the deification of Nathuram Godse and suggestions for building temples Storm in a teacup for him did not induce Mr. Modi to admonish the saffronites. Kuldip Nayar

Luckily, the nation has had a The only good thing Prime Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who lucky escape for the second time. Minister Indira Gandhi did in her stated that the omission of words, As is well known, the original repressive rule during the Emergency secularism and socialism, gives an preamble in the constitution did not was to include the words, secularism opportunity to debate the matter carry the two words, which were and socialism, in the preamble of all over again. It is a pity that inserted into the document during the Constitution. Morarji Desai who the Law Minister should say so the 1975 Emergency declared by the succeeded her had all the changes without realizing the sanctity of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. she made in the Constitution deleted, Constitution. That a liberal person This was ostensibly done to secure but retained the amendment to the like him should say it is all the the support for the Emergency from preamble. more reprehensible. The matter was the Left - inclusion of the word debated fully when the two words socialist - and of the minorities The Jana Sangh, the earlier were included. -inclusion of the word secular. The incarnation of the BJP that had inclusion was legitimized by the merged with the Janata Party, raised The only inference one can enactment of the 42nd constitutional no objection. Both L.K. Advani and draw from this episode is that the amendment. However, when Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Jana Sangh Rashtriya Swayansevak Sangh, subsequent governments headed stalwarts who had joined the Janata, which guides the party, wants the by Morarji Desai and Atal Behari were among the enthusiastic leaders words “secularism and socialism” Vajpayee sought to restore the status to retain the words of secularism and dropped. For them, at least the word by deleting whatever was done to the socialism in the preamble. ‘secularism’ is an anathema. Because Constitution during the Emergency of the countrywide furore the BJP - through the 44th constitutional It has been apparent that the has not pursued the matter. Maybe, amendments - the two words were omission of the two words from an Prime Minister Narendra Modi, retained. advertisement issued by the Ministry who stayed silent in public, advised of Information and Broadcasting the party that the country was not The question of India remaining should not be construed as the “real” yet ready to jettison secularism secular is not only of concern intention of the government. The and socialism. The RSS probably to Indians but now has become ministry has admitted its mistake. considered it a reverse, not the defeat an international issue following The matter should have ended there and will comeback to this agenda President Obama’s comment and then. when the climate is favourable. on the linkages between India’s secularism and success as a united But the controversy has been kept True, the lessening support of the modern progressive secular alive by BJP chief Amit Shah. He has Congress, which is ideologically nation. Interestingly, certain sections said at a press conference that the old secular, has adversely affected of the Congress are spreading the preamble is the real one. However, secularism. But the party and the word that Obama said what he the Information and Broadcasting ideology are not synonymous. In said as he was influenced by the Minister Arun Jaitley has stated fact, secularism has suffered because comments voiced by Congressmen that what held the field was the the Congress deviated from it in when a Congress delegation called new version of the preamble which action. In its race to grab power, on him prior to his departure from omits the mention of socialism and the party pushed ideals into the India. This may be wishful thinking, secularism. background. but the fact remains that the time has come for the government to take The confusion has been Congress president Sonia (Continued on Page 3) confounded by Law and Justice Gandhi’s commitment to the JANATA, February 8, 2015 3 ideology has never been in doubt, private sector has been encouraged Azad and Khan Abdul Ghaffar nor was that of her son Rahul by different political parties because Khan, the Frontier Gandhi, who Gandhi’s. But there are many state the industrialists provide the money stood boldly during the hay days leaders who do not hesitate to take a for elections. This nexus cannot of the Muslim League? They were parochial line for the sake of votes. be broken until there are drastic visionary and unlike the present She is reportedly unhappy but is electoral reforms to lessen the role leaders saw the redemption of multi- afraid of taking action against them of money. cultural and multi-religious society because their exit from the Congress that India is. may hit the party in a way which Welfare is not dependent on (Continued from Page 2) may be fatal. socialism, but egalitarianism is. If the industry and business expand, tangible steps to erase the opinion The Congress is in the midst at least the wealth will increase. But that Mr. Modi is indifferent to the of gathering information from the the nexus between politicians and demand for assuring the nation ground, according to its leader the bureaucracy does not allow rapid that he does not intend to promote Anand Sharma, and may come out progress. Red tape apart, corruption divisive politics in the country. with a report in March. Yet what it at every step saps the energy which does not realize is that it has lost can be infused for the society to go The controversy erupted when the contact with the workers who are ahead. government used the facsimile of the disillusioned that the Congress original preamble to the Constitution has distanced from the ethos of Communalism is the real problem. in a Republic Day advertisement. secularism and socialism in pursuit The nation’s strong reaction has That document did not contain the of power at any cost. stopped the ‘ghar wapsi’ movement. two words in question. They were Christians are still the target. But inserted only in 1975, years after Mahatma Gandhi is still the icon. their number is limited and does the Constitution was adopted. The But the party has given space to not count much in electoral politics. advocates of the demand for the such elements who are trying to put Otherwise, the BJP government deletion of the words argue that since up a memorial to pay homage to would not have dared to declare even the entire Constitution is inherently Nathuram Godse who shot Gandhi the festival of Christmas into a Good secular, the use of the specific word dead. His name was nowhere in Governance Day! As the archbishop is unwarranted. However, this is the picture till recently. But a few at Delhi said, the measure was the fallacious since the implications of days ago an underpass at Alwar, result of a hate-campaign. the government dropping them from Rajasthan, was sought to be named the document are far-reaching and after Godse. The Congress and other The Muslims, nearly 15 per potentially adverse to the national secular organizations, including the cent in the country, have not got secular ethos. The subject is best leftist parties, should analyze their their due, particularly in jobs. But dropped and treated as a closed action and the way in which they they have been able to stall the chapter in the national discourse. have been pushing their programme relentless efforts to push them aside. because Godse represents an Their vote comes in good stead to ideology which smacks of Hindutva them. If they do not fall prey to that Mahatma Gandhi fought against the mechanizations of Akbaruddin Janata Subscription tooth and nail. Owaisi, who is trying to attract Annual Rs. : 260/- Muslims in the name of religion, the Socialism became the socialist realization that there is no go from Three Years : 750/- pattern during Jawaharlal Nehru’s secularism will take roots. Demand Draft / Cheque on lifetime because he felt that the Mumbai Bank ideology was difficult to practice. Yet the nation has to ponder over in favour of The concept has got so diluted seriously how it is being forced to JANATA TRUST over the years that the public sector compromise with communalism, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir undertakings which were supposed the opposite of the ethos of freedom Bharucha Marg, Mumbai 400 007 to attain the commanding heights are movement. How many of us today at the backburner. Over the years, the remember Maulana Abul Kalam 4 JANATA, February 8, 2015 This is treason, Mr Prime Minister

Rajindar Sachar

An unimaginable crisis is also telling us that it will not accept always been the goal is evident from gripping our country. Only a straight the invention of airplane in the the Directive Principles of State forward clear declaration by the present but only in “Udankhatola” policy. The amendment was only to Prime Minister can clear it. I am thousands of years back – but emphasise the urgency.” referring to the advertisement issued perversely it would at the same time by Government of India’s I.&B. ridicule the suggestion that by same May I also remind the Prime Ministry on Republic Day carrying logic Persia and Arabs must have Minister and his colleagues that as in the background a watermark of invented aeroplane because of the per article 75(4) of the Constitution the preamble to the Constitution. mention of the Flying Persian carpet of India they took oath before But a devious interloping was hundreds of years back. entering upon their offices which done by publishing Preamble as requires them to swear in the name it was in 1950, thus deliberately The strained argument that of God that they will bear true faith omitting the words “Socialist” the word socialism was not in and allegiance to the Constitution and “Secular” from the Preamble the original Preamble, as I said, of India as by law established. which are there since 1976. This immaterial. This fatuous explanation The oath covers the Preamble to interpolation clearly shows that the shows ignorance of facts and the the Constitution as existing at the BJP Ministers are trying to flaunt law. Thus it is recorded that at the time of taking oath and not to the their status of being corporate time of framing Constitution, it was original Preamble or Constitution as friendly and stooges of the RSS clearly understood that in India we framed in 1950. Anyone suggesting Boss. I have no problem with how were setting up socialist state. This to the contrary would be taking the the Ministers present themselves. is brought out specifically by Dr. ludicrous stand that the oath would But Indian government would be Ambedkar who in reply to Professor not oblige the Ministers to follow the guilty of serious constitutional K.T. Shah who wanted ‘socialism’ to mandate of over 100 amendments lapses and can not be allowed to be incorporated in the Constitution to Constitution since the original continue if by its word or action it at the drafting stage. Dr. Ambedkar Constitution of 1950. President conceals the mandate of the present while refusing to do so for technical Obama would have been horrified by Preamble containing secularism and reasons explained “that socialism this interpretation of Union Ministers socialism. In that context Union as such was already included in the because it would mean that the 14th Government would be an interloper directive principle.” He explained Amendment to U.S.A. Constitution because the Supreme Court has thus; “what I would like to ask brought in almost a hundred years clearly held that the “Preamble Prof. Shah is this: “If these directive after the original Constitution (from is the key to the Constitution” principles to which I have drawn which we have incorporated Article and therefore the objectives of attention are not socialistic in their 14 of our Constitution, and which “Socialism” and “Secularism” must direction and in their content, I fail is the sheet anchor of equality and govern any programme and polices to understand what more socialism non-discrimination for any citizen). of the Government of India. can be.” If that was the interpretation Obama could never have been the President The perverted suggestion that As for equally fatuous argument of because original USA Constitution “Socialism” and “Secularism” were the effect of incorporating socialism did not have 14th Amendment which not in the original Preamble and were in the Preamble in 1976 the Supreme was one of the biggest weapons incorporated in 1976 is ludicrous Court pointed the fallacy as far back for ending racial discrimination in because government have to follow as 1983, thus; “Though the word U.S.A. the constitution as it exists at any ‘socialism’ was introduced into the present time and not in the past. But Preamble by a late amendment of BJP leaders are speaking in then RSS tutored BJP government is the constitution that socialism has contradictory terms. While Venkayya JANATA, February 8, 2015 5

Naidu says that government is for secularism in the preamble, Why should Colonel Rais have to die? his colleague and a lawyer Ravi Shankar Prasad says government Sandeep Pandey wants to delete it. There can be no hedging on secularism. In point of The picture of Colonel M. N. was some sparking which fell on the fact to even talk of deleting the word Rai’s daughter bursting out while child of stone cutter. What ensued “Secularism” from the Preamble saluting her deceased father who was an unpleasant scene where would not only be sedition but sacrificed his life while fighting lathis rained from the stone cutters’ would be an impossible exercise. terrorists makes one think did Rai side provoking an equally violent This is because the Supreme Court have to really die? Why are our response from the dholak makers. in Bommai’s case (1974) has leaders not able to solve the Kashmir Some wise men and women from categorically held that ‘Secularism problem and our border problems both communities intervened to is a part of Basic Structure of the with Pakistan and China so that bring the conflagration to an end but Constitution’ and Preamble is a part our soldiers and officers (and for not before several people from both of the provisions of Constitution.” that matter even that of Pakistan sides had their heads and other body and China) do not have to die every parts split. In Keshvanand Bharti case (1973) other day? Supreme Court has also held that Wise men and women decided the power to amend (Article 368 of In October 2014, two slums in to call a meeting to sort out the the Constitution) does not enable Lucknow were displaced by the issue. After pouring out their hearts parliament to alter the basic structure administration because the CM to accuse each other, when it was of the frame work of the Constitution. was to visit one and the Lokayukta asked to find a solution, person Thus secularism being a part of basic wanted the other to be removed. after person suggested that stone structure of the Constitution is non Scheduled caste community of cutters be segregated from dholak amendable. In point of facts and stone cutters and Muslim percussion makers. Under the influence of the the law Secularism being the basic instrument dholak makers mostly atmosphere created by the religious structure of the Constitution must lived in the slums. They were given fundamentalists in the country be held to have been incorporated houses by the state government some openly asked for separation automatically in the Preamble to body District Urban Development of Hindus and Muslims. A question the Constitution right from the Agency in a central government was put to them at this stage. Did the beginning in 1950. scheme Basic Services for Urban origin of the trouble have anything Poor. Over 150 families who had to do with their different identities? No. Mr. Prime Minister, mere come to Lucknow from the villages, The answer was obvious no. Then denial and that too contradictory where they lived as landless artisans another question was posed. Will the is not enough. A covert attempt to and found it difficult to make both segregation of communities solve undermine the force and strength of ends meet, were living in makeshift or aggravate the problem? A wise Preamble cannot wish away the fears structures which were not insulated man Mohammed Salim was quick in the country and especially amongst from vagaries of weather, suddenly to realize the truth and responded the minorities. A full throated public became the happy owners of flats that segregation will increase the repudiation in “a Man ki Bat” and which cost Rs. 1.62 lakhs for the animosity between the communities. T.V. spread by the Prime Minister government, by paying about ten that his government unequivocally percent of the amount. India and Pakistan were created and without any hesitation believes on the basis of two nation theory. in and assuring the public that it will One day in January 2015 a Hindus and Muslims were thought uphold and carry out the mandate of dholak maker was charging his by some to be two separate nations Secularism in the present existing mobile phone by taking an illegal which could not exist together. Preamble of the Constitution of connection from an electricity line. India chose to remain secular. But India. Any wavering or inaction A stone cutter asked him to remove the separation did not end the woes. by the Prime Minister on this the illegal connection. In the process It was probably the beginning. (Continued on Page 11) of removing the connection there Today India and Pakistan possess 6 JANATA, February 8, 2015 nuclear weapons which can cause mass destruction. The enmity has Stop ceasefire violations multiplied many times over. A lesson and hold peace talks was to be learnt from the history. The daily wage earners soon As we know, the Indo-Pak border political will and vision. The citizens realized their folly. The stone cutters is yet again witnessing ceasefire on both sides of the border have now and dholak makers decided to live violations. These violations have come to understanding that there together. There are dholak makers only been increasing and have is so much scope of development living amongst stone cutters and claimed many precious lives of between the two nations. Enforcing stone cutters living amongst dholak innocent citizens and soldiers on the governments to not only start makers. It was decided that people both sides. talking, but talking positively and who rained lathis will apologize and fruitfully is very much required. pay for the cost of treatment of the We believe that these incidents persons whom they hit and take them of exchange of fires are causing We all, citizens of India and to the hospital for treatment. loss to the dignity of human lives. Pakistan, hereby endorse the They also represent the non-serious demands and the appeal made in Is it not possible that India and commitments of iterating peace by this letter: Pakistan to find a solution to the those in power in both the countries. Kashmir problem? Needless to say The dangerous by-products of these We all, citizens of India and the Kashmiri interest will have to be cross firings further result in loss Pakistan request and appeal the kept in mind. In fact, the Kashmiris of property directly and enmity, respective governments to start should be at the centre stage in jingoism, and sub conflicts indirectly. positive talks and to make an imprint deciding a solution. They should Conflict between these two countries of peace in the time and to create find a solution for themselves. And is long running and is very cruel, history in coming years by declaring Kashmiris should include Kashmiri undemocratic and inhumane because permanent peace between India and Pandits who have mostly left but the violence it creates affects the Pakistan. would like to return. There is no citizens on both sides of the border reason if India and Pakistan create physiologically and psychologically. We know, We believe and We a conducive atmosphere why the People at large are learning jingoism hope that it is possible and it can Kashmiris cannot arrive at a solution and hatred instead of basic lessons happen. which is in their best interest. of life: peace, love and humanity. 1. Stop the ceasefire violation and Once the Kashmir problem is cross firings immediately and solved there will be only a few Not only this, the conflicts have hold a talk of higher officials of issues like river water disputes also damaged the two countries armed forces of both sides left to be resolved. A number economically. We are witnessing 2. Organise a 'Peace Talk' on of Indian and Pakistani citizens how billions of dollars these government level in India/ living in border areas will be very governments are spending over Pakistan to address the ways happy if the pestering problem is fighting with each other, while same to stop ceasefire violations and permanently solved. Once normalcy number of people in both countries other results of conflict are still living with lack of food, is restored slowly the two countries 3. Resume 'Indo-Pak Friendship can withdraw their armed forces water, education and health care. Sadly, India and Pakistan do not Bus' immediately and provide and create an atmosphere in which adequate security to passengers it may be possible to live without chose fighting poverty over fighting 4. Provide the safe stay to civilians them. Similarly, it may become senseless wars. of border areas as reports are possible one day to denuclearize the coming that many villagers are sub-continent. All of this is nothing but just foolishness along with lack of fleeing from their home. As civilized nations we have no Endorsed by : Ravi Nitesh, Devika Mittal, Aliya Harir, Krishnakant Chauhan, choice but to move in this direction Mazher Hussain, Kamla Bhasin, Sharmila Karki, Ram Puniyani, Samina Bano, Ovais Sultan Khan, Madhvi Bansal, Iqbal Alavi, Beena Sarwar and (Continued on Page 8) others JANATA, February 8, 2015 7 Indian Youth

Sankara Narayanan

A survey, Yuva Nagarik Meter, to rule the entire country and 53% On issues such as eve-teasing and was conducted by Children’s students agreed that military should sexual harassment, 55% students in Movement for Civic Awareness rule India for some years. ‘The the age group of 15 to 19 agree that (CMCA), a Bengaluru-based NGO, state the country is in, we need the way women dress and behave covering about 10,000 high-school an authoritative leader. We need provokes men. and college students from 11 cities someone who tells us what to do’, across the country. The study said a student. 74% do not know 36% girls and 44% boys admit covered 6,168 students and 757 that legislature is responsible for that dowry is a practice in the social science teachers from 330 enacting laws. community and feel they should high schools and 4,374 students However, there were others who accept it. 65% of students favour from 220 junior colleges across held the opposite point of view. prohibiton of meeting between boys 11 state capitals, including six “I am disappointed. We will be and girls belonging to different metro cities (Delhi, Bangalore, the future generation, driving the religions at public places. Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata) and five non-metro cities country in different fields. We have to go to our roots and eliminate Around 50% students across (Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna and the country and 62% students in Guwahati). these things,” said a student at the Welingkar Institute. But they are in Mumbai showed intolerance towards a minority. migrant workers from other states. The idea behind the survey –– 45% social science teachers agree was not only to find out whether the According to Yuva Nagarik that in urban areas most problems young Indians knew and understood Meter, the overall democratic are caused by migrants. At the what democracy truly meant and to citizenship score of young India is same time, 43% students said it was also show how these youngsters were merely 21%. The report also shows alright to violate rules because one growing up and what values and that non-metro cities fare better could always get away by bribing attitudes they possessed pertaining than metro cities in the aggregate official, while 38% said it was fine to Rights and Responsibilities, scores. This shows that the youth to violate rules because the penalty Democratic Governance, Adherence do not have a critical appreciation was small,” the survey said. to Civic Rules, Gender Equality, of the liberties and freedom one Diversity and Social Justice and enjoys in a democracy. It shows The youth are supposed to be Environmental Conservation, etc. the cynicism and disillusionment idealistic. Yet there is no compassion Furthermore, the NGO also wanted with the political scenario, but or even wisdom in their thoughts and to see the effect of formal education doesn’t justify the preference for an on youth and hence two types of attitudes. Forget the political parties. authoritarian government or military It’s the parents, the teachers and the student groups were chosen – one rule. from schools and the other from young people themselves who are junior colleges. The survey shows a wide at fault. If you are not open to new prevalence of gender-biased ideas, not able to introspect and The survey threw up many attitudes and stereotypes among the willing to question age old beliefs, shockers. There are alarmingly young population of urban India. you are doomed as a generation. negative attitudes of youth across According to the findings: around the country towards democracy and 39% girls and 43% boys agreed that Most views expressed by the social diversity. women had no choice but to accept youth are utterly extra-constitutional a certain degree of violence, while and shockingly undemocratic; Around 67% of college students 52% agreed that the main role of against gender equality, secular said India should have only one women was to do household chores ethos, social justice, human rights, strong political party at the Centre and raise children. basic civility and rule of law. 8 JANATA, February 8, 2015

The findings establish two things very clearly. One: The type of State must ensure education being imparted to the water accessibility to all youth in our educational institutions. Two: Country mirrors the rulers. By rulers, I mean the politicians, Debadityo Sinha bureaucrats, judges, industrialists, with inputs from Himanshu Thakkar (SANDRP) businesspersons, professionals, teachers and God men. In a landmark judgment dated the MCGM. Negative impacts of Acharya Kripalani once told, December 15, 2014, Mumbai High the lack of water supply that have “Gandhiji created men out of clay’’. Court bench of Justices Abhay S Oka been borne by the Corporation Perhaps our modern rulers create and A S Gadkari have ruled: “Right include: an increase in the amount clay out of men. to get water is an integral part of of unaccounted for water (UWF); right to life under Article 21 of the emergence of the water mafia Constitution of India…” through which illegal connections (Continued on Page 6) and leakages increased; increased A rejoiced Sitaram Shelar1 of contamination of water lines; lastly, if we are not to keep losing the petitioner Pani Haq Samiti noted revenue that could be earned by precious lives of our citizens like in press release on the day of the the MCGM was being pocketed Colonel Rai. Why should people judgment, “Reinforcing the intrinsic by the water mafia. Various studies like him or the J&K police constable relationship between water and life, conducted by YUVA, TISS and Sanjeev Singh have to die and why the judgment established that the other organizations on the impact should families like theirs have to be right to water is as fundamental as of lack of access to water in slums deprived of their beloved members? the right to life… Pani Haq Samiti has found that: Access to water has And we should not forget that two will continue the struggle towards been only through the water mafia; more lives - that of militants - were ensuring that those living in slums while buildings are provided 1000 also lost in this incident. They access their right to water.” Through litres of water for Rs 4, the water were human beings too. They have this case, the apathy of the middle mafia charge Rs 1000 for 1000 families too. class and a few mainstream political litres of water in slums – water has parties towards those living in slums become a financial burden as 30 to Some people like to join the has become evident. Adv Mihir 40 percent of a family’s income was jingoistic cry and like the idea of Desai representing Pani Haq Samiti spent on water. other people sacrificing their lives has been instrumental in reinforcing and becoming martyrs for their the fact that water is a right and While the cities of India are country. They should be asked would cannot be seen within the purview undergoing a transition phase in they like to become martyrs? It is of slums and illegality alone. Samiti the form of rapid developments of easy to eulogize distant martyrs but says: “For all those fighting for the modernized apartments, industries quite a difficult thing to offer one’s right to water in the country, this is and commercial complexes, the own life. a historic judgment. This is the first ingress of labor and job seekers time that it has been stated that in from other parts of the country, Why should people have to die order to realise Article 21, access to added to the fact that availability anyway? We should endeavour to water is essential. Till date there has of land is now a highly contested build a world in which there will been no law in India that mandates resource – the urban areas has seen a not be any need for anybody to water to all. The judgment is a great prolific development of the informal become martyrs. All people should impetus to movements across the settlements or the slums. be able to live their life fully with country fighting for the basic rights enjoyment. Values like liberty and of people.” As per census of India, “Slum” fraternity should be realized for all. has been defined as residential Let us work towards an enmity free The impact of lack of water has areas where dwellings are unfit and arms free world. impacted both, people as well as for human habitation by reasons JANATA, February 8, 2015 9 of dilapidation, overcrowding, On the basis of this circular, the of post 1st January 1995 slums faulty arrangements and design Municipal Corporation of Greater include employees of Government of such buildings, narrowness or Mumbai (MCGM) prohibited itself as well as the employees of faulty arrangement of street, lack of regularized water connections to the Municipal Corporation and other ventilation, light, water or sanitation nearly 30 lakh people living in post- Authorities. facilities or any combination of 1995 slums in the city. The petition these factors which are detrimental also challenged a rule framed by Throwing light on the fact that the to the safety and health. 17.4% (137 Mumbai Municipal Corporation Municipal Corporation is supplying lakhs) of Indian households are which initially provided that the water to the unauthorized occupants slum, out of which only 49.65 lakhs water shall be made available to the to the buildings in Mumbai of households are ‘Notified Slums’ structures in existence in slum areas which do not have occupation as per the latest census of 2011. till 1st January 1995, deadline of certificates or completion certificates In many Indian cities and towns which is extended till 1st January, on humanitarian grounds, the facing the challenges of increasing 2000. The question was whether judgment observed, ‘Humanitarian populations and expansion of the slums which illegally came up considerations are applied to only a urban areas, direct access to clean, after 1st January, 2000 are entitled category of unauthorized occupants. affordable and reliable drinking for water supply or not? The unauthorized occupants of water is a significant challenge, constructed buildings are protected especially to the poor who live in The State Government, however, by providing water supply, but not slums. A per the WHO-UNICEF in their reply stated that there is the persons residing in slums. We Joint Monitoring Program’s Report nothing illegal in the policy of State are mentioning this only to point of April, 2014, only 51% of the Government not to grant water out the approach of the Municipal urban households have coverage supply to residents of illegal slums Corporation.’ of piped onto premises supply of since the same is being done as drinking water and 46% are covered State does not want to encourage the ‘In a situation where State by other improved sources. construction of such illegal sums and Government encourages the creation people occupying such illegal slums. of jobs, allows the bringing in of Most of the slum dwellers in The State Government showed migrant labour and work force, Mumbai lack the basic necessities concerns that any relief to the makes the city of Mumbai and of life. Despite the fact that many petition would mean encouraging attraction for job-seeker, the State slums have been notified by the the construction of the illegal slums, has done nothing to provide low cost government, one tap is shared by some of which are in difficult areas housing in the city’, the judgment more than thousand persons in of the city like hills where provision quoted a para from the application. some of the slum compared to an of water supply is impossible for average of 52 persons per tap.2 The the Municipal Corporation. The Defining the limitation of number of slums in Mumbai which concerns of encroachment of CRZ Article 21 of Constitution of came up after the year 2000 were areas and forest lands by slums India to protection of such illegal officially prevented from provision were specifically pointed out to constructions, the Court stated of Municipal water supply. the court and argued that it will that the Authorities are under lead to irreparable damage to the legal obligation to ensure that the In 2012, a Public Interest environment. illegal constructions do not come Litigation (no 10 of 2012) was filed up and if they come up the same by Pani Haq Samiti3 and others In a Chamber Summons filed in are effectively and expeditiously (vs Brihan Mumbai Municipal support of the contention that the demolished by following the due Corporation and others) in the notion that criminals or anti-social process of law. But, State cannot Bombay High Court challenging elements are staying in the slum deprive a citizen of his fundamental the State Government Circular dated areas is without any foundation, the right to food and water which is 4th March, 1996 which provides that fact that around 4,426 constables an integral part of the right to life the Local Authorities shall ensure and 81 Inspectors of Mumbai Police guaranteed under Article 21 on the that the water supply is not released lives in Slums as per April, 2006 data ground that he is in occupation of an to any unauthorized constructions. also came into light. The occupants illegally constructed hut. 10 JANATA, February 8, 2015

S.No. Million Plus Cities Proportion of Slum HHs to like Barmer in Rajasthan are already Total Urban HHs (%)[4] under the implementation stage of 1 Greater Visakhapatnam M 44.1 such water booths and the drinking Corp. water is provided 24 x 7 at rate of 2 Jabalpur Cantt (CB) 43.3 Rs. 5 per 20 liters of water. Last year 3 Greater Mumbai (M Corp.) 41.3 Delhi Jal Board, the government 4 Vijayawada (M Corp.) 40.6 authority responsible for providing 5 Meerut (M Corp.) 40 water to Delhi colonies initiated 6 Raipur (M Corp.) 39 7 Nagpur (M Corp.) 34.3 installation of water kiosks in several 8 Greater Hyderabad M Corp. 31.9 slums and resettlement colonies with 6,7 (GHMC) an initial rate of 30 paise per liter. 9 Kota (M Corp.) 31.8 But most of the households still 10 Agra (M Corp.) 29.8 prefer the DJB tankers instead of the water kiosks for day to day work, Top 5 States reporting Slum Households largely due to the cost involved State Proportion of Slum HHs to Urban HHs (%) which is otherwise free in case of Andhra Pradesh 35.7 tankers.8 Chhattisgarh 31.9 The judgment provides a just Madhya Pradesh 28.3 basis for the smart cities that the Odisha 23.1 government is trying to push. It is West Bengal 21.9 indeed possible to have smart cities without cities being dependent While the court directions are are one of the major water supply on mega dams and river linking certainly a landmark judgment which sources but have no fixed timing. projects9. Such mega dams or river provides the Right to Water as an The households dependent on hand linking projects are neither necessary integral part of the fundamental right pumps have 24 hours of water nor just. under Article 21 of the constitution, supply but the quality of water but it may not be of any help in is poor due to contamination of The Pani Haq Samiti Press eradication of the ‘Water Poverty’ groundwater. Households depended statement noted, “Restating that taking into account the situation on community level water supply water supply is mandatory despite of slums in Mumbai. The court have to spend more than one hour the legality of structure, the Court directions have made it clear that to fetch water, many times wasting ordered the MCGM to submit a the provision of water supply to their sleep as the duration is early water supply proposal on or before such illegal slums may not be at par morning or late night hours. But February end 2015. As an advice with the law abiding citizen who there is a high level of readiness to to the MCGM, the Court reiterated is occupying lawfully constructed pay if provided improved services.5 a Pani Haq Samiti suggestion that premises having occupation or could be included in the proposal, completion certificate. It has further In such scenario the emphasis by i.e. instead of providing individual stated that the Municipal Corporation the court for provision of drinking connections, group connections is free to provide the water at higher water through public booths on the could be provided for every 7-15 rate than the rate which is charged basis of prepaid cards might be an families as per MCGM water rules. from authorized construction, which alternative option for such areas. This would help in management means the slum residents may need But it must be ensured that the of water supply to all areas.” The to pay higher rates for the water. water supplied by the Municipal order adds: “We direct the Municipal Corporation is affordable, reliable Corporation to file an affidavit of In cities like Delhi, the informal in quality as well as accessible to all compliance on or before 2nd March settlements depend on community the households. 2015.” level sources of water supply like community stand posts, hand Many cities of India like Delhi, The judgment can have far pumps and tankers. The tankers Bangalore and water scarce towns reaching implications not only JANATA, February 8, 2015 11 for slum dwellers of Mumbai, but millions of others all over India. Tale of a resignation Following are edited extracts from End notes: Jayanthi Natarajan’s letter dated November 5, 2014 addressed to 1 He is also Program Director Sonia Gandhi, president, Indian National Congress: (Maharashtra) of YOUTH FOR UNITY & VOLUNTARY I want to place on record, that Unsuspecting, and trusting you ACTION (YUVA). from December 20, 2013, until now, totally, I did not utter a single word, 2 Slum Conditions in Mumbai with I have still not been told by you, but smiled at him and said I would Reference to the Access of Civic why I was asked to resign from the comply with the wishes of the Amenities, IIPS Mumbai, ENVIS Council of Ministers, nor have I ever Congress President. center, Volume 5, No. 1, March, been asked or given an opportunity 2008 to explain, if indeed I had committed I was so guile free, that I honestly 3 A collective of activists, any wrongdoing. On the other believed that you wanted me to organizations, institutions and hand, the then Prime Minister Dr. work for the party, and that it was slum dwellers) Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to an honour to be so chosen. I did not 4 Housing Stock, Amenities & me, accepting my resignation, in for a second at that time, imagine Assets in Slums- Census, 2011, which he praised the excellent work the consequences of resigning just Dr. C. Chandramouli, Registrar I had done as Minister, and what he 100 days before the elections were General & Census Commissoner, termed my valuable contribution as due, and what would lie in store for India Minister. me in the future. I trusted you with 5 Profiling Informal City of Delhi, my life, and even more importantly, Water Aid, 2005 In these circumstances, it was with my reputation, my career and 6 http://indianexpress.com/article/ clearly not the Prime Minister nor the legacy of my family. cities/delhi/draw-water-from- my work in Government, which led atms-for-30-paise-under-delhi- to my ouster as Minister. Thus it still Thereafter, I asked for time to jal-boards-new-initiative/ baffles me, why I was humiliated so meet you. However, I was told that 7 http://www.dnaindia.com/ brutally. I could talk to you on the telephone. india/report-500-water-atm-s- During our conversation I repeated proposed-in-delhi-city-2003173 To recall the sequence of events, what the Prime Minister told me, 8 http://www.thehindu.com/news/ I would like to record, that I was and you reiterated that I should cities/Delhi/not-many-takers-for- carrying out my duties as Minister resign and do Party work. Within water-kiosks/article5950438.ece of State (I/C) Environment and half an hour of meeting the then 9 https://sandrp.wordpress. Forests in the routine course, when Prime Minister, I sent in my letter of com/2015/01/13/water-smart- suddenly that day on December 20, resignation, stating that I would like mumbai-open-letter-to-cm- 2013, the then PM, Dr. Manmohan to resign from the office of Minister, devendra-fadnavis/ Singh summoned me to his office. due to my desire to devote myself to When I entered he stood up from party work, ahead of the Lok Sabha (Continued from Page 5) his chair, looking tense and grim, elections. As mentioned earlier, course either on account of false and uttered these exact words. He Dr. Singh immediately accepted sense of prestige or stubbornness said “Jayanthi, I have been told my resignation, and in that letter would only divide the country into by Congress President, that your profusely lauded my contribution mutual suspicion and thus damage services are required for party to the government. the progress of the country. The work.” I was puzzled, and I said, public statements of Shiv Sena, the “Yes Sir. So what should I do?” He The next day my resignation was ally of BJP, reflects the danger of replied, “She wants you to resign.” I headlines in the media, and all the silence on the part of Prime Minister was shocked and said, “Resign Sir? initial reports correctly reported that Modi. He must therefore speak out But when?” He replied “Today.” I I had stepped down for party work. immediately because to speak is a once again asked him if this was By the afternoon, to my shock, I moral duty and to keep silence a sin what the Congress president wished. received information that persons and unforgivable. He answered in the affirmative. from the office of Shri Rahul Gandhi 12 JANATA, February 8, 2015 were calling the media and planting failure of the economy at that time. that the elections were coming up stories that my resignation was NOT and I was required for party work. for party work. What followed was a hysterical I told you that the media was keen vicious false and motivated I should speak to them in view My sources were impeccable, and campaign against me, in the media, of the huge speculation over my I felt unease. Thereafter, the media orchestrated entirely by particular resignation, but you specifically was flooded with negative stories chosen individuals in the party. told me not to meet the media. From about me. The same day, namely, There was not a single word of truth that day until now, I have honoured the day after I resigned, Shri Rahul in what was said, nor was there a that word. But from that day until Gandhi addressed a FICCI meeting single concrete fact. now, I have neither been given of industrialists, where he made party work, nor have I been given uncomplimentary references to I was never a bottleneck, nor was an opportunity to meet you, despite delays in environmental clearances, I ever responsible for unwarranted several requests. and the adverse effects upon the delays in major projects, and I economy, and assured the corporate can prove this at any time. I was In fact, later in January, I was world, that the party and government shattered by the attack upon me, again shocked and distressed to would henceforth ensure that there and bewildered. I wrote a passionate receive a telephone call from Ajay would be no delays, and bottlenecks message to Shri Rahul Gandhi, Maken, Head of Congress Media for industry. After being alerted by about my removal as Minister, and cell. He informed me, that my the media, I saw the entire speech his speech, at FICCI, and asked him name was being removed from on YouTube. It was then that some what wrongdoing I had committed the list of party spokespersons, in the media questioned me if I had to warrant this treatment. I said, that the decision was taken “at been asked to resign immediately, to that I should have been asked for an the highest level” and other work enable Shri Rahul Gandhi to address explanation, IF I had done anything would be assigned to me. I have FICCI and the corporate world with wrong, as even a murderer has his served as party spokesperson for the news of my resignation in the say in court, and here I don’t even over 10 long years during very background. know what, if any wrong doing was difficult times. I have defended the committed by me. I told him that my party day and night, 24 hours a day An assurance was sought to be family legacy and my name would given to the corporate world that be forever ruined, and all I had done despite huge domestic problems, they need no longer worry about was my duty. I asked him to tell including my mother suffering from environmental clearance delays and me, what wrong I had committed. a brain tumour, and ultimately dying that bottlenecks would be removed, I asked for time to meet him. He after suffering for 3 long years, although throughout my very brief replied that he was “running a little during which I not only served as tenure, I strictly followed the laws busy” at that time, but that he would her principal caregiver, but also and rules and tried to protect the meet me a little later. constantly travelled to Delhi to serve environment, in keeping with the as party spokesperson, without even legacy of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Despite several requests, that day being a MP. Shri Rajiv Gandhi, who first brought never came. Not till this minute. I in the Environment Protection Act. took a break of 10 days, and went to Just two days ago, Shri Vasan left Since I had only followed this line my sister’s home to recover. the Congress and formed his own of our party, I could not understand party. It was only on the day before why I had been asked to resign When I returned, in the first week Shri Vasan left, that I received my within half an hour on the previous of January 2014, I was given an first ever communication from day, especially since I had never appointment to meet you. During AICC in the form of a telephone been told of any issues prior to our meeting, I explained my agony call from Shri Motilal Vora, who December 20, 2013. Some analysts to you, over the attack which had wanted to know what my stand was speculated that I might be projected been unleashed upon me and asked regarding Shri Vasan, and what my as the focal point for the perceived what I had done wrong. You replied future course of action would be.

- full text of the letter at www.thehindu.com JANATA, February 8, 2015 13 Wider role of teaching

Amartya Sen

I also want to say a few things spent many years in India from the subject, and in turn, Indian maths about the wider role of teaching end of the 10th to the early years influenced mathematical work even — in linking different nations and of the 11th century (and helped to in those countries, including Greece different cultures together. Teaching make Arab mathematicians learn and Rome and Baghdad, from where is not just a matter of instruction even more from Indian mathematics Indians themselves had learned given by teachers to their individual than they were already doing) many things. students. The progress of science and thought that Brahmagupta was of knowledge depends in general perhaps the finest mathematician and Let me end with an example. on the learning that one nation, one astronomer in India, and possibly in The history of the term “sine” group of people, derives from what the world, and yet (argued Alberuni), in Trigonometry illustrates how has been achieved by other nations Brahmagupta could be so productive we learn from each other. That and other groups of people. only by standing on the shoulders of trigonometric idea was well the great Aryabhata, who was not developed by Aryabhata, who called For example, the golden age of only an extraordinary scientist and it jya-ardha, and sometimes shortened Indian mathematics, which changed mathematician, but also a superb it to jya. The Arab mathematicians, the face of mathematics in the world, teacher. Learning from each other using Aryabhata’s idea, called it was roughly from the fifth to the continued over centuries, involving “jiba,” which is phonetically close. 12th century, and its beginning was — in addition to Aryabhata and But jiba is a meaningless sound directly inspired by what we Indians Brahmagupta — Varahamihira and in Arabic, but jaib, which has the were learning from work done in Bhaskara, among many others. same consonants, is a good Arabic Babylon, Greece and Rome. To be word, and since the Arabic script sure, there was an Indian tradition And just as Indian mathematicians does not specify vowels, the later of analytical thinking going back learned something from Babylonians, generation of Arab mathematicians much further, on which the stellar Greeks and Romans, they also used the term jaib, which means outbursts of mathematical work in taught some brilliantly new ideas a bay or a cove. Then in 1150, India from around the fifth century to mathematicians elsewhere in when the Italian mathematician, drew, but we learned a lot about the world. For example, Yi Xing Gherardo of Cremona, translated theorems and proofs and rigorous [I-Hsing], who lived in China the word into Latin, he used the mathematical reasoning from the between the seventh and the eighth Latin word “sinus,” which means Greeks and the Romans and the century, and who was, as Joseph a bay or a cove in Latin. And it is Babylonians. There is no shame Needham describes him, probably from this — the Latin sinus — that in learning from others, and then the finest Chinese mathematician of the modern trigonometric terms putting what we have learned to his time, knew all the relevant Indian “sine” is derived. In this one word good use, and going on to create new texts. The Chinese mathematicians we see the interconnection of three knowledge, new understanding, and as well as the pioneering Arab mathematical traditions — Indian, thrillingly novel ideas and results. mathematicians, including Al Arabic and European. Khwarazmi (from whose name the Indians of course were teaching term “algorithm” is derived), all knew Teaching and learning are other Indians. Perhaps the most Sanskrit and the Sanskritic literature activities that link people together. powerful mathematician of ancient in maths. What we are admiring Even as we celebrate science and India, Brahmagupta, would not here is not Indian mathematics done research, we have to recognise have been able to do such dazzling in splendid isolation (that rarely the role of teaching and that of work without his having been occurs anywhere in the world), but learning from each other — from influenced by the ideas of his own mathematics done with a huge role our teachers, from our colleagues, teachers, in particular Aryabhata, of international and interregional from our students, from our friends, the pioneering leader of the Indian exchange of ideas. Indian research and from our fellow human beings. school of mathematics. Alberuni, was deeply influenced by the There is something extraordinarily the Iranian mathematician, who knowledge of foreign works on the great in these interconnections. ( extracts from his remarks at the Infosys Science Prize ceremony held in Kolkata on January 5, 2015.) 14 JANATA, February 8, 2015 Politics of fundamentalism and hate

In the wake of the 2015, India arrest were made. Not just the clearly an attempt to shame the very is seeing an upsurge of hate and author was made to delete all notion of democracy. fundamentalism on one hand and controversial portions and submit outright suppression of the right to written apologies, he was also forced National Alliance of Peoples’ free speech and expression on the to leave his home town and he has Movements strongly condemns the other, with vigilante groups and now decided to give up writing actions in all the events highlighted non-state actors imposing censorship altogether. above and other events where the through hooliganism and assertive freedom of speech and expression, fundamentalist voices, in the name In Kolkata, on the evening of 31st as envisaged by the Constitution of nationalism with the tacit support January, 2015, members of Bharatiya of India, is being trampled through of the State. Janata Yuva Morcha, resorted to hooliganism and spreading of hooliganism and agitation against fundamentalism and hatred. We This republic day, the Bangladesh country and eventually would like to bring the attention advertisement by Ministry of forced the shutting down of the stall of the State authorities to these Information and Broadcasting by the Department of Tourism of important matters and request them (DAVP22201/13/0048/1415) Bangladesh at the ongoing Kolkata to take necessary actions so that portrays an outdated version of the International Book Fair. The issue the public space is not disturbed Preamble of the Indian Constitution was regarding the sale of a tourist by the overtly hate mongering when the words Socialist and map which showed parts of Kashmir actions of the fundamentalist groups. Secular were not inserted by the within the borders of Pakistan. While We also call upon the citizenry 42nd Amendment. Some of the the map may be an issue to raise to strongly condemn the actions fundamentalists have also openly questions or even democratically of those in power who are trying endorsed this error on the part of agitate, the way the entire Book Fair to hijack and force public views the Ministry saying that India is not was hijacked by this hooliganism and discourses and jeopardize the a secular country! On the same day, was undemocratic. Hate mongering tolerant and understanding fabric there was a so-called public uproar through repeated shouting of slogans of multi-cultural, geo-political land regarding the issue of Vice President such as ‘Bangladesh Murdabad’ was called India. of the Country not saluting in the - Medha Patkar, Prafulla Samantara, Dr. Sunilam, Aradhna Bhargava, republic day ceremony when the flag Suniti SR, Suhas Kolhekar, Prasad Bagwe, Gabriele Dietrich, Geetha was being hoisted. The public debate Ramakrishnan, C R Neelkandan, P Chennaiah, Ramakrishnan Raju Arundhati Dhuru, Richa Singh, Sister Celia, Rukmini V P, Vimal Bhai, Jabar and the media attention forced the Singh, Anand Mazgaonkar, Krishnakant, Kamayani Swami, Ashish Ranjan, Vice President to issue an official Mahendra Yadavr; Faisal Khan, Kailash Meena, Amitava Mitra, Sujato statement stating that his actions Bhadra, B S Rawat, Rajendra Ravi, Madhuresh Kumar, Kanika Sharma were guided by proper protocol. The irony of situation is that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have not yet issued any statement Madhu Dandavate with a clarification, at least, or an apology, at best. By

People of the country have also B. Vivekanandan witnessed “the death of the ‘author’ Perumal Murugan” this year, when Price: Rs. 20/- his book Mathorubhagan was Janata Trust opposed for allegedly portraying D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, the Kailasanathar temple in Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. Tiruchengode and women devotees in bad light and demands of his JANATA, February 8, 2015 15 After the murder...

After the murder of Mahatma continues to be a favourite with same old activities are afoot.” (Ibid, Gandhi on January 30, 1948, the the RSS. However even Sardar pp. 26-28.) RSS was banned on February Patel found it difficult to defend the 4, 1948. It was banned for RSS in the aftermath of Gandhiji’s Hindu Mahasabha and RSS were anti-national activities and the assassination. In a letter written to jointly responsible for the murder government communiqué (issued the head of the RSS, Golwalkar, of Father of Nation, Mahatma by the Home Ministry headed by dated 11 September 1948, Sardar Gandhi, this fact was further Sardar Patel) banning the RSS was Patel stated: corroborated by Sardar Patel in self-explanatory: a letter to a prominent leader of “Organizing the Hindus and Hindu Mahasabha, Shyama Prasad “In their resolution of February helping them is one thing but going Mookerjee on July 18, 1948. Sardar 2, 1948 the Government of India in for revenge for its sufferings wrote: declared their determination to root on innocent and helpless men, out the forces of hate and violence women and children is quite another “As regards the RSS and that are at work in our country thing…Apart from this, their the Hindu Mahasabha, the case and imperil the freedom of the opposition to the Congress, that relating to Gandhiji’s murder is Nation and darken her fair name. too of such virulence, disregarding subjudice and I should not like to In pursuance of this policy the all considerations of personality, say anything about the participation Government of India have decided decency or decorum, created a kind of the two organizations, but our to declare unlawful the RSS.” reports do confirm that, as a result (Cited in Justice on Trial, RSS, of unrest among the people. All their speeches were full of communal of the activities of these two Bangalore, 1962, p. 64.) bodies, particularly the former, poison. It was not necessary to an atmosphere was created in the The communiqué went on to spread poison in order to enthuse country in which such a ghastly disclose that the ban on the RSS the Hindus and organize for their tragedy became possible. There was imposed because, protection. As a final result of the is no doubt in my mind that the poison, the country had to suffer extreme section of the Hindu “Undesirable and even dangerous the sacrifice of the invaluable life Mahasabha was involved in the activities have been carried on of Gandhiji. Even an iota of the conspiracy. by members of the Sangh. It has sympathy of the Government, or of been found that in several parts of the people, no more remained for “The activities of the RSS the country individual members the RSS. In fact opposition grew. of the RSS have indulged in constituted a clear threat to the Opposition turned more severe, acts of violence involving arson, existence of Government and the when the RSS men expressed robbery, dacoity, and murder and State. Our reports show that those joy and distributed sweets after have collected illicit arms and activities, despite the ban, have Gandhiji’s death. Under these ammunition. They have been found not died down. Indeed, as time conditions it became inevitable circulating leaflets exhorting people has marched on, the RSS circles for the Government to take action to resort to terrorist methods, are becoming more defiant and against the RSS…Since then, over to collect firearms, to create are indulging in their subversive six months have elapsed. We had disaffection against the government activities in an increasing measure.” and suborn the police and the hoped that after this lapse of time, military.” (Ibid, pp. 65-66.) with full and proper consideration (Letter 64 in Sardar Patel: the RSS persons would come to Select Correspondence 1945-1950, It is well-known that the then the right path. But from the reports Volume 2, Navjiwan Publishing Home Minister, Sardar Patel, had that come to me, it is evident that House, Ahmedabad, 1977, pp. a soft-corner for the RSS and attempts to put fresh life into their 276-277.)

–Shamsul Islam R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, February 8, 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, February 8, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday February 11, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 3 Moment of truth February 15, 2015 S. Viswam

Rebirth of Aam Aadmi A day after his spectacular generalization has been rendered Kuldip Nayar landslide electoral victory in Delhi, both unwarranted and inappropriate the Aaam Aadmi Party (APP) leader by the outcome of the just-concluded Arvind Kejriwal called on the polls. The verdict is on the same Political unity in President, the Prime Minister and the scale, pattern and sweep as that support of corporate Union Home Minister. One would scored a year ago by Prime Minister Prem Singh not be surprised if all these three Modi. Much was and is expected dignitaries told him that with power from Modi, whose clout sadly has Caste Pride comes responsibility and that this begun to wane. Much is expected A. K. Biswas time he needs to take governance from Kejriwal if only because by more seriously than he did during his challenging, significantly and earlier stint as Delhi’s Chief Minister. successfully, the Modi-BJP clout the Secularism and Constitution Indeed, a significant bit of advice that AAP has sounded the clarion for Irfan Engineer his erstwhile mentor and guru, Anna battle. Hazare, gave him was not to repeat the mistakes of 2013. Arvind Indeed, some common threads Kejriwal begins the first year of the of opinion and assessment run five years in office that his grand through the reaction to Kejriwal’s victory assures him with the electoral performance. Both the blessings of the nation amid hopes AAP’s grand sweep and the BJP’s that his tenure will be as different humiliating debacle (a mere three from the common run as has been seats in a house of 70) were his politics and political style. The unexpected, both are staggering in Editor : after-effects of the political nature, and both in their own ways G. G. Parikh earthquake, some call it the electoral are eye-openers. The staggering tsunami, are likely to be felt for a nature of the former has catapulted Managing Editor : Guddi long time. its leader into the position of Modi’s principal political adversary and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Delhi is after all an overgrown hence the potential leader of the Naushir Bharucha Marg, village or a bloated municipality at national opposition, particularly Mumbai - 400 007. best, and elections to the 70-member since the Congress failed to open assembly have never been a national its account in Delhi and in any case Email : [email protected] trend-setter. However, that kind of is fast becoming a spent force. The 2 JANATA, February 15, 2015 staggering nature of the BJP defeat Between the lines represents huge setbacks for both Modi and his Sancho Panza, Amit Shah whose body language, if not Rebirth of Aam Aadmi articulation, suggests that they are electorally invincible. Both the BJP and the Modi-Shah duo are not Kuldip Nayar invincible, they can be beaten by other forces if they combine in themselves the virtues that have It is, indeed, instructive to and it refocused its attention on the made Kejriwal the champion. analyze why the ruling Bhartiya issue at hand. The party contested Janata Party (BJP) was decimated the election and was briefly in The second common point is that at the polls in Delhi. But the more power. contrary to the BJP’s counter that important point to know is how the the Delhi polls constituted a Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has But how and why the AAP got referendum on Modi’s rule in the last emerged with a bang: 67 seats in a more attention this time was nine or ten months Delhi was under house of 70! The BJP is down to because the people were sick and central control, it was very much so. just three from the 32 it had won in tired of the two main political Modi led the campaign and addressed the December 2013 assembly parties, the Congress and the BJP. rallies. Votes were solicited in Modi’s election. The AAP, despite facing the apathy name. Modi chose the BJP’s chief of the public, stuck to its path and ministerial candidate and stood by her Who’s the AAP? It is a secular, managed to catch the imagination side as she campaigned. Modi did left-of-the-centre party which may of the people once again to be voted not consult the local BJP ranks and become an alternative in the to power with an unprecedented leaders while selecting Kiran Bedi country, replacing the Congress majority. and dumping her on the party cadres. which is languishing. Some time ago Modi took on Kejriwal himself and a set of motivated people came from Much will now depend on pitted his political clout against different fields and joined Gandhian Kejriwal and his associates and Kejriwal. It is Modi who lost not Kiran Anna Hazare in his campaign for how they pursue the ideals they Bedi, and not so strangely Kiran the appointment of Lokpal in order have adumbrated. The Delhi herself has washed her hands off the to fight corruption at high places. electorate has pinned its hope in defeat by declaring that it was the The movement engulfed the entire AAP because the people believed BJP and not she who lost. Her country in no time because the that the party can deliver. The two husband has said that the BJP cadres campaign had permeated all main political parties do not evoke did not work for her at all and hints segments of the society. optimism and both the Congress and that the workers may well have the BJP look like the relics of the sabotaged her chances. How the government beguiled past. Hazare and his associates to The third common point is the BJP circumvent its undertaking to People are looking for an and its candidates paid dearly for appoint an ombudsman is another alternative and the Delhi election their arrogance. One reason why story. Yet, there is no doubt that his has thrown open one such Kiran Bedi lost in a constituency movement attracted many idealists opportunity. It is, however, too early regarded as the BJP bastion which in the society at that time. And to think that the politics of values, has returned the party in three Arvind Kejriwal was one of them. which goaded the people to successive polls was the deliberate participate in the freedom withdrawal of cadre support because He was among the many who movement, can return. she was an outsider imposed on the aspired for a clean and transparent locals. She herself looked down on polity. Although the movement was Whether or not the AAP leaders them, it would seem. suppressed, it never allowed the realize it, they have become the idealism go out of the public gaze. centre of attention as well as hope. (Continued on Page 3) That was when the AAP was born They can become an option at the JANATA, February 15, 2015 3 centre in the next Lok Sabha churches is suspected to be the Christians. But it is a pity that we elections in 2019. But it will be a handiwork of extremists in the are going away from that principle. different journey and, to traverse it, party. The campaigns like ghar The sooner we retrieve ourselves the AAP will have to remain wapsi or the projection of Nathuram to that basic requirement, the lesser focused on values which constitute Godse, who assassinated Mahatma arduous would our journey be the basic structure of our Gandhi, do not go down well in a towards a democratic, secular and Constitution. country that takes pride in being socialist polity. secular. True, the Delhi election was not (Continued from Page 2) a referendum on Prime Minister The Congress, stuck in dynastic Narendra Modi. But it was the BJP politics, has little hope of a revival. The fourth common point is that that had made it by putting his The party was a movement and the campaign exposed the BJP photos on every bit of publicity had all its qualities. Today, it is leadership to the charge that there material it released. The many distant from the people. The were wide gaps between promise crores of rupees advertisements belated efforts of Rahul Gandhi and performance. Modi’s sole which the party released in to address rallies or give speeches talking point was that his focus on newspapers and on hoardings are too little, too late. He should development would usher in achhe displayed in Delhi had the photo of cultivate the media. But he hates din very fast. In practice, the BJP Modi along with Kiran Bedi who to hold a press conference or give focused on divisive politics, ghar was seeking election. an interview. wapasi, more Hindu children, and communal polarization, all patently Nonetheless, it would be too The rout of both the Congress with the knowledge and consent of simplistic to believe that the and the BJP should make them go the top helmsman, Modi. The poll induction of Kiran Bedi as the chief back to the drawing boards. If they outcome is a rejection of divisive ministerial candidate was the cause do that honestly they would realize politics and a reminder to Modi that of the BJP’s defeat. Perhaps, it that they are distant from the ground he has abandoned the development made some difference. But the vote realities. Even if they do not move platform midway. was against the BJP and its ideology left, they have to find a solution to of Hindutva. The party still does poverty and unemployment. Modi’s Fiftly, the Delhi result confirms not want to face the fact that the free enterprise has not given any that the Indian voter knows his mind. spell of Modi has waned. The BJP dividends so far. There is no running This is yet another election where itself looks jaded and stuck in the away from the reality that one third he has delivered decisively. He has old mould of religious superiority. of the people are living below the shown that he cannot be bamboozled The voters swung towards them last poverty line. any longer with sweet talk only, he time not because of their ideology insists on exercising the full value of but because they were promised The RSS, the BJP’s ideologue, his ballot as well as the people’s development, the economic takes pride in saying that the rule mandate. betterment of the people. Almost of Hindus has returned after many 10 months of the Modi government decades. This is not a solution but Lastly, by pushing the Congress at the centre has made little the problem. All segments of society out of the score board the polls have difference to the life of an ordinary should be associated with the sent a important message to the man on the street. development. One, however, feels party. The party ruled Delhi for a that the minorities are being left out decade, but it could not withstand Both the BJP and the Congress, purposely. Arvind Kejriwal’s onslaught. The which did not win a single seat in good work done by Sheila Dixit in the Delhi election, must introspect India, as Mahatma Gandhi said, modernizing Delhi and making it a hard and change their policies. The is a bouquet of flowers. He was great capital city is down the drains ideology of Hindutva does not sell emphasizing the plurality of the as is the clout of the once-mighty in a society which is pluralistic if society. The Constitution assures party. Sonia and Rahul would be well the BJP were to analyse the causes equality to all before the law, advised to do a quick organizational of its defeat. The vandalism of whether Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or re-vamp. 4 JANATA, February 15, 2015 Delhi Assembly Elections 2015

Delhi Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 70 newly elected MLAs in the Delhi 2015 Assembly Elections :

Final party position: Aam Admi Party – 67, Bharatiya recorded the highest percentage of votes polled for Ianaa Party - 3 NOTA, i.e. 0.66%. Vote Share and Margin of Victory • Constituency with highest number of votes polled for NOTA: Matiala constituency recorded the • Average Vote Share of MLAs: The average vote highest number of votes polled for NOTA i.e. 1102 share of all newly elected MLAs is 55%. (0.47% of total votes). • MLAs with a vote share of 50% or more: 55 Criminal Background (79%) out of 70 MLAs won with a vote share of 50% or more. • MLAs with Criminal Cases: Out of the 70 MLAs, 24 (34%) have declared criminal • M L A with the highest vote share: Prakash of AAP cases against themselves. 23 (34%) AAP MLAs won with the highest vote share of 71% from Deoli out of 67 MLAs have declared criminal cases while constituency. 1 (33%) out of 3 BJP MLAs has declared criminal • MLA with the lowest vote share: Kailash Gahlot cases. Out of 70 MLAs in the Delhi Assembly of AAP won with the lowest vote share of 35% from elections in 2013, 25 (36%) MLAs had declared Najafgarh constituency. criminal cases against themselves and in the 2008 Delhi Assembly Elections 29 (43%) out of 68 • Average Margin of Victory: On an average an MLAs analysed had declared criminal cases MLA won with a margin of victory of 22%. (Total votes polled for winner-Total votes polled for runners There were no MLAs who declared heinous criminal up/Total no. of valid votes) cases like murder, attempt to murder, crimes against women etc which is a welcome change and is unusual • MLA with Highest Percentage of Margin of as compared to the rest of the country. Victory: Sandeep Kumar from Sultanpur constituency of AAP won with the highest margin • Candidates with Criminal Cases who lost: 91 out of victory i.e. 56% with a margin of 64439 votes. of 673 candidates with criminal cases, including 60 candidates with serious criminal cases like murder, • M L A with Highest Margin: Mahinder Yadav of attempt to murder, crimes against women etc lost AAP from Vikaspuri showed the highest margin the Delhi Assembly Elections, 2015. Candidates with (votes polled for winner – votes polled for runners criminal cases who lost the elections include 21 INC up) of 77665 votes. candidates, 26 BJP candidates, 12 BSP candidates and 1 AAP candidate. This is a welcome sign. • MLA with Lowest Percentage of Margin of Victory: Kailash Gahlot from Najafgarh of AAP won • Chances of Winning for Candidates with a clean with the lowest margin of victory i.e. 1% with a record: The chances of winning for a candidate with margin of 1555 votes. no criminal cases against him/her in the 2015 Delhi Assembly Elections is 8%. This has increased from • Total number of votes polled for NOTA: The total 7% chances of winning for a candidate with a clean number of votes polled for NOTA were 35924 votes record in 2013 and 6% chances of winning for a i.e. 0.40%. candidate with a clean record in 2008.

• Constituency with highest percentage of votes • Chances of Winning for Candidates with a polled for NOTA: Model Town constituency criminal record: The chances of winning for a candidate JANATA, February 15, 2015 5 with a criminal record in 2015 Delhi Assembly elections • Average Assets of re-elected MLAs in 2013: The is 21%. In the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections the chances average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2013 were of winning for a candidate with criminal cases was 19% Rs. 2.24 crores. Average assets of 21 AAP MLAs and in the 2008 Delhi assembly elections it was 26%. in 2013 were Rs. 1.51 crores.

Financial Background • Average Assets of re-elected MLAs in 2015: The average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2015 are Rs. • Crorepati MLAs: Out of the 70 newly 2.38 crores. Average assets of 21 AAP MLAs in elected MLAs, 44 (63%) are crorepatis. Out of 2015 are Rs. 1.58 crores. the 70 MLAs in Delhi 2013 assembly elections,51 (73%) MLAs were crorepatis and in the 2008 • Average growth in assets of re-elected MLAs Delhi Assembly elections, 47 (69%) out of 68 from 2013 to 2015: The average assets growth of MLAs analysed were crorepatis. re-elected MLAs is Rs. 13.69 lakhs i.e. by 6%. The average assets growth of 21 AAP MLAs is Rs. 6.66 • High Asset MLAs: Out of the 70 newly elected lakhs i.e. by 4%. MLAs, 11 (16%) MLAs have total assets worth more than Rs. 10 crores. Other Background Details

• High Asset Candidates who lost the elections: 186 • MLAs with Education Qualification of 12th pass candidates who had declared their total assets worth or below: 24 (34%) MLAs have declared that they more than Rs. 1 crore lost the 2015 Delhi Assembly have an education qualification of 12th pass or below. elections. Out of these candidates who lost, 51 In 2013, 33 (47%) MLAs out of 70 MLAs and in candidates had assets worth more than Rs. 10 2008 29 (43%) out of 68 MLAs analysed had crores, 13 had more than Rs. 20 crores, 7 had more declared that they had an educational qualification than Rs. 30 crores and 1 candidate, Manjinder Singh of 12th pass or below. Sirsa of SAD from Rajouri Garden Constituency had total assets worth Rs. 239 crores. • MLAs with Education Qualification of Graduate or above: 43 (61%) MLAs have declared that they • Average Assets: The average assets per MLA have an education qualification of Graduate or above. for Delhi 2015 assembly elections are Rs. 6.29 In 2013, 36 (51%) MLAs out of 70 MLAs and in crores. In 2013 the average assets per MLAs 2008 37 (54%) out of 68 MLAs analysed had were Rs. 10.83 crores and in 2008 the average declared that they had an educational qualification assets per 68 MLAs analyzed were Rs. 2.81 of Graduate or above. crores • MLAs who have declared their age between 25 • MLAs with High Liabilities: A total of 10 MLAs to 50 years: 49 (70%) MLAs have declared their have declared liabilities of Rs. 1 crore and above. age to be between 25 to 50 years in 2015. In 2013 40 (57%) out of 70 MLAs and in 2008 28 (41%) out of • MLAs with High Income as declared in 68 MLAs analysed had declared their age to be ITR*: 2 MLAs have declared total annual income between 25 to 50 years. of more than Rs. 1 crore. • MLAs who have declared their age between 50 • MLAs who have not declared Income Tax to 70 years: 20 (29%) MLAs have declared their Details*: 5 MLAs have not declared their self age to be between 50 to 70 years in 2015. In 2013 28 income tax details. (40%) out of 70 MLAs and in 2008 40 (59%) out of 68 MLAs analysed had declared their age to be more Comparative Analysis of Assets of Re-elected MLAs than 50 years.

• Number of Re-elected MLAs: Number of re- • Gender Details of MLAs: In 2015, Out of 70 elected MLAs analysed in the Delhi Assembly 2015 MLAs, 6 (9%) MLAs are women while in 2013 elections is 22 (21 AAP MLAs and 1 BJP MLA). there were 3 (4%) MLAs who were women. 6 JANATA, February 15, 2015 For posterity : Political unity in support of corporate

Prem Singh

Heard the Akashvani broadcast Congress is stuck to Rahul Gandhi secular soldiers of Kejriwal now. It of the recognized, national political and the corporate cannot trust him does not need to be stated that the parties on 2nd February. In the as much as Manmohan Singh or unconditional support of the seculars broadcast of the Congress, CPI, Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi’s for Kejriwal is not just for the current CPM and NCP, the attempts to attempt at associating the Dalits and Delhi Legislative Assembly vitiate the communal atmosphere Adivasis with the Congress on elections. They have been in support were primarily mentioned as well as economic issues are recorded in the of Kejriwal since the beginning. the appeal to defeat the communal registers of the corporate Even though they do not talk forces was made. Whatever else establishment. The corporate anymore of converting or calling him was said in the broadcast of the BJP establishment is not ready to tolerate a Marxist/socialist or a Gandhian. and the Aam Admi Party (AAP), even a token gesture in the benefit They feel relieved that he is against there was not even a word about the of deprived sections. However, it crony capitalism. communal incidents in the city. The knows very well how to broadcast of AAP was read by communalise them. It cannot be said how much the Manish Sisodia keeping in mind the AAP’s win in the Delhi Legislative ‘Hindu interest’ and staked the claim The corporate establishment do Assembly elections will be able to to form the government. None of the not have any faith even in Sonia stop the communal BJP or how much seculars present objected to this Gandhi now, who makes least the secular parties in other states omission. Instead, in view of the some arrangements for the relief of benefit. But this much is certain that strong possibility in the poll the poor under the pressure of some the socialist ideology will become predictions about AAP’s win, they of her advisors. Just like they needed even more marginalised in the put their weight in favour of AAP. Modi along with and after political discussions. The circus of They have given Arvind Kejriwal the Manmohan Singh, they now need the lack of ideology will become even complete liberty to take care of the Kejriwal with and after Modi. A man more prevalent. The elections will feelings of the Hindus. They know born from the womb of corporate become synonymous with the that the election cannot be won capitalism and can fool the deception of the poor with even solely with the Muslim vote. hardworking populace and more speed. successfully protect the interests of We have not raised this discussion the corporate establishment. The There seems to be no possibility about the broadcast to discuss the corporate establishment does not right now, but if any future generation secular-communal question. Instead need a safety valve for its protection. tries to investigate by going to the we have picked up this episode to The progressive and secular camps bottom of the neo-colonial slavery, it discuss a major political change in have become united in its favour. will come to know that the neo- the guise of protecting secularism. capitalists alone were not The unity of the Marxists, socialists, The corporate establishment responsible for this. Unity was champions of social justice, knows that the Congress has gotten established in the mainstream politics Gandhians and a lot of people from the support of the seculars by of the country, according to which the civil society in favour of the win nurturing them. Thus nurtured, the the neo-capitalist slavery came of Arvind Kejriwal is a big secular camp cannot come to an end about. Kishan Patnaik, who brought achievement for the corporate suddenly with Modi’s win. They will to attention the hole in the slave establishment of India and the world. have to be joined to someone else mentality of the intellectuals of India, apart from the Congress. They have all of whom are from the progressive After Manmohan Singh, the firmly joined Kejriwal. Those who and secular camps, has said that it is Congress isn’t of much use to the were the secular soldiers of Sonia not normal for man to accept the Corporate establishment. The till now are without hesitation the (Continued on Page 7) JANATA, February 15, 2015 7 For the future of AAP

As a sympathiser who wishes to only by a technocrat. urbanism which understands the role be both critical and constructive, I of the migrant and the power of hope the AAP will be continuously One sees this most clearly in the informal society. inventive. Its idea of an ombudsman debates about nuclear energy. By for the party was a creative one. raising the debates in Kudankulam The party must also realise that Corruption and drugs were two great to a national status, the AAP has the culture of politics needs a theory issues that it raised in a brilliant showed that local problems are not of politics of culture. It must take manner. It also raised issues about locally bounded. It argued that stands on issues like gender, how much should one pay for fishermen as citizens had the right religion, science on an active case- education, water, electricity if they to respond to the location of a to-case basis, according to context. are to remain public goods. Politics nuclear plant; that their protest did as the search for public goods must not verge on nuclear illiteracy but Deep down the AAP must learn now look at services in terms of a showed that citizens could raise to listen to the silent screams of new audit of access, quality, technical issues rationally and politics and amplify and translate participation, everydayness, instead passionately. The AAP’s them. By moving beyond the politics of mere economics. The citizens as ombudsman, Admiral (retired) of the gaze, which created structures user and consumer must have a say Laxminarayan Ramdas, has an of planning and surveillance, to the in the nature of service provided. impressive track record on linking politics of listening, it becomes open security to issues of livelihood, to the language of suffering, In the first few months, the AAP sustainability and democracy. The obtaining a sense of the diversity of set the tone and style for such audits. politics of livelihood and sustainability world views. Its very inventiveness It emphasised that audits in a slum should be the party’s running and everydayness make it the party and audits in the middle class areas preoccupation. of the future. The challenge before have to be metered differently. It it is to sustain this politics of hope. asked that corporations like Reliance The party needs to realise that In redefining politics and reinventing treat the oil they process as part of reworking party politics is not democracy lies the real future of the a commons of resources. These enough. It has to reinvent the city, AAP. were path-breaking themes which not as a smart city, but as an inclusive went beyond World Bank pieties. –Shiv Visvanathan in The Hindu

The AAP also has to rescue (Continued from Page 6) livelihood issues from technocratic state of slavery. I am not saying this it. I still believe that if there is to be and managerial notions of the on the eve of the Delhi elections but a true struggle against the neo- economy which seek to emphasise for a long time that in this era of crisis imperialism, it will be with the security and profit. By raising the the largest minority of India has a strengthening and participation of the logics of livelihood, it raises the big role to play. However, the Muslim minorities. It should be hoped that question of how the marginalised leadership has not paid attention to this will happen certainly and soon. people in a society perceive the mainstream definition of a problem. Jayalalithaa won a massive mandate in TN state polls in 1991 (96%) trouncing DMK to dust. In the very next election in 1996, she was routed by DMK (94%). The idea of livelihood is more The open exhibition of wealth and opulence during her foster son’s marriage was complex than employment. one of the reasons for Jayalalithaa’s crushing defeat. Livelihood links life, lifeworld, life Modi’s notorious jacket, with his name written all over, attracted cheers and jeers cycle, lifestyle to issues of access, equally. Many had downplayed its effect and said it was only performance that quality, and participation. It opens counted. But a senior journalist observed, ‘’The jacket would come to haunt citizenship out to the world of Modi the day his down slide starts’’. I never expected that day would come so problem-solving instead of treating soon. every problem as a technical answer This is also a warning to the AAP. to a technical question to be solved –Sankara Narayanan 8 JANATA, February 15, 2015 Caste Pride Musahar and Gaud Saraswat Brahman on same foot?

A. K. Biswas

On May 20, 2014 Jitanram Manjhi height yet. Jitanram had filled that in Bihar for as many as three was sworn in as the 23rd Chief vacuum. Binda told me that she along decades beginning 1899. Minister of Bihar. On the previous with her caste men and women Undoubtedly they made valuable evening, I received a phone call at would go in large numbers to Patna contributions, often risking their own Calcutta from Minapur Banglatola, in a few days to felicitate the new life, in combating the dreadful death a hamlet in Muzaffarpur district, Chief Minister. This was indeed an by killing rats, which are the vectors North Bihar. The caller, one Binda event of felicitation and celebration. of black death. This role is rarely Devi, a Musahar woman, informed acknowledged by their countrymen me: “Apna aadmi will take over as Dean Nelson’s report from Delhi for reasons not far to seek. The the Chief Minister of Bihar for the British daily, The Telegraph, image of ratcatching, I am confident, tomorrow.” Referring to Jitanram articulates their excitement aptly: was aimed to “stave off” crimes. Manjhi as “apna aadmi” in Bihar “India’s lowest ‘untouchable’ caste They rather preferred to eating rats parlance, she was stating that the rejoices as ratcatcher sworn in as than resorting to crime for survival leader to occupy the top seat Bihar Chief Minister. For centuries in natural calamities, epidemic, belonged to her caste. The the Musahar ‘untouchables’ have pestilence, etc. In the colonial era, excitement and jubilation over phone caught and eaten rats to stave off let it be noted, the Musahars were of the rustic woman was quite hunger—now one of their fellow rarely visible in criminal courts and palpable. ratcatchers is the most powerful man records when many castes, high in Bihar.” On a broader canvas he and/or low, were deeply involved in In 1994, as the Commissioner, also adds: “While Narendra Modi’s crimes. Tirhut Division as well as Saran rise to Prime Minister was aided by Division stationed at Muzaffarpur, I his origins as a tea boy and several Elite journalist equals visited this village inhabited by Dalits have broken through the caste illiterate woman in caste pride Musahars, locally referred as barriers to become powerful political Musahartola, to familiarise myself figures—B.R. Ambedkar, the “Big day for my Goa. Two GSBs, with their socio-economic conditions. revered author of the Indian both talented politicians become full Barely literate, Binda was an Constitution, and Mayawati, former Cabinet Ministers. Saraswat enthusiastic volunteer enlisted by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh — pride!!” district administration in the literacy none of them can match the rise of drive. The villagers, illiterates and Mr Manjhi.” GBS implies Gaud Saraswat landless agricultural labourers, had Brahmins two of whose induction on too many grievances to ventilate Catching and eating rats by November 10, 2014 into the Union before me. The literacy of this caste Musahars “to stave off hunger” is Cabinet propelled a journalist to in Bihar was not even two per cent widespread as a perception, which flaunt his pride in public. Often then. may not be very appropriate or true. personal achievement or tragedy, in They were highly valued as labourers the past, has been projected on an But Binda Devi’s pride over by colonialist and native indigo extraordinary canvas by certain Jitanram taking over as the State’s planters in large parts of Bihar until sections. When Rajdeep Sardesai Chief Minister skyrocketed. No indigo was replaced by the discovery was attacked for his tweet, he wrote Musahar leader hitherto steered the of a chemical substitute in Germany. a column in The HindustanTimes in destiny of Bihar’s 100 million people. Further, Musahars in thousands were his defence. “Is expressing pride in Though a number of leaders of the engaged for extermination of rats as a community’s achievements a sign community were Ministers, MLAs, a part of the official drive when of casteism as the critics suggest? MPs earlier but none rose to this plague carried off millions of people Casteism is when a caste identity is JANATA, February 15, 2015 9 used to promote hatred and ‘Quit India’ Movement of 1942 Ministry for prefixing Akli Devi’s separateness towards the other, Bihar had witnessed a violent name to the Arah railway station to when it creates social barriers based upheaval against the British commemorate her supreme sacrifice on occupation, marriage or inter- Government. Lathi-charges, teargas for national independence. It did not dining. My tweet was aimed at shelling, and firings, besides detention materialise nor was it expected to in highlighting a piece of trivia which I were resorted to on a large scale to the caste-conscious country. Though believed was interesting: of the four contain and suppress the patriotic she had voluntarily and fearlessly Cabinet rank Ministers sworn in, movement. Many people died and faced British bullets for the freedom two belonged to a small Brahmin many more were rendered of the country, her sacrifice community with no real political incapacitated for life. A Dusadh remained officially yet base.” widow, named Akli Devi of Sandesh unacknowledged unlike others. police station in Shahabad district, The telecaster and many like him participated as a volunteer in the A Musahar woman enforced prove Dr B. R. Ambedkar prophetic ‘Quit India’ Movement. She was prohibition in Champaran and relevant almost daily in some shot dead by the police while corner of the country. “A Hindu’s protesting against the British rule.1 The Dusadh widow may not be public is his caste. His responsibility My efforts to know about this the only one to be trashed into the is only to his caste. His loyalty is fearless freedom fighter yielded no dustbin of history. An illiterate and restricted only to his caste... There results. Administrative and police rustic Musahar woman, Girija Devi, is no appreciation of the officers posted in the district (now a resident of her “dirt-poor village meritorious... The capacity to bifurcated into four districts Bhojpur, of Bhirkia-Chhapaulia” in East appreciate merits in a man apart Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar Champaran district, was invited to from his caste does not exist in a districts)—besides political leaders New York to speak on February 27 Hindu. There is appreciation of virtue and social activists—could not at the United Nations Department but only when the man is a fellow enlighten me about the Dusadh of Economic and Social Affair’s caste-man.” Rajdeep’s brimming freedom fighter. Many freedom “50th Commission on the Status of pride was packaged and presented fighters and/or their relatives (not Women”. What did she do to receive as “Saraswat pride” equivalent to excluding concubines of the freedom a noble call as this? The British Goa’s pride! Nobody has yet gone fighters in some cases) enjoy Broad-casting Corporation’s gaga over Jitanram Manjhi. The privileges and benefits bestowed February 16, 2006 report said: journalist paraded in his column under a scheme of the Union “Alcoholism is rampant among several GSB cricketers, film stars Government as a mark of respect Musahar men, who end up spending and directors, dramatists, theatre for their sacrifices. Alas! Akli Devi more than half of what they earn on personalities, educationists, has been erased from the pages of cheap locally brewed liquor. This businessmen and entrepreneurs etc. history and public memory. Not a hurts the women and children most... lauding them for their contribution to village, a market place, a rural road Girija Devi decided to pick up the the nation. This is axiomatic truth that or a primary school has been named gauntlet and launch a war against no Hindu—high or low, rich or poor, after her.2 Whenever I have thought alcoholism a few years ago. Leading intellectual or illiterate—looks about her, I have felt appalled to a group of women, she demolished beyond caste. What is the actual figure out what had exactly propelled local liquor vends and toddy pots difference between an illiterate Akli to the vortex of a political hung on the trees by their men. woman and an elite journalist with movement that was marked by When the sorority found the men intellectual pretension in the given mindless brutalities against its leaders drinking, they shaved their heads, case? and volunteers across India. Did the garlanded them with shoes and widow leave behind a son or a paraded them around the village to In less developed communities, daughter to mourn her loss with pride shame them into kicking the bottle.” there is drought in their icons. Those in silence? My efforts brought no Her crusade, like charity, began at few are rarely held in esteem by answers. During President’s Rule in home. Her “husband Singheshwar advanced communities within the Bihar in 2005, a proposal with Majhi was the first alcoholic to face wider canvass of the Hindus, save Governor Dr Buta Singh’s approval her wrath.... Her untiring efforts and except in rarest cases. In the was submitted to the Railway have led to 125 Musahar villages in 10 JANATA, February 15, 2015

East Champaran to become ‘alcohol the Indian team. His startling greeted them in either case. The free’.”3 What an incredible comments—”OK. But I would have Sports Minister did not hesitate to accomplishment the government really been happy had a Chatterjee humiliate a woman athlete of never attempted! or a Ganguly, or a Bose instead were international standing. selected”4 —went unheeded in West But the tragedy of this big story Bengal. Understandably, though This brings Babaji Palwankar is not the media’s breaking news. In Prashanta did not lack cricketing Baloo (March 1876-July 1955), the end, Girija Devi could not reach abilities in the estimation of the lauded as ‘the Rhodes of India’ by New York. She did not get her selection committee, he did not have the contemporary media, cricket passport in time. The travel the sheen in his caste tag to enamour lovers and fans to our attention. A document incidentally was delivered the Bengali selector, who, thankfully, Chamar of Dharwad, Maharashtra, to her the day she was due to was not alone to determine the fate he was the first untouchable to leave address the august world body of Team India. But Banerjee might a glowing imprint on the world of across the Atlantic. This happened not be the solitary player in the dirty Indian cricket. He is forgotten for during a period the media was caste game against the he does not have cheer-leaders like overwhelmingly addicted to the underprivileged. There are many of Rajdeep Sardesai in his community sonorous song and dance around his ilk in every branch of games and to highlight his legendary actions on “good governance and development” sports, nay, in every sphere of human field. Acclaimed as the “father of in the post-Laloo-Rabri Bihar. The activity. They are ever on the look Indian spin bowling”, his fame same bureaucracy, coupled with the out for Chatterjees or Gangulies, or soared to such heights that this Ministry of External Affairs, dashed Boses in their respective domain in untouchable was serenaded on the honour the Musahar woman every inch of India. Caste functions elephants through the streets of would snatch for the nation. But who like a well-knit trade union. Cricket, crowded towns, garlanded in public cares if a Musaharni was deprived Banerjee believes, is the exclusive gatherings, eulogised in unequivocal an opportunity to address a UN pasture of his caste men. He seems language by the media when his Session though this was a reflection to be an impeccable replica of bowling ensured defeat after defeat of the same over-hyped good archer-trainer Drona of the Hindu of English cricket teams in Poona, governance? The best administration epic Mahabharata. Sambaran, a Dharwar, Bombay and Calcutta. His is the one that caters to the needs kulin, could be more like the GSB admirers included Maharashtrian and aspirations of the last and the and Chitpawan Brahmins in western stalwarts, for example, Bal lowliest. India is million miles away India. Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal-krishna from that utopia. Gokhale, Madadev Ranade among Soma Biswas (May 16, 1978) is others, some of whom were Caste in Cricket: a Bengali athlete in heptathlon. She paragons of uninhibited orthodoxy rose to fame when she won the though. Baloo’s cricketing sparks Sports is not only a game of silver medal in the 2002 Asian were portrayed by his countrymen physical stamina coupled with mental Games in Busan, South Korea and as patriotic efflorescence as also alertness but also a field where caste in the 2006 Asian Games, Doha. She outbursts. runs amuck. History and mythology won the 110 m hurdles, the 200 m bear ample testimony to prove the and the 800 m during that An avid cricket lover, point to the hilt. In 1994, a Bengali heptathlon.5 But West Bengal’s “Jagadindranarayan Ray, the cricketer, Prashanta Baidya, residing Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborti Maharaja of Natore of district in Maharashtra, was selected for under Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had Rajshahi (now in Bangladesh), had Team India. The East Zone was disparagingly compared Soma to an invited Baloo to come to Bengal to represented on the Board of Cricket animal (goat) that is unfit for coach his team.”6 Another account Control for India (BCCI) selection harnessing in agricultural operations! suggests that he had also recruited committee by Sambaran Banerjee. Such a philistine outburst aptly untouchable cricketers of repute, A former Bengal captain, Banerjee, focuses on the mindset of the two Shivaram, Ganpat, Vithal—all three when the returned to Calcutta, was aforesaid Bengali Brahmans against Baloo’s brothers—and Sempre from approached by newsmen for his a low caste man or woman. But no Karachi for his team.7 The Maharaja reaction on Prashanta’s inclusion in public outcry or condemnation challenged the Calcutta European JANATA, February 15, 2015 11

Cricket Club. The team of Hindus England in 1911, consisting of Parsis, graced and empowered Indian included wicket-keeper K. Hindus, and Muslims, captained by cricket greatly in its infancy. But Seshachari from Madras, fast bowler a Sikh”. The tour was a failure. But despite their spectacular H. L. Sempre from Karachi besides Baloo’s was a stunning success. His performances they were treated spin bowler Palwankar Baloo and his “outstanding performance” nothing better than dirt and brother batsman Shivaram from comprised “114 wickets at an undesirable. Their performances, Bombay. The European team was average of 18.84 runs per wicket, however, were not considered defeated in 1907(?). This 75 of which were in first class adequate to qualify themselves for synchronised with the ongoing matches”.10 Three early matches captaincy of Indian cricket teams. swadeshi movement in Bengal.8 were played against Oxford Ramachandra Guha writes: “Baloo University at the Parks, the though senior was deprived of Fertile Bengal never suffered Marylebone Cricket Club at Lords captaincy. He retired and then the from barrenness in giving birth to the and Cambridge at Fenner’s. Against matter was hushed up. Shivaram likes of Sambaran Banerjee in any Oxford, Baloo claimed five wickets retired before such a question could era. The Natore Maharaja had, for 87 runs, against MCC he took crop up in his case. Then came the therefore, faced orthodox elements four wickets for 96 whereas he turn of Vithal. But time and again arraigned against him for inviting returned the superb figures of eight he was put down. His juniors were untouchables from Bombay and for 103 runs.11 The spectacular thrust over his head. No wonder Karachi. But the Maharaja trampled performance of the untouchable the Hindus failed—miserably those toxic elements without a player definitely did not go down well failed—yet the diehards could not second thought. Imagine the patriotic with ossified Hindu elements as one listen to justice and reason. But the euphoria that greeted the victory of expects in a casteless society. The force of circumstances was too the Hindu team over the European curse of India is untouchability, a great and after a lot of haggling at at a time when Bengalis were byproduct of caste which benefits long last they liberalised themselves agitating against the partition of these elements. Cricket is one of its enough to throw the captainship at Bengal! In passing we may refer to myriad victims. Nicholas Lezard Vithal.” the great excitement and jubilation writes in The Guardian, a British at the Mohun Bagan Football Club, daily, May 3, 2003: “The Merit and caste Calcutta defeating the East Untouchables were learning the Yorkshire Regiment 2-1 in the final game, their Raj employers not being With the adoption of India’s of the IFA Shield in 1911. The victory sniffy about caste. The first Constitution, the Union Public was attributed to “Bengali indisputably great Indian player, Service Commission came into being masculinity”, a fight against “British Palwankar Baloo, was a Chamar, a in 1950. The same year the first imperialism”. They also described the caste loathed by others as they work examination for recruiting IAS etc. English defeat as “a triumph of with cattle hides... Baloo learned to was held. It was conducted in two Indian nationalism” of the “ongoing work with leather in quite a different parts—written and interview—as freedom struggle”.9 way.” The daily refers to an exquisite against three parts now. A Bengali tribute paid to this cricketer by a Scheduled Caste, Achyutananda Despite severe odds staring in the contemporary: an over from Baloo Das, not only made it to the IAS, his face of the untouchable Chamars, contained “six deliveries—each a aggregate score was the highest (613 three brothers (Baloo, Vithal and different menace and yet looking as out of 1050) in the written part. In Shivaram) had enormously enriched harmless as the morning dew on a viva voce, however, he was awarded and glorified Indian cricket by their grass blade”. This tribute illuminates the lowest marks (110 out of 300) of unruffled commitment to the game his world of cricket, if prejudice did all the candidates recommended for laced by sweat and toil at home and not vitiate the attitudinal approach of appointment. In the merit list he was abroad. The discomfiture of Baloo the Hindus afflicted by the caste the 48th or the last candidate. who used to be served tea during virus. Aniruddha Dasgupta, Baidya by intervals separately in disposable clay caste, also a Bengali and bhadralok, cups while Hindu players in Four cricketers—all brothers, an euphemism for upper caste, porcelain could be imagined. He was Baloo, Shivaram, Ganpat and Vithal, despite the worst aggregate or the chosen for “an all-Indian team to tour all gift of the Palwankar family— lowest marks (494) in the written 12 JANATA, February 15, 2015 examination amongst all those who Tailpiece 9. Boria Majumdar, “Mohun qualified for interview, obtained, Bagan’s ‘battles’ against the astonishingly, the highest (88.33 per Perhaps in 1992(?) a young Raj’”, The Times of India, August cent of 300) marks in the personality Rajdeep Sardesai, then a private TV 15, 2013. test. When the pen of the bhadralok correspondent, met me at 10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ could not impress his examiners, Muzaffarpur and spoke to me at Palwan... how did he enamour the Interview length on many social issues having Board with his personality? This bearing on the political- 11. Guha, op. cit. remains an enigma unanswered administrative life and culture of 12. A. K. Biswas, ‘Case of an IAS yet.12 During the interview, the Bihar. He unequivocally denounced Topper, Fate of a Scheduled janam kundli or full personal details caste politics indulged in the State Caste Candidate’,Mainstream, of candidates are disclosed to the by the then Chief Minister to vol. XXXII, no. 5, December 18, interviewers. Both the underdog and establish himself as the messiah of 1993.http://www.ambedkar.org/ the lapdog were, I guess, interviewed the backwards, minorities, Scheduled research/Ca... outside areas of their studies and Castes and tribes. 13. During his second term as the knowledge, which might be largely Governor of Bihar (1993-98), I unfair to test one’s mental ability, Footnotes had occasion to have the benefit moral aptitude and alertness, of a discussion with Dr A. R. judgment, decision-making, etc.13 1. In reply to a question in the Bihar Kidwai, who was previously The fact remains that the gap in Legislative Council in 1946, Dr Chairman, UPSC (1973-77), at Srikrishna Sinha, the Prime marks in the written examination the Raj Bhavan, Patna. According Minister of Bihar, read out a list of to him, a candidate should be between the chhotalok (lowborn) casualties in Shahabad district asked questions in areas and bhadralok was 119. In no subject, during the ‘Quit India’ Movement. conversant to him and be allowed 14 the latter scored 119 marks. His list, based on the report of the to express his mind candidly so Candidates know too well how a gap Superintendent of Police of as to form an impartial opinion of even one mark makes their Shahabad, contained the name of about his personality, education fortune in an open national level a solitary woman who was killed and values. It is unfair to put competition. in police firing. She was Akli Devi. riddles to a candidate and puzzle him out of wit. 2. In Calcutta, a locality has been In its interview the bhadralok not renamed after a rank communalist 14. Ibid. only made up the huge gap but far of Barisal district (now in exceeded also the scores of the Bangladesh) by the Calcutta first Scheduled Caste in the IAS. Municipal Corporation as a Dasgupta’s position in the merit list freedom fighter. Janata Subscription was 24th and was offered the 3. BBC News, Sunday, February 19, Annual Rs. : 260/- Indian Foreign Service. In the first 2006, India’s feisty untouchable year itself, thus, the UPSC tainted woman. Three Years : 750/- itself and shook the confidence of underprivileged candidates in its 4. Ananda Bazar Patrika, August 8, Demand Draft / Cheque impartiality. If the candidates’ 1994, Calcutta. on caste identity and other details 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Mumbai Bank were not placed before the Soma_Biswas Interview Board, the result of the in favour of first SC IAS perhaps could have 6. Boria Majumdar, ‘Hulla Baloo in Poona Gym’, Outlook, April 23, been different. Irrespective of 2003. JANATA TRUST merit or virtue, hatred against low D-15, Ganesh Prasad, castes is universal and integral to 7. Ibid. the Hindu ethos. The beneficiaries Naushir Bharucha Marg, actually perpetuate caste and its 8. Ramachandra Guha, Cricket and Mumbai 400 007 Caste. abuses in India. JANATA, February 15, 2015 13 Preamble, Secularism and Constitution

Irfan Engineer

It is a fact that the words towards faith or turning away from Constitution as the national leaders “secular” and “socialist” were not religion, but freedom to profess had laid greatest stress on it and it included in the preamble in the practice and propagate religion. Lok would “tone-up the morale of the Constitution adopted by the Nath Mishra asked how would it minorities”. Constituent Assembly (CA), but sound (if the word secular was after you graduate, you do not tell used) when Art. 19 (Article 25 of Thus, even though the word the world that your qualification is the final Constitution) gave citizens “secular” was not introduced into matriculation. Nor does one affix right to propagate religion! In spite the preamble as the word then our photo taken when one was born of strong objections from the right understood was different than the on driving licence and passports. wing elements, the right to way we in India used it, the right to Likewise, after liberating ourselves “propagate” religion alongside the profess, practice and propagate and constituting ourselves into a right to “profess and practice” religion along with rejection of democratic, socialist and secular religion was retained in the then Art. amendments to introduce words “In nation, and after a bitterly fought 19. the name of God” signified the freedom movement in which middle path that Constituent thousands sacrificed their carriers, H V Kamath wanted the Assembly wanted to tread. liberties, enduring physical injuries preamble to begin with the words – inflicted by the colonial state and “In the name of God, we the people Similarly, there were sacrificed even their lives, we of India...” A. Thanu Pillai amendments to introduce the words cannot pull out a picture of our birth intervened and opposed Kamath’s “socialist”. However socialism too (socio-political structure in ancient amendment stating it would amount then was associated with state period) and say we are a Hindu to compulsion in matter of religion control of all means of production Rashtra with words socialist and and would be contrary to freedom and abolition of private property, secular missing in them. Hindu of faith. Rohini Kumar Chaudhury which could not have been the way Rashtra would be anti-secular and wanted to amend Kamath’s forward for India then. Maulana we are witnessing the ideology amendment and have the opening Hasrat Mohani made a strong pitch being forced by the state even on words as “In the name of Goddess”. that India in the preamble should unwilling, which include women, Pandit Hridaynath Kunzru also be called “Union of Indians adivasis, dalits, workers and liberals opposed Kamath’s amendment on Socialistic Republics” on the line of within the Hindu community. the ground that collective could not USSR. Shibban Lal Saksena moved be forced on anybody and it would the amendment which among other Though the words secular and be contrary to the Preamble which things constituted “Bharat into a socialist were added later, there was promised freedom of thought, Sovereign, Independent Democratic, no doubt in the minds of people expression, belief, faith and worship Socialist Republic...” whereas birthing the Constitution that they to everyone. Kamath pressed for Brajeshwar Prasad wanted “to were creating a secular and socialist division and his motion was constitute India into a co-operative Constitution, even though the words defeated 41 (Ayes) to 68 (Noes). commonwealth to establish socialist were consciously not used. The All other variations of Kamath’s order...”. All the amendments were word “secular” as we understand amendment like – addition of words negative. However the Constitution now, at the relevant time carried “in the name of Parmeshwara”, “By has provisions for affirmative action more of a birth mark connoting non- the grace of Supreme Being” etc. for the women, children, Scheduled religious if not anti-religious met the same fate – defeat by Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other phenomena. Those who parented voice votes. Brajeshwar Prasad socially and educationally backward the Constitution looked upon made a strong appeal that the word classes. The Constitutional parents secularism not as irreverence “secular” should find place in the also thought it prudent to include 14 JANATA, February 15, 2015

Part IV on Directive Principles of recognizing the principle of one man will do so only by putting our State Policy in which, among many one vote and one vote one value. political democracy in peril. We other things, the state would try to In our social and economic life, we must remove this contradiction at pursue the policy under which “the shall, by reason of our social and the earliest possible moment or else ownership and control of the economic structure, continue to deny those who suffer from inequality material resources of the community the principle of one man one value. will blow up the structure of political are so distributed as best to subserve How long shall we continue to live democracy which this Assembly has the common good” (Art. 39 (b)) this life of contradictions? How long to laboriously built up.” We need to and “the operation of the economic shall we continue to deny equality remember those words of wisdom system does not result in the in our social and economic life? If of Dr. Ambedkar. concentration of wealth and means we continue to deny it for long, we of production to the common detriment” (Art. 39 (c)). In his address on 25th November when Violence in Kerala the Constitution was finally ready, Dr. Ambedkar described the Constitution as ‘social democracy’. We, the undersigned, strongly was instantly communalised, and in He said: condemn the unprecedented a manner that is reminiscent of communal violence at the end of communal violence in other parts “We must make our political January, 2015, in Tuneri, Vellur and of the country, especially Gujarat, democracy a social democracy as Kodanjeri villages, Nadapuram, in 2002, and Muzzafarnagar, 2013. In well. Political democracy cannot Kozhikode, Kerala, in which more the three days following Shibin’s last unless there lies at the base of than a hundred Muslim families and death, Muslim houses in Vellur and it social democracy.” homes have been singled out, surrounding villages were singled attacked, and crores worth of out, marked by black flags and The Cnstituent Assembly left property destroyed. We are utterly sheets and were systematically subsequent generations to introduce horrified, and outraged, that violence attacked with explosives, chemicals the words “socialist” and of this extent has received scant and other inflammable materials. “secularism” into the Preamble of attention from the media, electronic, 48 houses are completely the Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar print or even social. destroyed, while 34, partially. quoted Jefferson in his final adoption According to an initial assessment address to the Assembly: Recently, on 21st January 2015, property worth 40 to 50 crores of a local murder was instantly rupees is destroyed. Anecdotal “We may consider each transformed into a communal evidence suggests that generation as a distinct nation, with conflict. Shibin Bhaskaran, a 19 approximately 150 wells in this a right, by the will of the majority, year old DYFI activist, resident o region have been made unusable to bind themselves, but none to bind Vellur, a village dominated by the by stuffing them with chemicals the succeeding generation, more Communist Party of India and burnt furniture, making long than the inhabitants of another (Marxist) was stabbed to death by term inhabitation of these homes, country.” an Indian Union Muslim League and cultivation, impossible. (IUML) activist, Teyyampadi Dr. Ambedkar had apprehended Ismayil, with the help of his brother Women, some of whom are the contradiction of having a Teyyampadi Muneer. Ismayil is pregnant, were intimidated at knife Constitution that propounds equality known to have criminal points and threatened with “Gujarat of all citizens amidst huge social antecedents and was once jailed in like consequences” of stabbing and inequalities: “On the 26th of January accordance with the ‘The Kerala burning when they resisted the 1950, we are going to enter into a Anti-Social Activities (prevention) attackers attempting to loot their life of contradictions. In politics we act,34/2007’ (Goonda Act). The houses. These are homes where will have equality and in social and aftermath of this cold blooded Muslim men are largely absent and economic life we will have murder, a personal settling of away in the Gulf. What is equally inequality. In politics we will be scores between two individuals chilling, and distressing, is that all JANATA, February 15, 2015 15 Muslims in this region have fled their “Irom Sharmila, Make By India Campaign” homes, and are seeking shelter in the homes of relatives in nearby areas. Human Rights Committee of economy and proposes “Make in We find it condemnable that the Manipur Students’ Association, India” programme. But in the case CPM is playing down the role of Delhi has launched one month of Manipur and other military its party workers in this area. This campaign on 26th January, 2015 at controlled areas, it produces more is a region that has complex the University of Delhi which will police personals, Village Defence political - caste, community and conclude on the 28th of February, Force (VDF), Special Police party - configurations, and it is 2015. Officers (SPO), which again unlikely that BJP workers could produce more brutality and either have identified the Muslim The campaign aims to showcase: oppression to the people. • After the houses of these CPI (M) dominated annexation of Manipur by Dominion areas or have singlehandedly • Indian National Congress of India, in the last 65 years, the once wreaked this kind of damage as strongly opposed the British colonial self sustained Manipuri economy has alleged by the Marxist party. North law- Armed forces special powers now become completely dependent Kerala, in post-Independence ordinance 1942.The same INC on the import economy based on India, has witnessed sustained passed the Armed Forces Special National Highway. • India makes violence for decades along party Power Act in 1958 after some Irom Sharmila who is now carrying lines. In the past this has been amendments in the Parliament.• The the longest hunger strike in the history between CPI(M) and RSS BJP resolved that they will never of mankind. She has been on fifteen workers, or sympathisers. What is repeal as long as India exists. • The years of fast against AFSPA. frightening is that now it has taken regional political parties like an anti-Muslim turn. Party Trinamool congress, AIADMK, –Bipinchand Pheiroijam. affiliations have long masked DMK, BSP, Samajwadi, Janata Dal underlying, and changing, Parivar, BJD continue to support this configurations of caste and draconian law. AAP has no community. In a climate of difference on AFSPA. • Most of the increasing communal polarisation Indian thinkers, scholars, in the country, it is imperative that personalities, journalists have chosen everyone who cares about India’s the conspiracy of silence. Majority future, its secular fabric, and social of the Indians continue to ignore justice, condemn such despicable AFSPA. 95 per cent of the Indian modes of sectarian violence. intelligentsia believes that India could not sustain without AFSPA. • Most We also demand that speedy Gandians who believe in non- action be taken, the culprits in this violence hate Irom Sharmila and communal attack be brought to people’s struggle. • Indian political justice, and adequate compensation ideology and political thoughts, be paid to the families of the arthasastra, religious texts justify affected. Most importantly, we everything and anything to sustain in demand that peace be restored so the name of politics and security of that Muslims who have fled their the state. • Casteist, sexist and racist homes and fear for their lives can mentality does not allow to sense the return, and live in safety, and with pain and trauma of the people under dignity. military regime, its politics and the practice of AFSPA. • India hopes to –G. Arunima, Centre for produce more economy, Women’s Studies, JNU & P. K. entrepreneurship, business and Yasser Arafath, Dept. of History, compete with other countries around University of Delhi the world to make India a producing R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, February 15, 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, February 15, 2015 & Posted on Wedenesday February 18, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 5 Congress sans Gandhis March 1, 2015 S. Viswam

Should PM visit China? There is a right way and a wrong evidence to indicate the certainty Kuldip Nayar way to do things, just as there is a or the timing of the joyous event. right time and a wrong time. It would The media has speculated on the A crisis in governance seem, judging from the political and identity of the “lucky lady” but it Rajindar Sachar media reaction to Rahul Gandhi’s was just speculation and nothing unexpected decision to go on leave, more. Another reason cited is that On Aam Admi Party that on both counts he is off course. the mother and son do not see eye to Qurban Ali Senior Congress leader and party eye on organizational issues and that spokesman Digvijay Singh faults the mother frowns upon the growing A win for alternative Rahul on the timing while grudgingly group of young political activists politics or… conceding that everyone needs an surrounding the son. Yet another Sujata Mohapatra occasional break. Other parties, all factor cited is that Rahul has no heart of whom are adversaries, say that it any longer in the kind of politics his Indian Agricluture: makes no difference to the Congress party is championing and that he Dangers Ahead and they add uncharitably, to national wants to radicalize the Grand Old Dr Raj Kumar Sen politics, whether the young man is on Party’s rather worn-out ideology. And duty or on leave. However, the general also, it is said that Rahul had planned What is an Eligible Suicide? feeling seems to be that Rahul could a sabbatical two months ago but his Sankara Narayanan not have chosen a worst moment for mother had asked him to defer it till going on leave, ostensibly to do some the Delhi assembly polls The real Drop the Ordinance: self-introspection and to diagnose the reason? You pays your money and Stop Land Acquisition ills his party is suffering. He could you takes your choice. have deferred the exercise by a few weeks and taken a short sabbatical If the news of Rahul wanting a few days before his party’s April to seek seclusion for a spot of Editor : conclave. introspection to reflect on the recent G. G. Parikh events and the future course of the Managing Editor : Guddi The handful of reasons cited by party has entered the main national all and sundry seem neither here discourse, the reason is not far to D-15, Ganesh Prasad, nor there since they range from the seek. The Congress is on the decline Naushir Bharucha Marg, plausible to the bizarre, one of them in spite of or possibly because of the Mumbai - 400 007. going to the extent of citing his mother-son leadership. The Congress impending marriage. Though there has been unlucky at electoral politics, Email : [email protected] has been talk off and on the issue and has been losing state after state to of his marriage, there is no hard the BJP. In the Delhi assembly polls, 2 JANATA, March 1, 2015 it did not even open its account. Between the lines The fact that the BJP fared equally badly and was trounced by the Aaam Aadmi Party is just another Should PM visit China? matter. The recent reverses suggest Kuldip Nayar that there is something very very wrong with a party which has played a notable part in India’s political Full marks to the arrogance border issue and thus went against history. Another reason for concern of China! It summons the Indian the principles and consensus that is that nobody in India wants a envoy at Beijing and conveys the two sides reached on properly secular party to lose consistently its displeasure over the visit of addressing the issue.” to a communal party. Besides, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a political entity the Congress is Arunachal Pradesh. The territory is Thus far New Delhi has stood firm still well-knit organizationally, it is part of India and was never claimed to the appreciation of the country. cadre-strong, its ideology is sound by China till some years ago when it It has rightly gone to the extent and its direction is right. All it needs attained the military prowess worth of saying that the Prime Minister the name. would be visiting Arunachal again. is a swift and healthy revival and The message would have gone grow strong enough to challenge the Beijing told our ambassador home clearly if New Delhi had Sangh parivar whose fortunes are on Ashok Kantha that Modi’s visit announced the date also. True, the the ascendant. “undermined China’s territorial Prime Minister’s engagements have sovereignty right and interests.” Not to be scheduled beforehand. But a Narendra Modi campaigned long ago, Beijing had begun stapling departure could have been made on many slogans, but one of visas of the people of Arunachal in view of the importance of the the platforms was to usher in a visiting China to indicate that it was problem. The message would have Congress-mukt bharat (A Congress- a “different” territory as if it was not been loud and clear. free India). The Sangh Parivar part of India. would no doubt reinforce this In fact, the BJP, if not the platform with the suggestion that New Delhi has borne the government, should have inspired a the Congress should be freed from humiliation quietly then and has debate whether the Prime Minister done it so now after the Indian the mother-son stranglehold on the should visit China in May, as Prime Minister has visited part of his scheduled, to convey the nation’s party. Within the Congress itself, own country. This is, however, the annoyance as well as concern. That there are groups that are advocating first time that Beijing has publicly India cannot be taken for granted is the radicalization of the party on expressed its unhappiness. It has in something China should be made new structures that exclude the the past accepted without demur the to realize. Gandhis. The family, according maps showing Arunachal Pradesh as to these groups, has outlived its India’s territory. So far the dispute Probably, New Delhi does not utility, its vote-catching potential has been over a small territory face the rumpus it would cause if is worn out, and that the family is between Arunachal and the China the PM’s visit is postponed, if not turning into a dictatorship. To such border. The status of Arunachal has cancelled. But China has given groups, a fall-out is a blessing. been seldom questioned. enough of provocation to make The Gandhis themselves ought to India reconsider the visit. China’s Again it is a part of arrogance hasten organizational elections in the arrogance should not go without when the important message is being rebutted. April AICC so that a new leadership conveyed through Chinese vice- can take over. The idea of a Congress Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Matters about the territory sans the Gandhis is worth pursuing who says: “Modi’s visit undermined relate to India’s sovereignty as if only as a strategy to democratize China’s territorial sovereignty, right they should not be taken lightly. the party and re-vamp it to face the and interests. Such act by the Indian Prime Minister Modi should find new challenges organizationally and side artificially amplified differences an early opportunity to tell China ideologically. between the two countries on the that the territorial integrity was not JANATA, March 1, 2015 3 dependent on relations between A crisis in governance New Delhi and Beijing. In fact, it is the other way round. The future of Sino-India relations would Rajindar Sachar improve if there was a consensus on each other’s sensitivity over the territorial sovereignty. China is in A deep somnolence, lack in Oil, Coal, Power Ministries occupation of a substantial part of of direction and absence of and in security related nuclear commitment to the constitutionally arsenals. Secret Papers of the yet Indian Territory in the northeast. directed philosophy of social to be announced Budget have also New Delhi’s suspicion of China’s justice seems to be enveloping been leaked. aggrandizement was well founded the major existing political parties enhancing the danger of BJP policy This action is more awesome than because India has been prey to the of divisiveness and pro-capitalist a mere spying. Modi government is betrayal of trust. In a letter to state policies spreading in the country. all praise for Corporate Sector. It chief ministers, India’s first Prime This is shown by the lack of any publicly professes that the country Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said: response and consistent policy and can only progress through the programme from the leftist and instrumentality of private sector. “If we cannot have a real peace secular parties. That may explain If with all the favours from Modi and cooperation between nations in the gushing congratulation they Government, the highest in the the world, the next big thing is to try have showered on Aam Admi Party corporate sector are on a path and avoid the outbreak of war on a (AAP). No doubt AAP is entitled to to destroy the inner sanctity of large scale in the hope that this may all praise over its massive win in the corridors and policy making give the world an opportunity some Delhi. But for any political party State, B.J.P. needs to scrutinize time later of arriving at peaceful and individual to so believe and more closely its open alliance with settlements. act that AAP can be a instrument Corporate Sector. of change in political and social “If however war broke out, then life of the country is like wanting It is still more worrisome when we shall keep out of it also. It will to see a rainbow in the sky during it is known that another complaint be some gain if a part of the earth’s the afternoon blazing sun. I say this against the same corporate surface is kept out of this terrific because AAP believes in private company has been pending enquiry conflict between giants. This is the economy being the solution to the notwithstanding the complaint reason why we have refused to align country’s ills and poverty. It so by Enforcement Directorate (ED) ourselves with either of the two specifically said in its Manifesto made in 2013 to Reserve Bank of great power blocks and why we are that: “Government should not be in India, about the legality of a loan not agreeable to joining either the the business of running business”. of over Rs. 6000 Crores given to Middle East Defence Organisation “AAP is not against capitalism as the dummy of this very corporate or the South East Asia one.” such but only crony capitalism” giant. And still ironically the Union – this is a wrong thinking. By just Minister of Finance has announced Still Nehru was one person who emphasizing crony capitalism that he plans to do disinvestment at that time could avert the conflict the evil and the unsuitability of to the extent of Rs. 45000 Crore in and he did. Modi does not enjoy the capitalism for the development of Financial Year 2016 by selling a part same status in the world, nor has he our country is deliberately papered of holding of family silver of public the vision. Yet he is in a position to over – evil of the capitalism itself sectors like ONGC and even of State stall, with the help of the newly-won is the real danger. Bank of India and other public sector friend, President Barrack Obama. corporations, amongst others to The ambition of Beijing to dominate The urgency and danger of these very private companies. He has the world affairs is nothing new. It open onslaught by Big Business also announced that his tax policies has always wanted to be a Sultan and on the sanctum of Indian State has will be corporate friendly. treat the world as its durbar. exploded in our face by the recent widespread Corporate Sector spying T h e G o v e r n m e n t h a s I recall how angry were the in the innermost offices, including unashamedly announced that it will (Continued on Page 4) the highest, of Union of India, not appeal against Bombay High 4 JANATA, March 1, 2015

Court judgment or amend the law Peoples Union for Civil Liberties) inequality persisting in our country. retrospectively to nullify the effect the position is that 40 per cent beds According to the 59th round of of Vodafone judgment by Supreme remain vacant. NSSO report estimates the average Court (which many eminent jurists net worth of the top 10 per cent of say requires reconsideration even Another scandal continuing from the population in India was 380 ignoring Solicitor General’s advice the U.P.A. government in 2015 is of times that of the bottom 10 per to file appeal) which shows such Special Economic Zones – 50 per cent. The net worth could support close link with corporate lobby. The cent of allotted land remains unused. consumption for 23 years for the top loss from change of law will continue Parliamentary Standing Committee bracket and less than three months to deprive Union Government of tax in 2007 had estimated a revenue for the bottom one. The report said receipts from future transactions loss of Rs. 1.75 lakh Crores from that the total billionaire wealth also, and will be a big drain in our tax holiday granted between 2005 represented about 10 per cent of economy. and 2010. The SEZs were touted to India’s GDP in 2012. Can this vulgar lead to export boom and earn foreign inequality be allowed to continue? If Recently in Parliamentary recess exchange. The reality is that less Modi’s economic pattern is allowed Union Government slyly issued than 48 per cent of existing SEZs to continue it will become worse. ordinance especially land ordinance are engaged in export activity – but Only socialist oriented policies can to almost pulverize the provisions only 3.8 per cent of exports came checkmate it. Will the so-called of new Land Acquisition Act. The from these zones in 2013-14. How secular and progressives make a Supreme Court had said that in spite deceitful can you get. joint programme front along with of the ordinance the Acquisition trade unions and farmers’ unions to would lapse, if compensation has Any party who seeks to speak for meet this challenge by the combined not been paid within the stipulated the poor in the country should be onslaught of partnership of Global time as, the ordinance does not have ashamed at the gross deprivation and and Indian corporate giants? specific retrospective effect. But as the government is committed to (Continued from Page 3) bring in the amendments to help the Big Business; it has no blushes to former army generals at Beijing to make China realize that it cannot give assurance to big Business that it where I touched upon at a meeting get away with the insult it heaps on will change the law retrospectively, that China was still in control of India by not recognizing Arunachal to help them rather than the farmers. India’s territory. Their reply was Pradesh as an integral part of our This apprehension of landholders hawkish when they said: “You have country. arises from the much publicized forgotten the lesson we taught you scheme of Modi Government in 1962.” Relations between India and expediting its scheme of Delhi- China are important for peace in the Mumbai corridor which will result Nehru was wrong in recognizing region. But China has to be as much in displacement of thousands of Tibet as part of China. By doing so, sincere as India has been. But one farmers and other residents. This he probably thought that he would gets a feeling that Beijing wants to strengthen his relations with Beijing. is one of the cruelest of ventures talk from the point of strength and But its then Prime Minister, Chou by the Corporate Sector friendly can see its efforts to encircle India. Modi Government and is already En-Lai, was only exploiting Nehru’s It has given a generous assistance to being opposed by Narmada Bachav contacts to be known in the world. Nepal and is in the process of setting Andolan, Socialist Party (India) and Once his purpose was served, Chou other human right organizations. En-Lai showed his real face when he up a port at Sri Lanka. Beijing is also attacked India in 1962. trying to win over Myanmar. Another urgent matter calling for attention is the inhumanity By all means we should have India would be the last country against the poor in Delhi who good relations with China but not to object to good relations with its though on paper have the right to at the expense of our territory. neighbours. But if the intention is to free treatment in some of the private What purpose would Modi’s visit use them as a lever to pressure New hospitals who had been allotted land serve when Beijing is not willing to Delhi, it smacks of ulterior motive. at concessional rates, (as directed recognize Arunachal Pradesh as part This does not speak of friendship, by the Courts in a Petition filed by of our territory? It is still not too late which India wants to cultivate. JANATA, March 1, 2015 5 On Aam Admi Party

Qurban Ali

It is, indeed, instructive to analyse But the answer to the question of material it released. The hundreds why the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party how and why the voters handed such of thousands of rupees worth of (BJP) was decimated at the polls in an incredible mandate to the AAP advertisements which the party Delhi. But the more important point this time is that the people were sick released in newspapers and on is how the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and tired of the two main political hoardings displayed in Delhi had has emerged with such a bang: 67 parties - the Congress and the BJP. the photograph of Modi along seats in a house of 70! The BJP with Kiran Bedi who was seeking is down to just three from the 32 The AAP, despite facing public election. it had won in the December 2013 apathy, stuck to its path and managed Assembly election. to catch the imagination of the people It would be too simplistic once again to be voted to power with to believe that the induction of What’s the AAP? It is a secular, an unprecedented majority. Much Kiran Bedi as the chief ministerial left-of-centre party which may will now depend on Kejriwal and candidate was the cause of the become an alternative in the country, his associates and how they pursue BJP’s defeat. Perhaps, it made replacing the Congress which is the ideals they have adumbrated. The some difference. But the vote was languishing. Some time ago a set Delhi electorate has pinned its hope primarily against the BJP and its of motivated people came from on AAP because the people believed ideology of Hindutva. The party still different fields and joined Gandhian that the party can deliver. does not want to face the fact that Anna Hazare in his campaign for the Modi’s spell has waned. The two main political parties do appointment of Lokpal in order to not evoke optimism and both the The BJP itself looks jaded and fight corruption at high places. Congress and the BJP look like relics stuck in the old mould of religious of the past. People are looking for an superiority. The voters swung The movement engulfed the alternative and the Delhi election has towards them in the last election not entire country in no time because thrown open one such opportunity. because of their ideology but because the campaign had permeated all It is, however, too early to think they were promised development, segments of the society. How that the politics of values, which the economic betterment of the the government beguiled Hazare goaded the people to participate in people. But almost 10 months of the and his associates to circumvent the freedom movement, can return. Modi government at the centre have its undertaking to appoint an made little difference to the life of an ombudsman is another story. Whether or not the AAP leaders ordinary man on the street. realise it, they have become the Yet, there is no doubt that his centre of attention as well as hope. Both the BJP and the Congress, movement attracted many idealists They can become an option at which did not win a single seat in the in society at that time. And Arvind the Centre in the next Lok Sabha Delhi election, must introspect hard Kejriwal was one of them. He elections in 2019. But it will be a and change their policies. was among the many who aspired different journey and, to traverse it, for a clean and transparent polity. the AAP will have to remain focussed If the BJP analyses the causes of Although the movement was on values which constitute the basic its defeat, it will find the ideology suppressed, it never allowed its structure of our Constitution. of Hindutva does not sell in a idealism to go out of the public gaze. society which is pluralistic. The That was when the AAP was born True, the Delhi election was not vandalisation of churches is and it refocused its attention on the a referendum on Prime Minister suspected to be the handiwork issue at hand. The party contested Narendra Modi. But it was the BJP of extremists in the party. The the election in Delhi and was briefly that had made it so by putting his campaigns like ghar wapsi or the in power. photos on every bit of publicity projection of Nathuram Godse, who 6 JANATA, March 1, 2015 assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, do not go down well in a country that A win for alternative politics or… takes pride in being secular. Sujata Mohapatra The Congress, stuck in dynastic politics, has little hope of a revival. Aam Aadmi Party won the the import of the victory of AAP The party was a movement and had assembly election in Delhi with a in terms of substantive change or all its qualities. Today, it is distant thumping majority. Securing 67 only a win in electoral battle in line from the people. The belated efforts of Rahul Gandhi to address rallies or out of total 70 assembly seats AAP with the Assam Gana Parishad of give speeches are too little, too late. registered an astounding victory the past. Moreover understanding He should cultivate the media. But unheard of in recent days. It has the electoral victory of AAP will he hates to hold a press conference emerged as a rallying point for provide clues for the future of the or give an interview. The rout of both all anti-BJP and anti-Modi forces nascent party as well as its capacity the Congress and the BJP should to neutralize the dominance of to change the political discourse of make them go back to the drawing Narendra Modi-Amit shah duo in the country. boards. If they do that honestly they the political arena. AAP not only Aam Aadmi Party declares that it would realise that they are distant stopped the winning juggernaut of is for Swaraj where the citizens will from the ground realities. BJP but also created hope for all the regional political parties to fight the have a say in the day to day affairs Even if they do not move left, saffron dominance effectively in the of the country. The federal structure they have to find a solution to coming elections. The unsolicited will be vertically deepened to the poverty and unemployment. Modi’s support from Nitish Kumar, Prakash level of Mohalla Sabha and Ward free enterprise has not given any Karat and Mamata Banerjee to the Sabha and financial power will be dividends so far. There is no running Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi election given to the local committees to away from the reality that one third only highlights the nervousness and manage day to day governance. of the people are living below the anxiety of these parties over the AAP proclaims that its candidates poverty line. outcome of the Delhi election. The in the election will be decided by election was a watershed in Indian the local cadres of the party. It had The RSS, the BJP’s ideologue, polity for the simple reason that shown the sample of its people takes pride in saying that the rule it has raised the survival question centric governance model by asking of Hindus has returned after many for the grand old Congress party the public to give their consent for decades. This is not a solution and has given hints for replacing it a Congress supported government but the problem. All segments of with the emerging AAP. Although during 2014 government formation society should be associated with it is too early to predict the political exercise as it had no majority on development. One, however, feels discourse and write off the Congress its own. Apart from mandate from that the minorities are being left out party, it is very genuine to assume the public for all its decisions, AAP purposely. that the AAP experiment has opened did not allow tainted candidates to up a new chapter in Indian polity. contest on its tickets. Its disclosure India, as Mahatma Gandhi said, of sources of political funding and is a bouquet of flowers. He was AAP has fought the election on the placing them in the website for emphasising the plurality of society. premise of alternative politics which public scrutiny opened up another The Constitution assures equality to has the key elements of Swaraj, chapter of transparent politics all before the law, whether Hindus, anti-corruption and accountable in Indian history. Exposing the Muslims, Sikhs or Christians. But governance. In a polity dominated political-administration-corporate it is a pity that we are going away by personality cult, high command nexus AAP leveled charges against from that principle. The sooner we culture, money and muscle power the mighty industrial houses and return to that basic requirement, the AAP is vetted to be different in promised of accountable, corruption less arduous would our journey be form and substance. Hence, it is free governance in the state. As a towards a democratic, secular and highly essential to scrutinize the people’s government its leadership socialist polity. recent Delhi election to find out abhorred VIP culture and operated JANATA, March 1, 2015 7 from modest accommodations alternative discourse. Again keeping water and end of inspector raj on sans the red beacon culture. The winnability as the criterion some the business community generated performance of AAP in the 2014 of the candidates in Delhi election good support for the party. The election proved the fact that people were imported from other parties honest admission of the party about had accepted its pledges as genuine and given tickets even though the its earlier resignation as a mistake and necessary for the impending local volunteers were against them. also endeared it to the electorates. changes. Even election funding is under Of course the self-goals by the BJP cloud as the funds received from in the form of personal accusations, Is it reassuring of the fact that some companies now were under communal flaring, overestimation the outstanding victory of AAP in suspicion as donations from money- of its previous performances and 2015 is again a reconfirmation of laundering fronts. The entire election thrusting an outside person as the the values that it stands for? Is it a was fought keeping Arvind kejriwal chief ministerial candidate aided vote against the BJP? Is it a result of as the sole mascot. It was a direct the effort of the AAP to sweep the effective electoral management? It is projection of Arvind Kejriwal as the election. Media played its role by a fact that BJP has lost in 2015 only chief minister before the election 1 per cent of its previous vote share itself. You cannot find a single poster discarding Congress as a serious of 2014 assembly election. Although having other leadership mentioned. contender in the event. In the bipartite it has done very badly in comparison Shanti Bhusan, the founding advisor contest it was advantage AAP as it to the Lok Sabha election where it of the party openly revolted against had time and resources as well as captured all the seven seats, still these perceived improprieties and the perception of being victimized it is too early to assume that the Prashant Bhushan, the member by both the national parties. result is a negative vote on the of the political affairs committee, performance of the eight month old bemoaned the erosion of the values It is too early to be judgemental Modi government at the centre. Even for which the party stood for. Overall on AAP’s performance as the Aam Aadmi Party as a matter of the rhetoric of ideological high outcome of election management strategy kept the Delhi election local ground was sinking in the reality only. Its future course of action, and did not drew the Prime Minister of political necessities. The song democratization of the party and into the fray. Therefore, as already Panch Sal Kejeriwal in itself was decision making process, space most of the election analysts are out the proof of the individual centric for the dissent and role of the with the opinion that the result is a fight that AAP fought in the election volunteers in deciding the matters in positive vote for AAP and is not as which led it to the outstanding the party will uncover its ideological much a negative vote for BJP, we are performance. Even the entire social convictions. Even its performance to decide between the remaining two media campaign veered around like bringing Janalokpal act, Swaraj causal factors i.e. the values of AAP Arvind Kejriwal and instead of the act, accountable governance, or the electoral management as the policies and programmes it was the transparency in dealings and deciding factor in the outcome. Of person who drew all the attention. delivering on the promises in the course both the factors overlap each manifesto will be the key indicators other at times. But still it is desirable So the entire AAP victory comes about its approach towards a to determine the key trending factor. down as a result of astute electoral participatory model. Hence, we management by the party. Whether will be waiting for a verdict on AAP Going by the developments the preparation of the manifesto preceding the election it is hard through the Delhi Dialogue process as a new dawn or as an aberration in to believe that the focus of AAP’s which provided a semblance of the beaten path. For the time being, foray in any way was related to Swaraj, or pitting Arvind Kejeriwal it can be safely assumed that the its professed ideologies. In order against Jagdish Mukhi and Kiran victory rests upon a better electoral to give a solid fight in Delhi the Bedi AAP managed to create a management in anticipation of party decided not to fight any other situation of comparative honesty structural changes towards Swaraj election either in Hariyana or in against its opponents. Even AAP’s which is a long way to go for AAP. Maharashtra which took place before huge mobilization of volunteers, Let other political parties follow the Delhi election negating the local door to door campaign, promise of AAP and learn how to manage urge to register their presence as an discounts on tariffs of electricity and elections. 8 JANATA, March 1, 2015 Indian Agricluture: Dangers Ahead

Dr Raj Kumar Sen

It is not needed at all to highlight 1960s, when India had to divert her of wheat and paddy were the main the importance of agriculture in the resources due to aggressions in 1962 results of Green Revolution in the Indian economy considering the and 1965 from China and Pakistan country. After 45 years of experience dependence of more than 60 per respectively. Naturally she had to of Green Revolution we are now all cent of the workforce on this sector depend on imported foodgrains aware about the positive impact of even after nearly seven decades of to feed her population and in this this revolution on the food front. independence. It is a paradox that situation the ignominious PL-480 The positive side of it is quite though Ganga-Jamuna Doab region Act of USA played a significant simple, namely, increase in the is one of the most fertile regions of role in the import of wheat. In those productivity of selected crops where the world, historically this has been days official propaganda through the technique of this revolution has not only the habitat of largest number various media like the cinema and been applied. However, it was also of poor people but also this area has posters urged the people to save the clear that the initial increase in food been frequently visited by notorious foodgrains preferably by discarding production could not be sustained famines and shortage of foodgrains. the third loaf after eating the first two. and the increase in food production Though in the ancient periods As no nation can survive for long in took place with a falling rate. famines were the results of lack of such a precarious situation from ship communication and information, yet to mouth, the Government of India GATT (General Agreement on such things happened even under had to search for a long-term and Traffic and Trade) first introduced the British Rule. The British period permanent solution of this problem the concept of production of was marked by two most notorious through import and adaptation of Intellection property in its eighth famines during its beginning and the new forms of wheat and paddy to round in 1986. According to this end, which were known respectively obtain a breakthrough in agricultural Act 27(3) (B), products which as ‘Chhiattorer monwantar’ and production. Thus Indian agriculture will be invented or reproduced in ‘Panchaser monwantar’ both of which was suffering for long from laboratory should be patented. This which are suspected to be man- several dangers since the beginning Act also tells that the patented power made and claimed large number of the British rule and continued should be equally distributed among of human and other lives. In other even after the achievement of reproducer, cultivator, society and words though India is a fertile land independence, initiated the era of production institution. But this in terms of its agriculture yet this the first green revolution which was Act had been replaced by the Seed sector has to suffer quite often from really revolutionary in quantitative Bill, 2004. The Bill tells that the dangers of shortage and crisis and terms during the late 1960s and government would control the for the Government of India both early 1970s. quality of seeds. Actually this Bill before and after independence the wants to reduce the power of farmers agriculture sector appeared to be a Green Revolution on production of seeds. As we know continuous and significant problem. India had taken the policy of the HYV seeds displaced the local Just after independence the official Green Revolution in 1969 when seeds which were regarded as less policy was to initiate a ‘grow more dwarf sized wheat was invented in productive. But such local seeds food’ program and in the first five Mexico by Norman Borlaug and as were developed in different areas year plan the main emphasis was a consequence, production of wheat according to the natural factors. The on agriculture and irrigation. The increased quite rapidly. Gradually HYV seeds were of high productive total availability of foodgrains was similar revolution took place also nature of a singular type. This much less than its demand and the in the production of paddy, and feature, by disobeying the traditional situation became serious in the together the increased production connection between the seeds and

Prof Rakhal Datta Memorial Lecture delivered on January 9, 2015 by the Chairman, International Institute of Development Studies (IIDS), at Kolkata. JANATA, March 1, 2015 9 nature, led to an almost extinction of increase in the quantity of output, run, yet there was a limited right such local seeds as were used so long the expenses also increased. As a for the farmers for the use of inputs by the cultivators. Again artificially result, this increasing cost made and technology. This has also led to higher fertility was brought in the the situation for the small, marginal eviction of the small farmers from land with the help of chemical and landless farmers unbearable agriculture and substantially reduced inputs leading to the destruction of and in many cases they had to leave the diversity in agricultural products the natural fertility of land. The soil cultivation as their livelihood. This and various classes of it. became gradually hardened. also led to increasing inequality among rural farmers and also an Compared to this, the second Land in West Bengal was always increase in the number agricultural green revolution is emerging in the fertile, especially in the Gangetic labourers compared to farmers. era of capitalist globalization with plain, due to annual floods leading the objective of unbridled capitalist to sedimentation that increased Before Green Revolution there exploitation with the help of the land fertility further. But the large was nearly one lakh varieties of private capital of both domestic scale irrigation system based on big paddy which were cultivated, but in and foreign and western large scale dams blocked the flow of water and 2000 varieties were reduced to nearly MNCs. This revolution has used canal irrigation widely used through 50-60 thousand only. These gene seeds with artificially modified genes them led to salinity and reduced based technology forced the farmers which are the patented property of a fertility of the land. Due to the lack to cultivate the HYV paddy in the few MNCs of the world. These seeds of irrigation system at the public name of increasing productivity. As are of a termination type where level, the private sector irrigation a result the diversified varieties of the farmer has no right to collect system became dominant which led paddy have become almost extinct. new seeds by cultivating the old to other difficulties like social and ones. Every year the seeds have to environmental problems. Second Green Revolution be purchased from the respective The declining rate of agricultural companies as well as the required Before the green revolution, productivity and production fertilizers, pesticides etc. So the the straws of the traditional paddy specially in case of wheat and freedom of cultivation in agriculture were used for thatching of the roofs paddy becomes an endangering is being curtailed. Again as MNCs of village cottages, but the straws problem to such an extent that the are the owners of this seed, they of the HYV paddies are short and government, agriculturists and will be able to sell them at their fragile, unsuitable for thatching the the neo-liberal economists are discretion. Thus the Indian farmers roofs. So, gradually tin replaced seriously thinking about the Second have to be in bondage with these straws for such purposes. But it is Green Revolution or the Evergreen MNCs. found that the temperature inside Revolution of 2006, with the hope the rooms with roofs made by tin is that the strategy would lead to self- In the agricultural sector India higher than that made by straws and sufficiency in food. The origin of this is one of the seventeen mega as a result food that is cooked is the strategy took place as an enterprise diversity countries. In fact the morning could not be consumed in of the Washington consensus for largest gene bank is the main asset the evening. Hence cooking is to be perpetuating the business interest in the research of bio-technology of done twice a day leading to nearly of the American MNCs in the fields gene. It is obvious that in the name doubling of the fuel cost and the tin of seed production, production of of cooperation, the MNCs want to roofed cottages led to health hazards chemical fertilizers, food processing exercise control over this invaluable due to extra heat increase in causing organizations, marketing and so gene assets in India as it would be an increase in medical expenses at on. The official version of the possible for them to produce new times. In fact the expenses of the second green revolution is based genetically modified seeds by using green revolution products increased on the so-called success of the first the gene and sell them throughout from all sides, i.e. the cost of HYV green revolution which has already the world by taking advantage of the seeds, chemical fertilizers, chemical disappeared within the first four patent act. Indian farmers will be pesticides, pumped underground decades of its inception. Again, like outsiders in their own land and water, agricultural equipments, etc. the first green revolution has been will be compelled to purchase the In other words while there was an proved to be unsuitable in the long asset of their own country from the 10 JANATA, March 1, 2015

MNCs at a high price. Again due to postponement of such experiments Haryana, Punjab and Western U.P., this technology the fertility of land on the part of official authorities the soil is now less fertile and saline is lost rapidly and the underground but not abandoned. It is a matter of and the underground water storage level of water declines beyond use. doubt whether in the long run such also is diminishing rapidly. Hence, Within a short period, fertile fields products will help to meet the hunger for the Second Green Revolution would be converted into barren or actually reduce the nutrition base we require new areas for cultivation lands. These private companies of the human beings. and have now the target is Eastern would then turn focus on some other and North-Eastern India. It has been fertile lands. Eastern India estimated that in India with the We have already noted in the help of inter-state agricultural trade So, in the name of agricultural previous section the new type nearly 15 per cent of total water used development and increased of dangers to Indian agriculture in agriculture is also transferred. production, the whole agricultural threatened by the declared second In fact, since the time of first system and the food market will green revolution. But such dangers green revolution the conventional be handed over to the MNCs are more crucial for Eastern India for pattern of agriculture is changing by removing them from the a number of reasons. It is well known substantially and substituted by control of the government and that the Lower Gangetic plains are products like paddy, sugarcane, etc. the cultivators; side by side the extremely fertile and naturally where water requirement is quite cultivators will be ousted and saturated with water. The natural high and cultivated primarily in will be converted into agricultural wealth of this area has attracted the states with a low level of agriculture. labour and the agricultural seed will imperialists again and again to have The existing supply of water through be brought under the full control a control over them since the ancient large dams could not meet the of the big capitalists to maximize days. Naturally, in the present requirement and hence the shortage the exploitation of capital from period, these resources will not is filled up from underground water. agriculture. Thus, this second green escape this clutches of globalization Consequently, the underground revolution has started this process which is trying to capture most water is used in a much greater to convert Indian agriculture and of the developing countries of the quantity than what enters into the farmers to achieve this objective. World under the present unipolar soil through rainfall. The areas world. In this neo-liberal capitalism, previously known as food bowl Bt Technololgy the market economy is guided by in India are now facing a danger A few words more may be added the concern of profit maximization of infertility and diseases like here about the introduction of the only and the consideration cancer in states like Punjab and Bt brinjal, Bt cotton and other of environment protection and Haryana leading to more and more GM seeds and recent debates and sustainable development cannot farmer suicides. We know that protests associated with it. A large be any issue in this process. Since the second Green Revolution has number of farmer organizations and 2003 Government of India wanted been formulated in the context of NGOs have questioned the entire to transfer nearly 17,300 crore Indo-US knowledge contract made testing on various aspects of Bt cubic litres of water from Ganga- in 2005 and is dependent on Gene and GM technology. Protests have Brahmaputra-Mahanadi Basin to the technology. We have already noted been introduced against the use of drought prone area of Southern India. that such products are dangerous for Bt and GM seeds technology. A However due to the strong public the biodiversity pattern of the Indian large number of farmers committed opinion against this proposal this subcontinent. suicide in Andhra and Vidarbha due strategy has been modified to some to pressure of loan for cultivating the extent. Now the water of Eastern In the words of India’s former precious GM grains. India will be transferred to other President K R Narayanan, it is states remaining concealed within necessary to redefine the traditional National protest against the agricultural products in the form pattern of water used in Indian introduction of a large number of vertical water. As a consequence agriculture and for this purpose if of food products based on BT of first Green Revolution and we can co-ordinate modern science technology, specially in case of intensive cultivation during the last with traditional technology for water Brinjal, rice, etc. has resulted in the four decades in extensive areas of conservation, then it will lead to the JANATA, March 1, 2015 11 maximum welfare of the maximum before the enactment of 1894 9. Sahay, Suman (1944); WTO, number of people. Act for land acquisition as it has Farmers and food Security, given a number of advantages to Alternative Economic Survey, Finally, in conclusion, it can be the industrialist and the corporate 1998-2000. said that Indian Agriculture had to sector to acquire land of any type face various types of dangers in and also they can retain it for a 10. Sen, Raj Kumar etal (2010); different phases since the British longer term. This ordinance goes Environmental and Sustainable period and this situation is still against the attitude of the West Development in India. Deep and continuing even in the second Bengal Government which fought Deep Publications Pvt. Ltd. New st decade of the 21 century. However, against the acquisition of multi- Delhi. such dangers and/or sources of them cropped fertile land for the sake of 11. Sen, Raj Kumar (2009)’, Raj changed in different periods when industrialization. the nature and character of Indian after Ten years and Large agriculture radically changed in The author is thankful to his Developing Economics like terms of natural resources like land, research scholar Sourav Kumar Das India’, Raj Kumar Sen and water, environment and also in for assisting in the finalization of Frelix Raj (eds): WTO and terms of its ownership, management this paper. Asian Union. Deep and Deep and technology. In the first phase, Publications, New Delhi. India was dependant on import of References: 12. Sen, Raj Kumar (2010): ‘Food foodgrains. In the second phase, 1. Dhar, Biswajit (2002), Security: Global, National and it depended on imported seeds Intellectual Property Regional’. Artho Beekshan Vol. and technologies which led to (Alternative Economic Survey, increased productivity at the cost of 2001-02. 19 No.3. invasion (both social and physical) 2. Ghosh, Jayati (2000); 13. The Hindu (2010): Survey of mostly under public initiative. In Agriculture, The Indian Environment, Chennai. the third phase, agriculture came Economy, 1999-2000: An 14. The Second Green Revolution : under corporate rule and led to gene Alternative Survey. based products, the results of which A Blue print to Control India’s are still uncertain and facing new 3. Ghosh, Jayati (2002); Agriculture Agriculture – Indo-US Treaty, dangers. Such dangers are more and Food; Indian Economy New Seed Act – Lokayata pronounced in the eastern region 2001-02: An Alternative Survey. Sahitya Chakra (May, 2010). for their surplus waters which are 4. Government of India (2001); 15. U.S. Agribuiness on India targeted for exploitation under the The protection of Plant varieties Agriculture : AKI, BRAI and present globalization. India has and farmers rights Act. the Second Green Revolution numerous experiences of success stories at the micro level which 5. Government of India (2004); - Analytical Monthly Review await exploitation in various areas The Seed Bill. Editorial (April, 2010). to improve agriculture so that India 6. Govt. of India (December, 16. Vijoy Kumar and S.K. Jain can restore her position as a food 2006): Report of the Working (2007): Status of virtual water basket in future. group on water resources for trade from India. the XI five years plan. (2007 Current Science Vol. 93 No. 8 Lastly, the recent promulgation of – 2012), Ministry of Water ordinance about the acquisition of Resources. PP 1-18. PP 1093-99. land for industrialization has added 17. World Bank (2008) : World a new dimention in India. Though 7. IPCC (2007): Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change: Forth D e v e l o p m e n t R e p o r t . officially stated that it has been Washington D.C. promulgated to ensure a balance Assessment Report. between economic development and 8. N.K. Garg and Hassan (2007): 18. ‘From Green to Evergreen protection of cultivators’ interest (Alarming Scarcity of water in Revolution for food grains in India. But the critic says this India, Current Science. Vol – 39, in India’, Artha Beekshan, ordinance has put the clock back No. 7PP 932-941. September, 2010. 12 JANATA, March 1, 2015 What is an Eligible Suicide?

Sankara Narayanan

The Marathwada region of son or daughter or daughter-in- committed suicide over the last Maharashtra is known for its law who cultivated the land and four years are not eligible to perennially parched weather. The committed suicide due to crop get even the paltry Rs one lakh divisional commissioner has loss? Share cropping farmers don’t compensation thanks to government reported as many as 93 farm possess the land. In case such a rules. Out of the total 5,698 suicides suicides in this region in the last farmer commits suicide due to crop registered in rural Maharashtra 45 days since January 01 2015. failure, his family is not eligible for since 2011, especially in Vidarbha Last year, the region had reported compensation. and Marathwada regions, spouses 569 farmers’ suicides as against 207 of 2,731 victims have been found in 2013. Crop failure and debts are As per the above guidelines, the ineligible to receive government considered the main reasons for kin of a farmer having no debt but aid -either because the deceased farm suicide. This is common in an lost his crops due to bad weather did not have a bank loan against the area where the single crop pattern and ended his life will not get cultivation planned in that season or is in practice. compensation. Height of cruelty is did not own a piece of land. the case of a farmer who borrowed The delay in distribution of money from a mahajan/sahukar Farm labourers or marginal compensation is the biggest reason (unregistered money lender) and farmers having no direct access for the farmers to take the extreme committed suicide due to crop loss. to banks were getting no attention step. Besides, the vicious cycle although they too shared the agony of crop loan in combination with While the state officials and of a failed monsoon. Though the erratic monsoon in the region leaves ministers are not rejecting food situations vary, the issues remain the farmers with no option but to grains cultivated by a landless the same in their lives. The case take the extreme step. farmer or a debt-less farmer or the rejection or ineligibility had gone one who borrowed money from up since 2008 and there was a In Marathwada, a committee of unrecognised money lenders, why need to tackle the issue more each taluk comprising the tehsildar, should such factors deny the kin of scientifically. But every trick within police officer, taluk agriculture a farmer who ended his life to get and without the book is tried to officer, sarpanch and a panchayat compensation? deny the compensation to the kin samiti member probes a suicide of a farmer who committed suicide. case to confirm if the death was The administration across India due to debt burden. A farmer at the outset rejects a farmer’s death Moral of the story: A farmer who committing suicide is eligible for as a suicide. When established, it intends to commit suicide because compensation only if he possesses will deny that the suicide is due to of crop failure and debt burden land and is debt-ridden. Moreover, crop failure or debt burden. It will should take all precautionary steps he should have taken loan only from take out the whole history of the to establish his extreme step an nationalized or co-operative banks farmer to link his premature death ‘Eligible Suicide’ to enable his and registered money-lenders. to his drinking and gambling habits. kin to get compensation after his There has to be follow up from the His matrimonial discord because of demise. banks concerned for the repayment his wife’s extra marital relationship of the loan. or his family feud with his father The peculiar phenomenon called and brothers is very often cited as farm suicide was not noticeable The title holder of the land is the reason for his suicide. during British rule or the native the head of the family - normally rule till 1995. The liberalisation an elderly male. What will be the Families of nearly half of the unleashed in 1991 laid the fate of the dependents of a young farmers in Maharashtra who have foundation for this torrid affair. JANATA, March 1, 2015 13

Public expenditure on agriculture worse. Between 1999 and 2003, Krishna. Between 2004 and 2012, was drastically cut and the farm over 16,000 farmers committed under two years of Congress and sector was thrown at the mercy suicide in the state. In the next rest of BJP rule, over 18,000 farmers of market forces. India became nine years of Congress-NCP rule ended their lives. a signatory in multilateral fora in Maharashtra, a whopping 33,702 like World Trade Organisation farmers ended their life. Modi regime’s refusal to and Intellectual Property Rights implement its promise of Minimum regimes. While doing so, the In Madhya Pradesh, BJP’s second Support Price as per Swaminathan central govt did not ever bother to showcase state after Gujarat, the Committee’s recommendation and consult the state govts or the farm situation has been no better. During its direction to the states to delay associations. Central government the Congress regime of 1998-2003 the procurement due to paucity has been signing regularly Free under Digvijay Singh, over 13,000 of space in godowns forced the Trade Agreements with various farmers committed suicide. Since farmers in all states to sell their nations keeping the states and then, over 22,000 farmers have produce to private traders at a loss farmers in dark. Net result is the committed suicide in MP under the varying from Rs 500 to 600 per horror of three lakh farm suicides BJP regime. quintal. Adding insult to the injury from 1995 to till date. is the ordinance on land acquisition In Andhra Pradesh, another forcing the farmers to the Eminent Politicians of all hues are farmer suicide bowl of India, both responsible for this sorry state of TDP and Congress, which have Domain era of 1894. affairs. During poll season, every ruled the state during the period, During all these unbearable political party’s heart beats for the are in the same boat. During TDP’s rural stress and misery, mainstream farmer. While Arvind Kejriwal regime of 1995-2003, over 16,000 brought out figures of farmer farmers committed suicide. In the media in general and electronic suicides in Gujarat, Narendra following 10-year regime of the media in particular and the informed Modi repeatedly lamented about Congress’s Rajasekhara Reddy and Indians are discussing the death of farmer suicides under UPA regime. others this figure increased to over Sunanda Pushkar and the historic However, a look at the government 21,000. victories of India over Pakistan data on farmer suicides since 1995 and South Africa endlessly. Not a to 2012 shows that no party has In Karnataka, between 1995 and single captain of India Inc nor an succeeded in putting a stop to this 1999 under Janata Dal government economic expert even cursorily scourge. headed by HD Deve Gowda, over touched these state-sponsored farm 10,000 farmers committed suicide. deaths. What a caring and grateful In its previous stint in power This increased to 12,000 in the nation towards its farmers who the NDA fared much worse than next regime under Congress’s SM serve the food on our tables! the Congress. It saw a 31 per cent increase in farmer suicides compared to the previous regime. Under UPA’s next five years the Madhu Dandavate figure marginally increased by 2 per cent. By Maharashtra has the worst record B. Vivekanandan for farmer suicides. During 1995- 1999, the BJP-Shiv Sena regime Price: Rs. 20/- saw 10,000 farmers take their lives with an increasing trend year on Janata Trust year. From 1,083 farmer suicides D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, in 1995, the regime witnessed 2,409 Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. farmers taking their lives in 1998. The following Congress regime was 14 JANATA, March 1, 2015 Drop the Ordinance: Stop Land Acquisition, Ensure Land Rights

More than 350 organizations called for a nation-wide movement Government which is a Government and networks of farmers, workers, against the corporate loot of the of the Corporates, land mafia and tribals from all the states of the land, which feeds the whole country. builders’ lobby has dared to bring Country including National Alliance Government must withdraw the an ordinance worse than the British of People’s Movements, All Indian ordinance is what we all demand and Colonial Act of 1894. He said Union of Forest Working People, All they must do it. it was a political battle and also India Kisan Sabhas, Ekta Parishad, emphasized the need to speak to Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Narmada Addressing the massive all Political Parties to defeat the Bachao Andolan, Yuva Kranti, gathering, Medha Patkar challenged Government move in Parliament too. Campaign for Survival and Dignity, the ‘electoral promises’ of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, ruling party, which was part of the Representatives of numerous All India Agricultural Workers’ parliamentary process leading to farmers organizations, tribal rights Union, Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor enactment of the Land Acquisition groups, workers movements vented Union, Sanyukt Kisan Sangharsh and Rehabilitation Act, 2013. their rage at the Modi Government’s Samiti, INSAF, Delhi Solidarity Now in ‘power’ it is seeking to anti-people agenda and open Group, Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao sniff away the soul of the Act, invitation to profit-makers and Andolan, Agragami Kisan Sabha, by removing thekey provisions looters to plunder the country’s of “consent” & “social impact Jan Sangharsh Vahini, National Fish resources - land, coats, rivers, fish, assessment” and manipulating the workers Forum, Punjab Kisan Union minerals etc. Thousands of farmers definitions of “private entities” and participated in the protest action on also shouted out slogans that they do “public purpose”, purely to promote February 24. not need “crumbs of compensation”. business interests. Stating that the The Ordinance nullifies the most interests of farmers is supreme in The farmers questioned the significant provisions of the 2013 a agricultural economy like India, Prime Minister as to what kind of Act and takes it back to the pre-1994 Anna Hazare gave a clarion call “Ache din” does he envisages for days. The same is unacceptable, to the farmers that this is nothing the millions of small agriculturalists they said. NDA government has less than a Do-or-die’ battle, it is of the country if lakhs of farmers only been launching schemes for the the second war of independence, are displaced by mega projects, corporates and private businesses a war for freedom from repressive thousands of hectares of land is government, oppressive laws and but nothing of significance for farm handed over to private companies corporate control over natural sector and farmers, it was felt. and corporates and the food-security resources. is threatened by acquisition of Speakers also said that similar to multi-cropped farmland. Despite Hannan Mollah, spoke about the the British, the present Government a roaring protest at the Parliament need for united movement and said is trying to “divide” the farmers Street by thousands of farmers, the that the BJP-led NDA Government and rulers in the interests of the Government has introduced a Bill had brought the draconian Ordinance Adanis and Ambanis, who have in the Lok Sabha to legislate this to suit the interests of the Corporates fuelled the election campaign of Ordinance. This, the farmers said and Land Mafia. He said the BJP the BJP. However, we shall stay is condemnable and undemocratic. Government’s move will be defeated united in our demand for a complete and struggles will be launched at all revocation of the Ordinance, they Anna Hazare, who sat all sites of unjust land acquisition. said. If Ambani, Adani are on your day along with the activists of side, Birsa Mundas are on our said, the different movements said that Atul Anjaan, said this Protest roared an adivasi woman leader. All farmers and workers will have to Rally is just the beginning and the protestors expressed a common prepare for a long term struggle and there will be need to launch a resolve that “We will not let Modi- be prepared to even go to jail. He prolonged struggle. He said the BJP Govt. snatch our rights and take JANATA, March 1, 2015 15

India back to pre-independence days”. Our Constitution and Secularism

Various speakers condemned Some persons are saying that the creed, sex, etc. regarding recruitment the unparliamentarily ‘Ordinance word ‘Secularism’ was not in the to public services, from top to Raj’ in every sector, be it land, Constitution when it was adopted. bottom, (except those seats reserved coal, mining, insurance, motor Since it was inserted in the preamble, for SC/ST, where entry is restricted it may as well be dropped by another vehicles and derided the Governance to persons belonging to respective amendment, they say. through ordinance mechanism, by- castes/tribes.) Discrimination is not passing both the Parliament and the Those fellow citizens should permitted on the basis of religion. People. Leaders and representatives understand that it is not a question of So it is secular. of various political parties and one word in the preamble. The whole Right to vote in the elections their affiliated organizations also tenor of our Constitution is secular, to Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha (or expressed their solidarity with right from the beginning. In Art .5 It Panchayat Raj) elections is also the demands of the farmers and is stated, “At the commencement of secular. (Art. 326) demanded that the Ordinance be the Constitution, very person who revoked. Rajinder Sacher, Adv. has his domicile in the territory of India and (a) who was born in the In Schedule III, in the form of Sanjay Parikh and many other territory of India, or (b) either of his oath to be taken by persons holding academicians, advocates, activists parents was born in the territory of high offices like President/Rajyapal/ visited the dharna site and expressed India, or (c) who has been ordinarily Chief Justice, etc, it is provided that solidarity. resident in the territory of India for oath may be taken in the name of not less than five years immediately God or “I solemnly affirm” without Various Farmers Organizations before commencement, Shall be mentioning God. including Akhil Bhartiya a citizen of India.” There is no Kisansabha, Agragami Kisan Sabha, discrimination on the basis of caste, Thus secularism runs throughout All India Agricultural Workers’ creed, religion, sex, etc. the all important provisions of the Union, Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor Constitution. Union etc. and People’s Movements Art. 14 states that all citizens are equal before Law. It needs to have resolved that the struggle Art. 25 does says that citizens be noted that, barring personal law against the Ordinance shall continue, are free to practice, preach and regarding marriage, succession, etc, rather intensify in the days to come propagate their faith or religion. all Indian laws are applicable to all in every state and every district. the citizens of India. For example, People may pray or worship any While hundreds of Gram Sabhas Indian Penal Code, Contract Act, God of their liking if they feel across the country have already Transfer of property Act, Land that is gives them strength to face passed resolutions, thousands more revenue and Police Cods of all the any calamity in life, help maintain shall do so shortly. “We will not Stats are similarly applicable to all mental peace and get incentive to allow NDA Government to legislate the citizens of India. moral beheviour. Religion aims at this Black Ordinance by brute force, sublimating mind and soul of the “they resolved. Arts. 15 and 16 are much more believers. But it has nothing to specific. Art. 15 states that there will do with this-worldly or mundane be no discrimination on the basis of A delegation including Hannan matters like hunger and agriculture, caste, creed, religion, sex, place of Mollah, Atul Kumar Anjaan, Medha sickness and medical treatment, birth, etc. regarding entry to public Patkar, Sunilam, Roma Malik, trade, communications, birth and places like roads, railways, water marriage, defence, etc. They are Rakesh Rafik, Vijoo Krishnan and sources, hotel, cinema halls (whose all similar for all human beings. So Harpal Singh met the President in the ownership may be private) that are they are to be regulated , not by the evening and exhorted him to resolve frequented by the public at large. the ongoing impasse in the interests dictates of scriptures or priests, but of the toiling peasants of the country. Art. 16 says that there will be no by the elected representatives of the discrimination on the basis of caste, people. That is secularism. –NAPM –Pannalal Surana R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, March 1, 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, March 1, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday March 4, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 70 No. 6 J & K: Ominous portents March 8, 2015 S. Viswam

Towards “Poles apart” is a pithy expression for the last several years. The fact emotional integration in the English language that illustrates that the government is headed by a Kuldip Nayar the truth that the North Pole and the 79-year-old politician, who has held South Pole are so far apart that they the CM’s post for three years on an can never meet. Yet, politics being the earlier occasion, and who till now was Union Budget 2015-16 art of the possible, Kashmir’s People’s described as a ”moderate” in politics Vibhuti Patel Democratic Party (representing the brought up in the Congress tradition North Pole) and the Bharatiya Janata was cited as the new dispensation’s Party( representing the South Pole) special feature. Budget and Vulnerable Sections have actually come together in a Bharat Dogra political pact to form a government in Yet, to everyone’s surprise and the northern sensitive state of Jammu disappointment, the state and the chief and Kashmir. The PDP-BJP pact is minister came under a wrong political Once you take away the land … described as an alliance by the PDP focus within a day of his assuming Sankara Narayanan leadership and as an experiment by office when Mufti Muhammad the BJP. Whatever the nomenclature, Sayeed publicly thanked Pakistan, the encouraging factor is that a PDP- the opposition Hurriyat and even A question for Kejriwal BJP government is in control of a Kashmiri militants for “allowing” Kalpana Sharma state where the assembly poll result the assembly elections to be held pointed to a coalition of the PDP and peacefully in the state and not creating the BJP as the best solution to a “hung impediments to the conduct of polls South Asia Women’s Concerence situation” in which two parties had in the form of violent actions. For a on Violence swept the polls in their respective veteran politician who is familiar with areas of influence. the issues that create controversies in Editor : J & K, the statement was clearly out The coalition government derives of line and politically quite incorrect. G. G. Parikh its legitimacy and authority from a The implication clearly was that the Managing Editor : Guddi common minimum programme of government of India, administration action drawn up by the leadership of the state and its voters, the election D-15, Ganesh Prasad, of the two parties. The alliance commission were all in Pakistan’s and Naushir Bharucha Marg, government raised high expectations the Hurriyat’s debt and obligation for Mumbai - 400 007. if only because the common minimum enabling the people of the state to programme masks a handful of exercise their franchise, a right and Email : [email protected] contentious issues that have privilege which the Constitution of dominated J & K’s political discourse India has bestowed on them. It could 2 JANATA, March 8, 2015 not be shrugged off as an innocuous Between the lines and casual comment made light- heartedly. Towards emotional integration The kind of storm which the statement unleashed was only to Kuldip Nayar be expected. The BJP, the alliance partner, was stunned into silence, Power makes strange bedfellows. aggravated the divide. and the NDA home minister took Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed who heads his own time to react. Predictably, the Jammu and Kashmir government It is not understandable why he Parliament was in uproar and has joined hands with the Bhartiya stated that the separatists, militants eventually the prime minister came Janata Party (BJP). Yet his victory and Pakistan have helped him in under pressure to react. Narendra in the state assembly elections letting the elections to be held in Modi told the Rajya Sabha that primarily has been on the plank that the state? Left to them they would he strongly disapproved Mufti’s he will not allow the BJP to enter the not have done so. The separatists remarks and outlined India’ s valley. That he has gone back on the boycotted the polls, not to help position clearly by affirming that electoral promise is not any different Mufti, but to underline their stance the credit for the success of the from what leaders of other political that the polls under the supervision polls went to the people of Jammu parties do. of Indian Election Commission were and Kashmir who had turned up in a farce. New Delhi had deployed large numbers with overwhelming Former Jammu and Kashmir the security forces in such a number chief minister Omar Abdullah that the elements trying to disturb courage. From the reactions, it was sounds churlish when he says that the scene would have been crushed. clear that Mufti was totally isolated the two had a prior understanding. Probably, the militants, depleting in and that he was in the minority of Yet his surprise over their coalition strength, did not want to risk getting one to claim that outsiders could is shared by the naïve who do not crushed. influence Indian elections in the know how the political deals take manner described by the Mufti. place. This is, however, the first Pakistan is playing a long-term time that the BJP has entered the game. It realizes that it cannot take Interestingly, the prime minister valley as a ruler, without winning Kashmir from India by force. The went out of the way to assure the any seat there. two wars have shown this. After the country that the basis for the J & defeat in 1965, then Prime Minister K government was the common The presence of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto told me in an minimum programme only and no Narendra Modi at the oath-taking interview that they have “learnt the other platform. He asserted that his ceremony only underlines the lesson from history” and would not own government would move ahead jubilation of the BJP over getting challenge India on Kashmir on the with zero tolerance for terrorism. a niche. This may turn out to be battle field. only wishful thinking. A party with In 1971, the war was confined The alacrity with which the Hindutva on its agenda has little chance of any showing at a place to Bangladesh. Islamabad did political class, including the National nothing to disturb the Kashmir Conference of Kashmir censured the where the population of Muslims is more than 95 percent. side although it would have meant CM showed that the damage control opening a second front to divert exercise was effective. The new Mufti can claim that he has India’s attention. In any case, the war government needs to be sensitive to won the support of the BJP despite between the two countries is now the embarrassing situation caused by his anti-BJP electoral plank. But ruled out because both are nuclear the CM’s comments and demonstrate in the process he has furrowed powers. better sense in the future. Admittedly, deep the differences between the the alliance is fragile and the two valley, predominantly populated However, by mentioning partners should ensure that no by the Muslims, and Jammu, separatists and elements from across the border, Mufti has tried extraneous issues detract from the having a substantially large Hindu to placate the valley where pro- positive impact on public opinion population. His desperation to form the government may have (Continued on Page 5) (Continued on Page 8) JANATA, March 8, 2015 3 Union Budget 2015-16

Vibhuti Patel

The Union Budget (2015-16) 2014-2015 (budget estimates) and economic burden of the family is has subsidized the corporate sector 15.06 percent revised estimates, shouldered by widows, separated, by providing the tax reductions and 2014-15 to 13.7 percent of the single and deserted women the sops. The wealth tax (replaced by a current budget outlay for 2015- survival struggle will be more 2 per cent surcharge) and the phased 2016. Financial allocation for painful and extremely arduous due reduction of corporate tax have made women’s needs gets reduced in the to symbolic increase in budgetary the richer sections of the economy current budget as the percentage allocation for Mahatma Gandhi jubilant. The burden of indirect of allocation for women and child National Rural Employment Scheme taxes is going to break the back development remains stagnant at in the context of galloping inflation. of poor women. Macroeconomic 0.01 percent of the total budget. The Finance Minister stated that he measures proposed in the budget This budget fails to translate gender will only allocate an additional Rs. are detrimental to the working commitments of the government 5000 Cr to the scheme if there is an class and marginalized sections of into budgetary commitments as increase in the revenue receipts of the economy. With respect to more the financial provisions for gender the government. allocation for social sector, paralysis concerns have reduced from 4.19 The women’s organizations have has been generated by neo-liberal percent of the estimated total been demanding universal social analysis. Instead of raising the direct budgetary expenditure in 2014- security coverage for all women taxes from rich sections to fund 2015 to 3.71 percent of the total workers. But there is no special focus the Railway budget, public-private expenditure in the current budget. on the needs of working women, partnership (PPP) model is promoted especially in the unorganized sector, to further the cause of corporatization Gender budgeting in this budget. Though the budget of transport and make the masses pay In the Union Budget 2015- has provided for a pension, old more for the transport services. The 16, there has been nearly 50% age pension and social safety net budget has demanded the diversion percent decrease in the allocation fund, the allocation for finances of pension funds and MP Local of the Ministry of Women and Child for these much needed schemes is area Development (MPLAD) funds Development over the revised budget highly insufficient. There is a virtual thereby absolving the government of 2014-15. Even if we add the Rs. phasing out of schemes like shelter from any direct responsibility to 1000 Cr for the Nirbhaya fund and homes for single women, one stop enhance financial support for regional Rs. 100 Cr for the Beti Bachao, crisis centres and there is only a development and pensioners. Beti Padhao fund to the ministry’s meager allocation of Rs. 30 Cr for Reduction in financial allocation for allocation, there is still a decrease hostels for working women. The Panchayati Raj, the Union Budget of more than 1/3rd allocation in the scheme for improving the working makes a mockery of democratic total amount allocated for women condition women and child labour decentralization in the absence of and child development. The Gender has also got a slight increase. financial decentralization, the local Budget has been drastically slashed self government bodies become by 20 per cent (less by Rs. 20,000 As far as the allocations for ineffective and the talk of 50 percent crore). Major chunk of gender women safety are concerned, the reserved seats for women in the rural budget is cornered by Reproductive budget increases the Nirbhaya Fund and urban local self government and Child Health (RCH) with an aim by Rs. 1000 Cr. But let us not forget bodies becomes an empty rhetoric of population stabilization and to that last two years’ budgets, 2013- of ‘empowerment of women’. meet the targets of ‘two-child norm’. 14 and 2014-15, allocations under Nirbhaya fund were not utilized The state is increasingly MGNREGS, a major safety net as the government has no concrete withdrawing from the social sector for poorest of the poor women has plan of action to create structures, in which the financial allocation received a major blow. For women channels and mechanisms to use has been reduced from 16.3 percent headed households where main this fund. 4 JANATA, March 8, 2015

Health and nutrition Education of girls higher agriculture productivity. Lot In the Economic Survey presented The disregard for girls’ education in the budget is being talked about along with the budget, criticizes the is also evident in this budget. The farmers, small farmers but nothing PDS systems and argues for the overall gender budget for school on women farmers. uniform application of the cash education has come down by 8.3 The allocation for infrastructure transfer scheme through JAM (Jan percent over last year’s revised sector Rs 70,000 crores, but it Dhan- Aadhar and Mobile network) estimate. The budget for Sarva doesn’t talk about the investment as a means of implementing food Shiksha Abhiyan has been reduced for reduction in the daily grind of subsidy. Experience shows that by 9.5 percent. The much touted Beti unpaid care work done by women this policy measure has failed to Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan gets in terms of cooking, cleaning, ensure proper nutrition for women only Rs. 100 Cr which is a mockery caring, collection of fuel, fodder, as it cannot ensure adequate food of this important slogan. water, looking after live-stock and for them. kitchen-gardening. It is high time The Rail Budget must give priority The allocations under the that budget recognizes, reduces and to increase the number of women’s ICDS and Midday Meal Schemes redistributes the women’s unpaid compartments and prevent men have come down by half, from care and non-care work. Women from encroaching in them, improve over Rs. 16,000 crores to Rs. pedestrians need footpaths, women lighting in all compartments, toilets 8,000 crores only in the Union vendors and entrepreneurs need and on railway platforms and outside Budget. The government made market places, women commuters railway stations, post policewomen an empty promise of increasing need affordable and safe transport, and have a special helpline for the allocations for ICDS by Rs. rest rooms and public toilets, elderly women commuters. Moreover, the 1500 Cr on condition of increase women in half way homes, but the ministry must give top priority to in revenue receipts. The gender union budget is not bothered about cleanliness, affordable and safe food, budget in the health sector has these crucial concerns of women. sufficient toilets, clean drinking been reduced by 17.9 percent over water and adequate health services Conclusion last year’s revised estimate. The on railway coaches and platforms. budget perceives women only as It is clear that the toiling poor, Most of the cases of kidnapping of reproductive beings, as a result majority of who are women, are the women and children take place at the overall health needs of women major casualty as the budget hardly railway stations. Hence, budget for and girls are neglected. There is offers anything in terms of ‘Women’s Help Desk” functioning nothing in the budget for elderly 24 X 7 must be created to cover all women. Protective Services- Sabla, major railway stations and junctions Swadhar-scheme for women in Budgetary allocation for housing throughout the country. Difficult Circumstances, Ujjawala and urban poverty alleviation has Comprehensive Scheme for Social security been reduced from Rs. 6,008 crores in Prevention of Trafficking, One the previous year to Rs. 5,634 crores India’s commitment to universal stop Crisis centre for women and in the current budget. Financial social security does not offer much children survivors of violence on a allocation for the Tribal Sub-Plan in reality. In spite of high maternal 24 x 7 x 365 mode, night shelters (TSP) has reduced to 5.5 per cent and child mortality rates in our for homeless women and children, as against mandated 8.2 per cent. country, there is nothing on universal short stay homes, welfare of working Thus, as compared to the previous maternity benefit. In spite of hundreds children year’s budget, the current budgetary of thousands of women involved in allocation for tribal development is subsistence production, neither Social Services-ICPS, JSY, GIA, short of Rs. 5000 crores. For SCs it is Economic Survey nor the budget Creche, CFNEUS, Kishori Shakti 8.34 per cent instead of the mandated recognizes women farmers. Budget Yojana, Nutrition Programme for 17 per cent (less by Rs. 12,000 crore. talks about the raised agriculture adolescent Girls No serious consideration is given credit target by Rs. 50, 000 crore to to urban habitat for 380 million Rs. 8.5 trillion for 2015-16 fiscal and Economic Services such as urban people living in subhuman also announced financial support to schemes for training and skill condition. enhance irrigation and soil health for (Continued on Page 5) JANATA, March 8, 2015 5 Budget and Vulnerable Sections

Bharat Dogra

One of the most important (Budget Estimate 2014-15) to Rs. are more progressive, impacting aspects of budgets of Union and 20535 crore (Revised Estimate) to the rich more and helping to reduce State governments is whether these Rs. 19979 crore (Budget Estimate inequalities. contribute to the betterment of 2015-16). weaker sections and vulnerable However the Union Budget groups in the country. Therefore At the same time the ability of doesn’t have any firm proposals budget analysts try to examine the state governments to make higher regarding this. Instead of increasing budgets from the point of view allocations has been increased as, on the share of direct taxes, the share of of their impacts on the poorest the basis of the recommendations of indirect taxes has been increased. people and weaker sections, farmers, the 14th Finance Commission, the Wealth tax has been abolished and workers, homeless people and slum share of the states in Central taxes steps to reduce corporate tax have dwellers, dalits, tribals, women and has been increased from 32 per cent been initiated. These trends will children. to 42 per cent. increase inequalities and it will be more difficult to raise resources to So the question is whether In the Union Budget for 2015-16 meet the priority need of vulnerable the steep fall in several social we see clearly that very big cuts have sections. programmes can be made up by been made in some priority social higher allocations in these areas by (Continued from Page 2) programmes and areas. state governments. that the new government has made. In this context, Mufti Sayeed would The ICDS budget has been cut To answer this question we’ll have do well to rein in the hotheads in his from Rs. 16000 crore to Rs. 8000 to take a close look at the budgets of party who suddenly raised a demand crore, the mid-day meal budget various state governments in the near and a controversy for the return of from Rs. 13000 cr. to Rs. 9000 cr. future. However as the cuts made the mortal remains of Afzal Guru, while the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the Union budget are quite steep sentenced to death for the December budget has been reduced from 28000 for some priority programmes, it 13,2001 attack on parliament. crore to Rs. 22000 crore. There are seems unlikely that loss in the Union reductions also in drinking water, budget will be fully made in the state (Continued from Page 4) health and family welfare. budgets in most states. development, and provision for credit, infrastructure, marketing The Union Budget could’ve made The outlay for Women and Child etc. which are critical to women’s more efforts to raise larger resources Development Ministry has been economic independence and reduced from Rs. 21193 crore in the so that the central allocation for autonomy. E.g. STEP Support for previous year to Rs. 10351 crore this social priority programmes could Training and Empowerment of Girls, year. The overall allocation under be maintained despite the higher working women’s hostel. gender budgeting has also gone share in the tax pool for states down significantly. recommended by the finance Regulatory services which commission. India’s tax-GDP ratio include institutional mechanisms The budget for the scheduled can certainly be increased from the for women’s empowerment, such caste sub-plan was reduced from Rs. existing level of 17 per cent. This is as State Commissions for Women, 50548 crore (Budget estimate 2014- much lower than the tax-GDP ratio women’s cells in Police Stations, 15) to Rs. 33638 crore (Revised of other BRICS and G-20 countries awareness generation programme estimate 2014-15) to Rs. 30850 (the tax-GDP ratio exceeds 30 per etc. which provide institutional crore (Budget estimate for 2015-16). cent in most of these countries). To spaces and opportunities for The budget for tribal sub-plan has increase tax collection more reliance women’s empowerment. E.g. Child- been reduced from Rs. 32386 crore should be on direct taxes as these line Services. 6 JANATA, March 8, 2015 Once you take away the land …

Sankara Narayanan

Those who vociferously support are harassing them for money to livelihood avenues were destroyed the Land Ordinance brought by the purchase cars and motor cycles. duly turning them economic refugees NDA government list the following These youth are sleeping all through in their own places. Nearly 40 million plus points among many others: (1) the day and spending their night people have been such victims since It will fetch better compensation hours in clubs. How long will this 1947. About 40 per cent of them are to the farmers. (2) Stalled rural sustain is the parents’ anxiety. Such tribals. Tribals and Dalits ruined by infrastructure like schools, hospitals, compensation which destroys them the modern India’s projects taking road-power-irrigation projects, etc. culturally, socially and economically out a peaceful Janadesh yatra from will get a boost (3) Industrial projects is no substitute for sustainable Bhopal to Delhi a few years ago to will provide employments to the livelihood-based rehabilitation. meet PM Manmohan Singh seeking rural people (4) Defence projects rehabilitation and resettlement tells will enhance nation’s security. The government now proposes the real misery. to give ‘good compensation’ equal The opposition parties are blamed to four to six times the market rate. Vast majority of farmers want to for sabotaging a well-intentioned This was hugely publicised by the quit farming as farming is hardly step by Modi Sarkar. Choice abuses UPA too. Actually what is provided economically viable. The crisis like anti-nationals are liberally for in the law is that for rural areas in agriculture has taken form of sprinkled at the critics. The trouble they will give two to four times of catastrophe in the last two and started only from the farmers across the market value and that too is half decades, forcing thousands the nation. Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, left to the States to decide. States of farmers to commit suicide year farm wing of the ruling party, is in are defining the market value as after year. Still if the farmers remain the forefront of this agitation. Anna decided by the guidelines set by the in farming there must be some Hazare and other political parties tehsildar, which is kept so low that reasons which are far stronger than joined the protest in due course. it is nowhere near the real market emotional. Apart from the farmers, tribals, value which is five to 10 times more. Dalits and fish workers also came to The Census 2011 data reveal Delhi in the middle of February in Section 87 in the 2013 Act that actually the share of cultivators large numbers to protest against the said that if an official violates any in total working population has bill. If Congress alone opposed this provision in the law for social gone down in the last decade by Bill, Modi’s job would have been impact or seeking consent or paying 6.8 percent. But the share of total made easier. It will be like a Rahul compensation and rehabilitation and workers engaged in agriculture has Gandhi campaigning against the BJP so on, then the affected person could come down only by 3.3 percent. in an election. file an FIR. Now the Ordinance Instead what has happened is the has changed that and it says for cultivators have become now Better Compensation? this the farmer will have to seek agriculture workers. The share of Compensation whether fair or the permission of the head of the agriculture workers in total working unfair is not everything. Once department or the State government. population has increased from 26.5 a hookah smoking zamindar, Over decades, people have been percent in 2001 to 30 percent in Chaudhary is now pulling a waiting for full-fledged livelihood- 2011. rickshaw in the streets of Delhi, after based rehabilitation which is neither exhausting the meagre compensation fully promised in the new Bill nor is Why are the people not coming received. His land is now decorated there in the 2013 Act of the UPA. out of agriculture? The answer is with multiplexes acquired in the simple because the other two sectors name of public purpose. In Haryana, Employment: a big hoax i.e. industry and service sectors are many a parents who received The record of the industry not able to absorb more people in hefty compensation for their lands providing employment to those spite of the growth in their share are a worried lot. Their wards displaced is shameful. Rather their in the total economy. The share of JANATA, March 8, 2015 7 agriculture and allied sectors in the he be allowed enter the hi-fi hospital for all projects are permanently GDP of the country has declined proposed to be built in his land? The kept under the promoters as per the from 23.2 percent in 1999-2000 to state is shamelessly acting as dalal Ordinance. What sort of justice is it? about 13.9 percent in 2013-14. At the for such private business ventures same time share of non-agriculture which have nil relevance to the Public Sector Undertakings sectors have grown to more than would-be victims. acquired lands much beyond 85 percent. Yet the non-agriculture their needs decades ago. Defence sectors provide employment to less Social Impact Assessment (SIA) establishments are notorious in this than 50 percent of the workforce. is the first pre-conditional phase aspect. This vast area of hundreds The best available estimate puts before any rehabilitation. It is an of thousands of hectares of land the share of employment in non- analysis of the impact of the project available right now with the state agriculture sectors at 51.2 percent on displaced peoples’ livelihoods, can easily be used for defence in 2011-12. The service sector, whether they would become jobless projects without any difficulty. But with 59.9 percent share in the GDP, with cash but no permanent source of governmentt wants only farmers’ provides employment to only 26.9 livelihood; whether their relationship land. Perhaps PSU’s surplus land is percent of the working population. with natural resources, the ecosystem reserved for projects like Lavasas! will be affected; whether their Additionally, whatever non- community integration, as in the The surplus unused land farm employment opportunity are case of tribals and even non-tribals available with Indian Railways available for most of the poor in rural India, will be shattered and can accommodate industrial illiterate, semi-literate or less they would be dispersed, as also, corridors for decades to come. Why educated workers are of low paid the effect on forests, fish and the can’t that land be detached from jobs, in unorganised and informal food security when agricultural railways? sectors, without any job security or lands are going to be taken away. workplace facilities, safety measures Under the Constitution, gram sabhas Of the 576 Special Economic Zone and social security. In order to get and panchayats have the right to (SEZ) projects approved, 392 were access to those jobs, people are planning and management of land, notified but only 170 are operational. forced to live in urban slums, in water, electrification, etc. Without While less than 48 percent of the small rooms, without basic amenities granting that primacy to the local existing SEZs are engaged in export like clean and safe drinking water, units, to take away hectares of land activity, only 3.8 per cent exports sanitation and health and education for mega projects is undemocratic. came from these zones in 2013-14. services. The maximum land acquisition Out of the 45,635.63 hectares of and maximum social impact will land notified for the development Obviously the poor farmers know be in irrigation projects; but those of SEZs, actual operations took that once their land is gone there is have been excluded from SIA and place in only 28,488.49 hectares hardly any employment opportunity consent. or 62 per cent of the land acquired. available for them in non-agriculture In a scathing comment, CAG says sectors and whatever employment is ‘’If consent of farmers and SIA “Acquisition of land from the public available is of extremely bad quality. clause are incorporated in respect by the government is proving to of a defence project, Pak will come be a major transfer of wealth from Infrastructural projects to know about the project. It will the rural populace to the corporate The government should explain jeopardise the national security,’’ world.” With 50 per cent land lying us how many state schools, hospitals, observes Arun Jaitley. It is just idle, many developers had put the power-rrigation-road projects are ridiculous. In which age is our FM land to other industrial uses or used it stalled for want of land. It is a clever living? Assuming this is true, why for building real estate hubs and even ploy to confuse the issue. Why are these clauses given a goodbye in mortgaged it to raise finances. Why should a farmer lose his land for a the case of other public and private not the Commerce Minister releases private school/hospital or private projects? If the project is not started this land for the infrastructure needs? power project which is created in five years, the land has to go purely for private revenue? Can back to the farmers as per 2013 Act. In a scathing indictment, the the farmer get admission for his Citing the possible delay in nuclear Supreme Court, while quashing the children in such posh schools? Will power plants, the lands acquired notifications for land acquisition in 8 JANATA, March 8, 2015

Greater Noida, observed thus in July (Continued from Page 5) to champion. Mufti has rightly 2011: “Do you think judges live in described the PDP-BJP coalition as Pakistani elements thrive. Similarly, historic. But if the coalition remains a fool’s paradise? Look at your own his demand for the return of Afzal only a method to share power, the (builders) brochure. It is saying Guru’s remains is aimed at placating long-term perspective will be lost. about swimming pool, spa, tennis the Muslims in the valley. Radicals court, badminton court, beauty among them are pushing even the That is: how the state once again pro-Islamabad line on the plea that parlour, Ayurvedic massage, etc. All becomes secular as was the case at Pakistan is essentially a Muslim the time of Sheikh Abdullah? The these are for poor people? Land is country. Hurriyat has disfigured its own image given for development which must Mufti’s own election campaign by going too close to the state’s be inclusive. The State is taking was not bereft of Islamic streak or Jammiat Islami. Unfortunately, the advantage of the law against the the identity politics. Over the years, Hurriyat is not yet realizing the poor. A sinister campaign is made the Kashmiris’ alienation from India mistakes and persisting in taking a by various State governments. The on the one hand and the feeling of stance which mixes religion with politics. Unless it corrects its course State is doing a totally anti-people helplessness of its population in it would not count much in the thing. The purpose of the land becoming an independent country on the other has left the field open reconciliation process between India acquisition was being defeated. The for the Islamic propagandists. The and Pakistan. poorest man in society should benefit liberals are depleting in strength, The visit of Indian foreign in the public interest but you [State] literally every day. secretary S. Jaishankar to Pakistan are responding in such a way that the The main reason is that the was one way of conveying that the poor are driven out. What farmers Kashmiris have not yet realized that cancellation of talks between the get are lathis and litigation. Men India would never accept another foreign secretaries was a reaction are arrested and women are raped. division in the name of religion since to the situation prevailing at that In the name of globalisation poor the Hindu majority Jammu would time, not a long-term policy. This like to either integrate with India or has become amply clear from the people are marginalised; why are become a union territory. But New talks that Jaishankar had with his terrorist activities increasing? Why Delhi would never allow yet another counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry so many people commit suicide? Muslim country on India’s border. at Islamabad. The two sides must They are pushed to the wall. [The] shed pride and prejudice and sit The Kashmiris’ demand for across the table to take up the long Land Acquisition Act has become independence is suspect since the neglected agenda: Jihad against an engine of oppression for the general perception is that it is another Poverty. There are, in fact, no other common man. You [State] have ploy to join Pakistan ultimately. The separatists’ proximity to Islamabad more pressing issues for the two virtually demolished every area for countries than ameliorating the the benefit of a particular society for has deepened the suspicion. India’s cancellation of a meeting between its living conditions of the people on which you work. There is greater foreign secretary and that of Pakistan both sides. danger to society. They take to may have been an overreaction. It is a pity that even after seven crime. Once you take away the land, Yet it was meant to convey that decades of independence both are you deprive the next five generation the nearer Islamabad goes to the bent on wasting the limited resources of farmers of their livelihood.” separatists, the farther it will be from at their disposal on buying weapons New Delhi. than spending them usefully on PM says, ‘’Planning Commission There was a time when Yasin welfare measures. Mufti should is a vintage organisation in the free Malik was acceptable. But his associate New Delhi with this cause market era’’. But in the market conduct—hostility instead of because he occupies such a position that where Modi would pay heed to economy regime, can the state act opposition—has wound up his lobby in India. He has not only hardened him. Emotional integration of people as a land broker to dig holes for the himself but definitely changed in Jammu and Kashmir is essential corporates to plant money yielding the complexion of India-Pakistan not only for development but also trees? friendship which he appeared for the secular ideology. JANATA, March 8, 2015 9 A question for Kejriwal

Kalpana Sharma

On February 11, a day after deputy speaker an adequate token In the final analysis, does any the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) towards gender balance? I think not. of this really matter? Is it not thundered into power in Delhi, more important to ensure that the early morning walkers noted The need to strive for gender people we elect — men or women something interesting. An elderly balance — still a very long way off — are not corrupt and are sincere man, dressed in kurta pajama, a in most institutions — is because in their commitment to ‘serve garland of marigolds around his it reminds us that one half of the people’, a promise that so neck, a Gandhi topi and muffler and humanity deserves representation. ready rolls off their tongues during holding a jhadoo was walking in the AAP could argue that it was so election campaigns? Yes, and No. park. He was beaming. Most who focused on winning as many seats Yes, because that is stating the saw him smiled, laughed, shook his as it could that it gave tickets to obvious. But No because if we are hand. This was in Mumbai, many people who would win rather than a representative democracy, then all miles from Delhi. ensuring that enough women got sections, including women, should tickets. If that is the argument, play a part in governance. If first The Delhi victory sent out waves then how can we assume that AAP time male MLAs, or even MPs, of optimism around the country represents ‘alternative politics’ as can become cabinet ministers, what even if this scenario will not be the wise men of the party continue stops women from being appointed replicated elsewhere, at least not in to proclaim? Is this not the excuse to such positions? If the attempt to the immediate future. Most people used by most mainstream political have a caste balance, for instance, accept that AAP should be given a parties to deny tickets to women? ensures that some men get cabinet fair chance this time to demonstrate posts, why not women? how different it is from other In this respect, AAP unfortunately parties. does not represent any kind of Actually, there are no excuses. alternative as this is virtually the The exclusion of women is not Yet, even as I grant that, I still always deliberate; it is unthinking. have a grouse. Thirteen months norm. Apart from Delhi, seven other states have no women in their It happens because those who ago, when AAP came to power for decide, usually men, fail to accept cabinets — Telangana, Puducherry, a brief period, I had asked why it that the inherent disadvantage Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, did not consider calling itself the that the majority of women face Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Aam Aurat Party, or even the Aam in entering politics needs to be Nagaland, Puducherry and Mizoram Insaan Party. The point I was trying compensated by some amount of further distinguish themselves by to make then was that aadmi might preferential treatment. mean every person but its use is not having a single woman member also a reflection of the automatic of the legislative assembly. In time, perhaps this kind of assumption that terms like ‘man’ preference will not be needed. In Not surprisingly, the three states or ‘aadmi’ automatically include many countries around the world, with women chief ministers — women. women are now making their way Rajasthan, West Bengal and Gujarat as equal partners and do not need a Perhaps this question is now — have a higher percentage of leg-up. But in many instances, the redundant. Yet, we must still ask women in the cabinet. The excuse initial space created did help. why women continue to be absent that there are not enough women to in AAP. Where are the women, choose from for the cabinet is also So to come back to Arvind Arvind Kejriwal? How is it that in not sustainable because even states Kejriwal and AAP in Delhi, I accept your cabinet, even if it is small, you with a higher percentage of women that the huge mandate they got is could not find place for even one MLAs do not necessarily have more woman? Is making a woman the women in the cabinet. (Continued on Page 15) 10 JANATA, March 8, 2015 Violence: A Human and Political Predicament A South Asia Women’s Concerence

Mrinal Gore Interactive Centre for Social Justice and Peace in South Asia Keshav Gore Smarak Trust, in collaboration with Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, had organized the conference in Mumbai on December 5-7, 2014. Following are edited excerpts from the report of the conference prepared by the organisers

Violence is outrage against the hate, mass hysteria by means of In order to create a peaceful autonomy of a person’s body and rhetoric, by using the concept environment, a person has to acquire mind. It’s an attempt to demean of righteous indignation. In this peace with oneself to arrive at a state his/her personality; an attempt to heightened state of mind groups of nonviolent mindset that would break his/her free will by using take upon themselves the task of unleash the forces and create new one’s might to put the person into punishment. Many a times it is a relations based on mutual respect constant state of tension, humiliation punishment for the ‹other›. Ethnic and dignity. and subjugation. violence, religious violence, takes In this Conference we discussed upon a primitive shape and as such a South Asian masculinity from Violence can occur in person to the punishment to the other male Buddhist, Islamic and Hindu person, inter personal relationships, members of any group is rape of the social constructions, the social within the family, in societal womenfolk, and ethnic cleansing. construction of a South Asian situations, group violence (either Right from the historical past, masculinity in its Buddhist, Islamic against a person or another group) wars in the past to our era of group and Hindu versions, especially and state violence against a specific violence and caste wars, the same though not only in a majoritarian group. So, essentially violence situation prevails. The honour of religious framework. denies the notion of natural human patriarchy is thus defined in terms of rights in terms of sanctity and women›s chastity and caste purity. Inaugural Session: integrity of a human person, as well Prof.Pushpa Bhave welcomed as constitutional right. The various levels of attacks on the gathering on behalf of the Mrinal women do not always spring from Gore Centre. She emphasised that The way in which women of lust but from the macho image and because of our colonial past and a South Asia have been subject to its mind set given to the menfolk by hegemonic western influence we systemic violence at various times have not had the time and patience in the process of the construction of tradition. The arrival of women in to develop our own perspective, so the South Asian nations is a reality the public space - their success and when in South Asia we look at our and history we need to confront and gaining the seats of power - gives own problems we do not have a collectively engage with, before we rise to jealously and insecurity. The reasoned explanation leaning on our are able to imagine and begin to live only answer to this state of mind experiential present. Many countries in a violence free society. takes form of character assassination of her in the public space or direct/ in South Asia have had this feeling of self-inadequacy but in recent past The most apparent form of and indirect attacks on her physical we have asked probing questions violence, though, is physical but is self. There is an exaggerated vision which in their turn have offered not limited to it. To mention a few: of women›s success and the assertion a fresh outlook and a significant it has psychological, structural, of women›s rights and aspirations critique of the complex happenings sociological, geopolitical dimensions that has given rise to patriarchal around us. and multiple manifestations. In any anxieties. The idea of chivalry is country, those seeking to vitiate the replaced by crude hostility in the While conceptualising this sociopolitical atmosphere, create present times. conference we had a feeling that JANATA, March 8, 2015 11 there are commonalities as well as Case”, has brought national as well as ways “patriarchy” and “class”. She differences between South Asian international attention on the subject pointed out that patriarchy and class ethos and we felt no matter what is of violence against women in India. marginalize women in terms of their the political context in a particular She further expressed that structural access to resources. She argued that country we must have people to and societal violence still continues the inequalities that emerge are people dialogue on fundamental in various forms. She expressed not static structures but those get issues. that political violence has been configured and reconfigured. built into our histories. She asserted Prof. Neela Dabir, welcomed that in the process of building the Ms. Guhathakurta mentioned that the delegates on behalf of the Tata nation state, women were treated as during times of conflict, housewives Institute of Social Sciences. She chattels. For example, she brought may become breadwinners and spoke about her experiences of to the attention of the audience that norms and values underlying gender working with women (victims of in the formation of Bangladesh as relations get restructured. Women domestic violence) and wished that a country, rape on a huge scale was and men are not merely passive the Centre will consider violence in carried out. Thus she reiterated recipients of tradition but they family especially against women as that women have always suffered are also active agents who can one of their focus areas. sexual violence in situations of choose to reaffirm these relations border dispute and armed conflict or to challenge them. When the Reflecting on the theme of the situations. element of violence dominates, it conference our keynote speaker affects formation of civil society, Nimalka Fernando from Sri Lanka, Dr. Sen added that India has a and individual psyches. She said expressed that we as people have history of ‘resource grab’. In the that in order to establish creative been struggling to build a South globalization era, people who lived mechanisms, the stakeholders ought Asian solidarity that transcends in areas where there were resources to be heard, whether it is majority or nationalities. She said that we have were displaced. Indigenous people minority. Finally, she challenged the fallen short of advocating for reforms have been dispossessed and now audience to find ways and means to and solutions rather our strategies live in inaccessible areas and their address the root causes of violence: were defined by the context of the rights are constantly violated. patriarchy and unequal distribution political situation. She also said that of resources. we needed to talk much more about She expressed that there is the victims of violence especially an imminent need to understand Milind Bokil expressed that women to highlight that the state these complexities while talking violence is part of human nature. is patriarchal. In this context she about violence practiced against Hence it cannot be resolved easily. urged the gathering that we had to women. For example, in the past few He said that violence is apparent in overcome our own shortcomings decades, AFSPA has violated the variety of ways in South Asia due and reimagine a South Asia. This privacy, body and space of women. to the deep rooted culture, social is because violence is embedded in Hence the dominant development structure, polity and economy. He the nation state. paradigm is perpetrates violence, said that people in the name of in a sense national security is at the religion have become violent in The response of movements and cost of women’s security. She ended the recent past and put forward few civil society should be rational and by urging the audience to include strategies to address it. independent of State response and it these dimensions in the construction should steer clear of the structured of violence against women. Some of the strategies he proposed internationalism. include encouraging inter-caste/ Meghna Guhathakurta from religious marriages, introducing Plenary 1: Philosophy of Violence Bangladesh, provided a conceptual gender security regime, etc. and the Aspirations for Peace overview of violence and peace Prof. Ilina Sen shared that the building. She pointed out that the Plenary 2: Narratives issue of violence against women is acts of violence are often described Women’s Experiences very visible in India. She pointed out as acts of irrationality but when we Saroja Sivachandran from Sri that in the recent past, the “Nirbhaya look deeper, it is structured in two Lanka, spoke about the war that 12 JANATA, March 8, 2015 took place between the State of Sri rehabilitations for the people in the Constitution. She talked about the Lanka and the LTTE that ended on post-war zone. Hindu nationalist project of creating 18th May, 2009. She said that during a role model of good mother-good the war period, people moved to Shanur Shaikh narrated her wife by giving examples from places like Kilinochini, Mulathive life incidence that questioned her “Promodini”. She challenged the and Bhavaniya in Northern Sri identity as a Muslim. She said that idea of Stree Shakti and the patterns Lanka. Women and children were on the day of the election result, of women›s entry into public space continuously displaced to different i.e on 31st May 2014, communal as it does not pose any challenge to places. They experienced violence, violence was triggered in her locality the patriarchal structures. harassment during the war period and where majority of the residents are later were witness to the massacres. Hindus. On the morning of the next Zeba Imam talked about minority She pointed out that war was not day, she saw vehicles of ordinary identity and the Constitution by fought according to the rules of people damaged by some of the reflecting on the recent incidents the UN Conventions. For example, Hindu political groups and she was and agitations that occurred in according to UN resolution 1325, confused whether to report to this Aligarh Muslim University women and children have to be incidence to the police. Though as regarding women›s access to the protected during the war and the Sri an advocate she felt that she should college library. She talked about Lankan Government failed to abide do her duty but was wary because how the entire discourse turned to the rules of the Convention. of her own minority identity. She into a protectionist agenda rather also witnessed violence in the than a matter of appropriate use of Saroja highlighted the statistics nearby bakery shop that was owned physical space. on missing, killed and abducted by a Muslim. Always working for people during war and post-war the betterment of the society with Sangita Thosar spoke about the period. She narrated an incident a secular mindset she posed the increasing incidence of violence in which common people of Tamil question of identity politics and among dalit women over the years. minorities were being killed both by need for its resolution. She threw light on the fact that LTTE and the State during a camp control of sexuality is a tool of transition process. She said that the Farida Khan said that she had caste patriarchy and dalit women State committed acts of violence never seen communal violence in face both public as well as private through its military against the her life before the Dhuliya incident. patriarchy where upper caste women people of its own country. She became conscious of her own are essentially subjected to private religious identity after the incident. patriarchy. In the post-war development, In October 2008, the Dhuliya the State sponsored welfare camps communal riots had created a scary The group members in the were also protected and monitored situation in her life. She was asked to workshop discussed the idea that by the military. She said that the leave the village. A Maratha woman, «identity» as a category should be camps didn’t accommodate families who gave her shelter, assured her treated with a broader view. They rather it had separate camps for that she will be safe. She found deliberated on the fact that it is not young girls, young boys, women even children were raising slogan just how we understand identity, but and children. She said that women against the Muslims. She questioned whose identity we are concerned and young girls were being raped Hindu-Muslim relationship during with is an important question. by the military personnel. She also those times and wished that there is highlighted that the military has communal amity. Workshop 2: Hierarchy and occupied the land of the people in Hegemony in Public and Private northern part of Sri Lanka and land Workshop 1: Violence within Space rights are violated. Women and their Stratification Sujata Chavan, argued that Swati Dyahadroy initiated the the violence on women is due She advocated for the removal discussion by talking about the to their subordinate status in the of military from the post-war zone practices of the state that give rise to society and the insensitivity of and wants other aid organizations fundamentalist agendas which in a the administrative system. She to provide social interventions and way contradicts the principles of the proposed three main perspectives JANATA, March 8, 2015 13 of understanding violence against young woman who was slapped by bear the brunt of conflict?”. Ms. women: 1) Individual – attributes an unknown man in public because Bhatnagar called for the need to fight violence to individual behavior. he found the way she dressed to be violence by raising consciousness of Interventions include individual offensive. Ms. Contractor pointed the ordinary people. counseling; 2) Sociopsychological out that in the public sphere; a – examines the social institutions woman’s primary marker of identity Saroja Sivachandran from Sri causing violence. Interventions are is her body which symbolizes the Lanka mentioned that Buddhism in providing shelter, healthcare, honour of her community. She is considered as the state religion counseling support to violated emphasized the need to focus on in Sri Lanka and other religious women; 3) Feminist – examines making men gender sensitive. groups are perceived as the minority the structures of power that cause community in Sri Lanka. She argued violence against women, especially Nandini Manjrekar pointed that religion played a dominant patriarchy. Interventions are to out the need to unpack the word role in the elections in Sri Lanka. improve the overall status of women ‘hegemony’. She said that Antonio She said, culture is deeply imposed in society, dismantling the power Gramsci defined hegemony as on women, and Hindu women structures not absolute power, but a are expected to dress “modestly” commonsensical understanding in saris. She said that the law She noted that the Domestic that this power is valid and ultimately gave men the advantage. Violence Act, 2005 enforced in justified, even ideal. What we She substantiated this argument October, 2006 is an important understand as ‘commonsense’ is a with the recent Domestic Violence measure provided by the state to construct, created through different Act 2005 in Sri Lanka. She said address violence in the personal mechanisms. that divorce rates have increased sphere. The Act has provisions and no system of social security is such as legal support, shelter and She stated that South Asia is ensured for women. She concluded counseling. Dr. Chavan highlighted a historical region, with cultural by saying that religion, culture, and that most of the women who face affiliation but politically divided. custom are deeply interlinked and violence are in the reproductive age South Asia has conflicts based on group of 18 to 35. She mentioned caste, ethnicity, military, etc. She women find it hard to escape from that the Act considers all forms mentioned that in 2002 riots the these. of violence including physical, Muslim women’s bodies became the Saloni Singh from Nepal said mental and emotional. She pointed sites of interreligious violence. She that only country which has never out that patriarchy operates in the concluded by noting that in times of courtroom and that it was critical to conflict, the community closes in on been colonized was Nepal. She said, work towards bringing about gender itself, resulting in more oppressive that country had internal conflicts, sensitivity among the members of conditions for women. insurgency, and has recently seen the legal system such as judges, democratic governance. She added police. Workshop 3: Religion, Culture that Nepal is more secular and there and Custom is a very harmonious relationship Nasreen Contractor mentioned Nirja Bhatnagar said that each with Muslims living in the country. that sexual violence is a manifestation word, namely “Religion”, “Culture” of people, communities, nations, and “Custom” are hegemonic and Saloni argued that culture in regions. She argued that even highly patriarchal. She further Nepal was transformed by women. though women have entered the argued that “State” is also equally Due to war, most women became workplace, there is discrimination. patriarchal in the South Asian bread earners, and they took Sexual violence is in the form of Context. She pointed out that India decisions. But when the issue of unwelcome sexual behavior that today is moving towards Hinduism representing in constituent assembly is intended to offend, humiliate as its state religion and Hindutva came, women were sidelined. She and intimidate persons in lower/ as its political ideology. She posed pointed out that there is an urgent weaker positions in the hierarchy. some questions such as “how can we need to look at role of gender in all She quoted the example of ‘Gauhar engage with a state that perpetrates levels and structures if we were to Khan controversy’. Gauhar was a violence”? and “why do women engage in peace building. 14 JANATA, March 8, 2015

Workshop 4: Globalisation, However, there are manifestations the feeling of disappointment with Corporate Profit and Violence of fractured modernity which have modernization. M.J. Vijayan spoke on the resulted in actions like attacks on dalits, religious and ethnic conflicts, She said the current reality physical aspect of violence and seems to be more worrisome. For how it supports corporate profit, i.e dowry murders, glorification of sati, acid attacks, killing of childless, many critics, nonwestern culture direct economic violence. He gave and practices are at risk of being many examples to show the linkage single, widowed, deserted or elderly women as witches, crimes in the overwhelmed by homogenizing between structural violence and ‘McDonaldization’. She said that physical violence. He argued that name of honour, moral policing, female genital mutilation, denial of there is a process of individualization violence operates on the platform of which inhibits class distinctions but class, caste and gender. He concluded education to girls, sexual violence on girls and women and apartheid inequalities by no means disappear. his arguments by pointing to the gap in housing. There is a shift from the system of between academic knowledge and standardized full employment to the knowledge produced at ground Prof. Patel pointed that the rise system of flexible and pluralized realities. of cultural nationalism and identity underemployment. She concluded politics has empowered Khap stating that globalization of Wandana Sonalkar agreed with Panchayats. Further the caste and industrial society will have political Vijayan’s remark that academia has community leaders conduct their systems that lose their function, failed to answer the questions of internal kangaroo courts to give corporate capitalism reigns supreme ground realities. She spoke of the savage and barbaric verdicts to all status, migration might transform functions of global capital and its those who deviate from antiquated the nature of symbolic exchange and influence on violence. She listed four ‘norms’. She explained that social life conditions of people throughout of them: 1) Militarization of capital; construction of ‘honour’, ‘prestige’, the world, these changes are not 2) Primitive accumulation based on and ‘identity’ has given the Khap necessarily at the expense of local Marxian theory; 3) Accumulation by Panchayats the authority for control culture. encroachment; 4) Encroachment in over sexuality, fertility and labour Global modernity does not break areas like household, care economy of women. and marketing of intimate source. with its colonial past but reconfigures it. The major challenge for the new She argued that media is restructured She compared the colonialism community is how to resolve the under the umbrella of corporate and post-colonialism scenario tension between economic growth, which has its own language that and pointed out that the situation mediates the views on violence is same as in the post-colonial uneven development and fractured against women. economies, governments attack modernity. the livelihood base of the poor Day 2:Plenary 1: Fractured Prof. Wandana Sonalkar countries by draconian forest laws, Modernity and Globalisation argued that modernity in South land grab, commercial crop for Asia on the one hand has choices Prof. Vibhuti Patel argued agro business and racist migration in consumerism and technology that ‘modernity’ as a paradigm policies. All these have resulted offered by global capitalism and is supposed to inculcate rational in hunger, misery, informal sector on other hand we see assertion of behaviour, scientific temper, respect work force, women as last colony religion in an aggressive way. for plural beliefs, tolerance towards and war mongering. multicultural lifestyles, ethos of She quoted a study from the liberal humanism by way of greater Prof. Patel accounted book “Fractured Modernity” by access to education and reforms neoliberalism as a global force Sanjay Joshi, which studied the in the social sphere, equality, which has utter disregard for people middleth class families in Lucknow liberty, democratic governance, and entire civilizations. She then in 20 century. The findings of the nondiscriminatory behaviour and compared post-modernism and study gave insights that though challenging the hierarchies based on conservatism and proposed that middle class families spoke about class, caste, race, ethnicity, religion right wing understanding has a static their democratic values and rights and gender. view of history and it cashes on to make one’s own life and not to JANATA, March 8, 2015 15 adhere to the social order of the the Independence of India, the a nation. She mentioned the study feudal elite, still those families nationalistic struggles have by Arvind Rajagopal, in which it showed assertion of traditions embraced some of the socialistic is shown that the Ramayana serial and wanted their women to be agenda’s such as: 1) Fight telecasted in television lead to submissive to the household. Thus against the neo-colonialism of Ramajama Bhumi Movement and middle class asserts equality of advanced countries. 2) Against the later demolition of Babri Masjid. opportunity against the feudal establishment of global economy. She said that Dr. Ambedkar’s classes at the same time they reassert role in framing the Constitution their religious identity and are anti- She called for a need to re- is a progressive step in the South dalit. imagine South Asia for which Asian region embedded with a it is important to look at: 1) A nationalistic fervour and values She pointed out that duality Common South Asian Vision. 2) of equality and also his way of of such processes always existed Re-evaluation of diversity of the introducing progressive Hindu and is even seen in the ethos of cultures. nationalistic movements. She Code. said, today we see resurgence of In the context of India, Dr. She spoke on the importance capitalism and consumerism of the Sonalkar mentioned that the rise of self-assertion of dalits, women worst kind embracing technology of right wing politics combined assertion in public, recognition of i.e. social networking sites. On with embracing capitalism is going their capabilities which is usually the other hand, asserting religious against the Right of Livelihood controlled by corporate forces. She identity in alarming way. of people. She said, if we think concluded stating that globalization of development in India or in any Then, Dr. Sonalkar dwelt on and global capital can lead to South Asian country for that matter, the Third World phenomenon - aggressive accumulation on one it should be sustainable development the concept of third world was hand, and dispossession on the with protected livelihood. conceptualized by the advanced other. capitalism. Now the concept is She included a comment on how no more valid, especially after the media plays a role in politics of (to be concluded) (Continued from Page 9) Statement about ownership and other particulars of JANATA a sign of people wanting change, FORM IV (see rule 8) and perhaps even a different type of politics. 1. Place of publication: Mumbai 2. Periodicity of its publication: Weekly Having said that, I still think 3. Printer’s name: G. G. Parikh if AAP really wants to pioneer Whether citizen of India: Yes an ‘alternative politics’ it cannot Address: 33-A, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Grant Road(W), overlook the importance of gender. Mumbai 400007 Making promises to deal with 4. Publisher’s : G. G. Parikh women’s safety, something that all Whether citizen of India: Yes parties do, does not address the issue. Address: As above The party needs to acknowledge 5. Editor’s name: G. G. Parikh that a gender perspective is needed Whether citizen of India Yes in all aspects of governance, that Address: As above inclusive politics means making an 6. Names and address of individuals who Janata Trust effort to include women in decision- own the newspaper and partners or D-15, Ganesh Prasad, shareholders holding more than Naushir Bharucha Marg, making, and that the perspective one percent of the total capital: Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400007 such an inclusion facilitates is I, K. G.G. Parikh, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best good in the long run for everybody, of my knowledge and belief. women and men. Mumbai (G.G. Parikh) March 8, 2015 Signature of Publisher - The Hindu R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, March 8, 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, March 8, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday March 11, 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 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 7 AAP: Same to same March 15, 2015 S. Viswam

Is AAP going Janata way? Time was when the central The AAP chief minister Arvind Kuldip Nayar leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Kejriwal, who also happens to be Party sought electoral support on the AAP chairman or president or the ground that the BJP was “a convener, whatever the title, has Capitalism is the real danger party with a difference” (from other proved to be the personality over Rajindar Sachar traditional parties). When the BJP whom a cult is being raised. The ranks sighted power, it proved to be “a also gave vent to the growing feeling party with differences” (just like that Kejriwal was being dictatorial in Why doesn’t the RSS other traditional parties).History is his outlook and actions and intolerant emulate the Mother? repeating itself. This time, the party in to criticism. Party workers started Sandeep Pandey focus is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) commenting openly that success had which seems to be going the way of gone to Arvind’s head and had made all flesh. It is caught in a crisis of him swollen headed! Proof is in the The myth of the Muslim confidence, of leadership, inner party pudding, it is said. The two founder- population bomb democracy and is behaving much leaders who identified themselves Qurban Ali like India’s other older traditional openly as Arvind’s critics were soon parties. The AAP’s troubles are its ousted from the political affairs own making. committee, and word was being South Asia Women’s spread that this was a prelude to their Conference on Violence Paradoxically, the party ought to be on a roll. It is less than a month ouster from the national executive that the AAP bulldozed its way itself. The two rebels were Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhusan. Both Ram Sundar Das through the elections for the Delhi Assembly and won 67 of the 70 seats appeared to have fallen from grace leaving just three for the BJP. Its for having suggested that Kejriwal Editor : other rival, Congress, did not even encourage inner-party democracy and decentralize his authority. Even G. G. Parikh open its account. AAP has formed the government and is riding high though the two offered to quit the Managing Editor : Guddi hoping to force the centre to grant political affairs committee voluntarily, statehood to Delhi. Yet, it is in the grip a formal resolution was moved in a D-15, Ganesh Prasad, of a depressing power struggle and specially convened meeting and voted Naushir Bharucha Marg, personality squabbles and dissension upon, thus heaping humiliation on Mumbai - 400 007. within its leadership and ranks. It is the two. On Tuesday March 10, the showing itself up as a house very leadership made known its strategy Email : [email protected] much divided even though it is of ridding the party of dissent and enjoying all the trappings of power. dissenters. A statement issued by four 2 JANATA, March 15, 2015

“senior” leaders justified the ouster Between the lines of Yogendra and Prashant on the ground that the two had tarnished Arvind’s image by levelling baseless Is AAP going Janata way? allegations against him and urging voters to teach a lesson to Arvind Kuldip Nayar by defeating the party and not make any donations to it. The two and When movements convert spokesman. Once where there is a themselves into political parties trial of strength even the executive Prashant’s father, Shanti Bhushan a they lose their original shape. The committee gave him a divided founder himself, were said to have ethos of collective leadership takes verdict, 11 to 8. indulged in anti-party activities to a backseat and the personal assertion bring about the party’s defeat in the comes to the fore. Power gets Every day new disclosures are polls. concentrated in one person. In real, coming in the open. One is that the leadership acquires the meaning Kejriwal had manoeuvred to oust The AAP was a rare phenomenon of one-man rule, which becomes from the AAP the critics of his style in Indian politics. It stood for a synonym for the party. of functioning. The second is that radical change in the system and it he is using his official position of advocated ethical values. It was truly It was expected that the Aam Delhi’s Chief Minister to bash his a party with a difference. Kejriwal’s Aadmi Party (AAP) would be critics. I hope that all this is not popularity rested on the fact that he different because it was a product true and the inner democracy that campaigned for reforms and gave of people’s aspirations. The well the party promised is intact. But the promise of integrity in politics. entrenched political parties like functioning is disconcerting. Indeed he pleaded for the conversion the Congress and the Bharatiya of Aam Aadmi Party ideals into a Janata Party (BJP) were run down The party’s inner Lokpal has progressive reformist movement. because they had become part of old also expressed his unhappiness Soon, the public welcomed the furniture. When people see the AAP over the manner in which the AAP emergence of the AAP as a blessing, going in the same direction they feel is functioning. He has expressed and this sentiment was reflected in betrayed because they thought that his helplessness. It is heartening to the party would introduce a new the voting for the Delhi Assembly. know that he is not accepting defeat way of thinking, a fresh approach to Kejriwal’s first and all-too-brief but suggesting to appoint an inquiry politics: transparent, clean and open. stint in power when he resigned as committee for a probe. Probably, chief minister of Delhi after just 49 Unfortunately, the one-man cult he should have threatened to quit days was put down to inexperience. has taken over the party. Granted, the job to jolt the party and make The electorate was ready to give Arvind Kejriwal was bound to it realize that the functioning of him another chance. A solemn duty occupy the central position because Kejriwal is far from healthy. devolves on Arvind Kejriwal to re- he was elected to lead the party The AAP is a child of a movement unite the party and convert it into which swept the polls in Delhi. which Anna Hazare initiated against an effective instrument for fulfilling Yet the ethos of Aam Aadmi Party corruption. Why has he not taken the promises made by him and his demanded that he would act as a leader of the equals. This is where up on himself the task to ensure associates to the electorate. The AAP that those who control the party act was seen as a radical instrument the fault lies. Kejriwal tends to concentrate power in himself. Not to complete the task of appointing of change and something like a Lokpal (Ombudsman) at the Centre fresh breeze of hope and promise. only that, he was seen behind the ousting the two co-founders of the to eliminate corruption in high Dissent has brought a bad name places. Instead, Anna Hazare has to the party and Kejriwal himself. party, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from the Parliamentary run away from his responsibility What is at stake is the future of Affairs Committee, the apex body and hidden his failure behind a a movement that campaigned for for the decision making. movement on a land bill. and stood for ethical politics and ethical leadership. If dissent is not That Kejriwal had a majority in Probably, Anna Hazare realizes tolerated, the party would cease to the party’s executive committee does that his word would not be respected. be democratic. not mean that he would be the sole This is precisely what the Gandhian JANATA, March 15, 2015 3

Jayaprakash Narayan felt. He had founded the Janata Party which Capitalism is the real danger had appointed Morarji Desai as the Prime Minister. The fact is that Rajindar Sachar Morarji did not listen to him should not have made JP withdraw from the field. He should have joined A deep somnolence, lack of of the yet-to-be-announced budget issue with Morarji, who was only a direction and absence of commitment were also leaked. creature of the J.P. movement. to the constitutionally directed philosophy of social justice seem This action is more awesome than I recall telling JP that the people to be enveloping the major existing mere spying. The Modi government voted at his behest and expected political parties, enhancing the is all praise for the corporate sector. him to intervene to make the Central danger of BJP policy of divisiveness It publicly professes that the government work according to and pro-capitalist policies spreading country can only progress through the movement ideals. He did not in the country. This is shown by the instrumentality of the private contradict me but explained that his lack of any response and consistent sector. If with all the favours from health did not allow him to go to the policy and programme from the the Modi government, the highest public again. This was another way leftist and secular parties. That may in the corporate sector are on a path of admitting that he did not want to explain the gushing congratulations to destroy the inner sanctity of the join issue with Morarji lest the Janata they have showered on the Aam corridors of the State, the BJP needs Party should get a bad name. Admi Party. No doubt, AAP is to scrutinise more closely its open entitled to all praise over its massive alliance with the corporate sector. This was JP’s rationalization. win in Delhi. But for political parties He knew Morarji would not listen and individuals to so believe and It is still more worrisome when to him. I thought I would approach act that AAP can be an instrument it is known that another complaint Morarji. When I told him that JP of change in political and social against the same corporate company would have come to Delhi but his life of the country is like wanting is pending inquiry, notwithstanding health did not allow him to do so. I to see a rainbow in the sky during the complaint by the Enforcement thought I had given a sufficient hint. the afternoon blazing sun. I say this Directorate made in 2013 to the RBI Morarji understood what I wanted because AAP believes in private about the legality of a loan of over to convey. He said in anger that economy being the solution to the Rs 6,000 crore given to the dummy JP was mistaken that he would go country’s ills and poverty. It so of this very corporate giant. And to meet him. “I did not go even to specifically said in its manifesto that still ironically the Finance Minister meet Gandhi. JP is not above him”, the “government should not be in has announced that it plans to do said Morarji. It is not surprising the business of running business”. disinvestment to the extent of Rs that the Janata Party cracked up and “AAP is not against capitalism as 45,000 crore in the financial year practically died. such but only crony capitalism” 2016 by selling part of the family — this is a wrong thinking. By just jewels like ONGC and even the State Anna Hazare can end the emphasising crony capitalism as the Bank of India to these very private obsession of Kejriwal to kill dissent. evil, AAP ignores the unsuitability companies. It has also announced The fact that he sits on dharna with of capitalism for the development of that its tax policies will be corporate Anna Hazare on a Land bill should our country. The evil of capitalism friendly. not hide the fact that Kejriwal itself is the real danger. wants to oust the critics from the The government has unashamedly party. Yogendra Yadav and Prashant The urgency and danger of an announced that it will not appeal Bhushan are among the founders of open onslaught by big business on against the Bombay High Court AAP. Kejriwal has seen to it that the sanctum of Indian State has judgment or amend the law they are out of the decision making exploded in our face as is clear retrospectively to nullify the effect bodies. He does not realize that they from the corporate sector spying in of the Vodafone judgment, which have a large following of their own. the highest, innermost offices of the many eminent jurists say requires He should not emulate the example Union of India — in the Oil, Coal, reconsideration as the Solicitor Power Ministries and in security- General’s advice to file an appeal (Continued on Page 9) related nuclear arsenal. Secret papers has been ignored. This shows the 4 JANATA, March 15, 2015 close link with the corporate lobby. The loss from the change of law Ram Sundar Das will continue to deprive the Union Government of tax receipts from Former Bihar Chief Minister and General Assembly Seat of Sonpur, future transactions also, and will be veteran socialist Ram Sundar Das Saran, Bihar in 1977-80. During a big drain on our economy. breathed his last on March 6, 2015 1977-79, he was Chairman, in Patna at the age of 95 years. He Committee for the Welfare of SC & Recently the Union Government was a senior leader of Janata Dal(U). ST, Bihar Legislative Assembly. He slyly issued ordinances, especially Ram Sundar Das was admitted to the was Chief Minister of Bihar from the land ordinance, to almost Patna Medical College and Hospital April 1979 to February 1980 and pulverise provisions of the new on March 4 due to age-related served Bihar Legislative Assembly Land Acquisition Act. The Supreme problems. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish again in 1990-91. He was elected Court had said that in spite of the Kumar immediately rushed to Ram to tenth Lok Sabha in 1991 as a ordinance the acquisition would Sundar Das’ home at Kankarbagh Janata Dal nominee and again lapse if compensation was not paid in Patna after learning about his in 2014 when he defeated Ram within the stipulated time as the death. Nitish Kumar announced Vilas Paswan, but in 2014, in the ordinance did not have any specific state funeral for the former Chief parliamentary polls held in 2014 retrospective effect. But as the Minister. Ram Sunder Das will be year, he lost to latter. government is committed to bring in remembered as a true socialist who the amendments, it has no blushes to fought for the betterment of dalits, Ram Sunder Das also held position give an assurance to big business that backwards, minorities, women and as Secretary, Praja Socialist Party, it will change the law retrospectively downtrodden sections of the society. Bihar; Member, National Executive to help them rather than farmers. Council, Praja Socialist Party; This apprehension of landholders Ram Sundar, son of Shri Teni Member, Executive Council and arises from the Modi government’s Das, was born on 09 January 1921 at Parliamentary Board, Janata Party; plan to expedite its scheme for Gangajal village of Sonpur in Saran Member, Executive Committee and the Delhi-Mumbai corridor which District of Bihar. He was educated Political Affairs Committee, Janata will result in the displacement of thousands of farmers and residents. at S.P.S school of Sonpur, in Saran, Dal. In 2008, he was Member, This is one of the cruelest ventures Bihar and Vidyasagar College, Committee on Installation of by the corporate-sector friendly Calcutta. He remained Matriculate Portraits/Statues of National Leaders Modi government and is already only since he left the College to and Parliamentarians in Parliament being opposed by some parties and join the Freedom Movement. Ram House Complex. He was re-elected human rights organisations. Sundar Das played an active role in to 15th Lok Sabha (2nd term) in the 1942 Quit India Movement 2009. He was Leader, Janata Dal There is another urgent matter (United) Parliamentary Party, Lok calling for attention. The poor in He was married on 6th September, Sabha, 2009-2014. Delhi have the right to free treatment 1956 to Smt. Savita Devi and had in private hospitals which were two sons and one daughter. He He had helped found (i) Harijan allotted land at concessional rates was associated with Congress Gandhi Gramin School; (ii) Railway but only on paper despite the fact Socialist Party. Ram Sundar Das was College Sonepur (Saran) Bihar; (iii) that 40 per cent of the beds remain Secretary, Congress Socialist Party, Mahila Maha Vidhyalya Sonepur, vacant. Sonpur, 1945-48; Member, District Saran; (iv) Ram Sunder Das High Executive Council, Praja Socialist School, Kharika, Saran; and (v) Another scandal continuing from Party, 1952-68; Member, Provincial Two colleges in Dighwara, P.O. the U.P.A. government since 2005 Executive Council, Praja Socialist Dighwara, Saran, Bihar. Ram is of Special Economic Zones - 50 Party, Bihar, 1956-67. Sundar Das was also President, per cent of the allotted land remains Bihar Banihar Sangh; Member, Hind unused. The Parliamentary Standing He was elected to Bihar Mazdoor Sabha, Bihar; Member, Committee in 2007 estimated a Legislative Council, 1968-77 and Board of Directors, Bihar; Small revenue loss of Rs. 1.75 lakh crore Bihar Legislative Assembly from Scale Industries Association. (Continued on Page 9) –Qurban Ali JANATA, March 15, 2015 5 Why doesn’t the RSS emulate the Mother?

Sandeep Pandey

People associated with RSS RSS chief has now criticized Mother nobody cared for them. Mother gave and Hindutva ideology feel that Teresa for not being a social worker them a home and a life of dignity. with Narendra Modi’s government but having done what she did with They were able to fulfil the basic coming to power now they can the objective of bringing people to requirements of their human body openly talk about things which the folds of Christianity. and soul necessary to keep one alive they could not do earlier. A number with dignity. of these things are controversial. Mother Teresa cared for all those On the other hand some religious people on the street who were If Hindutva organisations are institutions of minorities have been uncared for because there was so much concerned about people attacked. The aggressors have simply nobody to take care of them. getting converted to Christianity become bold. The situation is so Most of us try to ignore if not despise because the Christian missionaries serious that Barack Obama, who any destitute who we see on street. are helping them, why don’t the was proclaimed as a personal friend Hindutva organisations do the same by Narendra Modi, gave a lesson Mother Teresa had dedicated thing? If they are really concerned in religious tolerance to Indians. her life to the destitutes who were about people leaving the folds First, during his speech in New abandoned by the society. She was a of Hinduism they should serve Delhi and then again upon returning very brave person. We’re not talking these people in a manner such that to Washington D.C. He said if of the bravery required to attack they don’t feel the need to leave Mahatama Gandhi were to be alive somebody. In fact, that is madness. Hinduism. But quite clearly they today he would have been shocked It requires great courage to speak to are not able to do so and hence raise to see the current state of religious a downtrodden person giving her full hullabaloo. How many people does intolerance in the country. India is respect as a human being. Ordinary that RSS have of Mother Teresa’s known as a country which provides people would not know how to talk calibre, who came very close to protection to religious minorities to her, leave aside know how to being pronounced as a saint? persecuted in other parts of the help her. Mother Teresa embraced world. For a country known for its such people who most ordinary The kind of work Mother Teresa diversity it is a matter of shame that people would not be able to stand did requires very deep commitment. somebody from outside should come for more than a couple of minutes. Baba Amte had the same kind of and teach it about religious tolerance Such bravery was also displayed by commitment. But RSS is more and inclusivity. Baba Amte. Baba, a medal winning interested in politics rather than wrestler, ran away from a maggot service even though they call It is unclear whether Narendra infested leprosy patient. But later themselves a social and cultural Modi approves of the controversial he felt ashamed for his act and went organisation. statements emanating from the back to pick up the patient and Sangh Parivar, but it is certainly started serving him along with his Secondly RSS cannot serve these going to adversely impact his efforts wife. Today the entire Amte family, people giving them full dignity to seek FDI when India’s image is even after Baba gone, is engaged in because most of the down trodden sullied abroad. When Modi said that service of diseased and dispossessed. would belong to dalit castes, at the there should be no violence in the very end of the caste hierarchy. name of religion, which it took him If it is true that some people who A factor responsible for poverty 13 years to say, it appeared that there were served by the Mother Teresa’s not going away from India is its would be some lull. organisation Missionaries of Charity caste system. How will the society became Christians why should which considers certain sections But it looks like Modi has no there be so much ruckus about it? untouchable be ready to serve influence over RSS bigmouths. The When they were lying on street (Continued on Page 9) 6 JANATA, March 15, 2015 The myth of the Muslim population bomb

Qurban Ali

If the Hindutva brigade is to then make a law. And take action carry out another vicious propaganda be believed, India will become a against those who have more than campaign and create trouble for the Muslim majority country by 2035. that.” government. In spite of this, the Qamar Waheed Naqvi sifts through report was leaked. Recently, the available data to set the record Shankaracharya Vasudevanand leaked report has been published straight. Saraswati of Badrinath’s again. Badrikashram went a step ahead Will Muslims outnumber Hindus and appealed to Hindu women to According to this leaked report, by 2035 and become the majority bear 10 children to ensure that the the Muslim population has increased in India? Several search results community keeps growing and does from 13.4 percent to 14.2 percent. For on Google warn how the Muslim not become endangered. the first time, the Hindu population population in the country will has gone below 80 percent. expand to 92.5 crore, while Hindus Several questions arise here. Are In 1961, Muslims were 10.7 will shrink to 90.2 crore by 2035. By Muslims intentionally increasing percent and Hindus 83.4 percent. 2040, Hindu festivals will no longer their number so that they become In 2001, the Muslim population be celebrated. There will be large- the majority in India one day? Do rose to 13.4 percent and the Hindu scale conversions and genocide Muslims really keep four wives? population decreased to 80.5 percent. of non-Muslims, and by 2050, the Do Muslim women actually give The leaked report suggests that if the Muslim population will increase to birth to 10 children? Is polygamy the Muslim population has gone up, the 189 crore and India will become a major reason behind their growing number of Hindus must certainly Muslim country. numbers? Do Muslims never adopt have gone below 80 percent. family planning and consider it For many years, the Sangh against their religion? Will Muslims On the surface, the figures appear Parivar has been carrying out this outnumber Hindus in the future? threatening and the Hindutva brigade propaganda through pamphlets, And will India ever become a is using it to stir fear among the social media posts and blogs. In Muslim country? Hindus, inciting hatred against October 2013, at a meeting of the Muslims. national working committee of the Interestingly, this propaganda RSS held in Kochi, joint general machine does not afflict just India. But this is only half the truth. secretary Dattatreya Hosabale made The fear has gripped certain sections There is another side to the story, an appeal to Hindus to give birth in Europe, too. They claim that the too. There has been a notable decline to at least three children. Recently, way Muslims are growing in number in the decadal population growth BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj and VHP across the world, Europe will turn of Muslims. In 1991-2001, the leader Sadhvi Prachi reiterated into ‘Eurabia’ some day. Let us Muslim population increased by it by appealing to Hindu women analyse the veracity of these claims. 29 percent, whereas in 2001-11, to produce four children. At a the increase was only 24 percent, function to mark the 50th foundation The government’s report on though it is still much higher than the ceremony of the VHP in Bareilly, its Census 2011 is going to be released average national decadal population leader Praveen Togadia reportedly soon. The report was prepared a growth of 18 percent. But if the said, “Why all this fuss over the year ago but the UPA government Muslim population growth is closely matter of producing four children? withheld its release in the wake analysed, one will find that the trend When Muslims produce children, no of the 2014 General Election. The of having small families is on the one says a word. Muslims keep four Congress-led government feared that rise. Spread of education among wives and produce 10 children. If the statistics in the report might give Muslims will subsequently slow you talk about having two children, Hindutva forces an opportunity to down the population rise. JANATA, March 15, 2015 7

Myth 1 Here, two things are clear. One, couple produces two children, the the total fertility rate of Muslim population will remain stable. But Muslim women produce 10 children women has constantly declined since as per the natural birth rate, The data collected by the National between 1991 and 2006. In fact, the number of girls is less than boys, Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a the decrease in the TFR of Muslim the fertility rate for the replacement blow to the propaganda spread by women between the second and third level is taken at 2.1. That is, as the Hindutva brigade. The three NFHS was not much behind that of long as the fertility rate is 2.1, the surveys were conducted in 1991-92, Hindu women. population will remain stable. If 1998-99 and 2005-06. We can easily the fertility rate is below 2.1, the In 1998-99, 1,000 Hindu women view the change in fertility rate and population starts decreasing. gave birth to 278 children and in major trends of family planning and 2005-06 they bore 259 children; i.e., Anyway, the figures clearly show use of contraception during the past 19 children less. For 1,000 Muslim that with rising levels of education, 15 years. women, the difference was exactly the fertility rate dips. the same with 359 children in 1998- In 1991-92, the total fertility rate The Sachar Committee report 99 and 340 in 2005-06. or TFR (the number of children sheds light on the state of illiteracy a woman produces in her child- and poverty among Muslims. If Secondly, Muslim women can bearing age) of Hindu women was attention is paid on improving produce only one child more against 3.3, while it was 4.41 for Muslim the condition of Muslims, it will their Hindu counterparts, though the women. In 1998-99, it came down certainly lead to a decline in the average comes to even less than one to 2.78 for Hindus and 3.59 for fertility rate. (0.81). Muslims. In 2005-06, the TFR of Hindu women was recorded at It turns out that the myth of Myth 2 2.59, while for Muslim women it Muslim women producing 10 was 3.4. Clearly, there has been a children is utterly baseless. The fact Muslims are against family steady decrease in the fertility rate is that Muslim women produce less planning of Muslim women during the past than four and even 3.5 children on The figures revealed by NFHS 15 years. an average. Their fertility rate was have busted completely this myth 3.4 in 2005-06. And looking at the that Muslim families do not adopt Let us simplify the figures to trend, it must have slid further now. understand it better. Suppose there family planning; that they are against it, calling it un-Islamic. are two samples: 1,000 Hindu However, it is true that the fertility women and 1,000 Muslim women. rate of Muslim women is still higher The data collected in the NFHS According to the data above, if one than the Hindu women. Why is it reveal that Muslim women are Hindu woman produced 3.3 children so? The figures of NFHS have the readily acquiring modern methods in 1991-92, 1,000 Hindu women answer. The data clearly backs the of contraception such as condom, would have produced 330 children. fact that the fertility rate is high IUD, pill, sterilisation, etc. In fact, Similarly, 1,000 Muslim women among the poor and uneducated there has been a rise in the incidence would have produced 441 children, section. It comes down as we go of such usage. that is, 111 babies more than the higher up in terms of economic Hindus. In 1998-99, 1,000 Hindu prosperity and education level. There is a rising awareness among women gave birth to 278 children, Muslim women about contraception while the number of Muslim children If we look closely, we notice though they still lag behind Hindu was 359, i.e., only 81 more than that with increase in education, the women in terms of family planning. Hindu children. The decrease is quite fertility rate witnessed a steep fall and However, while the use of modern apparent. And finally, in 2005-06, went below the replacement level of contraceptive methods among Hindu 1,000 Hindu women gave birth to 2.1. Let us define replacement level women increased from 37.7 percent 259 kids, while the same number of here. If a couple has two children, in NFHS-1 to 44.3 percent in NFHS- Muslim women bore 340 children. their children will replace them 2, going up by 6.6 percentage points, The difference again comes to 81. after their death. That is, if each among Muslim women this figure 8 JANATA, March 15, 2015 went up from 22 percent in NFHS- rate in 49 countries and territories The economic condition is 1 to 30.2 percent in NFHS-2, an with a Muslim majority was 4.3 in possibly a factor behind it, too. For increase of 8.2 percentage points. 1990-95, which is expected to drop poor families, more members mean to 2.9 in 2010-15 and further to 2.6 more earning hands. As such, if Similarly, the increase in the use of in 2020-25 and 2.3 in 2025-30, i.e., population is to be controlled, there contraception among Hindu women a little over the replacement level is a need to improve the economic was 5.9 percentage points between of 2.1. It means that if the fertility condition of poor people. NFHS-2 and NFHS-3, while it was rate follows this pattern, not only 6.2 percentage points for Muslim will the Muslim population become women, 0.3 percentage points more Myth 3 stable after 2040, it will, in fact, than the Hindu women. According begin to decline. Polygamy is leading to a spike in to NFHS-3, 21.3 percent Muslim Muslim population women and 39.9 percent Hindu According to a policy review According to recent figures, women underwent sterilisation. In by prominent demography experts case of family planning, the same the sex ratio among Muslims is Nicholas Eberstadt and Apoorva 936:1,000; i.e., for every 1000 males, holds true. The more prosperous Shah (Fertility Decline in the and educated a family is, the more there are 936 females. It means 64 Muslim World: A Veritable Sea- are its chances of practising family Muslim males in every 1,000 will Change, Still Curiously Unnoticed, planning. remain unmarried. Now, if some 2011), the past three decades have Muslim men practise polygamy, witnessed a decline of 41 percent in According to NFHS-3, only 34.6 it would decrease the number of the fertility rate in these 49 Muslim percent women in the poor sections women further and as many more majority countries, while the average were adopting modern means of men would have to stay single contraception. Among the middle drop in the global fertility rate was because the number of women is class, the number is much higher recorded at 33 percent. Around 22 less. Muslim majority countries recorded at 49.8 percent, and in the higher Polygamy can lead to an increase classes, it was 58 percent. a decline of 50 percent or more in their fertility rate. Of these, 10 in population only if women outnumber men. Let us understand Hence, the myth that Muslims countries recorded it at 60 percent, it with an example. Suppose 100 do not practise family planning while in two countries — Iran and out of every 1,000 Muslim men turns out to be baseless, too. Until Maldives — it was more than 70 percent. wish to take a second wife. In that a few years ago, it might have been case, 1,100 women are needed. But true. But during the past 30 years, the number of women is only 936, the view regarding family planning Clearly, Muslim countries have not only realized the need which means only 836 men will be among Muslims across the world able to marry, while the rest 164 will has changed. for population control and family planning but are, in fact, running remain single. Hence, this belief that the practice of polygamy among The fact is that the fertility rate a comprehensive campaign in this Muslims is causing their population has dropped heavily in several regard. However, it is true that to rise is false. It would be possible Muslim countries. Bangladesh and certain Muslim countries and a few only if the sex ratio were skewed Iran have set a wonderful example ignorant Muslims do claim that in favour of women, which is not in this regard. In Iran, the fertility children are a blessing from god the case. rate has gone down from eight to two and if god allows them to be born, and it is believed that if it continues he alone will sustain them. Secondly, if the number of women this way, the population will begin is 936 and the fertility rate is 3.4, the to decline. But all population-related studies number of children born will remain across the world, including India, 936×3.4. It means polygamy may According to a study carried out have drawn one conclusion — increase the number of members by PEW Research Center in 2011 the fertility rate is quite low in within a family, but it will not affect titled The Future of the Global prosperous countries and among the overall population since the Muslim Population, the fertility prosperous sections of society. number of women and the fertility JANATA, March 15, 2015 9 rate are constant. Another point that (Continued from Page 4) in India was 380 times that of the is often ignored is the fact that the bottom 10 per cent. The net worth life expectancy is nearly three years due to the tax holiday granted could support consumption for 23 more for Muslims as compared to between 2005 and 2010. The SEZs years for the top bracket and less Hindus. In 2005-06, the average age were touted to lead to an export than three months for the bottom of Hindus was 65 years, while it was boom and earn foreign exchange. one. The report said that the total 68 years for Muslims. In layman’s The reality is that less than 48 billionaire wealth represented about terms, a Muslim lives three years per cent of the existing SEZs are 10 per cent of India’s GDP in longer than a Hindu on an average. engaged in export activity - but 2012. Can this vulgar inequality only 3.8 per cent of exports came be allowed to continue? If Modi’s In addition to this, the mortality from these zones in 2013-14. How economic pattern is allowed to rate of Hindu children under five deceitful can you get? continue, it would become worse. years of age is 76, while it is 70 for Only socialist-oriented policies can Muslim children. Statistics suggest Any party that seeks to speak for checkmate it. Will the so-called that the child mortality rate among the poor should be ashamed at the secular, progressive parties make a Muslims has remained consistently gross deprivation and inequality joint front along with trade unions lower than among Hindus. These persisting in our country. According and farmers to meet this challenge from the combined onslaught of factors also contribute in boosting to the 59th round of the NSSO report partnership of global and Indian the Muslim population. estimates, the average net worth of the top 10 per cent of the population corporate giants? Population rise is an issue of (Continued from Page 5) prevented from leaving the folds serious concern. But the solution of Hinduism, we can imagine the is not what the RSS, Togadia or them? The RSS may fulfil their material needs, may get them indignity that an ordinary dalit must the Sangh Parivar have to offer. feel as a result of caste system. Even medical treatment, may feed them, The solution is that the government today inhuman work like getting etc. but will never treat them with creates awareness and takes into a sewer to clean it or manual respect and give them an equal development to each and every scavenging is done by only dalits. doorstep as soon as possible, status. For example, people sitting provides education facilities and outside the temples are fed like It would have been better if RSS runs a comprehensive campaign of beggers, whereas the same people and affiliates learned from Mother family planning programmes. The if they go to a gurudwara would be Teresa rather than try to belittle her. government needs to make people allowed to enter the premises and understand the gravity of the issue. fed properly with full respect. People Things will change. After all, didn’t at the bottom rung of Hindu caste the polio campaign succeed, too? hierarchy experience discriminatory behaviour against themselves and (Continued from Page 3) hence whenever they get a chance of Morarji Desai who destroyed the they would like to leave it. Janata Party, which had nominated him the Prime Minister, but did not Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one such accommodate others. person. He declared that even though he was born a Hindu he would not It looks as if the AAP is going the die as a Hindu and he converted to way of Janata Party. It is a pity that Buddhism along with a number of the supporters of Kerjriwal, instead his followers. Nobody can forcibly of correcting his authoritarian change somebody’s religion. And Price: Rs. 20/- methods, are going for the critics. every person has a right to choose a Janata Trust Kejriwal should know that if the religion which she thinks appropriate. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir experiment of AAP fails, it would Our Constitution gives our citizens Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), take years for the alternative to the this right. When a respectable figure Mumbai 400 007. Congress and the BJP to build.. like Dr. Ambedkar could not be 10 JANATA, March 15, 2015 South Asia Women’s Conference on Violence – II

Plenary 2: South Asian Prof. Ganesh pointed out that She believes that change should Masculinities in the recent past, a phenomenon come from one’s self first. Ms. Prof. Kamla Ganesh started called new masculinities is observed. Francis opined that upper caste by saying that in a Conference on New masculinities emerge from women rarely partake in struggles Violence and Peace and in a session men’s organisations fighting cases and social action. She urged women on masculinities we cannot avoid the related to violence against men. from every aspect of life to fight old discussion about the correlation By not including women in debate against exploitation. between masculinity and violence and discussion, the organisations, namely interest groups act as counter Rohini Raman shared a and whether it is innate or learnt comparative study on honour crime behaviour. She gave an insightful to the feminist movement. She ended by saying that there is a need in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. introduction to the hitherto least The study showed the extent of explored area that is culture and for a platform where both men and women can discuss the issues similarity of the crimes across South Asian masculinities. She borders and irrespective of one’s revisited the field work done by and develop a pan South Asian perspective on masculinity. religion and culture, violence against Margaret Mead in 1930 for her women is perpetrated in the name of seminal work Sex and Temperament Sheema Kermani from Pakistan honour. She even pointed out that in Three Primitive Societies. Prof. used multiple mediums like songs, during the presentation of the report Ganesh pointed out that the study poetry and video commentary to by the UN Special Rapporteur on done by Mead reiterates that culture put forth her view on violence and Women; the Indian Government was dictates the way sex and gender are masculinity in the South Asian in denial about the honour killing seen in different societies. She then society. She began with an analysis practices in India. dwelt on Prof. Leela Dube’s work that society uses tradition, culture She expressed that the society related to socialization of girls in and religion to tame women and should allow women to choose the Indian society and examined the control their sexual and other forms partners they want to marry and contested idea that sex roles are of life. She read the poem “They material gifts in the form of dowry natural. said I should not sing and dance…” and social sanctions cannot be the to bring to light the struggles of girls She urged the audience to come compensation package. over the bipolar category of male and and women in our patriarchal society. female and look at sexual variations Through the video commentary Taran Khan spoke about the as a continuum. She referred to titled Imprisoned Princess, she connection of violence with mental the efforts made by the LGBT pointed out that aggression, war health in the society of Afghanistan. movement of late. She pointed out and militarization are aggressive Through the case narrative of that in South Asia; masculinity is masculine tendencies to dispossess Husnaan Afgani, she brought to light manifested through patrilineal and and humiliate women. She the near hopeless situation of women patriarchal arrangements. The nexus highlighted the cry of women who in Taliban occupied Afghanistan. between religion, culture and polity grieve on disappearance of young Husna lost her father at a young age disembowels people to understand men in Pakistan as result of war. She and was married to Ajaz, a Talibani masculinity. A distorted image of lifted the spirits of the participants by Mulla who treated the young girl as masculinity relating to size of penis, saying that women will not budge to a machine producing children. In ability to satisfy women, produce these cruel forces. They will arise a short span of time they had five children, etc are propagated in the and fight for their rights. children and in the meantime Ajaz society. was arrested. Though Husna took Narrative Plenary 3: Women’s up some job and managed her home, In branding certain behaviour Experiences of Violence and Peace she could not raise her children as as mard and namard, the society Sugandhi Francis shared about normally as one would like to do. reinforces the predominant view. her personal history and her struggle When male members of the society with her ex-husband, in-laws and From her presentation one could often produce violence, society is other family members and dwelt on understand the pattern of aggression mute and remains a silent spectator. how she overcame the challenges. and hysteria perpetuated in Taliban JANATA, March 15, 2015 11 occupied Afghanistan. This can be pointed out that the structural and happening in recent times are based connected to the larger reality of cultural framework disallows these on social mobility rather than on the violence in the country. marginalised sections to challenge basis of individual compatibility. the powerful elites. She asserted that Towards the end of her deliberation Dr. Gabriele Dietrich started there is a need for new laws which she mentioned how public spaces with a thought provoking question: are protective of the marginalized like malls and coffee shops have whether a non-violent mode of and said that an amendment in CrPC become sites of public display of production can be attained in the is called for. affection and privatised space is South Asian region? She commented only accessible to a particular class that the capitalistic mode of Dr. Velayudhan argued that people of people. production has resulted in financial instigating communal violence crisis and fascism. She pointed out should be dealt firmly by the law. Meghna Guhathakurta the classic case of Sri Lanka, where She ended by revoking the ethos of presented the phenomenon of the neo-liberal politics has resulted the Constitution and asserted that fractured modernity in the context not only in peasants’ upheaval but life and dignity of individuals should of Bangladesh. She mentioned that also in ethnic violence and war. be protected by all means and at all education system in her country is costs. fractured into two streams such as She spoke about the growing school with vernacular language distance between the haves and have Jyoti Punwani started by saying and Islamic schools (madrasas). not’s and the rich-poor parity. She that the greatest violator of human She pointed out that Islam is a opined that it is due to this situation, rights is the State. She pointed growing religion in the country the productivity cannot improve, as out how landless, labourers and and narrated how development in the rich have accumulated wealth and poor adivasis are displaced by the Bangladesh started with Nehruvian the poor have become dispossessed. state. She highlighted the case of view and recently shifted towards She also said that such capitalistic police encounters as murders. Jyoti privatisation. modes of production will beget called for re-evaluation of the death colonization of women, adivasis penalty. Workshop 2: Labour and and dalits - the most marginalized Migration sections of the society. She proposed Workshop1: Fractured Dr. Bindulakshmi spoke on the to find solutions to this situation Modernity informal sector and how women’s through democratic means and Anagha Tambe started the labour is understood in the society. strategies. discussion with the idea of moral She pointed that the phenomenon policing. She stressed that “Love of casual labour is increasing due to Plenary 4: The Human Rights Jihad”, “Kiss of Love” are all part migration of poor people. She said Approach to the Problem of of fractured modernity where the that migration is often confused with Violence middle class uses moral policing trafficking, that hampers women’s Justice Suresh emphasized that as a fundamental force to retain the mobility. human rights provisions in the culture and tradition. She said that all Constitution should be accessed theses perspectives are located in the Based on a study, she described and exercised more by people of the non-modern classes and questioned how women felt more empowered country. He suggested that human whether the middle class shares when they are working in spin yards rights approach can be a meaningful the same non-modern status. She and in factories and how they felt framework for development. He pointed out that though middle class good of going out for work and being also pointed out that human rights claims to be modern and secular it paid for it. Dr. Bindulakshmi ended are obligation of the State. He continues to attach itself to certain with a question related to safety of encouraged the audience to seek conservative stands. women in work situations. solution through legal-constitutional means. She took ‘Khap Panchayats’ as Dr. Meena Gopal dwelt on an example to argue how tradition the issues faced by bar dancers in Dr. Meera Velayudhan shared is used for brutality and caste Indian cities. She highlighted that her views on violence on women assertion. She also pointed out these women did not directly come and dalits in the society. She how love-cum-arranged marriages to this field by choice but slowly 12 JANATA, March 15, 2015 entered here as they did not get The boundaries shared by these people to people contact. Since proper remuneration for working nations, too, are arbitrary lines drawn patriarchy is an issue which cuts in the factories and some were by the erstwhile colonial rulers and across the borders of these nations, forced by families to bring in extra are not yet fixed. The uncertain she questioned the women’s income. Most of these women are nature of these boundaries results movement for having failed to take single earning members of their in frequent territorial disputes. up the issues related to militarisation, families and have to handle other Thus, to ensure peace between the nuclear arms race and for having social relations. Dr. Gopal ended by South Asian nations, it is essential to failed in demystifying the link stressing the need for understanding clearly demarcate the boundaries and between nationalism and militarism. the case of bar dancers within the settle the border disputes. Maritime She pointed out the role of the labour dimension. borders too, need to be fixed so corporate and military nexus in that unsuspecting fishermen don’t “keeping the fires burning”. Workshop 3: Food and become political prisoners and add Health Security Ms. Ramdas said that apart from to the animosity between countries its shared colonial history, the south Dr. Asha Achuthan started the like India and Pakistan. Asian region also bears the brunt of discussion with a critical note on the climate change. The worst affected language used by the state in health Another issue confronting due to global warming and climate policies that stereotype women’s all the South Asian nations is of change, are women and children. In body as a site of reproduction. She majoritarian violence. The identity drought prone areas, women have mentioned that the dual war with the of the majority religion assumes to walk for miles to collect water. State and policies by the feminist a national identity. The persons The civil society organisations, movement is still a challenge. She belonging to the minority faiths thus especially the women’s movement, critiqued that the population polices become victims of violence, whether in all South Asian nations need to of the country had a target and they are believers or not. Religious come together on issues of climate incentive approach and questioned leaders of all faiths are especially change and global warming. The the concept of development. implicated in instigating communal focus of her presentation was thus violence. The concepts of “majority” on co-operation on shared issues, Prof. Ilina Sen argued how and “minority” also inadvertently privatization of health has increased instead of focusing on controversial reinforce communal beliefs. Hence the cost of drugs. She pointed out how issues. there is a need to redefine our population policy didn’t consider conception of secularism itself. The discussion which followed the redistribution of resources. focused on questions of intra state She shared her experiences in He stated that ethnic, religious issues like weakening of the federal Chhattisgarh of how small farmers and border disputes have also democratic structures in these use the indigenous knowledge led to increasing militarisation nations and vacuum created by this. to protect the crops without the and nuclearisation. The state uses It was felt by the participants that incentives from the state. She argued the archaic colonial “weapon” of civil society actors need to push for the debates around the acquisition of sedition against anyone who dares change, enhance dialogue across land by the state are less challenged. to speak out against its militaristic, borders and promote a mindset centralist and majoritarian policies. Workshop 4: Manifestations change. The common ground for such All of this is embedded in the neo- of Violence in State, Social, co-operation is the environmental liberal nature of development which Cultural, Economic and Political and peace movements. has resulted in large amounts of Institutions illiteracy, dispossession and poverty. During the day a Cultural Karamat Ali talked about the He proposed that the South Asian Dialogue between India and need for cooperation between the nations need to come together and Pakistan happened through Neela South Asian nations. He spoke about cooperate. He said that we need to Bhagwat, vocalist and Sheema the shared colonial history of these form a South Asian Union and have Kermani, danseuse nations and they are also prone to more mutually beneficial initiatives. violence. All of these nations thus Day 3Plenary 1: South Asian have a part colonial, part feudalistic Lalita Ramdas, stressed on the Networks and Country Contexts past and are thus prone to inter as need for a vibrant and active civil Jatin Desai welcomed the well as intra state violence. society, which would encourage speakers and initiated the discussion JANATA, March 15, 2015 13 with connectivity and its politics as and dalits, women’ s issues, religious villain for the insecurity and violence a site of concern among the South fundamentalism, etc. He raised the in the region. She critiqued the Asian countries. He mentioned that issue related to visas especially official SAARC forum as a stage for growing right wing politics in India between India, Pakistan and leaders and demanded that the voice is a biggest challenge threatening the Bangladesh that challenges the of people be heard. In this context, countries in South Asia. connectivity in South Asia. she referred to the South Asian people’s declarations passed earlier. Ta r a n K h a n s h a r e d h e r He brought to light the state She lobbied for a visa less regime experiences as a filmmaker and support to fringe groups in Pakistan and articulated her dream of pan journalist in Afghanistan. She shared which creates terror. He argued south Asian identity. She stressed that media can be a strong tool to that in a multinational country that we cannot allow the army to negotiate with the countries. She like Pakistan, religion or religious take over the lives of the citizens gave the example of sisters (Roya identity cannot constitute the State. and rightly said that it was time to and Alka) who have set up a film He pointed out that for intra country demilitarise the region for security house called the Royal Film House autonomy and development, peace and peace in south Asia. in Kabul that works as a medium for should prevail in the region and women to express their voice and the respective states and their Gajanan Khatu noted that articulate women’s issues. agencies should desist the urge to globalization in India has created destabilize neighbouring countries. much inequality and thus increasing Meghna Guhathakurta In this context, Dr. Ali felt the need the scope for violence and inequality. situated her talk around the theme for a strong SAARC, which will He highlighted that the national of connectivity. She said that strengthen our true identity, that of income has arisen 16 fold in the last Bangladesh has both legal and South Asian. 20 years. However the budgetary illegal migrations. Most of them allotment for key social security and migrate to Maldives and India Saloni Singh began with the welfare is very low. He lamented that respectively. She pointed out that fact that Nepal was the only south the trickle down theory of growth India is concerned only with bilateral Asian country which was never has resulted in lack of concern for relations and not open to multilateral colonised. The rulers of Nepal were social issues. relationships with countries. She benevolent too. However, after viewed lack of Indian publisher for 1951, for the next thirty seven years, The right wing politics, policy Bangladeshi literature as one of the autocratic regime prevailed. The and lack of inspiration for key biggest challenge of recent times as people’s organisations challenged reforms in administration have left it limits the Indian readers to know the regime and because of their the country in deep trouble. He also about the situation in Bangladesh. efforts a democratic regime was pointed out that the new middle She concluded with a request for born. However in the 1990s, violent class has lost touch with the toiling funded exchange programmes for conflicts broke out and people were masses. He urged the young people improving the capacities of civil terrified. to connect with the marginalised and societies. bring in the necessary reform. Ms. Saloni pointed out to the Karamat Ali briefed the audience role of the women during these The Way forward for an Imagined about the networks of different conflicts. She said that the women’s South Asia Free of Violence and labour and trade unions from 1992 organizations had a big role Misogyny till recent days. He shared the behind the peace accord with the Karamat Ali pointed out that recent developments among labour Maoist camp. She highlighted the mapping of existing South Asian unions such as South Asia networks networking skill of the Nepalese initiatives taken by individuals and for garments workers and South women and felt that it is important groups can be one of the prime Asia networks for floor wage in to recognize the efforts of women in agenda for the Centre. He mentioned garment factories. He highlighted democratization of the country. that such exercise can identify gaps the importance of using SAARC as and strengthen the networks among a platform to build networks among Nimalka Fernando straightaway the civil societies. He suggested that South Asian countries to discuss came to the point that the emergence People’s SAARC based in Delhi issues concerning labour, minorities of the nation state concept is the has an official research platform 14 JANATA, March 15, 2015 that can facilitate in mapping for continuous dialogue, networking militarization. She expressed her process and he wanted the Centre and campaigns against the injustice concern of how State is promoting to become a monitoring partner for in the context of South Asia, the above process and has become SAARC as none of the civil society particularly in the context of greater a source of continuous war and organizations has volunteered for polarisation and politicisation of violence. She emphasises that the same. ideologies and debates. feminist movements need to address issues of women and environment in Prof. Ilina Sen felt that the She said that this space of political the context of South Asia. Mrinal Gore Interactive Centre discourse has diminished in the last for Social Justice and Peace in couple of years or at best has been Mrinal Gore Interactive Centre for South Asia can engage as active limited to annual events. If we truly Social Justice and Peace in South partners in the South Asian academic want a way forward for South Asia Asia Keshav Gore Smarak Trust, component in teaching programmes free of violence and misogyny, we Aarey Road, Goregaon (West), of TISS. She said that two courses, all have to be continually engaged Mumbai – 400 062 namely in M.A in Development in processes of political discourse Email: [email protected] Studies and in M.Phil in Women’s amongst civil society. The Centre Studies address regional issues aims to provide a platform for in papers such as “South Asian this debate and discussion and be Footprints of Geopolitics” and “Women in South a pressure centre to evolve and A Crusader Asia – Feminist Engagement and campaign for a better understanding. (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) Writings” respectively. Apart from these courses focusing on the issues She expressed that the Centre by of South Asia, there was scope to could work on specific thematic Dr. Rohini Gawankar evolve the academic programmes areas such as crimes in the name of The making of Mrunal is a of TISS further with a focus on honour, migration of women and South Asian studies. There was also renewal of connectivity in the South wonderful story told lucidly by a scope at TISS to build up library Asian region. her friend of six decades, and resources of books published in a renowned academician, Dr various South Asian countries which Karamat Ali emphasised that the Rohini Gawankar, who could see Mrinal Gore Interactive Centre for are not always easily accessible Mrunal through all the stages outside of individual nation states. Peace and Justice should have one of its agenda to address issues on of her life since Rashtra Seva She extended an invitation militarization. He argued that there Dal days during the 1940s. She for students outside the TISS to is increase in the militarization in describes all the twists and turns attend her course “Women in South South Asian Countries and proposed in Mrunal’s momentous lifespan, Asia – Feminist Engagement and that the centre should engage with all the struggles she waged in an Writings”. She contrasted the ideas SAARC. enveloping manner, and every of friendship, peace and secularism among the people of South Asia Admiral Ramdas, peace historic event she encountered in an countries with disputes raging on activist, addressed the audience and interesting style without resorting the nation state level, for as seen mentioned the importance of having to any kind of exaggeration, between India and Pakistan on one a humanist perspective in handling making the subject larger than life hand, West Bengal and Bangladesh issues in South Asia. He said the or belittling anybody else. lack of just perspective has limited on other hand. She mentioned that –Bhai Vaidya development and progressive civil cultural exchange can be a site Published by for strengthening the relationship society. Kamlakar Subhedar, among the countries, in which TISS and the Mrinal Gore Interactive Lalita Ramdas proposed that the Samata Shikshan Sanstha, Centre for Peace and Justice could Centre should deal with questions Pareira Wadi, Mohini Village, play a part. of climate change and global Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), warming as a strategic position to Mumbai – 400072 Varsha Rajan Berry drew out address critical issues such as anti- that the Centre should be a platform war, anti-nuclearization and anti- Contribution : Rs.300/- JANATA, March 15, 2015 15

W h i l e S e n i o r P o l i c e Outrageous officials were busy celebrating The outrageous, senile statement on blog by Justice Katju Calling Gandhi ‘International Women’s Day’ at Ji “an British Agent who did great harm to India” being the raving of out the City Police Commissioner’s of office frustrated individual deserves to be rejected with the contempt Office on Thursday, a girl aged it deserves. By this statement Katju has qualified himself to be the fittest around 20-25 years was publicly successor to Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief. Had Churchill been alive he beaten up by her parents in Ulsoor. would have embraced Katju and included him the senior most position in his cabinet of 1940. Passers-by were mute spectators –Rajindar Sachar to the incident. She was rescued only when two women rushed to help her before alerting the police. Beyond Doubt: A Dossier on Gandhi’s Assassination The victim was beaten up by her Compiled and Introduced by Teesta Setalvad father Rajaram, a sub-inspector with Madurai (Tamil Nadu) Police. The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948 was a Rumours of the victim’s alleged declaration of war and a statement of intent. For the forces who conspired in the killing, the act was a declaration of war against the secular, democratic “affair” triggered the incident Indian state and all those who stood to affirm these principles, as well as an and the parents said that they announcement of a lasting commitment to India as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. It was were “teaching her a lesson”. Her also an act to signal the elimination of all that India’s national movement mother, a teacher by profession, against imperialism stood for. did not give a helping hand. *Beyond Doubt* is a dossier of historical and critical documents that Originally from Madurai and aims to contextualize the politics, motivations and circumstances behind currently working in Bengaluru, the assassination of Mahatma Attempts to legitimize the act of killing the victim has denied the rumours. and to celebrate the killers have re-doubled since May 2014, following the coming to power of the new regime in New Delhi. The time is right, Her parents wanted to force therefore, to set the record straight. her to move back to Madurai and arrange a wedding as soon as The visceral hatred directed against Gandhi and the denigration of everything he stood for need to be recounted if we are to understand possible to someone of their choice the political nature of that dastardly act. This book attempts to weave as she had brought “shame upon together archival documents from Government of India records relating to the family”. developments after the assassination, with translation of works in Marathi,

The Ulsoor police reached the Gujarati and Hindi de-constructing the ideology responsible for the spot after 30 minutes. Meanwhile, political killing. While several of the documents have appeared before in the victim had taken shelter in a car issues of *Communalism Combat*, this compilation presents new material along with the two women who on the subject. The first English translation of Jagan Phadnis’s book, rescued her. The police later took the victim and her parents to the *Mahatmyache Akher*, forms part of the dossier, as do Y.D. Phadke’s police station. They were let off analysis of attempts to legitimize Gandhi’s killing and Chunibhai Vaidya’s analysis of Pradeep Dalvi’s play on Godse. It also covers the recent after counselling. controversy over the destruction of files relating to Gandhi’s assassination by Government of India. “This is a minor incident and a family matter. Also, no complaint Price: Rs 450 has been filed,” said an Ulsoor police station officer. To order copies of the book, please contact: Tulika Books, 35 A/1 (ground floor) Shahpur Jat, New Delhi 110 049. Email: [email protected] –The Hindu R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, March 15, 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, March 15, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday March 18, 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 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 70 No. 8 Minorities feel insecure March 22, 2015 S. Viswam

Terrorism has no nationality and cow slaughter. The Maharashtra no boundaries. But there is certainly government, under BJP control, bans a method in the madness of its possession, sale and consumption manifestations. It shows no mercy or of beef. The BJP senior leader Tedious neighbours partiality for its victims. Its targets Subramaniam Swamy declares that Kuldip Nayar include temples, mosques, churches God resides only in temples and no and synagogues. Earlier this month, other shrines and that mosques are not twin suicide bombings at two Lahore religious shrines. All this is a pointer to churches in Pakistan left 15 dead and the BJP’s encouragement of religious more than 70 injured. Such events majoritarianism. Distressing. are possible in Pakistan because the state encourages a kind of religious Even more distressing is the fact majoritarianism in which one religion that there is a widespread perception among the minorities that Prime Budget 2015–16: is preferred to all others. India is a secular nation and is expected to be Minister Modi and the NDA What is in it tolerant of all religions. Sarva dharma government are indifferent or even for the People? sama bhavana: treat all religions patently hostile to the concerns of Neeraj Jain as same. However, it is sad that in Christians and Muslims and other secular India we are witnessing events minorities and are endangering their and developments that point to the safety and security. The Archbishop of emergence of religious intolerance. Kolkata declares his unhappiness over the slow pace of the ongoing probe A church is desecrated and into the rape of the old nun. A convoy demolished in Hissar in Haryana. A headed by chief minister Mamata Editor : 72-year-old nun is raped in a shocking Banerjee going to the hospital to see episode in West Bengal’s Ranaghat the nun is gheraoed and forced to G. G. Parikh in Nadia district causing anguish and turn back. The mounting attacks on Managing Editor : Guddi dismay among the people. Incidents minorities figure in both houses of targeting Christians and Muslims are parliament where, cutting across party D-15, Ganesh Prasad, reported from many places. Haryana’s lines, members demand action against Naushir Bharucha Marg, newly elected BJP chief minister those perpetrating violence against Mumbai - 400 007. Manohar Lal Khattar proposes to minorities. Members said that ruling introduce compulsory teaching of party politicians made inflammatory Email : [email protected] the Bhagwad Gita in schools. He speeches and incited people to act announces harsh punishments for against one another. 2 JANATA, March 22, 2015

Reflecting the strong feelings Between the lines which organized violence against the minorities has evoked among the Christians was an article, followed Tedious neighbours by interviews, of the retirted senior police officer Julio Ribeiro, last Kuldip Nayar week. “Whenever I meet people of my community, he said, I sense Our neighbouring countries are continuing militancy in the public a certain fear in them. That was getting curiouser and curiouser. and political affairs. But here not there before. The Christian Pakistan is determined to free vengeance takes top place, without community feels it is under a siege. Zia-ur Rahman Lakhvi who had any realization that the ultimate The Modi government was voted in masterminded the Mumbai attack harm comes to the country. People’s to bring development for all, but in in 2008 when some 165 people interest is sacrificed daily at the altar the last nine months we have heard were killed at Hotel Taj through of political wrangling. Unimaginable only ghar wapasi, love jihad and the sea, near the Gateway of India. things are affecting peace. the attack on churches. Right-wing The court has released him due to fringe groups are over-active. If Modi lack of evidence. This is despite Take the case of Dr. Kamal wants he can put them down. He did the clinching proof that India has Hossain who may reportedly be so once but immediately thereafter provided against him. tried for sedition. He was the first Mother Teresa was verbally attacked foreign minister of Bangladesh. and her image tarnished. Modi must Either Pakistan is whetting the Even otherwise, his name evokes tell his people enough is enough. He evidence that New Delhi provides respect and admiration. He brings has to do it as he is the PM and he or the judge hearing the case has back the memory of the days when has to uphold the Constitution. been under pressure. Whatever people in East Pakistan struggled the fact, the ends of justice are and wrested freedom from the One cannot avoid the impression not being served. So far India’s distant and despotic rule of West that fundamentalist Hindutva uproar on the freeing of Lakhvi has Pakistan to establish Bangladesh. elements, which Ribeiro describes forced Islamabad to keep him inside Yet, he is suspected of treason. as fringe elements, have become the prison. But how long can the more emboldened to carry out their government do so? When there is no Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intimidating activities under the BJP evidence against him he is bound to knows no bounds when it comes rule. The RSS makes provocative come out of the jail. to wreaking vengeance against her statements. Minorities are feeling critics. She harassed and hounded unsafe. The well-known Olympic Islamabad does not seem to care Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel player and medal winner Mary Kom for the sensitivity of India. Naturally, laureate, for Grameen Bank devoted says for instance that crimes against this attitude has disappointed to micro-financing. He had dared women and minorities are on the rise New Delhi and has become one to find an alternative to the two after the new government took over. more point of friction between the Begums, Sheikh Hasina and Khalida two countries. The tenacity and Zia of Bangladesh National Party. It is unfortunate that while Modi persistence with which Islamabad is himself has told parliament twice protecting Lakhvi make one suspect Dr. Kamal Hossain was not and has issued statements himself, that he is not a non-state actor hassled. His dignified response was his associates make conflicting but very much part of Pakistan’s that to be told now in 2015 that a statements. The RSS refers to the nefarious plans. On the one hand, sedition charge would be brought Hindu Rashtra campaign on all Islamabad wants good relations with against him is a matter of shame not available fora. This generates a us and, on the other it is all the time only for him but also for the nation sense of fear among a section of the fomenting trouble on one pretext or as well as the person who said this. society. The Prime Minister must the other. respond positively to the lament of When in the wilderness at Delhi, citizens like Ribeiro and Mary Kom Things in Bangladesh are not I once asked Sheikh Hasina why she (Continued on Page 15) improving either, because of the (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, March 22, 2015 3 Budget 2015–16: What is in it for the People?

Neeraj Jain

The Union Budget, which is a yearly affair, is a • Total Budget Support for Central Plan = Rs comprehensive display of the Government’s finances, 260493 crore in which revenues from all sources and expenses of all • Central Assistance for State and UT Plans = Rs activities undertaken are aggregated. It also contains 204784 crore estimates for the next fiscal year called budgeted vii) Non-Plan Expenditure = Non-Plan Revenue estimates. Expenditure +Non-Plan Capital Expenditure Non-plan revenue expenditure is accounted for by i) Union Budget = Total Receipts = Total Expenditures interest payments, subsidies (mainly on food and • Union Budget for 2015–16 = Rs 1,777,477 crore fertilisers), wage and salary payments to government ii) Total Receipts = Total Revenue Receipts + Total employees, grants to States and Union Territories Capital Receipts governments, pensions, police, economic services iii) Gross Tax Revenues = Tax Revenue (Net to Centre) in various sectors, other general services such as + States’ share of Central Tax Revenues tax collection, social services, and grants to foreign • Total Gross tax revenues for 2015–16 = Rs governments. Non-plan capital expenditure mainly 1,449,500 crore includes defence, loans to public enterprises, loans Of the total gross tax revenues of the government, to States, Union Territories and foreign governments. a portion is transferred to the states. The remaining is what shows in the Union Budget. Analysing the Budget iv) Revenue Receipts = Tax Revenue (Net to Centre) + Soon after taking over the reins of the Finance Non-tax Revenue Ministry in May last year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Tax revenues include direct taxes (income tax, had declared that the immediate focus of the government corporation tax, etc.) and indirect taxes (customs would be on curbing the fiscal deficit. His predecessor, P. duties, excise duties, sales tax, etc.). Non-tax Chidambaram, had brought down the fiscal deficit from revenues include profits of public sector enterprises, 4.8 percent in 2012–13 to 4.5 percent in 2013–14; and interest receipts on loans given by the government then set a target for further reducing it to 4.1 percent for (to public sector enterprises, state governments, etc.), the year 2014–15 in his interim budget presented just and income such as sale of spectrum. before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Jaitley, in his first iv) Capital Receipts = Non-debt Capital Receipts + Debt budget speech in July 2014, vowed to adhere to this Receipts “daunting” fiscal deficit target.1 Non-debt Capital receipts include disinvestment income and return of loans. Debt receipts are While presenting the first full budget of the new government borrowings. The government borrows government on February 28, 2015, the Finance Minister when its total receipts (revenue receipts + non- proudly announced that the government had succeeded debt capital receipts) exceed its expenditures. The in sticking to the fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent of borrowings are also called the fiscal deficit. the GDP for the year 2014–15. He further declared that v) Total Expenditure = Plan Expenditure +Non-Plan in the financial year 2015–16, the fiscal deficit would Expenditure be brought down to 3.9 percent, and then further to 3.6 • Plan Expenditure = Rs 465,277 crore percent and finally to 3 percent in 2016–17 and 2017–18, • Non-Plan Expenditure = Rs 1,312,200 crore respectively.2 vi) Plan expenditures are estimated after discussions between each of the ministries concerned and the That India must bring down its fiscal deficit to near Planning Commission. The Demands for Grants of zero if it wants to become an economic superpower in the various Ministries show the Plan expenditure the near future has become an economic gospel today. under each head separately from the Non-Plan All the leading establishment economists, each and expenditure. every economist associated with international financial Plan Expenditure = Total Budget Support for Central institutions, every renowned management guru—all are Plan + Central Assistance for State and UT Plans in agreement that high levels of fiscal deficit relative to 4 JANATA, March 22, 2015

GDP adversely affect growth. For the last more than two given to the poor, which are aimed at making available decades, ever since India began globalisation in 1991, essential welfare services like education, health, food, controlling the fiscal deficit has been a key aspect of transport, electricity, etc. to them at affordable rates, budget making of the government of India. In seeking are given the derisive name ‘subsidies’ and are being to bring down the fiscal deficit to below 4 percent of the drastically reduced in the name of containing the fiscal GDP and further to 3 percent of the GDP by 2017–18, deficit. Not only that; these essential services are also Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is only walking down the being privatised—resulting in fabulous profits for the path set by his predecessors in the Finance Ministry.3 private sector.

Fiscal Deficit A closer look at Modi government’s 2014–15 and Fiscal deficit is just another term for government 2015–16 budget figures will make our point clear. borrowings of various types. The government borrows when its expenditures exceed its receipts of all types. Tax Concessions to the Rich: 2014–15 • Fiscal Deficit = Government expenditures – Receipts Every year, for the past several years, the budget documents have included a statement on the estimated • Receipts = Tax Revenues (Net to Centre) + Non-tax revenue forgone by the government due to exemptions Revenues + Non-debt Capital Receipts in major taxes levied by the Centre.

Humbug of Finance The 2015–16 budget documents reveal that for the The fact is, the economic theory that the government year 2014–15, the government gave away Rs 5.49 lakh must balance its expenditure with its income, that is, crore in tax exemptions/deductions/incentives to the must bring down its fiscal deficit to near zero, is plain very rich. (The write-offs as mentioned in the budget are humbug. John Maynard Keynes, considered by many to actually Rs 5.89 lakh crore. From that, we have deducted be the greatest economist of the twentieth century, had the Rs 40,434 crore forgone on personal income tax, demonstrated long back that in an economy like India, since this write-off benefits a wider group of people.)5 where there is so much poverty and unemployment, These major write-offs are in direct corporate income the government should enlarge the fiscal deficit and tax, customs and excise duties. These tax concessions increase its spending, it is beneficial for the economy.4 given to the rich exceed our fiscal deficit for 2014–15 Even the governments of the developed countries like (Rs 5.13 lakh crore)!6 Had Jaitley really been concerned United States and Japan, when faced with recessionary about reducing the fiscal deficit, he could have reduced conditions, have resorted to huge levels of public these concessions given to India’s richie rich. spending and high fiscal deficits. These tax concessions are being given to some of the Then why is the government of India so keen to reduce richest people in the world. Forbes, the oracle of business its fiscal deficit? Because it gives it an excuse to reduce journalism, puts out a list of the world’s billionaires every its expenditures on the poor and transfer the savings to year. Its 2014 list included the names of 56 Indians, with a big corporate houses! collective net worth of $191.5 billion.7 That is equivalent to Rs 11.8 lakh crore, more than double our fiscal deficit In other words, and this may sound amazing to many for 2014–15. (Calculated assuming $1 = Rs 62) of our readers, none of our Finance Ministers, from Arun Jaitley to P. Chidambaram, have been/are really The obscenity of these tax concessions becomes keen about reducing the fiscal deficit. This is obvious evident from just a single statistic: in 2014–15, the from the way they have been handling the various single biggest chunk of customs duties forgone was on components of the fiscal deficit. The fiscal deficit is the diamonds and gold, accounting for Rs 75,592 crore.8 excess of the government’s expenditures over receipts. Even a cursory look at the policies being pursued by It is because of these huge tax concessions to the the government of India reveals that it is giving away rich that the government’s gross tax revenues for the lakhs of crores of rupees as subsidies to the rich. Had year 2014–15 have fallen short of the target. Jaitley had it really been concerned about the fiscal deficit, it could set a target of collecting gross tax revenues to the tune have easily reduced these mind-boggling give-aways. of 10.6 percent of the GDP for the year 2014–15. The But these concessions are dubbed as ‘incentives’ and are revised estimates for 2014–15 show that there has been justified in the name of promoting growth/development/ a shortfall in tax revenues to the tune of Rs 1.13 lakh entrepreneurism. On the other hand, the concessions crore, and hence the gross tax revenues as a percentage JANATA, March 22, 2015 5 of the GDP has been revised downward to 9.9 percent.9 Table 1: India’s Budget, 2014–15 and 2015–16: Reduction in Expenditures on Vulnerable Sections11 (in Rs crore) Despite this fall in gross tax revenues, how has the 2014- 2014- Reduction: 2015- Reduction: government succeeded in achieving the fiscal deficit 15 BE 15 RE BE – RE 16 BE [2014-15 target of 4.1 percent of the GDP? (%) BE] - [2015-16 It has succeeded in this mainly due to huge cuts in BE] the government Plan and non-Plan expenditure. For Scheduled 50,548 33,638 33 30,851 39 Caste Sub- 2014–15, the total Plan expenditure (including both Plan Central Plan expenditure and Central assistance to states) Tribal Sub- 32,387 20,536 37 19,980 38 was budgeted at Rs 575,000 crore. However, the revised Plan Plan expenditure figure is only Rs 467,934 crore, a Schemes for 81,075 69,888 14 57,919 29 Welfare of massive decline by Rs 107,066 crore. This revised Plan Children Expenditure of the Government of India for 2014–15 Budgetary 98,030 81,984 16 79,258 19 (Rs 4.68 lakh crore) is less than the total tax concessions Resources given to the rich in 2014–15 of Rs 5.49 lakh crore! Earmarked for Women The Non-Plan expenditure also fell in 2014–15, and It is thus obvious that there is a huge scope for thus the total Budget expenditure declined by Rs 113,734 increasing tax revenues in the country. However, crore in the last fiscal year.10 instead of taking steps to increase its tax revenues, the government has been giving yet more tax concessions With the government more than keen to transfer to big business, and consequently the tax-to-GDP ratio lakhs of crores of rupees to corporate coffers through of centre and states combined fell to 17.9 percent for means like tax write-offs, public–private–partnerships, 2013–14 (BE).14 loan waivers, provision of land at subsidised rates, Chart 1: General Government Revenues, % of GDP, 2007–1113 electricity duty waivers, and so on, obviously, the axe on Central Government spending has to fall on social sectors. And that is precisely what has happened. The revised estimates for 2014–15 show that the government slashed its budgetary spending on schemes for the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of the Indian society by as much as 15 to 40 percent, to meet its fiscal deficit target! (Table 1, fourth column; the various heads are explained later in this essay.) The Coming Year In the run-up to the budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley repeatedly asserted that the economy is For 2014–15, the Central Government had projected constrained by “fiscal deficit in revenue.”12 But as we the tax-to-GDP ratio for Gross Central Tax Revenues at have seen above, this has not prevented him from giving 10.6 percent (itself a huge fall from the peak of 11.71 lakhs of crores of rupees of tax concessions and other percent reached in 2007–08). However, due to the sops to corporate houses. huge tax concessions given to corporate houses and the consequent fall in tax revenues, the actual tax-to-GDP It is because of these huge tax giveaways to India’s ratio came to only 9.9 percent.15 Consequently, the richie rich that India’s combined tax-to-GDP ratio for combined centre+state tax-to-GDP ratio has come down Centre and States put together is among the lowest in further to about 15–16 percent.16 the world. India’s tax–GDP ratio, at around 18% of the GDP, is far below not only the ‘advanced economies’ Despite such a low level of tax revenues, in the (36.7%), but also the ‘emerging market and developing 2015–16 budget, Jaitley has announced a reduction economies’ (27.9%). Even the countries of sub-Saharan in corporate tax rates from 30% to 25% over the next Africa, considered to be one of the poorest regions in the four years, starting from the next financial year. This is world, have a tax–GDP ratio of 27% (Chart 1). expected to provide corporates a total tax relief bonanza 6 JANATA, March 22, 2015 of Rs 2 lakh crore: Rs 20,000 crore in the first year, Rs of Rs 8,315 crore, and an indirect tax gain of Rs 23,383 40,000 crore in the second year, Rs 60,000 crore in the crore, resulting in a net revenue gain of Rs 15,068 crore.21 third year and Rs 80,000 crore in fourth year.17 The Finance Minister has stated that the reductions in tax rates Cuts in Central Budget Outlay would be matched by removal of tax exemptions and The low revenue collections (as shown by the low tax- incentives for corporate tax payers—these exemptions/ to-GDP ratio), combined with the keenness of the Finance concessions led to a total revenue loss of Rs 62,399 crore Minister to reduce the fiscal deficit, has made him reduce in 2014–15.18 But whether this will actually take place the Plan Expenditure and the Total Budget Outlay. is to be seen—in all probability, given the absolute pro- Table 2: India’s Budget, 2014–15 and 2015–16 corporate nature of the government, nothing of this sort Reduction in Total Budget Expenditure and Plan Expenditurexii is going to take place. (in Rs crore) 2014-15 2014-15 Reduc- 2015-16 Reduc- He has also deferred the implementation of the BE RE tion: BE tion: General Anti-Avoidance Rules or GAAR for a further BE – [2014- RE (%) 15 two years. The first time GAAR was attempted to BE] - be introduced was in 2012; since then, first the UPA [2015- government and now the BJP government have been 16 BE] postponing its implementation. The GAAR is meant to Budget 17,94,892 16,81,158 6.3 17,77,477 1 address important issues such as abuse of tax treaties, Outlay Plan 575,000 467,934 18.6 465,277 19.1 use of tax havens for the purpose of reducing tax bills Expenditure and other clever tax avoidance arrangements that are draining the country’s resources. Several other countries As a proportion of the size of the Indian economy, around the world, including the BRICS nations of Brazil, the magnitude of Union Budget for 2015–16 (estimated South Africa and China, have introduced GAAR; but the size Rs 17,77,477 crore) has declined to 12.6% of the Indian government is not willing to put in place legal GDP. This figure was 13.3 percent for 2014–15 (Revised mechanisms to check the widespread tax evasion that Estimates) and 14.1 percent for 2014–15 (Budget 19 multinational corporations indulge in. Estimates).23

On the other hand, to compensate for this loss in Worse, the government’s projected Plan Expenditure revenues, the Finance Minister has announced an has declined by a whopping 19 percent over the Budget increase in service tax rate from 12.36% (including cess Estimates for 2014–15. This is the first time that the Plan and surcharge) to a flat 14%. This is a very regressive budget has been reduced, implying that the government way of increasing tax revenues. As is well known, a is consciously cutting its spending.24 progressive system of taxation implies that individuals and corporations pay taxes according to their ability But that does not mean that the government is reducing to pay. Direct taxes are levied on incomes, such as its sops to the corporate houses. The Budget 2015–16 wages, profits, property, etc., and so fall directly on the announces: rich; while indirect taxes are imposed on goods and impersonal services, and so fall on all, both rich and i) A significant increase of Rs 70,000 crore in poor. Therefore, a progressive system of taxation implies that the government would collect its tax revenues investment in infrastructure in 2015–16 over the more from direct taxes than indirect taxes. Even in current year. A special focus is on building highways. unabashedly capitalist countries from South Africa to The Budget increased the total Plan Expenditure of Brazil to Mexico, the direct tax revenue as a percentage the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from of total revenue varies from 55% to 65%. But in India, Rs 28881 crore in 2014–15 (BE) to Rs 42913 crore for every Rs 100 collected by the government as tax in 2015–16, an increase of Rs 14032 crore.25 revenues, only around Rs 30 comes from direct taxes (and the rest, Rs 70, from indirect taxes).20 The latest ii) The formation of a National Investment and taxation proposals of the Finance Minister to augment Infrastructure Fund and tax-free bonds for raising indirect tax revenues while giving yet more direct tax funds for investment in rail, roads and irrigation. concessions only further increase the regressivity of the The Finance Minister stated that the government tax structure in the country. According to the Finance will ensure an annual flow of Rs 20,000 crore to the Minister, his tax proposals will result in a direct tax loss NIIF.26 JANATA, March 22, 2015 7 iii) The Finance Minister also emphasised the need for to provide huge subsidies to corporate houses, obviously, a revamp of the Public–Private–Partnership model. the brunt of the cuts in government spending have been Calling the present model “weak”, he proposed borne by the social sectors in Jaitley’s 2015–16 budget. that the government would need to further protect the private sector against investment risks in the As it is, the total public social sector expenditures of infrastructure sector, and stated that the “ sovereign the government of India are very low! Jaitley and his will have to bear a major part of the risk.”27 predecessors in the Finance Ministry and the ‘Chicago boys’ who are their economic advisors are all blithely This last statement is absolutely amazing. As it is, lying when they claim that the subsidies to the poor are under the existing PPP model, the government has been very high! The total social sector expenditure of the transferring mindboggling sums to the private sector. government (Centre and States combined) of India is The private partner in this very special partnership is barely 7% of the GDP. (Of this, the Central government’s guaranteed a minimum rate of return on its investment share is barely 2% of the GDP.) In comparison, the (the government making up for any shortfall in profits), average public social sector expenditures of the 34 is given land and other resources at concessional rates, countries of the OECD is around 20% of the GDP, and is often even provided the investment money by the for the EU-27 is even higher at around 30% of the GDP. government in the form of long term loans at concessional The average public social sector expenditures for the 21 rates. To give an example, one form of PPP subsidy is countries of Latin America and the Caribbean has been what the government calls ‘Viability Gap Funding’ rising and is presently 18.6% (in 2009–10).31 (VGF). In the name of making their investments ‘viable’, Chart 2: Public Social Sector Expenditures of the government of India provides a direct subsidy to Developed Countries and India, 2010 investors in the infrastructural sector of up to 40% of (% of GDP) the project cost!28 As of March 31, 2012, the total cost of projects completed, under implementation or in the pipeline under the PPP scheme was nearly Rs. 13 lakh crores.29 These projects are in highways, ports, airports, railways, power, urban infrastructure and other sectors. Assuming that most of these projects are receiving VGF grants @ 40% of the investment, the total public ‘subsidy’ to these projects works out to more than Rs. 5 lakh crores.

Apart from VGF funding, the government also gives several other types of incentives to investors in the infrastructural sectors under the PPP model. Thus, private corporations building expressways and metro projects are additionally being given vast amounts of real estate for commercial use. Thus, in the case of the infamous Most developed countries have a very elaborate Yamuna Expressway built by Jaypee Group under the social security network for their citizens, including PPP model, the Group was allowed to acquire five parcels unemployment allowance, universal health coverage, of land along the expressway, each of 500 hectares each, free school education and free or cheap university for township projects. The expressway cost the Jaypee education, old age pension, maternity benefits, disability Group roughly Rs. 13,000 crores. The Group must have benefits, family allowance such as child care allowance, got 40% of this, that is, Rs. 5200 crores, as investment allowances for those too poor to make a living, and much subsidy. But the real bonanza for the company was the more. Governments spend substantial sums for providing 2500 hectares of land allotted to it—it acquired this land these social services to their people. People in the from farmers for around Rs. 1500 crores (at the rate developed countries consider government investments of around Rs. 5 lakhs to 60 lakhs per hectare), and its on social security to be their right. In recent years, present market value has zoomed to a whopping Rs. 1.5 millions have come out on the streets in these countries lakh crores!30 That is some deal! to protest government attempts to reduce social sector spending. In contrast, in India, the propaganda dished Axe Falls on Social Sector Investments out by the intellectuals–politicians–bureaucrats and the With Plan Expenditure slashed by as much as 20% media condemns government spending on the people over the previous year, and the government continuing as subsidies, as being wasteful, inefficient, benefiting 8 JANATA, March 22, 2015 the wealthy rather than the poor, promoting parasitism, actuality, as these cuts in Plan Expenditures would be and so on; and so people do not consider government more than compensated by the increase in states’ share spending on social services to be their right, and there of Central taxes, from 32 percent to 42 percent. The are no mass protests when school / college fees go up, Centre has accepted the recommendation of the 14th or health care costs go through the roof, or bus fares Finance Commission (FFC) to increase the share of the skyrocket. states in divisible pool of central taxes from 32 percent previously to 42 percent. It is because of Indian government’s very low social sector spending that the Human Development Report But the Centre, in a deft sleight of hand, has managed released by the UNDP ranks India near the bottom with to keep the total transfers to States at nearly the same regards to overall human development. India’s Human level as previous years while increasing States’ share Development Index ranking fell from 119 in 2010 to in Central taxes by drastically cutting its spending on 135 in 2014 (in a list of 187 countries). According to the Central Assistance for State and Union Territory Plans! UN Human Development Report 2011, 53.7 percent of This becomes obvious from the Table 4 below. The share the Indian population is “multidimensionally poor”—a of States in Central Taxes is to go up from Rs 3.82 lakh measure that captures how many people experience crore in 2014–15 (BE) to Rs 5.24 lakh crore in 2015–16 overlapping deprivations in living standards, health and (BE). However, the total Central Assistance to States and education, and how many deprivations they face on the Union Territories for Plan Spending is going to decline average.32 sharply from Rs 3.38 lakh crore in 2014–15 (BE) to Rs And yet Delhi’s Badshahs are further reducing the 2.05 lakh crore in 2015–16 (BE). government’s social sector expenditures. In its budget 2015–16, the Indian government has further reduced its The Centre has unbundled the schemes and programmes already low expenditures on social services. As shown for which it provides assistance into three categories. It in Table 1, government spending on the vulnerable and would continue to fully fund those schemes which are disadvantaged sections—women, scheduled castes and mandated by legal obligations (e.g. MGNREGA) or are tribes, and children—has taken a big hit in 2015–16, backed by Cess collection (e.g. funds for Sarva Shiksha by as much as 20–40 percent over the budget estimates Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meal from the Prarambhik for 2014–15. Consequently, the Central government Shiksha Kosh), and some schemes targeted at poverty spending on social services has fallen from an already alleviation. Some Centrally sponsored schemes would low 1.92% of the GDP (excluding food subsidy) in be implemented with a changed pattern of sharing of 2013–14 to 1.68% of the GDP in the 2015–16 BE. resources, with States contributing a higher share. Finally, Including food subsidy, it has fallen from 2.74% of the for a few of the prevailing schemes (e.g. Backward GDP to 2.57% of the GDP (Table 3). Regions Grant Fund, Model Schools scheme, etc.), Central funding is to completely stop; if states want, they Table 3: Social Sector Expenditures by Union Government33 (in Rs Crore) can continue these schemes from their own resources. 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 RE BE Table 4: Composition and Structure of Transfer of Total Expenditure under Social 217565 235662 236722 Resources to States34 Sector Ministries/Deptts. (in Rs crore) (Excluding Food Subsidy) 2014–15 2015–16 Change Total Expenditure under 310882 359028 362195 BE BE (%) Social Sector Ministries/Deptts. States share of taxes and 382216 523958 +37.1 (Including Food Subsidy) duties (1) GDP at Current Market Prices 11345056 12653762 14108945 Non Plan grants and loans 70019 108630 +55.1 (2011–12 series) to States (2) Share of Social Sector 1.92 1.86 1.68 Central Assistance for State 338408 204784 –39.5 Expenditure (Excluding Food and UT Plans (3) Subsidy) as % of GDP Total Union Resources 790643 837372 +5.9 Share of Social Sector 2.74 2.84 2.57 transferred to States Expenditure (Including Food (1+2+3) Subsidy) as % of GDP GDP at current market 12653762 14108945 Demystifying Devolution to States prices (2011–12 series) Total Union Resources 6.25% 5.94% The government is claiming that the government transferred to States as % has not reduced the expenditure on the social sectors in of GDP JANATA, March 22, 2015 9

As a result, the net increase in spending capacity of the Table 6: India’s Budget, 2014–15 and 2015–16 Reduction in States (combined for all States) in 2015–16 (as compared Budget Expenditure of Social Sector Related Ministries38 to 2014–15 BE) is projected to go up by only 5.91% or (in Rs crore) Rs 46729 crore. 2014–15 2015–16 Reduction (BE) Plan (BE) Plan in Plan Size On the other hand, the Centre has cut its total Plan Expenditure Expenditure (%) Expenditure by 20 percent or Rs 1.1 lakh crore, which is Ministry of Human Resource Development: more than double the increase in Central transfer to the Department of School 51,828 39,039 24.7 Education States. The cuts in spending on social sectors, as given and Literacy in Tables 1 and 5, are even steeper, by 20 to 40 percent Of which: 28,258 22,000 22.1 in most sectors, and even going up to 50–70 percent for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development Department of Higher 16,900 15,855 6.2 and Ganga Rejuvenation, the Ministry of Drinking Water Education Ministry of Women and 21,100 10,287 51.2 and Sanitation, Department of Land Resources and the Child Development Ministry of Panchayati Raj. There are only two important Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: schemes, both backed by Central legislation, where the Department of Health and 30,645 24,549 19.9 allocations in Budget 2015–16 have not been cut: the Family Welfare outlay for food subsidy and the outlay for MNREGA. Department of Health 726 713 1.8 Research It is another matter that the allocations are insufficient. Department of AIDS 1785 1397 21.7 Control Therefore, it is obvious that total Central + State Ministry of Water 13,237 3,607 72.8 government spending on various social sectors is going to Resources, River take a big hit in this financial year. Additionally, as several Development and Ganga analysts have pointed out, the government projection for Rejuvenation its tax revenues are much inflated. The Centre expects the Ministry of Drinking 15,260 6,236 59.1 Water and Sanitation gross tax revenues to go up by 15.8 percent in 2015–16 Ministry of Agriculture: 22,309 16,646 25.4 BE as compared to an actual increase of 9.9 percent in Department of 2014–15, even though it expects the GDP to go up by Agriculture and 11.5% in 2015–16, the same as in 2014–15. That is highly Cooperation 35 Department of Agricultural 3715 3691 0.7 improbable. Therefore, in all likelihood, the Centre’s Research and Education gross tax revenues in 2015–16 will be below the target set Department of Animal 2,174 1,491 31.4 for the year, and therefore the actual Central government Husbandry, Dairying and spending on social sectors is going to be much below Fisheries the already low spending levels planned for this fiscal. Ministry of Rural 80,043 71,642 10.5 Development: Table 5: Trends in Tax Revenues, 2013–14 to 2015–1636 Department of Rural Development (in Rs crore) Department of Land 3,750 1628 56.6 2013–14 2 0 1 4 – 1 5 Change 2015–16 Change Resources RE Ministry of Panchayati 7,000 94 98.7 Gross Tax 1,138,734 1,251,391 9.89% 1,449,490 15.83% Raj Revenues Ministry of Urban Development: The class nature of the various State governments and Department of Urban 16,508 15,676 5 the Central government are the same. Even if there has Development Ministry of Housing and 6,000 5,625 6.3 been a slight increase in devolution of funds to the states, Urban Poverty it is very doubtful if the states are going to pass on this Alleviation increase to increased social sector expenditures; as we have discussed elsewhere, various state governments Reduction in Gender Budget: too are competing with each other to give subsidies to The Gender Budget Statement (GBS), first introduced corporate houses for setting up projects in their states!37 in Union Budget 2005–06, captures the quantum of budgetary resources earmarked for women by various Closer Look at Cuts in Social Sector Expenditures departments and ministries. There is a sharp decline Let us take a more specific look at the cuts faced by in the magnitude of the GBS, by a whopping 19% as the various ministries related to the social sectors. compared to the Budget Estimates for 2014–15, reflecting 10 JANATA, March 22, 2015 the reduced priority for women in this year’s Union three-fourths of all the health spending in the country Budget. Although the list of schemes in the GBS is (72%), public spending accounts for just 28%.44 very long, the reality is, most of these interventions are only on paper, as reflected in the fact that they are very Because of this low level of public spending, India’s meagerly funded—of the 59 schemes meant exclusively health system is in “crisis”, warn the editors of The for women, as many as 54 schemes have allocations of Lancet, one of the world’s most respected medical less than Rs 100 crore!39 journals. India has not succeeded in controlling many infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, kala Reduced Expenditure on Children azar, filariasis, dysentry, typhoid, hepatitis and Japanese India is home to about 442 million children aged encephalitis. Malaria alone kills nearly 2 lakh people in 0–18 years, who constitute 39 percent of the country’s India every year. Around 3 lakh people die of TB every population. The total allocation for child oriented year in the country, nearly 1000 a day. According to schemes has been sharply reduced by 30% in this year’s the WHO (2008), of the total number of deaths due to budget as compared to last year’s budget estimate. The disease in a sample of 192 countries across the world, most important scheme oriented towards children is the India accounted for nearly one-fourth of the deaths due Integrated Child Development Scheme; however, the to diarrhoea, more than one-third of the deaths due to allocation under this scheme has cut by as much as 54 leprosy and more than half of the deaths due to Japanese percent, from Rs 18391 crore in 2014–15 BE to Rs 8449 encephalitis. Of the seven million children who died crore in 2015–16!40 before the age of five in 2011 in the world, one-fourth of these child deaths (1•8 million) took place in India. Resources Earmarked for Dalits and Adivasis The bulk of these deaths are preventable, with an The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub appalling one-third of the deaths being due to pneumonia Plan (TSP) were started in the 1970s with the aim of and diarrhoea alone. India also accounts for one-fifth channelising funds from the general sectors in the Central (56,000) of the 287,000 maternal deaths in the world Ministries towards the development of the Dalits and in 2010, according to a UN report. Even as India has Adivasis, at least in proportion to their share in the total failed to tackle these long standing health challenges, it population. The population share for the Dalits was 16.6 is also faced with another epidemic, of chronic diseases percent and for Adivasis was 8.6 percent according to the (like cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, Government of India Census 2011. While the allocations diabetes and cancer). More than 50% of the deaths in for SCSP and TSP never reached the stipulated norm of India occur due to chronic diseases, with cardiovascular 16% and 8% respectively, in this budget they have fallen diseases being a major contributor. As a Lancet study even more sharply, by 38–39 percent. The allocation for points out, it is possible to address this challenge too, SCSP has fallen to just 6.6 percent and the allocation for many inexpensive strategies are available, but again their TSP to a lowly 4.3 percent of the total Plan expenditure implementation would require strengthening the public for 2015–16!41 health system.45

Abandoning the Health Sector to God Despite this appalling situation, the Union Budget The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 2015–16 has cut the already low allocations for the that countries should allocate at least 5% of the GDP Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by 16%, or about for public health services. The advanced countries Rs. 6000 crore (from Rs 37965.7 crore in 2014–15 BE spend more than this; public health care spending as to Rs 32068.2 crore in 2015–16 BE).46 a percentage of GDP in 27 advanced economies rose from 5% to more than 7% over the period 1990–2008; Accelerating Commercialisation of Education while public health care spending in several emerging Inaugurating the budget session of the Parliament on economies is between 3 to 5 percent of GDP.42 In contrast, February 23, 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee stated India’s public health expenditure in India (Centre and on behalf of the BJP government that education would states combined) was only about 1.3% of the GDP in be the ‘priority of priorities’ for his government.47 2013–14, and is amongst the lowest in the world, even lower than sub-Saharan Africa.43 And yet the allocations for education in the Budget 2015–16 have been slashed by as much as 16.5% as This has forced citizens to bear the brunt of health compared to the 2014–15 estimates. The allocations spending. India has amongst the most privatised health for even the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day systems in the world—households undertake nearly Meal Scheme—two of the most important schemes JANATA, March 22, 2015 11 for elementary education that are to be fully funded of the total population of the country. Therefore, all- by the Central government—have been slashed. The encompassing development of rural areas is crucial for SSA is the main scheme of the Central government for development of the country. implementing the Right to Education Act and universalise education. Total allocation for the SSA has been cut by The BJP had declared in its election manifesto to the 22%, while allocation for the “National Programme of 16th Lok Sabha that the government would focus on Mid Day Meals in Schools” has been chopped by 30%. improving village infrastructure. But as is obvious from The country’s ruling classes are not even willing to spend the Table 8, total allocation for the Ministry of Rural money on providing a decent nutritious meal once a day Development (MoRD) has been cut by 12.5%. for the country’s children! Table 9: Budgetary Allocations for Ministry of Rural Table 7: Budgetary Allocations for Education, Development, 2014–15 and 2015–1651 2014–15 and 2015–1648 (in Rs crore) (in Rs crore) 2014–15 2015–16 Reduction 2014–15 2015–16 Reduction (BE) (BE) (%) (BE) (BE) (%) Ministry of Rural Development 83852.46 73332.58 – 12.5 Ministry of Human 82771.1 69074.76 16.6 Department of Rural 80093.33 71695.08 – 10.5 Resource Development Development Department of School 55115.10 42219.50 23.4 Of which: Education National Rural Livelihood 3858.6 2382.7 – 38.2 and Literacy Mission (NRLM) Of which: Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) 16000 10025 – 37.3 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan 28258 22000 22.1 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak 14391 14291 – 0.7 Mid-Day Meal Scheme 13152 9236.4 29.8 Yojna (PMGSY) Department of Higher 27656.00 26855.26 2.9 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural 34000 34699 + 2 Education Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) Drinking Water and Sanitation Department of Land Resources 3759.13 1637.50 – 56.4 The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is one of the most The most important programs under the MoRD are the heavily publicised programs of the Central government, Indira Awas Yojna (IAY), the National Rural Livelihood endorsed by the Prime Minister himself. It includes Mission (NRLM), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna both the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (PMGSY) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural (NRDWP) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA). It has Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The Union both a rural and an urban component. government is seeking to transfer the IAY and the NRLM While the entire BJP political leadership, from the to State Governments, and so allocations for both these Prime Minister to the Finance Minister, have been schemes has been slashed by nearly 40 percent. harping on Clean India, the government is simply not willing to fund the Swachh Bharat Mission. It has cut the The flagship program of the MoRD is the MNREGA. budget for the SBM by more than half! The goverment On paper, this program, that is legislatively supposed is hoping the states would make good the deficit from to be fully funded by the Centre, has escaped the steep their funds!49 cuts that have been made in social sector spending of the Central government in the 2015–16 budget. The outlay Table 8: Budgetary Allocations for Swachh Bharat Mission, for this program in the Budget 2015–16 has been pegged 2014–15 and 2015–1650 at Rs 34699 crore, 2 percent more than the allocation (in Rs crore) for 2014–15. 2014–15 2015–16 Reduction (BE) (BE) (%) The reality is, the Centre already owes the states Rs Ministry of Drinking Water 15266.85 6243.87 59.1 6000 crores on account of wage arrears already paid by and Sanitation National Rural Drinking Water 11000 2611 76.3 the state governments due to shortfall in Central funding. Programme Even without taking account of inflation, if the centre Swachh Bharat Abhiyan 4260 3625 14.9 wanted to maintain the MGNREGS at the same absolute level as in the previous year, the minimum outlay it Rural Development should have provided is Rs 46,000 crores (consisting of As per Census 2011, nearly 83 crore people in India Rs 34,000 crores plus Rs 6000 crore arrears plus Rs 6000 are living in rural areas, which constitute about 69 percent crore shortfall that caused the arrears in the first place); 12 JANATA, March 22, 2015 the fact that it has not done so but kept the provision at the Government of India, as of now the Act is being roughly the same level as last year, implies therefore a implemented only in 11 states, that too partially. massive actual cut, of 32 percent!52 Therefore, a full roll-out of the Act would considerable more budgetary support as compared to the food subsidy Apart from this shortfall, the present MNREGA bill in 2014–15. However, Jaitley has increased the food programme is very inadequately funded on other subsidy budget by only Rs 2000 crore for this year, accounts too. According to National Sample Survey data implying that the government is not anticipating any for 2009–10 and 2011–12, around 19 percent of rural increase in the quantum of grain to be distributed through households sought work but did not get employment the PDS this year (and is assuming that grain would be under the MNREGA. Even those who got employment procured at the same prices as last year).56 did not get the mandated 100 days of employment. In 2013–14, MNREGA provided 219.72 crore person-days Actually, the National Food Security Act is a very of employment to 4.78 crore households, which works inadequate act. It only partially addresses the huge out to an average wage employment of 46 person-days problem of mal / under-nutrition in the country. a year.53 • Firstly, the Act provides the poor only starvation foodgrains. While the Indian Council for Medical The states had projected an estimated 278 crore Research recommends that an adult requires 14 kg person-days of work for 2014–15, amounting to an of foodgrains per month and children 7 kg, the bill estimated cost of Rs 66,000 crore. The Ministry of Rural restricts the entitlement to only 5 kg per person per Development too had accepted this figure. However, month! the budget allocation for 2014–15 was only Rs 34,000 • Secondly, the Act provides only for cereals, with crore.54 Now, in 2015–16, the budget allocation for this no entitlements to other basic food necessities crucial scheme to provide employment to the rural poor such as pulses and edible oil required to combat has further declined in real terms over this low allocation malnutrition—whose prices have soared in recent made in 2014–15. years. • Thirdly, the Act does not provide even this limited Allocations for Food Security coverage to all the poor—it expands the percentage This is yet another important programme whose of the population that would be provided subsidised allocations have not been cut by the Central government foodgrains through the PDS to 67%, but as has been in Budget 2015–16, at least on paper. pointed out by economist Utsa Patnaik, 75% of the rural population and 73% of the urban population Table 10: Budgetary Allocations for are unable to access the minimum recommended Food Secirity, 2014–15 and 2015–1655 2200/2100 calories. (in Rs crore) • Even states like Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh have 2013–14 2014–15 2014–15 2015–16 Increase better food security acts. Thus, for instance, Tamil (BE) (RE) (BE) (%) Nadu has a universal public distribution system, Ministry of 92,000 115,000 122676 124,419 +8.2 wherein each and every family, whether below the Consumer Affairs, poverty line or not, is entitled to 20 kg rice free of Food and cost. The PDS in Tamil Nadu also supplies other Public essentials like wheat, sugar, kerosene and tur dal at Distribution: subsidised rates.57 Food Subsidy The BJP had in fact criticised these inadequacies GDP at 11345056 12653762 12653762 14108945 of the National Food Security Act in the debate in current market Parliament when this Act was being passed. Arun Jaitley prices had stated: “are we substantially expanding the right (2011–12 over what existed prior to this Bill being brought in? series) Are we substantially increasing the outlay? The answer Food 0.81 0.91 0.97 0.88 Subsidy as is ‘no’…” Murli Manohar Joshi had even moved an % of GDP amendment demanding that “every person … shall be entitled to 10 kg of food grains, two and a half kg of Even within the frame of the National Food Security pulses and nine hundred grams of cooking oil per person Act, these allocations are not enough. According to per month.” The BJP election manifesto for the elections JANATA, March 22, 2015 13 to the 16th Lok Sabha had promised “Universal Food “Is the Government Really Poor”, Lokayat Publication, Security”, saying that it is integral to national security.58 2014, p. 13; available on Lokayat website at lokayat.org.in However, after coming to power, the BJP has made a 5. “Budget 2015–16 in eight charts”, March 3, 2015, http:// www.thehindu.com complete U-turn on this issue too. 6. “Government of India Budget 2015–16”, ICRA Research Services, February 2015, http://www.icra.in The BJP – Twin Brother of UPA 7. “India’s billionaires list rises to all time high of 56: The Budget 2015–16 is not only a continuation, but Forbes”, March 4, 2014, http://www.vccircle.com also an acceleration, of the neo-liberal policies being 8. “Statement of Revenue Impact of Tax Incentives under followed by the previous UPA government. Since the Central Tax System: Financial Years 2013–14 and 2014–15”, http://exactuscorp.co.in 1991, ever since India began globalisation and opened 9. P. Ramakumar, Seek truth from facts: Jaitley’s budget up the economy to foreign multinationals, successive sharply cuts spending for the poor, February 28, 2015, governments at the Centre have been running the economy http://ramakumarr.blogspot.in; “The Medium Term solely for the profit maximisation of giant foreign and Fiscal Policy Statement – Union Budget”, http://www. Indian corporations. The Modi–Jaitley government too indiabudget.nic.in; “Government of India Budget 2015– is: i) transferring lakhs of crores to foreign and Indian 16”, ICRA Research Services, February 2015, http:// business houses in the name of promoting GDP growth; www.icra.in 10. P. Ramakumar, Seek truth from facts: Jaitley’s budget ii) cutting welfare expenditures on the poor—whose aim sharply cuts spending for the poor, February 28, 2015, is to to provide the bare means of sustenance to the poor http://ramakumarr.blogspot.in; see also Table 2. at affordable rates—in the name of containing the fiscal 11. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure Budget – deficit, and privatising and handing over these services Volume I, Part-III–Plan Outlay: Scheduled Castes Sub to private corporations for their naked profiteering. Plan/Tribal Sub Plan; Budget Provisions for Schemes for the Welfare of Children; Gender Budget; http:// indiabudget.nic.in The BJP government does not only want to destroy the 12. See, for example: “Arun Jaitley hints at special steps secular fabric of India, the socialist vision of our nation’s to boost public spending”, January 19, 2015, http:// founding fathers embedded in the following Directive indianexpress.com Principles of our Constitution is also under attack: 13. Original source: IMF WEO Database, www.imf.org; • to build an egalitarian society and a social order in taken from: “The ‘Fiscal Deficit’ Bogeyman and His which justice, social, economic and political, shall Uses”, Aspects of India’s Economy, May 2013, http:// www.rupe-india.org inform all the institutions of the national life [Article 14. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union 38 (1)]; Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance • to strive to minimise inequalities in income [Article Accountability, March 2015, p. 11, http://www.cbgaindia. 38 (2)]; org • to ensure that children are given opportunities and 15. “The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement – Union facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in Budget”, http://www.indiabudget.nic.in; “3 reasons why conditions of freedom and dignity [Article 39 (f)]; India’s tax–GDP ratio has fallen”, March 7, 2015, http:// www.rediff.com • to make effective provision for securing education 16. “India has among lowest tax/GDP ratios, no room for and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old sops”, March 4, http://www.daijiworld.com age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of 17. “Jaitley gave bonanza to corporates: Chidambaram”, undeserved want [Article 41]; The Hindu Business Line, March 1, 2015, http://www. • to regard raising the level of nutrition and the thehindubusinessline.com standard of living of its people and the improvement 18. R Jagannathan, “Budget 2015: Chidu is wrong to claim corporates are main gainers”, March 1, 2015, http://www. of public health as among the primary duties of the firstpost.com State [Article 47]. 19. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance References : Accountability, March 2015, pp. 16–17, http://www. 1. “Jaitley terms Chidambaram’s fiscal deficit target of 4.1% cbgaindia.org as ‘daunting’”, Business Standard, July 10, 2014, http:// 20. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union www.business-standard.com Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance 2. “Jaitley goes for growth, delays cut in fiscal deficit”, Accountability, March 2015, pp. 18–19, http://www. February 28, 2015, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com cbgaindia.org 3. See: “Is the Government Really Poor”, Lokayat 21. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union Publication, 2014, p. 13; available on Lokayat website Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance at lokayat.org.in Accountability, March 2015, p. 18, http://www.cbgaindia. 4. We have discussed this in greater detail in our booklet: org 14 JANATA, March 22, 2015

22. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Budget at a Glance: 35. “Budget lays down multiple goals, but fails on fiscal Expenditure, http://indiabudget.nic.in consolidation front: C Rangarajan”, March 4, 2015, http:// 23. According to the Budget documents, GDP for 2014–2015 www.rediff.com was Rs 12653762 crore (Advance Estimates); and GDP 36. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Budget at a Glance: for 2015–2016 has been projected at Rs 14108945 crore. Receipts, http://indiabudget.nic.in (Source: “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Budget at a Glance, 37. “Is the Government Really Poor”, Lokayat Publication, http://indiabudget.nic.in) 2014, p. 27; available on Lokayat website at lokayat. 24. “Budget 2015–16: Analyzing the Estimated Budget: org.in Where is the plan for most marginalised?”, A Short 38. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure Budget: Review by Delhi Forum, available on the internet at: Volume II – All Statements of Budget Estimates, http:// https://groups.google.com indiabudget.nic.in 25. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure Budget, Volume 39. See Table 1; “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis II: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, http:// of Union Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and indiabudget.nic.in Governance Accountability, March 2015, pp. 21–24, 26. “Budget 2015: Infrastructure investment to be raised by http://www.cbgaindia.org Rs70,000 crore”, Feb 28 2015, http://www.livemint.com 40. See Table 1; “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure 27. “Budget 2015: Infrastructure investment to be raised by Budget: Volume II – All Statements of Budget Estimates, Rs70,000 crore”, Feb 28 2015, http://www.livemint.com http://indiabudget.nic.in 28. “Behind the Attack on ‘Subsidies’”, Aspects of India’s 41. See Table 1; “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis Economy, No. 49, Aug 2010, http://www.rupe-india.org; of Union Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and “FAQs – Public Private Partnership in India”, Ministry Governance Accountability, March 2015, pp. 31–34, of Finance, Government of India, http://pppinindia.com http://www.cbgaindia.org 29. “Draft Compendium of PPP Projects in Infrastructure, 42. David Coady et al. (edited), The Economics of Public 2012”, p. 14, Planning Commission, Government of India, Health Care Reform in Advanced and Emerging Jan 2013, www.infrastructure.gov.in Economies, pp. 23–34, 288, International Monetary Fund, 30. “Yamuna expressway to become operational this month”, 2012, http://books.google.co.in TNN, Apr 7, 2012, http://articles.economictimes. 43. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union indiatimes.com; Naazneen Karmali, “Road to Riches”, Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance Apr 12, 2010, http://www.forbes.com; Jyotika Sood, Accountability, March 2015, p. 50, http://www.cbgaindia. “Road to disaster”, Jun 15, 2011, http://www.downtoearth. org org.in. 44. World Health Statistics 2013, World Health Organisation, 31. For India: SAARC Development Goals: India Country 2013, Switzerland Report 2013, p. 36, Ministry of Statistics and Programme 45. All statistics taken from: “Is the Government Really Implementation, Government of India; For OECD: Poor”, Lokayat Publication, 2014, pp. 39–40; available Government social spending: Total public social on Lokayat website at lokayat.org.in expenditure as a percentage of GDP, OECD iLibrary, 46. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure Budget: Dec 20, 2013, http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org; For EU-27: Volume II – All Statements of Budget Estimates, http:// “Chapter 3 – Social Protection Systems Confronting indiabudget.nic.in the Crisis” in Employment and Social Developments in 47. “‘Education is priority of priorities for my government’: Europe 2012, European Commission, Brussels, Jan 2013, Prez”, February 23, 2015, http://www.aninews.in www.europarl.europa.eu; For Latin America: Sustainable 48. Calculated from: “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Expenditure Budget: Volume II – All Statements of regional perspective towards the post-2015 development Budget Estimates, http://indiabudget.nic.in agenda, United Nations ECLAC, July 2013, www.eclac. 49. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union org Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance 32. “The ‘Fiscal Deficit’ Bogeyman and His Uses”, Aspects Accountability, March 2015, pp. 60–62, http://www. of India’s Economy, op. cit.; “India ranks 135 in human cbgaindia.org development index: UNDP”, TNN, July 24, 2014, http:// 50. Calculated from: “Union Budget 2015–2016”, timesofindia.indiatimes.com Expenditure Budget: Volume II – All Statements of 33. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union Budget Estimates, http://indiabudget.nic.in Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance 51. Calculated from: “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Accountability, March 2015, p. 9, http://www.cbgaindia. Expenditure Budget: Volume II – All Statements of org Budget Estimates, http://indiabudget.nic.in 34. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union 52. [(46,000 – 34,699) / 34,699 x 100]. Source: “Budget Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance 2015–16: Bonanza for the Corporates”, People’s Accountability, March 2015, p. 9, http://www.cbgaindia. Democracy, March 15, 2015, http://peoplesdemocracy.in org; the figures given in this table are not correct for 53. “Of Bold Strokes and Fine Prints: Analysis of Union Central Assistance for State and UT Plans—for this, we Budget 2015–16”, Centre for Budget and Governance have taken the figure given in “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Accountability, March 2015, p. 50, http://www.cbgaindia. Budget at a Glance: Expenditure, http://indiabudget.nic.in org; “Response to Union Budget 2014–15”, Centre for JANATA, March 22, 2015 15

Budget and Governance Accountability, 2014, p. 34, That the Sheikh flew to Delhi to thank Indira Gandhi http://www.cbgaindia.org personally for her help is another story. Dr. Hossain 54. Mridula Chari, “Economists fear changes to NREGA but stayed back at London to discuss with the British fund squeeze is already curtailing its operations”, October 15, 2014, http://www.scroll.in leaders the challenges before the newly-born state of 55. “Union Budget 2015–2016”, Expenditure Budget: Bangladesh. He could speak on behalf of the Sheikh. Volume II – All Statements of Budget estimates, http:// indiabudget.nic.in That Sheikh Hasina has gone to the extent of 56. “Food security, elimination of hunger low priority of denigrating Dr. Hossain does not surprise me. This is Modi govt”, http://www.maeeshat.in; “Budget 2015–16: Food Security, Malnutrition And Eliminating Hunger her way of functioning. She should learn from Prime Low Priority For The Modi Government”, Right to Minister Narendra Modi who does not run down the Food Campaign, N.Delhi, March 3, 2015, https://groups. opposition but follows the policies he has devised. He yahoo.com quietly carries out instructions from the RSS to spread 57. These issues and relevant references given in: “Is the the Hindutva philosophy without making it obvious. Government Really Poor”, Lokayat Publication, 2014, pp. 46–48; available on Lokayat website at lokayat.org.in 58. Sanjeeb Mukherjee, “Outlay shows states may go slow on What is happening to vandalize churches is the food security plan”, July 12, 2014, http://www.business- fallout of the ghar wapsi campaign of the RSS. Two standard.com; “Right to Food Campaign on Budget 14”, important churches have been destroyed in Delhi itself. July 12, 2014, http://www.indiaresists.com. But there is no a word of condemnation by Home Minister Rajnath Singh or any action by the Home (Continued from Page 2) Ministry which is in charge of the capital’s law and order. One feels that the BJP government is conniving and restrain his followers. His statement to parliament at what the perpetrators are doing. last February was sound and welcome. He had said that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the The churches are also a target in Lahore. I cannot religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue say that there is a nexus between the governments on influence. What is needed is that this thought must be either side. But the coincidence is remarkable. Pakistan enforced in letter and spirit. That is all that is expected is a theocratic state, but what about India which has of India’s prime minister. democratic credentials? It means that the Christians are a dispensable minority on both sides.

(Continued from Page 2) Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation, said that if was opposed to Dr. Hossain. “He has stabbed me in he had not been a Hindu he would have liked to be a the back,” she replied. His only fault was that he had Christian. At his prayer meetings, the Bible was read criticized her as an elderly statesman and a colleague before the Gita. What is most disconcerting is that of her father, Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman, the founder of there is no protest from the Hindu community. Some Bangladesh. Christians staged a march in the capital. But the Hindus kept themselves away. Being a majority community Dr. Hossain was the person who was flown to London it was its duty to have reached out to the Christians. when the defeated Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Prime Minister Liberal voices are fewer and muter than before. RSS of West Pakistan, released the Sheikh. Bhutto did chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that Christians are not want him to go directly to New Delhi which had coming back to the Hindu fold because they were helped the Sheikh in his liberation struggle. In fact, converted by the British after the first national uprising when Bhutto offered to release the Sheikh, the latter in 1857. reportedly asked: “What about Kamal Hossain?” Bhutto said that he too would fly with him. Sheikh Hasina is petty and brooks no opposition. Yet, the plus point in her favour is the commitment she Dr. Hossain told me that since the destination was has to secularism. Even Dr. Hossain would admit that. not known to him, he did not carry warm clothes and But that does not hide her autocratic ways. And to go felt uncomfortable when the Pakistan International to the extent of proposing a sedition charge against Dr. Airlines landed at London, carrying just the Sheikh and Hossain is committing a crime which is no less heinous Dr. Hossain, the only two passengers. than treason. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, March 22, 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, March 22, 2015 & Posted on Wednesday March 25, 2015 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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