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Political notes
1.Gujarat is still burning Dismiss Narendra Modi Government
The government sponsored genocide against the Muslim population in the state of
Gujarat is still continuing even 75 days after it began on 28th February 2002.
The number of the slaughtered have already crossed 2500. Yet another diabolic
and monstrous plan is sought to be executed by the Government. They have issued
orders to wind up all the 100 refugee camps in different parts of the state in
which more than a lakh of Muslim refugee are living. The refugees do not know
where they can go. Their houses and properties are looted and burned. There is
nothing like a house existing now in large number of cases. Where there is
something to make a makeshift arrangement, it is also not possible in the
absence of security. The RSS goons in large numbers appeared before each of the
refugee camps and made public declarations that they will be put to death if
they come out. Continuous propaganda is on that Muslim cannot live in Hindu
populated areas. So the danger is that thousands of them will be exterminated if
they go to their old places of living. The government machinery is paralyzed and
are asked to help the criminals to commit crimes against Muslims. Therefore the
plan of winding up of the refugee camps are executed the human genocide will
further increase. Being born a Muslim is a crime attracts death under RSS
prescription and that is why the cleansing operation of Muslim areas are carried
out ruthlessly. In other words fascism is in action in the state of Gujarat.
The Parliamentary discussions allowed by the Dy. Speaker which took place after
10 days blockade of the house by the combined opposition under rule 184 has
thoroughly exposed, the inhuman crimes committed by the RSS gang against the
Muslim minority with the connivance of the state administration. Not only the
opposition blasted the government but also many of the ruling party allies and
the supporting parties also joined the fray. All of them demanded that the
removal of Mr. Modi from office.
The defence put up by the shouting
brigades of BJP the home minister Mr. Advani and the prime minister could not
convince anybody. Though they could technically win majority for negativing the
motion with a small majority however their democratic masks has been torn to
pieces and their ugly face of fascism came into full focus before the Indian
people.
The same was the nature of discussion in the Rajya Sabha too
though the BJP changed their tactics and supported the motion moved by the
opposition since they knew that the motion will be carried. However the exposure
was complete.
Inspite of the exposure in both the houses of parliament and
the large scale public opinion against the inhuman behavior of BJP in Gujarat
the Central government is trying to protect Narendra Modi that what is going on
in Gujarat is a simple law and order question. While the genocide in the state
is still continuing. It is evident beyond doubt that the government of Gujarat
under Narendra Modi has flouted the Indian constitution and therefore a
constitutional break down has taken place in the state. The legal remedy is only
to dismiss the government immediately.
It seems that the non-BJP
political parties who are in the NDA allies and the parties supporting from
outside do not realize yet the danger of fascism in action. They are concerned
only with the perks in the government and their positions in the states
unmindful of what is at stake for the nation.
The history of fascism
goes to show that once they come to power through whatever means they will use
every method legal or otherwise to cling on to power. Once they achieve complete
sway over the administration they will throw away the 'niceties' of democracy,
democratic traditions and even the constitution itself if necessary to impose
the dictatorship of armed fascist gangs. No dissent is possible for anybody
covering Hindus or Muslims. No state government will safe in such a situation
and the fascist will proceed with their monstrous agenda. Therefore it is time
for everybody to wake up and see that the BJP led RSS controlled set up in the
centre should be brought down. This is the duty of all the democratic minded
people and the trade union movement should collectively and jointly stand in the
forefront of this fight for saving democracy and saving India.
2.The April 16th Strike is a pace setter
Everybody now
concede that the April 16th General strike of the public sector employees and
other workers in the country was a unique event. All the basic sectors of
economy and industry came to a stand still because of the strike: the banks did
not work including insurance. So was the position of the state government
offices. The port and dock operations throughout the country came to a stand
still. In many states there was general strike. Some spontaneity was in evidence
in the strike. Since thousands of workers who were members of the unions which
did not officially issue the call for strike also joined in the strike in many
industries, for example. workers whose affinity is with INTUC.
I do not wish
to give a lengthy details report about the strike which was available in the
daily press. The conservative newspapers of the country have sufficiently given
coverage for this united action of the working class and said that more than one
crores of workers joined the strike.
The response of workers for the
strike was more than what was expected by trade union leaders. It shows that the
workers are acquiring maturity in understanding the dangers of the new economic
policy pursued by the government of India under the world bank, IMF, WTO
dictated policies for them and for the nation. One should not fail to understand
that though the strike was magnificent but it is a short of forcing the
government to change their policies. Sectional actions and partial actions
although important is not sufficient to force the government for policy change.
It will be possible only if the Indian working class as a whole including all
the vital sectors rise to the occasion and prepare for an all out action. For
which the trade union leaders must rise to the occasion above their narrow
outlook and take the lead for a gigantic action to save India and the Indian
working class.
3. FRENCH PEOPLE SAVE DEMOCRACY
The world was eagerly watching the political development in France during the
recent presidential election. In the first round Jean-Marie Le Pen, the leader
of a far right political combination which has fascist leanings could muster
majority over Lionel Josphin- who was the prime minister of France and a
Socialist candidate. There was large scale predictions that French voters will
elect Jean-Marie Le Pen as the president the leader of fascist group. However
the conservative leader Jacques Chirac got elected in the second round with a
massive majority and defeated the fascist attempt of take over French
presidency. It was made possible since all the left forces rallied behind the
conservative candidate Jacques Chirac and ensured his massive victory, and thus
the French people protected their democratic system. France which has the
revolutionary traditions rose to the occasion and defeated fascists from taking
over power. One thing needs to be noted that generally in Europe fascist outfits
are raising their heads in a menacing way and slowly gaining down as a threat to
democracy. This situation has developed since the so called 'socialist parties'
and others with tall promises came to power promising eradication of
unemployment and better life for the people. But they could not do much within
the limits of the so called "new capitalist order" which has the inbuilt nature
of "jobless growth" and other maladies of capitalism. That is why Mr. Lionel
Josphin has to face defeat. Unless and until bold and radical steps are not
taken by those in power, the growth of fascists forces cannot be arrested which
is the developing trend in Europe.
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