Matters from CPI (ML) Red Star (October 2015)

Resolutions on International Developments

(Adopted by the CC meeting of CPI (ML) Red Star held on 12^th and 13^th October)

1. The CC of CPI (ML) Red Star congratulates the people of Nepal for getting the Constitution promulgated in spite of all obstacles confronted during the last seven years. At the same time, it condemns the interference of the Indian government in the internal affairs of Nepal. By arm-twisting the Constituent assembly members and the Nepal government, the Indian government was trying to make Nepal a Hindu Rashtra. The involvement of the Indian Government was clearly exposed in a letter demanding seven changes in the Constitution which the Indian government later tried to play down as “suggestions”. As a result of blockade of all its land routes from India using Madhesh struggle as a cover, a crippling situation has been created in Nepal. Our party has already issued a statement condemning the interference of the Indian government in Nepal. We also initiated a joint statement signed by various parties, organizations and individuals. The CC appeals to all left and democratic forces to bring pressure on the government to stay out of the internal affairs of Nepal.

2. The developments in Greece show that the Tsipras government has sold out. Still it could win in the latest elections as there is no alternative force committed to fight austerity measures, rejecting the neo-liberal raj. When more than 60% voted against austerity measures in the referendum, in the present elections people massively abstained from voting, showing their continuing opposition to neo-liberal policies. The CC extends full support to the people of Greece to take forward their struggle against the troika of IMF-European Central Bank-European Union, who are imposing the austerity measures.

3. On 5^th October 2015, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) became a reality. This is a trade partnership between 12 countries on the Pacific Rim including the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Japan. The clauses of this pact have been shrouded in secrecy, and it seems it includes clauses on further extending patents and Intellectual Property Rights. It presents “grave risks” and “serves the interests of the wealthiest” according to progressive forces. In 2014, Noam Chomsky warned that the TPP is “designed to carry forward the neoliberal project to maximize profit and domination, and to set the working people in the world in competition with one another so as to further lower wages to increase insecurity”. The CC of CPI (ML) Red Star calls on all progressive forces to expose and resist this treaty.

4. The migration question in Europe is an ongoing crisis. The face of the young Aylan Kurdi has become the face of the migration problem. There were many attempts to trick the migrants in trains entering Europe by diverting whole trains. The surfacing of this problem shows the deteriorating state of affairs in the regions of North Africa, Central Asia and West and South Asia from where most of the migrants are coming. The problem is a creation of imperialist – mainly US imperialist – intervention and aggression in the region and still the imperialists refuse to take responsibility of even a small section of the millions of refugees. This exposes the barbaric nature of these forces. Instead of treating the migrants with humanitarian concern, they are being treated in a rude and ham-handed manner by the US and European authorities. The CC severely condemns this inhuman attitude of imperialists and calls on all progressive forces to support the cause of the migrants and their right to get asylum as refugees from imperialist aggression.

5. The UN summit on sustainable development has turned out into a big tamasha. Following the 8-point millennium development goals (MDGs) set up in 2000, and after further deliberations at the Rio Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20), the UN has now adopted a charter of around 17 goals which are to be achieved over the next 15 years to bring forth sustainable development. Going from such platitudes as ending hunger and poverty and the right to water the goals are aimed, unlike the MDGs of 2000, not at governments alone but mainly at the private corporations. So now the saving of the environment (and removing poverty and hunger) has been left to the tender mercies of “corporates’ social responsibility”. Without a word of criticism about the non-achievement of the MDGs of 2000, the imperialists and their lackeys are conveniently stepping over to the new ‘17 commandments’ of the sustainable development goals. The CC severely condemns these imperialist moves under the banner of sustainable development and calls on all progressive forces to oppose the present development perspective of the imperialist system which devastates nature and to campaign for a people-oriented development which only can protect nature and ecology.

6. The election of Jeremy Corbyn, a left wing leader, as the leader of the Labour Party in the UK shows the frustration of the working class there with leaders who compromise with the established imperialist policies. Corbyn is an advocate of the re-nationalistaion of public utilities including the railways, abolishing university tuition fees and restoring student grants, a unilateral policy of nuclear disarmament, ‘People’s Quantitative Easing’ to fund infrastructure and renewable energy projects, and reversing cuts to public sector and welfare funding made since 2010; proposing combating tax evasion and avoidance by corporations and wealthy individuals, and reducing business subsidies, as an alternative to the government’s austerity programme. The cutting of social welfare and social spending in the UK has clearly had its effect on the labour voters. The CC welcomes this as a sign of the left swing slowly taking place in many European countries.

7. The Malabar Exercise this year has seen the Japanese Navy also being involved in this in the Bay of Bengal for the first time. Earlier, India hosted this exercise when the US was the only other participant. The exercise, whenever it involved others, was off the coast of Japan. This shows the increasing closeness of the Indian government with the US imperialists’ alliance. The CC condemns this exercise and subservience of Indian government to US imperialism and demands its dissolution.

Observe 7^th November Demanding Peace, Bread and Democracy

The Central Committee meeting of CPI (ML) Red Star calls on all Party Committees to observe 7^th November, the 98^th anniversary of the Russian revolution with the slogan “Peace, Bread and Democracy” (Shanti, Roti and Janwad), starting from grass root level campaigns and culminating with state level mobilizations. In the context of the year-long campaign planned from 7^th November, 2016 to celebrate the Centenary of the October Revolution with revolutionary zeal, the CC calls on the Party committees to take up this campaign linking the spirit of proletarian internationalism with the people’s issues.

Observe 6^th December as “Anti-Saffronisation Day”

The CC meeting has called to observe 6^th December as “Anti- Saffronisation Day” with the slogans “Resist conspiracy to turn India into Hindu Rashtra” and “Fight to save Right to Freedom of Thought, Food and Culture”. Recognizing the gravity of the intensifying communal danger with undercurrents of increasing fascist threats to the polity, the CC has called for chalking out plans independently and wherever possible joining with like-minded forces by the Party committees and make the campaign and 6^th December programmes militant and vigorous.

Join 3^rd All-India Conference of Caste Annihilation Movement; Down with Brahmanical Onslaughts to Perpetuate Caste System

The Third All India Conference of the Caste Annihilation Movement (CAM) will be held at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) with a seminar on the topic ‘Caste Annihilation in which direction?’ followed by a mass rally and public meeting on 31^st October and delegates’ session on 1^st November. Delegates and observers from Kerala, TN, Karnataka, AP, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and other areas are expected to participate. The special issues of the English and Hindi journals, Caste Annihilation and Jati Unmulan respectively, with contributions from activists and intellectuals shall be released at the seminar. A vigorous campaign is organized by the Reception Committee with the slogans: Demolish Caste System and Unite and Struggle against Intensifying Atrocities and Attacks on the Democratic Rights of Dalits, Adivasis and Other Backward Classes with extensive postering, wall-writing and jathas. State level conferences of CAM are being organized in the meanwhile at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 18^th, in Karnataka and Lucknow (UP) on 25^th October.

The seminar and delegates’ session shall be held at Sri Dular Viswakarma Dharmasala, Badhaipara, near Raipur railway station. All those committed to fight and demolish the caste system are invited to participate. Contact addresses: Tuhin Deb 09425560952; Tejram 08959666036.

An Appeal for Building Struggling Left and Democratic Platform as an Alternative to Ruling Class Alternatives at Central and State Level

Dear Comrades,

With the advent to power of the ultra-rightist BJP government, it is ‘from frying pan to fire’ for the vast majority of the people. Under intensifying corporate loot and saffronization drive of RSS Parivar, all their basic rights are snatched away more fiercely. Including the dalits, adivasis, women and minorities, all oppressed classes and sections are facing unprecedented pauperization and alienation. Even existing democratic rights, secular values, progressive aspects of foreign policy, the right to food, housing, healthcare, education and employment are taken away. Whatever plurality, humanist values, scientific temper existed has come under barbarous attacks of the saffron brigade which is trying to impose its own moral, food, dress, culture and even work code on everybody. Beating back this reactionary offensive by the ultra-rightist religious fundamentalist forces calls for broadest possible unity of the secular, democratic and left forces.

This unity is significant and urgently needed in the present grave international situation also. With the intensification of the cascading effects of the crisis confronting it in every field, starting with the crisis of the international finance capital system, the imperialist forces, especially US imperialism, is acting like a mad bull, destroying all progressive values developed by humanity during the many centuries of renaissance movement, democratic revolutions and socialist advances. When the military adventures in the name of ‘war on terror’ miserably failed and as they are forced to withdraw armed forces from many of the aggressed countries, they are promoting religious fundamentalists of all hues paving the way for emergence of ISIS like outfits. While all the basic contradictions at the international level including the inter imperialist contradictions are intensifying very fast, divisive tendencies are promoted by the imperialists and their lackeys based on religion, race, caste etc. and using identity politics like post-modernist ideologies. The burden of their crisis is imposed over the oppressed nations and peoples. Instead of serving the national interests, the Modi government is intensifying the neo-colonial servitude and dividing the people at the behest of US imperialists. In this situation the struggling left and democratic forces have to strengthen their unity against these international and national level challenges.

Though Congress and the regional parties, many of whom lead governments in many states, are talking about the need to oppose the communal fascist acts of RSS outfits, they are not opposing the increasing corporate loot or are not ready to put an end to their own communal, caste based appeasement/vote bank politics. The dissensions within the AAP so soon after its landslide victory in Delhi elections show that without challenging the ruling class politics no alternative to Congress or BJP can be built up. As far as the CPI (M) led Left Front parties are concerned, though they talk about a broad left and democratic front, they have not abandoned their reformist line and are waiting for an opportunity to join hands with the regional parties or even with Congress.

What is required is a basically different, programme-based alternative which is ready to fight the neo-liberal policies lock stock and barrel. It is with this perspective that the four constituents of the Democratic People’s Forum, CPI(ML) Red Star, NSM (Gujarat), NDPI (Delhi) and Navjanavadi Lokmanch (Jharkhand) are proposing the formation of a platform of struggling left and democratic forces based on a common minimum programme which can be arrived at through discussion based on the following points and any points suggested by other organizations, as an alternative against the ruling class alternatives at central and state level: Proposed Common Minimum Program of DPF for discussion and finalization:

1. Oppose imperialist globalization-liberalization-privatization and neo-liberal policies; struggle against imperialist domination through IMF, World Bank, WTO and MNCs; Fight against corporatization of all fields; End corporate-mafia raj.

2. Fight against the intensification of communalization by all shades of religious fundamentalist forces, especially the saffronization of all fields by the Hindutva forces with the blatant support of BJP government.

3. Stop displacements for neo-liberal Projects; Struggle for scrapping Modi’s Land Acquisition Bill; Oppose corporatization of agriculture and Second Green Revolution; Implement progressive land reforms based on land to the tiller, promoting co-operative agriculture, providing assistance to the farmers for agricultural development; ensure rights of agricultural workers including dalits and adivasis ensuring their right over the land.

4. Fight price-rise; Struggle for universal Public Distribution System; Fight for food security, housing, education, healthcare and employment for all; Fight for unemployment allowance to all unemployed.

5. Fight corporatization of industry, services and infrastructure building; Struggle for socialization of all core sectors including energy, mining, steel, minerals etc.; Fight contract and casual labour system, struggle for need based wages, job security and democratic rights of working class.

6. Fight for democratizing society through constitutional and democratic reforms including the right to recall elected representatives as well as government servants; Reform electoral laws introducing proportional representation; Prosecute all corrupt through special courts; Confiscate all black money deposited in foreign banks and other hideouts.

7. Ensure Adivasis’ right over their land and natural resources; Implement autonomous councils based on Sixth Schedule in Adivasi areas; End caste-based and communal oppression, and attacks on women, dalits and oppressed classes and sections; Struggle for casteless and secular society.

8. End all forms of gender discrimination; Ensure women’s equality in all fields.

9. Scrap AFSPA, UAPA and all other black laws; Withdraw military from Jammu- Kashmir and Northeast; End state terror and achieve all round democratization of the administration and society.

10. Settle all border disputes, a hangover from colonial days, through bilateral discussions; Withdraw military from borders and cut down military expenditure; Develop fraternal relations with neighbouring countries; Liberalize visa rules to improve people to people relations.

11. Abolish imperialist promoted ‘development’ policies which devastate nature, cause ‘climate change’, lead to ecological catastrophes and impoverish the people; Implement people oriented, sustainable and eco-friendly development paradigm.

This appeal is sent for your consideration and proposals.

K. N. Ramachandran, Convener, DPF, and General Secretary of CPI(ML) Red Star

All India Protest Day Observed across the Country on October 1

In states across the country, party committees organized rallies and demonstrations with the central slogans ‘Unite against Corporate Raj, Communalization and Corruption! Struggle for People’s Alternative’ on October 1. The Punjab Committee organized a Raj Bhavan March in Chandigarh and handed over a memorandum to the governor demanding solution of urgent problems faced by workers and peasantry. At Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, the state organizing committee submitted a memorandum. At Hyderabad the Telangana and AP committees submitted memorandum to governor. The Tamil Nadu state committee organized a similar programme in Chennai. At Nagpur the district committee organized a daylong dharna. In Madhya Pradesh dharna was organized at Bhopal, Sidhi, Asoknagar and Sagar.

While the rally and public meeting preceded by district level rallies were massive in Karnataka, in Kerala there were district level jathas and Raj Bhavan March on 1^st October. In Lucknow memorandum was submitted. In Jharkhand, dharna was organized at Palamau. The Raj Bhavan March at Raipur was impressive. In Kolkata the Raj Bhavan March was organized on October 7 with an impressive rally and a 25-point charter of demands submitted to the governor in person. A booklet ‘Open Letter to the Chief Minister’, highlighting the failed promises of Bengal’s populist chief minister, was also released on the occasion.

Stop Interfering in Nepal

More than 100 prominent persons from different sections of the society have expressed their anguish on the interference by India in Nepal’s internal affairs. They have welcomed the promulgation of the Constitution on 20 September. Mentioning the displeasure shown by the government of India on the promulgation of the constitution the statement underlines the fact that ‘this has further embittered the relation between the two which is already not satisfactory due to the big-brotherly attitude of the consecutive Indian governments which the Nepalese people see as an expansionist policy.’ The statement says that ‘It is the right of the sovereign people of Nepal to elect their representatives, to decide what ruling system they should have, to frame the Constitution and to make any changes in it. The Indian government has violated this principle of peaceful co-existence between neighbouring countries.’

Prominent intellectuals and the leaders of left, democratic and revolutionary political streams have endorsed the statement. The signatories include S. Sudhakar Reddy, Gen. Secy. CPI; Amarjit Kaur, National Secy. CPI; Swapan Mukherji, Polit Bureau Member of CPI–ML (Liberation); K. N. Ramchandran, Gen. Secy., CPI-ML (Red Star); Debbrata Biswas, Gen. Secy., All India Forward Block; Akhilendra Pratap Singh, National Convenor, All India People’s Front; Sheomangal Siddhantkar, Gen. Secy., CPI-ML (New Proletarian); Raghu Thakur, President, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party; Arjun Prasad Singh of People’s Democratic Front of India among others.

More than a hundred writers, journalists, academicians, filmmakers have endorsed the statement. Prominent among them are Anand Patwardhan (Filmmaker), Anil Sadgopal (Educationist), Amit Bhaduri and Nirmalangshu Mukherji (Academician), Manoranjan Mohanty (Political Scientist), Kamal Nayan Kabra , Girish Mishra and Jaya Mehta (Economists), Shamshul Islam (Theatre activist) and the writers , poets, journalists like Asad Zaidi, Mangalesh Dabral, Pankaj Bisht, Vishnu Nagar, Neelabh, Pankaj Singh, Vishnu Khare, Ranjit Verma, Ujjawal Bhattacharya, Madan Mohan, Gautam navlakha, Anand Swaroop Verma, Shastri Ramchandran, Rahul Pandita, Abhishek Srivastava, Palash Bishwas, Javed Naqvi, Amalendu Upadhyay and many others.