CPM leaders manhandled by police

The police caned CPI (M) workers in Nelloor district of Andhra Pradesh, who were protesting in front of the district collectorate against the forceful removal of CPI(M) leaders who were on an indefinite fast near Gandhi statue during the early hours of Friday. Some party leaders sustained injuries in the lathi charge.

Non-bailable cases have been filed against 23 including eight women for trespassing into the Collectorate. The leaders of CPI (M) and its mass organisations had launched an indefinite fast five days ago, demanding house sites, permanent houses, pensions and ration cards to the eligible. The fasting leaders include CITU town secretary, Mr K. Ajaykumar, DYFI town secretary, Mr Nageswar Rao, Sramika Mahila district secretary, Ms S.K. Rahena Begum, and Girijan Sangam district president, Mr B.L. Sekhar.

They demanded an assurance from higher authorities to call of their agitation on Thursday. The CPI (M) leaders warned that they would intensify the stir if officials failed to talk to them before Friday afternoon. Although Nellore tahsildar, Mr Bhaktavatsala Reddy, spoke to them on Thursday night, they were not happy since they expected the intervention of higher authorities.

Irked by the police highhandedness, a large number of party men assembled at Gandhi statue and took out a rally to stag-ed a dharna before the Collectorate . The police chased them and arrested 35 of them including party district-level leaders.

Cases have been filed  against leaders, Mr Mohan Rao, former deputy mayor, Mr Madala Venkateswarlu, former corporator, Mr Katti Srinivasulu, Mr Pulimi Sridhar, Mr Suryanarayana, Ms Arigala Ramamma and Ms Annapoornamma, among others.

Meanwhile the fasting leaders, who have been shifted to the government headquarters hospital, are being treated there.

Countrywide Protests against Obamas visit on November 8

The Left parties – the CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP -- have issued the following statement:

The President of the United States, Barack Obama is visiting India. Being the first Afro-American President and coming after the neo-conservative Bush regime, there were expectations of positive changes. These, however, have not materialized.

On this occasion, the Left parties have decided to organise a countrywide day of protest on November 8, 2010. The United States, as part of its global hegemonic designs, is pursuing policies which are inimical to the national sovereignty and the people’s interests of many countries. As far as India is concerned, the United States is aggressively pressurising the government to adopt economic policies which are detrimental to the people in the name of a strategic alliance.

Contrary to the official view of the ruling establishment regarding the role being played by the United States, both globally and vis a vis India, the Left parties would like to convey the views of the vast mass of the people of India.

The Left parties will highlight the following issues on the protest being organised on November 8:

1. Justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas accident; to make Dow Chemicals pay for the damages and for the clean up of the factory site; US should extradite Warren Anderson to India to stand trial.

2. The United States should stop pressurizing India on foreign policy and to open up agriculture, retail trade, education and other services for American capital and multinational companies.

3. Scrap the Indo-US Defence Framework Agreement which seeks to convert India into a military ally of the United States. Stop pressurizing India to give up liability claims on US nuclear suppliers.

4. Withdraw the remaining 50,000 US troops in Iraq forthwith; have a political settlement in Afghanistan to establish an independent and neutral state and withdraw US-Nato forces immediately.

5. End the US embargo on Cuba; stop all assistance to Israel till it vacates the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories.

The Left parties call upon all its units to organise demonstrations and rallies on the above demands on November 8.

CPI(M) protest seeking wall demolition

Cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and members of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front staged a demonstration here on Wednesday demanding the demolition of a wall at Edamalaipattipudur in the city that denied Dalits access to the main road.

The demonstration was headed by the party's city secretary, K. Annadurai, in which the CPI (M) district secretary, S. Sridhar, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front convenor P. Sampath and CPI (M) functionaries took part.

The party claimed that the wall was constructed on a pathway on the Muthumariamman Koil Street in Edamalaipattipudur, falling under the 40th ward, to prevent Dalits from using that way. It said several Dalit families were residing on the Muthumariamman Koil Street and the Tiruchi – Madurai national highway was just 50 metres from that street. The Dalits had to take a detour to reach the main road owing to the presence of the wall, the party claimed.

Meanwhile, Collector Mahesan Kasirajan has said that the district administration was in the process of verifying the document produced by the resident of Sakthivel Colony in Edamalaipattipudur indicating ownership of the portion of the tiled house that blocks the path to the Tiruchi-Madurai road for residents of the adjoining Adi Dravida colony, before initiating steps to clear the way.

The resident, Nalla Mohamed, has submitted the photocopy of the document for the ‘Natham' patta he was given in 1994.

The Revenue Divisional Officer has asked him to produce the original document to ensure its conformity with the records maintained by the district administration.

The process will be carried out at the earliest, the Collector told media persons on Wednesday.

There are means to revoke the grant of patta. Since the wall has been in existence for more than 30 years, the district administration has to make sure it has not acted in haste. Hence the enquiry, he said, adding that had the wall been constructed on ‘poromboke' land, it could have been removed right away. With the issue hogging media limelight, facts have to be viewed in the right perspective, he said.

Mr.Kasirajan informed that 100 families in the Adi Dravida colony were given pattas in 1965, and that the 29 families in Sakthivel Colony to the West of the Adi Dravida Colony encompass seven Muslim families, five Christian families, one Adi Dravida family, and other communities.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

DYFI stages stir against Mangalore City Corporation

Alleging that the tenders for development projects were not being awarded in a fair manner in Mangalore City Corporation and charging council members and officials with demanding bribe from contractors, DYFI members staged a protest outside MCC Office on Monday.

DYFI District President Muneer Katipalla said that contractors in the city are reluctant to take up development works because of the corrupt practices prevailing in MCC. Council members and officials are bothered about the percentage of share they can earn through the contracts for development works. They have no concern for the city and its development, Katipalla said. He said that while crores of rupees have been spent to develop city roads, the corporation has conveniently ignored interior roads in the City limits. The major achievements of BJP-led MCC are the anti-poor city development plan and the hike in the water supply tariff.

The billing process for the water supply in the City has been handed over to private agency thereby leaving consumers in a fix. Even though there were several complaints with regard to excessive billing, the City Corporation could not address the same,he said and added that BJP corporators are more concerned about the State politics than the real problems of the poor in the City. A procession was taken out from Jail Road to the MCC Office.

(Source : Mangalorean.com)

Rejoinder by Prakash Karat to certain Press reports on Cambridge speech

There have been certain reports of my speech at the Memorial Conference for Victor Kiernan in Cambridge that are inaccurate in parts and misleading. Some agencies have attributed to me that I stated that we committed “a historical blunder” in not recognising the role played by caste in politics and society. It is also alleged that I said that Communists are “stuck in the forties” as far as their theory and practice is concerned.

 

I wish to make it clear that these remarks attributed to me are neither correct nor accurate. As far as caste is concerned what I said is as follows: “We should understand both in theory and practice how class structure in India is influenced by and integrated with structures of hierarchy, discrimination and oppression that are particular to Indian society reflected for instance in caste system.” Stating that Communists recognise the role of caste in the socio-economic formations in India is far from saying what has been attributed to me.

 

Secondly, contrary to saying that Communists are stuck in the forties, what I pointed out was and I quote from my written notes:

 

 “The bulk of the support for the Communist Parety even today comes from the movement areas and outlying region, where mainly in the 1941 to 1948 period the Communists succeeded in bringing together and leading the two main historical currents of people’s struggles -- the struggle against the colonial power and the struggle of the rural masses for freedom from exploitation. Thus where the Communists brought the anti-imperialist and anti-landlord movements together and gave leadership to this united struggle, they gained mass support. Tebhaga (Bengal), North Malabar (Kerala), the tribal struggle (Tripura) the Telengana struggle are some instances.”

 

I had concluded by saying that the agenda of the forties such as land reforms and struggle for land is still being pursued by the Communists.

Left favours right to strike: CITU

The Left parties are supporting the workers' right to go on strikes and countering the Pension Fund Regulatory Authority Bill, CITU State president S. Veeraiah said on Sunday. Speaking at the 21st general conference of LIC Employees Union's at the LIC Divisional Office here, he said India could withstand the global economic crisis on account of the stand of the Left parties that public sector undertakings and financing agencies should be in the Government's control. The Nuclear Bill and reforms were delayed by four years owing to pressure from the Leftists. The onslaught on workers' rights was also resisted by the Communists, Mr. Veeraiah said.

Employment of four crore persons was safeguarded due to 13 nationwide-strikes organised by Communist parties, the CITU leader said. Employees and workers must strive to safeguard pro-worker Governments in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, Mr. Veeraiah said. All India Insurance Employees Association national joint secretary V. Ramesh said LIC employees secured a good pay revision recently. He wanted a concerted movement to oppose Bills on increasing foreign direct investment in the insurance sector.

LIC Senior Divisional Manager M. Veerabhadra Rao, union president A. Sultan Mohiddin, general secretary B.V.S. Raju, union's zonal president B. Rajendra Kumar, joint secretary Clement Xavier Das and Class I union general secretary D. Basava Raju, LIC Pensioners Association president S. Khader Basha and CITU district general secretary A. Ramamohan participated.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Report confirmed: U.S. intelligence hand behind attempted Ecuadorian coup

THE uprising against President Rafael Correa by a coup faction within the Ecuadorian police force is confirmed in an alarming report into the infiltration of this force by U.S. intelligence services published in 2008, which states how many members of the police departments were developing a "dependency" on the U.S. embassy in that South American country.

The report specifies that certain police units "have an informal economic dependence on the United States in terms of paying informants, training, equipment and operations."

The systematic use of corruption techniques on the part of the CIA in order to secure the "good will" of police officers was exposed on many occasions by former CIA agent Philip Agee who, prior to leaving the agency, was assigned to the U.S. embassy in Quito.

In his official report, published at the end of 2008, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce revealed how U.S. diplomats dedicated themselves to corrupting police officers and also officers within the Armed Forces.

Confirming that fact, the leadership of the Ecuadorian police force then announced it intended to sanction its agents who were collaborating with Washington, while the U.S. embassy declared the "transparency" of its support for Ecuador.

"We are working with the Ecuadorian government, the military and the police, for very important security purposes," declared Heather Hodges, the U.S. ambassador in Quito.

However, the diplomat told journalists that she would make no comment "on intelligence issues."

For her part, press attaché Marta Youth categorically refused to discuss the Ecuadorian government’s condemnations, which include the CIA’s participation in an operation with Colombia which resulted in the Colombian military attack against FARC guerrillas on Ecuadorian territory on March 1 of that year.

Army intelligence chief Mario Pazmiño was removed from his post for concealing information related to the attack on the FARC.

In the past few months, U.S. officials have appeared in Ecuador on the pretext of strengthening relations between Ecuador and the United States.

Arturo Valenzuela, assistant secretary of state for Western hemisphere affairs, traveled to Ecuador and met with President Correa with a view to securing a visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to that country.

Valenzuela was accompanied by Todd Stern, "special envoy for climate change", is also known for his affinity to the CIA."
(Source : Granma)

Left parties to protest agaist land allotment to TIFR in Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) Andhra Pradesh State Committee had said it would protest against allotment of over 200 acres of land to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the Central University on October 19th. Prime Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the TIFR campus.

A section of faculty members and students of the university have objected to the allotment of over 200 acres of the university land to the TIFR and the CPI(M) has supported their contention. "We urge the Prime Minister to cancel his programme to lay the foundation stone of the TIFR campus. If he comes here, people would see what would happen" CPI(M) leader and MP comrade P Madhu told reporters.

CPI(M) State Secretary B V Raghvulu had earlier written a letter to the Prime Minister to cancel his programme to lay the foundation for TIFR campus as the students and academic staff had reservations over the land allotment.

Leaders of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), in a joint letter to the prime minister, appealed to him to cancel his proposed programme as it could be used by an “unscrupulous” administration to sanctify its “selfish” and “unreasonable land deals”. CPI leader K. Narayana said there were proposals to allot 1,000 acres more to institutions and Singh’s foundation stone laying for TIFR would enable the university to clear them.

Petrol Price Hike

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

 

The public sector oil companies have increased the price of petrol by 70 to 72 paise per litre. This follows an increase in September of 27 paise per litre. The price of petrol has already been increased by Re. 1 per litre in the space of three weeks. 

 

The CPI(M) strongly opposes this recurrent increase in the prices of petrol. By deregulating the petrol pricing, the government has opened the way for successive hikes in petrol prices. 

 

The rise in petrol prices will further fuel inflation. The people who are suffering from continuous food inflation will be more burdened. There is no transparency in the pricing decision making.

 

The Polit Bureau calls upon the government to scrap the deregulation in petrol pricing.

DYFI activists protest delay of trains on western line Read more: DYFI activists protest delay of trains on western line

DYFI activists protested against the delay of trains on the Western Railway (WR) line near the Andheri, Mira Road and Vasai stations.

They demanded that railway officials and motormen resolve their issues as lakhs of commuters were being affected. After an inquiry by officials, motormen have been following speed limits, thus causing delays.

"Following a meeting convened by officials to investigate the issue of motormen speeding to make up for delays, motormen are now following the rules, thus causing delays," said Shailendra Kamble, who was protesting at Andheri station.

Several activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) protested against poor railway services and the delay of trains on the Western Railway (WR) line near the Andheri, Mira Road and Vasai stations .

The protesters demanded that the railway officials bury the hatchet with the motormen and end the rivalry that is causing delays on the WR line. Some of the other demands included the speeding up of Virar car shed construction.

"Last month, senior railway officials convened a meeting to investigate the issue of speed limits. Following this, the motormen, who would earlier make up for the delays by breaking the speed limits, started going by the rule book and following all the prescribed limits. This is clearly causing the delay and affecting commuters," said an agitated Shailendra Kamble, who was protesting at Andheri station.
(Source : The Times of India)

DYFI opposes SBI move to reappoint retired officers

The DYFI took out a march to the Local Head Office of the State Bank of India in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday in protest against the bank's move to reappoint retired hands.

I.B. Satheesh, State secretariat member of the DYFI, who inaugurated the march, deplored the reappointment of retired hands at a time when the number of the educated unemployed was swelling. It amounted to the implementation of the Centre's recruitment policy through the back door, he said.

Mr. Satheesh charged the Centre with trying to privatise the public sector undertakings under it when States, including Kerala, were strengthening the PSUs under them. As part of it, the Centre was abolishing posts, refraining from inviting applications for permanent posts, resorting to contractual appointments even in essential services and reappointing retired hands.

Mr. Satheesh held the Centre's policy squarely responsible for the increase in unemployment.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Definite progress in fight against Maoists: Buddhadeb Bhattacharya

CPIM Polit Bureu member and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday said there has been definite progress in the fight against the “politics of terror” of the Maoists in the State.

Describing the Communist Party of India (Maoist) as a “terrorist outfit” that resorted to “killing, terror and plunder,” Mr. Bhattacharjee said that “people shall not surrender to this politics of terror.”

He also alleged that the Trinamool Congress was using the left wing extremists to kill leaders and supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and convert the Jangalmahal region into a “killing field” where “the Trinamool Congress will eventually hoist their flag.”

Asked if he would also describe the Trinamool Congress as a terrorist organisation because of its alleged support to the Maoists, Mr. Bhattacharjee said: “They are supporting a terrorist organisation and in certain areas are also indulging in terrorist activities...However, on the whole we have not declared them a terrorist organisation [as per law].”

He said that over the past couple of months there had been discernible progress in the political struggle in the Maoist-affected Jangalmahal region, and that it would continue.

He was speaking at the release of a book titled “Maoism – Ideological decay, Political decline” by Nilotpal Basu, a member of the Central Committee of the CPI(M).

Criticising the politics of the Maoists, Mr. Bhattacharjee said that their activities would only provide an impetus to reactionary forces. The support that the Trinamool Congress had received from them was an example of this, he added.

Mr. Bhattacharjee said despite claims made by Maoists, their ideology had no connection with the beliefs of Mao. He said the book challenged the conviction of the Maoists that “they will be able to seize power through the murders they are committing.”

He said the Maoists had been able to gain control over a certain region, not because poor people and the Adivasis resided there, but because the area was inaccessible. “It is difficult for us to intervene in that region and easier for them to find hiding places there.”

(Source : The Hindu)

Left parties to hold protest against anti-labour policy of Tamilnadu government on October 21

Accusing the DMK government of adopting anti-labour and trade union policies, the CPI and CPI (M) on Thursday said they would jointly hold a demonstration in Chennai on October 21 to highlight these issues.

A statement issued by CPI State secretary D. Pandian and CPI (M) secretary G. Ramakrishnan alleged that instead of holding talks with trade union leaders representing 13,000 contract workers, the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) had entered into an agreement with the Labour Progressive Federation affiliated to the ruling party.

“Now the NLC management is imposing the agreement on all workers and using the police to suppress the agitation of the contract workers.” They said in the Foxconn factory at Sriperumbudur, the management had suspended 23 workers.

CITU leader A. Soundararajan and others were arrested for demanding a ballot to elect trade union representatives.

“Trade union rights are being denied in multi-national companies in the State and the government also connives with the management in anti-labour activities,” they alleged.

Secret ballot should be held in all companies to elect trade unions for representing workers.

SFI sweeps Hyderabad Central University

SFI led Secular alliance triumphs at (Hyderabad Central University) by a thumping majority. SFI had forged an alliance with ASA (Ambedhkar Students Association). SFI and ASA jointly fought the communal organisation ABVP.

The candidates who won under SFI-ASA panel are :
1 . President- Mukesh Kumar( Majority- 872)
2. General Secretary- Nagesh (Majority-951)
3. Joint Secretary - Shyam Krishna (Majority-1018)
4. Cultural Secretary- Indira Priyanka( Majority-840)
5. Sports Secretary- Uday Kumar(Majority-940)
Vice president was elected without voting(EC rejected Opposition's candidature)

All the school board members and councillors were from SFI-ASA leaving ABVP without any post. This shows the strength of secularism and this marks the end of communal forces in Hyderabad Central University. ABVP has been ruling for the last 3yrs apart from 6month rule of SFI. ABVP union was virtually a Gunda union.In this year itself they beaten SFI cadres 4 times( in March,june,july and recently in september). ABVP has attacked dalit students in these periods. ABVP have been playing dirty politics by charging baseless allegations against Senior leaders of SFI.They have been surrendering to HCU administration regarding fees hike and basic amenities.

The SFI campus president, Parameshwarudu said the victory was against broader communal forces on the campus and also against the education reforms being brought in by the Central government. “In fact, the elections were fought on these two planks,” he said.

Addressing the students,SFI unit Sec Com paramesh said it is the victory of secularism and against the communal incidents happened all across India in the last decades and he also warned the central government not to go ahead with commercialisation and privatisation of the education sector. This thumping victory is indeed the victory of students in the campus and the victory of secularism all over India.

(Source : KK@HCU)

CPIM condems the arrest of trade union leaders

CPI(M) Tamil Nadu State secretary G. Ramakrishnan condemned the re-arrest of CITU general secretary A. Soundararajan and 12 others immediately after their release on bail on Wednesday.

Com. Soundararajan and others were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on October 9 for fighting against the suspension of 23 workers and in support of a secret ballot to elect trade union leaders in Foxconn factory in Sriperumbudur. In a statement here, Mr. Ramakrishnan said Mr. Soundararajan and others were re-arrested on charges of causing damage to public property. “The government should withdraw the cases and intervene to find an amicable solution to the workers' problems in Foxconn,” he said.

CITU Karnataka Vidhana Soudha Chalo on October 20

The State unit of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will take out a Vidhana Soudha Chalo here on October 20 in protest against the alleged misdeeds of the Government and to draw its attention towards the immediate needs of workers and the poor.
 

The president of the CITU State unit, V.J.K. Nair, and general secretary S. Prasannakumar told presspersons here on Wednesday that the BJP Government was caught in a whirlpool of serious problems and issues by its own misdeeds. In the process of its “power protecting politics”, it has neglected the problems of the workers and general public.

The Government should provide relief to all workers from the increase of price on all fronts by fixing a minimum wage of Rs. 6,000 for those working in the districts and Rs. 10,000 for workers in Bangalore. It should also issue ration cards for all and supply a minimum of 15 kg rice at Rs. 2 a kg for each family through its fair price shops, they said.

Demanding that the Government should abolish contract labour system and regularise all contract labour, they commented that the Government itself is accused of practicing nepotism and favouritism in denotifying land acquired for public purposes.

The Government had failed to fulfil the housing needs of the workers and the poor. It is time that the Government allocated free dwelling sites for all such people, they said. Emphasising the need for implementing labour-related laws strictly, Mr. Nair and Mr. Prasannakumar said that the Government should consider the long-pending wage revision in the State road transport corporations and order elections to the trade unions pending for over 14 years. The Government should extend minimum benefits for all hamali workers, they added.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Left Parties will increase its tally in Bihar : Prakash Karat

The Left Parties alliance which include CPIM CPI and CPIML will increase the number of seats in the coming assembly polls in Bihar said CPIM General Secretary Com. Prakash Karat. He said only the left parties will be able to bring about development with a humane agenda. He was speaking at a public meeting held as part of the election campaing of party candidate in Bahadurpur assembly constituency in Dharbanga district. Thousands came to hear the speech holding red flags.

Major Left parties should continue to maintain pressure on central and state governments for early implementation of 'real and important public issues' like food security, employment and land reforms, he said.

Stating that three major Left parties -- CPI, CPI(M) and CPI(ML-Liberation) -- were contesting the poll this time in Bihar with full coordination, he said land reforms had emerged as the most important issue to be highlighted during the election campaign.

Charging the Centre with being responsible for the price rise, Karat said the state government should also ensure effective implementation of the Public Distribution System and take steps to ease the problem.

He alleged that the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar was 'a total failure' to reach relief to the people.

"There have been large-scale complaints of irregularities in distribution of red (BPL) cards and failure of the authorities to arrange ration for BPL families," He alleged that the Nitish Kumar government did not achieve the desired goals of the centrally-sponsored MNREGA. "MNREGA is full of corruption in Bihar." , Karat said.

Karat asked the Election Commission to lift the ban on small election materials being used by political parties not not having resources to bear the cost of advertisements in TV channels and newspapers, for campaigning.

"Other parties should also realise this fact and approach the EC for permission," he said.
CPIM State Secretary Com. Vijaykath Takur, and the candidate from Bahadurpur constituency Com. Shyambharathi participated in the meetings.

CPIM Candidate Bindeshwari Prasad files nomination for Kumhrar seat

CPI-M candidate from Kumhrar Assembly constituency Bindeshwari Prasad filed his nomination papers in Patna on October 7, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
(Courtesy : Viewpatna)

Vote of Confidence in Karnataka Assembly Farcial : Prakash Karat

Prakash Karat, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist), has issued the following statement:

The vote of confidence conducted in the Karnataka Assembly was farcical and a gross violation of democratic norms. The CPI(M) reiterate that a proper vote of confidence must be taken in the Assembly in which all MLAs are allowed to participate and the vote recorded.

Without doing so, the Yeddyurappa government cannot be treated as having acquired a vote of confidence.

Postal Stamp on Communist leader Jeeva

Chief Post Master- General, Shanthi Nair,releasing a stamp on Communist leader P.Jeevanandam in Chennai on Saturday.
(From left) CPI leaders , D. Pandian, R. Raja, MP, N. Sankaraiah, C.S. Subramaniam , Parvathi Krishnan
and R.Nallakannu are in the picture

A M Gopu (New Age Weekly)

A commemorative stamp featuring indomitable fighter and legendary communist leader P. Jeevanadam, endearingly called as Jeeva, was released on the afternoon of August 22, 2010.
The function was held in the prestigious Sir Pitty Theagaraya Hall, T.Nagar, Chennai.

The Hall overflowed predominantly with the followers of the red movement of various hues, old timers and also other democratic-minded and left youth, men and women. Opening the meeting, D. Pandian, state secretary, CPI, said in his presidential remarks, ‘Jeeva was a unique communist leader who knew the mind and heart of the people and through alluring speeches, he ensured that people voted against the governments that went wrong .His self –denial and ardent patriotism prompted Mahatma Gandhi to call Jeeva the valuable asset of the nation. Gandhiji had said this when he was visiting Sera Vayal boarding and lodging school for poor dalit students, run by Jeeva, near karaikudi. Those were the days of intense struggle for independence of the country.

Jeeva was a brilliant orator and an excellent exponent of Tamil literature. He was not only a much sought-after revolutionary trade union leader, who was imprisoned many a time for directly heading the strikes and struggles of workers in different industries, but also as a Tamil scholar he was highly respected by educated intelligentsia, belonging to various walks of life, said CPI leader.

National council secretary and MP, D. Raja, said he never had the opportunity of seeing or hearing him though had read his writings in ‘Jana Sakthi’ that Jeeva had founded and edited from its very inception. Raja said he had heard a lot from Jeeva’s close associates like R. K. Kannan and others and pointed out how Jeeva had assimilated the principles of Marxism and explained them to the lay man through simple and powerful songs, composed by him.
CPI(M) control commission chairman N.Sankaraiah, who had met Jeeva for the first time in Vellore Jail in 1941, recalled how their struggles secured rights for the inmates of the prison, under the British regime. ‘Unity among the communist parties and the emergence of the left movement as an invincible force in the state will be the greatest tribute to Jeeva,’ he said.
CPI control commission chairman R. Nallakannu said Jeeva spread the ideas of socialism to every nook and corner of Tamilnadu and was revered and respected by all political parties. He reminded the fact that Jeeva was a member of the National council of the CPI, till he breathed his last.

The stamp was released by Shanthi Nair,Chief Post Master General, Tamilnadu circle and received by senior communist party leaders C. S. Subramaniam a centenarian, one of the founder-mem bers of the first group of the CPI at Chennai,along with B.Srini vasa Rao,Amir Hyder Alikhan, P.Sundaraiah, P.Rama murthy, S.V.Ghate and others and Parvathi Krishnan ex M.P. CPI Thenkasi constituency M. P.Lingam delivered vote of thanks.

Rs 5 denomination stamps worth of Rs 3 lakh and 25 thousand was sold out on the spot itself,as the district secretaries were vying with each other to purchase them. It was an inspiring sight to see almost all the members of Jeeva’s family, son, daughter, grandchildren ,and other relatives were present all through the solemn function

Brazen Constitutional Impropriety in Karnataka

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the unconstitutional and undemocratic manner in which the BJP state government in Karnataka has sought to continue to remain in office. Sixteen MLAs (eleven BJP and 5 independents) were disqualified and not allowed to enter the Assembly premises. As per the Supreme Court ruling in the Bommai judgement, a government has to prove its majority on the Floor of the House to continue in office. Any disqualification of an MLA can occur only after the vote when the party whip has been violated. Further, this cannot apply to independent MLAs. The Yeddyurappa government refused to have a division of votes in the House and relied on a voice vote to claim majority.

All this constitutes a brazen Constitutional impropriety and cannot be allowed. The Yeddyurappa government cannot remain in office unless it establishes its majority through a division of votes on the Floor of the Assembly.

CPIM office in Lalgarh reopened

After One and a half year thousands of supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who were forced to fled Lalgarh and its adjoining areas in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district in the wake of the Maoist onslaught, returned to their homes on Sunday.

Holding the revolutionary flags of  CPI(M), 12,000 people marched  12 kms from Dharampur and Goaltore to Lalgarh led by CPI(M) zonal committee secretary of Lalgarh Anuj Pandey,. They reopened the CPI(M) local committee office in Lalgarh, which has remained closed since 16 June 2009. Some of the supporters carried traditional bows and arrows and raised slogans against Maoists and PCPA. The marchers went round the Lalgarh market and held a rally in front of the Lalgarh CPI(M) office. In June last year,  Maoists had attacked the premises of the CPI (M) office at Lalgarh and the home of the party's zonal committee secretary, Anuj Pandey. The homes of other supporters were also attacked and many were forced to leave their homes.

The supporters on reaching Lalgarh reopened the CPI-M party office which was torched by the Maoists and Anuj Pandey unfurled the party flag. Speaking at the rally, Pandey said, "Some people in the name of politics want disturbance in the area, but we are peace-loving people and we want peace." He said in the last two years 58 CPI-M activists were murdered. He requested the youths of the area not to be under the influence of Maoists and come back to the mainstream.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cpm-reopens-party-office-in-lalgarh-58729?cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cpm-reopens-party-office-in-lalgarh-58729?cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cpm-reopens-party-office-in-lalgarh-58729?cp

 It is hoped that the rally will boost the spirits of those who are yet to return to their homes and encourage them to do so, said Mr. Pandey, who himself came back to his home in September this year. “Thousands returned to their homes today, but there are many others who are still unable to do so. The homes of many are yet to be repaired, but the situation is slowly returning to normalcy,” Mr. Pandey told.

On being asked about the numerous other party supporters who remain refugees, particularly in the district's Jhargram area as well as in Bankura and Purulia districts, CPI(M) State secretary Biman Bose said, “A resistance does not emerge in a single day.” 

Admitting that those who were driven out of their homes had suffered and others continue to do so, he asked the supporters not retaliate with violence. “They have lost a lot and (have) suffered tremendously. Their homes have been broken down, but there is no need for any counter-violence. The Left Front does not believe in politics of counter-violence,” he said.

When asked if the development will bolster the claims made by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee that the joint-operations were being used by the CPI(M) to regain a foothold in Maoist affected areas, Mr. Bose said, “there is nothing new in that claim.” 

“She has been demanding a withdrawal of security forces from those areas as she does not want a situation of normalcy to return. The Trinamool Congress, Maoists and PSBJC have only one aim – to terrorise the villagers and they want the present situation to prevail,” he added.

Remebering Che in Four Periods

BY HECTOR ARTURO
FIRST PERIOD 

Che was born in the intense cold of Rosario, Argentina and had his first asthma attack as a small child. There he took his first steps, rode a velocipede, played with his dog, and learned the vowels, consonants and numbers with Don Ernesto and Doña Celia and some rural teacher. His asthma was always present, choking the boy who refused to yield to the lack to breath, wanting to do everything other people do, without knowing he would become better. 

The family moved to Buenos Aires hoping his health would improve, and he would grow up playing soccer, climbing mountains, and constantly studying literature and science. 

The small bicycle was replaced with a motorcycle as a defiant adolescent. With it he toured the Americas and saw with his own eyes how people lived from the Rio Grande to the Patagonia.  

He studied medicine and graduated as a doctor not to open a private clinic but to put himself at the service of lepers, who none of his colleagues dared serve. 

He rowed up and down on board a rustic boat, taking pictures of landscapes and people, writing letters and some poems. How’s the Asthma? OK, thanks! 

 

SECOND PERIOD 

In Guatemala, a people’s government was in danger, and there he was with a bufo, which is the way Argentineans call a revolver, to defend the few advances the United States didn’t allow President Jacobo Arbenz to continue. Mexico opens its doors to the tireless traveller and, at Maria Antonia’s house, in barely one night’s conversation with another young dreamer like him named Fidel Castro, he became the first on the list of the expeditionary force of a pleasure yacht, that was converted into a war ship amid the stormy seas to free Cuba. 

 

A shipwreck rather than a landing brought him to Cuba. A surprise by the enemy and a baptism of gunfire. A dilemma: to carry the backpack of medicines or the rifle. He chooses the latter to save a people from the social evils consuming them, which were worse than diseases and bullet wounds. Once again home became the mountains, where he climb between battles, later to descend and then spearhead the invasion from East to West, with which he cut Cuba into two parts to unite it even more, after stopping the advance of the enemy in Santa Clara and speed up the dawn of January 1, 1959. 

 

THIRD PERIOD 

In the period he was a commander and an economist; a minister and a cane cutter. A Cuban citizen, a politician and a builder. He was also a scholar and a critic and the chief promoter of voluntary work. He was builder of inventiveness, an accelerator of ideas, a revolutionary, a communist and an internationalist.  

 

"I leave here the purest of my hopes as a builder and the dearest of those I hold dear. And I leave a people who received me as a son. That wounds a part of my spirit…. Nothing legal binds me to Cuba. The only ties are of another nature — those that cannot be broken as can appointments to posts… Other nations of the world summon my modest efforts of assistance…" And his path led to other lands of Africa and Latin America, with the leather shield on his shoulder to create two, three, many Vietnams with the rattling of machine guns and new cries of war and victory. 

 

FOURTH PERIOD 

It’s October 9, 1967. He had been taken prisoner and locked up in the small and unknown school of La Higuera the day before. There he gave his best class on history. The confessed terrorists that assassinated him following direct orders from Washington never imagined that a man of only 39 years of age could multiply so many times to be born every second in the farthest corners of the world.. 

 

And there he is, in marble, stone, bronze and graffiti to call upon workers to strike and demonstrate; on posters and photographs filling avenues, streets, parks, plazas, schools and factories around the planet; in poems and songs sung by millions of people in all languages. 

We always talk of Che in the present and future, and not in the past, because he continues to draw receptive ears to this united march, in which you can hear nothing but his phrase resounding with the strength of a universal and unanimous echo: ¡Hasta la victoria siempre...! (Forever onward to victory)

(Source : periodico26.com )

Tamilnadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association (TNPWAA) condemns cultural degradation by SUN group of companies

From the beginning of its production, the SUN pictures film “Enthiran / Robot” was being given excruciating publicity in the name of advertisement, which has created serious concerns among the Tamil people. Controlling major satellite television channels and with an impatient intension to earn multifold of their investment in the film, they are guiding the youngsters of Tamilnadu in a wrong path. Extensively advertising for the film from early morning 4’o clock, they are repeatedly showing the footage of youngsters shaving their head, sacrificing hen, pouring milk on cutouts etc., and trying to project these acts as exemplary cultural practices. This is being done by both SUN television and their journal DINAKARAN to instigate the youngsters to do it again and again. SUN group has taken the task of degrading the youth, which forms the strong work force of the state. We the Tamilnadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association strongly condemn such cultural degradation act by SUN group of companies. We call upon all the progressive forces to condemn such undignified act by SUN group of companies. We also urge the youngsters to not fall into the business trap of SUN group to convert the aesthetic love for an artist into a mental delusion.

CPI(M) wants Yeddyurappa to quit

Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest in front of the Town Hall here on Wednesday against the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) scam and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

CPI (M) State secretariat member B.C. Bhayya Reddy, K.S. Vimala and leaders raised slogans against the Chief Minister, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Housing Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and his councillor-son Katta Jagadish Naidu.

“We demand the resignation of Mr. Yeddyurappa and Mr. Katta Subramanya Naidu on moral grounds,” the party's office secretary S. Vinod said.

The party activists also decided to intensify the protest if the Chief Minister did not resign.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

CPIM to lauch struggle for ostracized Dalits in Mysore

As many as 500 Dalit families belonging to Saligrama village in K.R. Nagar taluk have been in dire straits following social ostracism by members of an “upper caste” community for the last two weeks.

K.R. Nagar taluk is primarily an agricultural region and Saligrama has a population of nearly 10,000 people. Of them, 2,000, comprising about 500 families, belong to the Holaya community. 

What set it off

The immediate cause for the social boycott of the Holayas was a petty incident. Some cattle belonging to the “upper caste” community was found grazing on the land belonging to one Govindaraju, a Dalit. Govindaraju took objection to the cattle being on his land as he was entirely dependent on the land for his livelihood.

Govindaraju had an altercation with members of the “upper caste” community on the matter, which led to him being assaulted. Govindaraju immediately filed a police complaint seeking protection. The “upper caste” members feeling that he had “exceeded his limits” by daring to file a police complaint, decided to boycott the Dalits from September 26.

The incident came into the public domain after a fact-finding committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by State secretariat member Maruti Manpade, visited Saligrama on Monday and shared their findings with the media.

The team visited the village and discovered that all Dalits had been dismissed from their jobs while those who employ their women folk as housemaids were asked to pay Rs. 2,000 for not abiding by the diktat of the “upper caste”. “What is worse is that those who brought this ‘violation' to the notice of the ‘leaders' were rewarded with Rs. 500, according to Varalakshmi, (CITU State Secretay) who was part of the CPI(M) team. The CPI(M) members said the Dalits in Saligrama were being denied work in farms while those who were working as lorry drivers, auto drivers and electricians had lost their jobs.

No action

He said the police had failed to take action against the guilty. “We tried to contact the officials but they said they were unable to attend to the complaint immediately because of Dasara. They have not bothered to visit the village,” he added. The CPI(M) has threatened to launch a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office if the authorities fail to address the problem before Dasara.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

Creatures of darkness of the seventies have changed their colour to take the field : Biman Basu

 

CPI(M) West Bengal state Secretary Biman Basu has alleged that the creatures of darkness from the seventies have changed their colour and appearance to again bring anarchy in West Bengal. They are not only murdering and threatening left activists, but also vitiating educational institutions. To save West Bengal, students and youth would have to build up along with the people strong protest movements against these evil forces. Biman Basu gave this call at a huge students rally in Farakka on 1st. October. The rally was held at the beginning of SFI West Bengal state 33rd conference.

Addressing the masses, founder general secretary of SFI said, since parliamentary election 295 left front specially CPI(M) leaders and workers have been murdered in the state. Among them, 193 have been murdered in three districts. During this period, 33 teachers and non-teaching employees have been murdered. Twelve students are murdered. Biman Basu said, in the seventies people had to go out of their homes with their lives at risk. During that period, 1200 lives of left activists were snatched away by the anti-socials of Congress and Naxals called Congshals. They can bury alive after raping an innocent woman like Chhobi Mahato and in the same manner also try to burn to death the principal of Heramba Chandra College by sprinkling petrol on his body. In the like manner the Congshal anti-socials in the seventies also burnt to death the teacher Bimal Dashgupta at Durgapur.

DYFI North Indian oraganisational symposium held

DYFI North Indian organizational symposium  was held on 4th and 5th of October at Garegav Gramkar Kalyan Kendra in Mumbai. DYFI All India president Com P Sreeramakrishnan unfurled the flag with which the proceedings begin. CPIM Maharashtra State Secretary Com Ashok Dhawle inaugurated the convention. 150 State-District level leaders from Uttarpradesh, Madhyapradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Maharashatra, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Orissa and Rajastan took part in the convention. The symposium was organised by the DYFI central committee for the comrades from Hindi Speaking states. 

A presidium consisting of Com. P Sreeramakrishnan, Preethy Sekhar, Pawan Duggal MLA, Sudhir Singh conducted the convention. Comrades Hannan Mollah, Tapas Sinha, Pushpender Tyagi, Sailender Kamble took classes to the delegates. 

The convention decided to conduct vigorous struggles taking up regional issues and matters relating to caste violence including Khap panchayats. The Two day conference ended with a class by Prof Prabhat Patnaik. 

DYFI demands sacking of Karnataka minister Katta Subramanya Naidu

The Mangalore district unit of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has demanded the resignation of state IT minister Katta Subramanya Naidu whose son Jagdish was recently arrested for his alleged involvement in the KIADB scam. Staging a protest on Monday Oct 4, DYFI's Muneer Katipalla lambasted the BJP government and said that ever since it came to power its ministers have been involved in various scams, scandals and corruption charges. The protesters also said that if Katta does not resign, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa must sack him. 

(Courtesy : Dajjiworld)

Polit Bureau Communique

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met at New Delhi on October 4 and 5, 2010. It has issued the following statement:

On Ayodhya Judgement

The response of the people to the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has shown that the people find a settlement of the dispute by the judicial process acceptable. The general reaction of the people has been that the matter should not be once again used in a divisive manner.

The verdict for a three way division of the land is, however, based on “faith and belief”. This aspect of the set of judgements is disturbing as it accords primacy to religious belief and faith over and above the facts and the record of evidence. It will set a dangerous precedent for the future. When the matter goes to the Supreme Court on appeal, it is to be hoped that this issue will be addressed.

The demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 was a criminal offence and an assault on the secular principle. It is true that this was not a matter being considered by the Special Bench. However, there are apprehensions that the reasoning set out in the judgements may be taken as a post-facto justification for the demolition. The cases pertaining to the demolition which are being heard by other courts have to be seriously pursued.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates that in the secular democratic set-up ordained in the Constitution, the way to resolve the matter is through the judicial process and the decision of the Supreme Court would be final. The CPI(M) is confident that all sections of the people will uphold and support this course of action.

On Jammu & Kashmir

The Polit Bureau discussed the situation in the Kashmir Valley in the context of the all-party delegation to Jammu & Kashmir and the announcement by the Central government of its eight point plan.

The Polit Bureau reiterated that it is necessary to change the overall security strategy and the manner in which civil protests are being tackled. The eight point plan does not adequately reflect this change. The state government should expedite the release of all arrested persons during the four month-long agitation. Further, compensation should be paid not only to the families of those killed in police firings and also to the large number who have been injured. The rehabilitation package for the Kashmiri pandits who have been displaced should be implemented.

As for the appointment of interlocutors for initiating a dialogue with all sections in the state, it will be better if there is a parliamentary or political committee to conduct talks. Only a political committee can seriously conduct exercise of initiating dialogue.

West Bengal

The Polit Bureau heard a report on the political situation in West Bengal. The people of the Maoist-affected Jangalmahal have been resisting and protesting against the Maoist violence and intimidation. The people have mobilized in a big way to rebuff the Maoists in West Midnapore district. Upset at this development, the Trinamul leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee is demanding the withdrawal of the joint forces operating in the area and making wild allegations against the CPI(M).

Not only is the Trinamul Congress collaborating with the Maoists, recently the Railway Minister visited Darjeeling and is forging ties with the GJM who are bent upon dividing the state of West Bengal.

The CPI(M) and the Left Front will continue to expose these unprincipled alliances and fight such disruptive politics.

Kerala

The Polit Bureau heard a report on the preparations of the Party and the LDF for the forthcoming panchayat and local bodies elections to be held in Kerala on October 23 and 25. The election campaign of the LDF has begun and is receiving a positive response from the people.

Bihar Assembly Elections

The Polit Bureau discussed the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. It approved a list of 30 seats and candidates to be put up by the Bihar state committee.

Food Inflation and Food Security

The food inflation rate has again started rising and it touched 16.44 per cent in the week ending September 18. While the people are suffering from the price rise, the government is finding excuses such as floods and rains for the destruction of supplies. At this time of the season normally prices decline, this has highlighted the failure of the government to check price rise.

The Central government has ignored the directive of the Supreme Court to distribute the huge stocks of foodgrains free of cost to the poor rather than letting it rot. On the contrary, it is pursuing the anti-people policy of pressurizing the states, to lift “additional allotment” at a price that is even higher than the present issue price of APL foodgrains. At

the same time, the objectionable new scheme of further targeting being proposed by the 

National Advisory Council as well as the proposal to cut all subsidies to APL show the mockery that is being made of the concept of food security.

The Polit Bureau reiterates its demand for a universal public distribution system with a minimum allocation of 35 kgs of foodgrains at Rs. 2 per kg. The expenditure on this will still be less than 2 per cent of the GDP.

Land Acquisition Bill

In the recent period, the issue of forcible land acquisition for various projects in different states against the consent of a majority of landholders and the highly inadequate compensation offered to the farmers has come to the fore. This has highlighted the necessity for the new Land Acquisition Act alongwith the legislation for resettlement and rehabilitation.

The Polit Bureau demands that the 1894 Land Acquisition Act be scrapped and the government bring forth legislations for land acquisition and for resettlement and rehabilitation in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

Central Committee Meeting

The Polit Bureau decided to convene a meeting of the Central Committee of the Party on November 19-21, 2010 at New Delhi.