Diabolic Politics of Murder in West Bengal

Another elected Panchayat member of CPI(M) has been brutally murdered by TMC goons. The autocratic rulers of the state are not satisfied even after wining maximum seats in the Panchayat elections after executing brute muscle power; moreover they are now unleashing life-taking attacks on several winning candidates of opposition parties. The TMC threatened the opposition candidates even before filing the nomination, did not allow them to campaign, organized shameless rigging on the day of election, and even manipulated the counting of votes. The TMC further threatened and unleashed attack with the intention to form boards even where they are minority. Now they are organizing murder politics to capture the boards formed by the opposition parties.

The latest victim of this reign of terror has been Ranjit Mistri (47), a winning candidate of Narayanpur-I Gram Panchayat in Karimpur-II Block under Nadia district. Ranjit, an ardent activist of CPI(M), was a carpenter by profession. The Left Front managed to win 8 seats of total 15 seats in Narayanpur Panchayat and formed the board despite the repetitive threats and attacks by the TMC hoodlums. Ranjit Mistri was attacked on a lonely street when he was returning home. The goons hit him with iron rod on the back of his head. The villagers rescued him in unconscious state after huge blood loss. They took him to village hospital and then he had to be removed to Baharampur Hospital where he ultimately succumbed to death on 3rd October, 2013.

Prior to this incident, CPI(M) leader Jahangir Alam, who was elected President or Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti at Hasnabad in North 24-Parganas, was shot dead by the TMC miscreants. The goons targeted this popular leader and blocked his way when he was returning home at night. He was shot dead from point blank range and the hooligans also stabbed the left part of his face with sharp weapons before leaving the place on 9th September, 2013. Before that the Left Front managed to win 13 seats of total 26 seats in Hasnabad Panchayat Samiti and formed the board despite the understanding between TMC and Congress through toss. On 3rd October, 2013 TMC captured the Hasnabad Panchayat Samiti and the blueprint of capturing Panchayat Boards through murder politics became clear as daylight.

In the series of unleashing terror another Panchayat Samiti member of CPI(M), Hasmat Sheikh, was brutally killed on 10th September 2013. Hasmat, the newly CPI(M) member of Panchayat samiti, was travelling from Farakka Block office to his village Jorpukuria of Murshidabad district on a bike with a party comrade Sanwar Sheikh when a bomb was hurled at his bike by the Congress-backed goons. The miscreants also stabbed him with sharp weapons to ensure his death. He was killed on the spot.

On the one hand in this dark era of democracy in the state the true opinion of the people cannot be reflected in the elections due to autocratic nature of the Government and partisan administration and on the other hand the opposition candidates who could win despite of all such attacks are being subjected to life-taking attacks of the ruling party. Such murderous attacks on democracy speak volumes about the state of democracy in West Bengal. Only through the united protests of the people can this diabolic plan be defeated.

An Emphatic Victory for TNUEF’s Direct Action Programme

Ganesh (Peoples Democracy)

 IN a customary way, the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) conducts direct action programmes on September 30, the death anniversary day of Comrade B Srinivasa Rao, whose tireless work against untouchability and atrocities on dalits in erstwhile Thanjavur has left indelible mark.

Although the struggle against untouchability in the state goes on almost 24x7, there is an emotional touch to this direct action programme since it is attached to this great leader’s name. TNUEF takes inspiration from the past achievements that were gained by the Left movement under the leadership of Comrade B Srinivasa Rao. In fact, his unfinished agenda is being carried forward further by the TNUEF.

This year, the direct action programme was planned in seven places. Prior to this, field surveys were undertaken at the state level. Last time, the survey was conducted in 2007. Several struggles were undertaken based on the reports of that survey. In its last meeting, the state committee of the TNUEF had decided to conduct a fresh survey to analyse the latest scenario. The work of compiling these survey reports is underway. Meanwhile, some of the untouchability practices that have come out from this survey were earmarked for direct action programme.

Hundred Years Dream Comes True in Erode

IN Erode district, Ezhumathur village, for more than 100 years, dalits were not allowed to enter the Chathiswaran Temple. This was revealed during the field survey that was done by the TNUEF. As part of the direct action programme, the TNUEF had announced that dalit people will go to the temple and worship under the leadership of P Sampath, TNUEF president, K Thangavel, MLA, N Amirtham, state president of AIDWA and others.

Sensing the mood among the people and the firmness of the TNUEF, the dDistrict administration was forced to call for talks. The talks were held on September 28. The TNUEF insisted during the talks that not just the entry into the temple, the community hall that is being occupied should also be available for dalits. The administration had to concede the demands. On the same day, at 5.30 PM, dalit people from Kootapalli, Sivananda Colony, Selvan Nagar, Anna Nagar, Ponvizha Nagar and other villages walked into the temple and worshipped.

During this temple entry, K Durairaj, CPI(M) state committee member, P Mari Muthu, CPI(M) district secretary, M Annadurai, TNUEF district president, PP Palani Samy, TNUEF district secretary and others took part.  The dalit people thanked the TNUEF and the CPI(M) for having enabled the dream since hundred years to come true.

Successful Temple Entry in Tiruvannamalai

IN Tiruvannamalai district, Kalasapakkam Panchayat Union, Siruvallur village, dalits were not allowed into Narayana Perumal Temple. Also, in this village, two tumbler system in the tea stalls, denial of road to cremation ground etc existed.  As planned, the direct action programme was conducted on September 30. Hundreds of dalit people led by K Balakrishnan, MLA, K Samuel Raj, TNUEF general secretary, R Velmurugan, DYFI state secretary, had proceeded towards the temple. The casteist elements had assembled on the road that leads to the temple. 

The district administration and the police that intervened, told the leaders and the dalits that there is no denial of entry into the temple. But the leaders insisted that the people should be taken into the temple immediately. With the leaders and the people standing firm, the entry was allowed.  The seventy-year old untouchability practice was put to an end.

Right to Enter the Own Land in Dindigul

IN Dindigul district, Oddanchanthiram town, Kudalingapuram, pattas were given to 48 dalit Arunthathiyar families, 32 years back. Though the land was measured as per the area allotted to them, it was not handed over to them. Years gone, the value of the land ran into crores of rupees. Repeated petitioning by the people did not settle the issue. Hence, they decided to undertake a direct action programme under the leadership of the TNUEF. The Front has also announced that this programme would be part of the direct action day programmes that will be conducted on September 30.

The talks that were arranged prior to the action day did not yield any result. On 30th, more than a thousand people took part in the rally and the siege. It was led by  P Sampath, R Jayaraman, TNUEF treasurer, K Bala Bharathi, MLA, N Pandi, CPI(M) district secretary, K Chinna Karuppan, TNUEF district president, M R Muthu Samy, TNUEF district secretary and others. The administration held talks with the leaders and agreed to hand over the land to the dalit Arunthathiyars.

Untouchability Gate Demolished in Ooty

IN Ooty (Niligiris), Coonoor, Gandhipuram, the dalit Arunthathiyars were denied entry through the common road. A private company had put up a gate to block the way. The TNUEF saw it as an untouchability practice. Many demonstrations were held to draw the attention of the administration. They kept repeating the promises that were never fulfilled. Hence, a decision was taken to go for direct action programme under the leadership of the TNUEF and the CPI(M).

On September 30, the dalit Arunthiyars led by P Dilli Babu, MLA, U K Sivagnanam, TNUEF state secretary, R Badri, CPI(M) district secretary,  L Thiyagarajan, CITU district secretary and others proceeded towards the untouchability gate. Talks were held for four hours and no decision was forthcoming. The leaders saw it as a delaying tactic. They had informed the administration that they would demolish the gate themselves.

With this, the administration had no other alternative except to demolish the gate. Finally, the gate was broken in front of jubilant dalit people who were denied entry for the last 50 years.

“First time” hair cuts and tea in Thanjavur

IT was for the first time that dalit people could get a hair cut and tea in their village. In Thanjavur district, Orathanadu, Echankottai village, two tumbler system and denial of haircut existed for many years. Dalits had to go miles away for having a hair cut. Separate tumblers have kept them discriminated for years together. The announcement of direct action programme led by Nagai Mali, MLA, had put the administration on alert.

Timely intervention by the administration had helped to put an end to the untouchability practice. It was decided that the dalit people will be served in the common tumblers and will have hair cuts at the local saloons on September 29. Enthusiastic local dalits led by Ganesh, TNUEF state secretary,  J Rajmohan, SFI state secretary,  G Neelamegam, CPI(M) district secretary, Abhi Mannan, TNUEF district president, Chinnai Pandian, TNUEF district secretary, proceeded  to the saloons and the tea stalls at 12 PM.

Tehsildar and local police had played a vital role in bringing some non-dalits to take part in the event. They made it sure that dalits had hair cuts in two saloons in that area. This was the first time that dalits had hair cut in those saloons. Also, they were served with tea in all the three tea stalls. These actions have put an end to the vicious untouchability practices in that area.

Hair Dressing in Madurai

IN Madurai district, Vadipatti town panchayat, dalits were not allowed to have hair cut in the saloons. This was also revealed during the survey conducted by the TNUEF in August. The TNUEF had listed out the saloons that were refusing cut hair for dalits and handed over to the district administration. Sensing that the administration is hesitating to act, it was decided to conduct direct action programme under the leadership of P Shanmugam, AIKS state secretary, on September 30. 

Talks were held by the administration with the Hair Dressers Association and finally the Association had to agree to the demands of the dalits. The leaders and the dalit people were firm in having hair cut on September 30. But the administration said that this would be done on September 29 itself. They also assured that the untouchability practice would be put to an end with this.

On September 20, dalit people under the leadership of M Thangaraj, TNUEF state secretary, S K Ponnuthai, TNUEF state secretary, C Ramakrishnan, CPI(M) district secretary, D Chellakannu, Boominathan, N P Ramesh Kannan, district leaders of the TNUEF, Thamizhalan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s state assistant secretary, Viduthalai Veeran, state  joint general secretary, Athi Thamizhar Peravai and others, went to the saloons. In all the three saloons, hair cut was done to dalits.

Successful Bath by Dalits in Virudhunagar

THIS was the first victory in the direct action programme. In Virudhunagar district, V Muthulingapuram, the dalit Arunthathiyars were denied permission to take bath in the common water tank. Here, 70 Arunthathiyar families are residing. The petitions to the administration yielded no result. Hence, the decision for direct action programme led by A Lazar, MLA.  There were other issues also like, denial of path to the cremation ground, non-filling up of drinking water tank, making the dalit students to clean the toilets in the school etc.

The water tank was built in 2011-12.  When the Arunthathiyar youth tried to take bath, the casteist elements resisted them. During another attempt, they made the tank empty by releasing out the water. The announcement that the direct action will be held on September 30 had unnerved the district administration.  They came forward for the talks.

During the talks, under the insistence of the TNUEF leaders, the district administration had to agree for all the demands regarding the untouchability practices. On September 21, the dalit Arunthathiyars took bath in the common water tank. C Murugesan, TNUEF district president, S Gnana Guru, TNUEF district secretary, M C Pandian, CPI(M) area committee secretary, along with the leaders of various organisations took part in this.

In the direct action programme that was conducted across the state, leaders and activists of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Athi Thamizhar Peravai, CITU, DYFI, SFI, AIDWA, AIKS, AIAWU, AIIEA have taken part in the talks and direct action programmes. The state committee of the TNUEF has congratulated and appreciated the achievements and the efforts put in by all. These events will have its echo in many parts of the state. Also, the momentum gained by this emphatic victory, will also be intensified further.

Ensure Punishment to the Criminal Elements Who Indulged in Sexual Harassment, Ragging and Intimidation of Girl Students in Pondicherry University!

The Central Executive Committee of the Students’ Federation of India strongly condemns the instances of sexual harassment, ragging and intimidation of girl students in Pondicherry University (PU) and the violence let loose against students who supported the girls.

The students of the University conducted a massive protest on Tuesday (1 October) night against the aforesaid criminal acts in the campus. Some girl students had filed a complaint against ragging and threat of rape by a group of senior students. The Kalapet police has filed an FIR against the aggressor under IPC sections 506(II) and 509. The students who supported the girl students in filing the complaint were under threat for the past few days,
and on Tuesday morning, a gang of hooligans manhandled them. They threatened that they would cut off the legs of those students who stood with the girl students if the assailants are suspended from the University because of the complaint filed by the girl students. The gang also brutally beat up one of the students; his tooth was broken and he had to be admitted in JIPMER, Pondicherry.

The security personnel of the University remained mute spectators throughout even as the gang unleashed violence. When the girl complainant approached the Vice-Chancellor with her grievance, she was discouraged from filing the complaint – the VC’s prime “concern” was that the “reputation” of the institution would be spoiled. Such insensitivity of the University authorities has been one of the prime causes for the continuance of instances of
sexual harassment in the campus. Following recent incidents, the students are under constant fear of being attacked at any moment. Ever since she filed the complaint, the girl student who was harassed has been continuously subjected to intimidation and threatened that she wouldn’t be allowed to complete her course of
study in the University.

Even more shockingly, the attempts to intimidate her are being led by a faculty member of the Department of Physical Education. There are also attempts to divert attention from the matter by fabricating false cases against the students who helped the girls in filing the complaint against the attacker. The protest on Tuesday night saw massive participation of girl students and others. The students demanded that the University must take steps on an urgent basis to stop ragging, sexual harassment and goonda raj in
the campus, and that the University must set up a Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) to address complaints of sexual harassment in the University.

The CEC of SFI demands that Pondicherry University must promptly take steps to ensure the safety and security of girl students in the campus and that the culprits in the case must be given exemplary punishment. We demand that a GSCASH be set up in the University immediately as the students have been demanding. It is appalling that sixteen years after the Supreme Court (in its Vishaka judgement of 1997) laid down binding directives regarding the formation of committees to deal with cases of sexual harassment, and in spite of the recently passed law against sexual harassment in workplaces, GSCASH has not been formed even in most central Universities. SFI demands that GSCASH should be constituted in all Universities and colleges in the country in order to effectively address cases of sexual harassment in campuses and to sensitise students on gender issues. The incidents in PU should serve to underscore the need for intensifying our struggle against ragging in campuses across the country and to establish GSCASH in all campuses.