CPIM struggle for landless - 1400 activists court arrest

CPIM conducted a struggle for the landless poor in Kummidipundi village in Thiruvalluvar District, Tamil nadu. Around 1400 peooples including 800 women were arrested. Com. G Ramakrishnan, CPIM Tamil nadu State secretary led the protest demonstration. Around 700 acres of Goverment land is been alledgedly encroached by landlords in this village. The people in this village were amking continous struggle for the last 6 years for regaining this land. The people have been consistently complaining to the goverment authorities regarding this encroachment. The authorities never took any action. It is under this circumstance the people led by CPIM moved to direct action. Speaking at the occassion Com G Ramakrishnan urged the state goverment and asked the Chief Minister to pay special attention to regain the Government lands from the big encroachers and hand it over to the landless poor.

EMS study centre in Bangalore City

Bangalore will have an exclusive centre to study social movements of Karnataka.

Brainchild of Left activists in the State, the centre will be housed in a new building named after communist leader E M S Namboodiripad, that will be inaugurated on June 14 by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan. The A K Gopalan Memorial Social Education Trust of Bangalore has raised nearly Rs one crore for construction of the Bhavan which has a 200-seat auditorium, in Mahalakshmi Layout.

The Trust will offer residential short-term training programmes for activists to promote social movements. G N Nagaraj, Trust’s Managing Trustee and CPM state secretariat member, said the aim of the centre is to realise the ideals of ‘E M S’ and Gopalan, whose efforts propelled Kerala to the top of the human development index in the country. a similar endeavour was needed in Karnataka, Nagaraj said. He said the Bhavan, which has built-up area of 5,600 sqft, has been constructed with contribution from the public, especially peasants and workers besides well-wishers. The Trust has developed four courses which can be attended by anyone who is interested in social issues - study on Karnataka’s social, economic and cultural development; study on dalits, on working class and on farmers of Karnataka. The course includes both lectures by subject experts and audio-visual presentations.

A full-time faculty has already been appointed. A good number of guest lecturers would be roped in. The course modules have been designed to provide information and knowledge on the happenings in developed world, and how it is affecting working class in developing countries. “The working class or farmers may not know about climate change or globalisation. Through our course, we will educate them. We are not offering formal education like in educational institutions. It is going to be social education to highlight how distraction of democracy is taking place,” Nagaraj said.

The duration of the courses may vary from 5 to 15 days, and nominal fees will be collected from participants. CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, former prime minister Deve Gowda, Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and writer U R Ananthmurthy will be present during the inaugural programme.

(Courtesy : Deccan Herald)

Attacks on Dalits in Karnataka rising: CPI(M)

Atrocities against Dalits in the State have risen in the last two years and the Government is doing nothing about it, alleged Maruti Manpade, State Committee member, Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Speaking at a protest march organised here on Thursday, he accused the State Government of discriminating against the Dalits. “Problems like discrimination on the basis of caste in hotels, maths, increasing incidence of AIDS among devdasis and low wages for daily workers exist but the Government is not doing anything to solve them,” he said.

Accusing the Government of introducing policies which were against the interests of the Dalits, the protesters demanded the repealing of the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010, as red meat formed the basic diet of the Dalits.

K. Varadarajan, polit bureau member, said even after 60 years of Independence, everyone was not treated equally, especially in States like Karnataka. “In more than 50 villages in the State, social boycott or untouchability is practised and action has not been taken by the authorities. In today's India, democracy is decided by caste or money,” he added. The march, originally planned to start at the City Railway Station and end at the Chief Minister's residence, was cut short as Minister for Social Welfare Sudhakar Rao visited them at Freedom Park. The Minister was presented with a letter to the Chief Minister urging him to look into the living conditions of Dalits.

Court verdict incomplete without trying Anderson

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat agreed. “If the justice system is so weak, as proven by this verdict, then it is horrifying to think what will happen if there is a nuclear accident,” she said. Probe infirmities in CBI, says Brinda The government should look into the infirmities in the CBI which led to such a diluted verdict, and appeal in the higher court, she added.

CPI (M) Madhya Pradesh State Secretary Saroj Badal said that the accused had been prosecuted with light sections of IPC and the CBI has failed to bring the foreign accused Warren Anderson - former Chairman of Union Carbide Corporationm, USA and two others - UCC, USA and Union Carbide Eastern, Hong Kong to face the trial. Badal said that the Centre had budged under the US pressure in dealing with the foreign accused.

CPI National Secretary D Raja said that the Prime Minister should take responsibility for the “failure” of the CBI to bring to justice the foreigners accused in the case. 

Bhopal Gas Case Verdict

 The Bhopal Gas case verdict, which after twenty-five years awards a sentence of just two years to the culprits, is a travesty of justice that shames India and insults the memory of the thousands killed. The verdict is the culmination of a deeply flawed process involving the culpability of Governments, investigative agencies and even the highest court of the land. These institutions compromised the interests of the country and the victims, diluting the charges, enabling the American CEO Warren Anderson to escape, and limiting liability to a paltry compensation of only 470 million dollars. These are acts of connivance to help the powerful US company and its Indian entity. 

The culprits are now all out on bail and will use the judicial process further to avoid serving even this inadequate sentence. The Government must immediately appeal against the verdict, press for enhancement of sentences and create a process by which justice can be speedily ensured. 

The Bhopal disaster and the utterly flawed legal framework shows how the American suppliers and owners have escaped any criminal liability. In this context the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill which excludes foreign suppliers from any liability may help more Warren Andersons. The Bill limits compensation to even less than the paltry Bhopal settlement. Pushing ahead with the Nuclear Liability Bill means playing with the safety and interests of the Indian people.

CPI(M) keen on including DMDK in joint struggle

CHENNAI: The CPI (M) is keen on including Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor Vijayakant in the joint-struggles to highlight the failures of the State and the Central governments, said G. Ramakrishnan, the State secretary of the party. However, any decision on an electoral understanding with the DMDK would be taken only at the time of elections.

“This need not be seen as a political front. The Left front exists only in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. In other States, we have seat adjustments during the election,” he told The Hindu on Sunday.

The Left parties in Tamil Nadu are working closely with the AIADMK and the MDMK. The two parties even supported the Left-sponsored hartal on April 27 to highlight the failure of the Centre to control the rise in the prices of essential commodities. But the DMDK was not included in these joint efforts, though the CPI (M) held parleys with actor Vijayakant before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

While the CPI (M) campaigned for the AIADMK candidate in the Pennagaram by-election separately, they were present when the AIADMK candidates filed their nominations for Rajya Sabha elections.

But Mr. Ramakrishnan refused to attach any significance to these events.

“We wanted to defeat the DMK-Congress combine and supported the AIADMK, because it is the best bet now. But the question of entering into an understanding with the AIADMK or other political parties for the 2011 Assembly elections will be decided later,” he said.

The CPI (M) leader said the victory of the ruling combine in all the by-elections held in the State did not mean it was invincible. “There is a discontent beneath surface, which will manifest itself during the next Assembly election,” he said.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said while the economic policies of the Congress-led UPA government had rendered the lives of the poor miserable across the country, corruption in all level in Tamil Nadu and the deteriorating law and order situation had become a cause of concern.

“Power cut in the State has severely affected small scale industries. The textile industry is going through a crisis because of steep rise in the price of yarn, while agriculture has become unviable for the farmers and agricultural labourers,” he said.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said the CPI (M) would press for devolution of power and a political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue when the President of the country Mahinda Rajapaksa visited India on June 8.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

On the Visit of Sri Lankan President to India

The visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India beginning on June 8 will be an occasion for the reaffirmation of the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka. The visit should contribute towards strengthening these relations further.

On the occasion of the President’s visit, the Indian government should impress upon the Sri Lankan President the need for an expeditious political settlement of the Tamil question which would involve the devolution of powers and autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas. Such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.

With the end of the prolonged war, the rehabilitation of the displaced Tamil people is the other major concern. Out of the 3 lakh displaced people who were in relief camps, still around 80,000 have not returned to their homes. A speedy rehabilitation of the displaced people, ensuring their means of livelihood and their security should be a major priority. India, which is also providing assistance to this process, can discuss ways to speed up the rehabilitation. 

CITU General Secretary writes to Prime Minister on reports of deregulation of Petrol & Diesel pricing

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

There are disquieting reports that Empowered Group of Minister(EGOM) is scheduled to take up the issue of deregulating the pricing of petrol and diesel on 7th June 2010 as per Kirit Parikh Committee which is likely to increase price of these petroleum products by Rs. 3/- to Rs. 3.50 per litre. Such a decision apart from the cascading effect on the present unbearable inflation will also go against the following unanimous recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas placed in Parliament on 22.04.2010

“The Committee note that the Expert Group headed by Dr. Kirit Parekh Committee has made several recommendations on ‘viable and sustainable pricing of petroleum products’. In this regard, the Committee urge the Government not to consider the expert group recommendations in isolation but to give due weightage to the recommendations made by the Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas in their 6th and 10th Reports (14th Lok Sabha) on ‘Pricing of Petroleum Products’.”

You will kindly agree that Executive is accountable to Parliament and not vice-versa. Therefore the above recommendation read along with recommendations about made in 6th and 10th report (14th Lok Sabha) cannot be sidelined / ignored by Parikh committee appointed by the Executive. This in my humble opinion will to a large extent erode the credibility of Parliamentary Committees and Parliament. I therefore urge upon you to advise the EGOM not to take any decision before getting the same examined by the Parliamentary Committee constituted for this purpose.

DYFI cadres planted 4 lakh saplings on this Environmental Day

The Democratic Youth Front of India (DYFI) Kerala State Committee observed the World Environment Day as ‘Haritha dinam’. The DYFI members across the State planted as many as 4 lakh saplings. 10 saplings each were planted by DYFI cadres in its 25,000 units. The DYFI is also observing June as the environment conservation month. Poet Sughatakumari inaugurated DYFI’s Environment Day programmes on Saturday. Actor Mukesh, Dr. Biju participated. "One Man One Tree" was the slogan given by DYFI for this programme. Chief Minister Com. V S Achuthanandan inaugurated the programme in Eranakulam district by planting a sapling. In Kannur district DYFI state secretary Com. T V Rajesh inaugurated the event by planting 1000 mangrove sapplings. DYFI All India President Com. P Sreeramakrishnan inaugurated the programme in Malappuram

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PB Communique

Lift Blockade of Gaza

The Polit Bureau expressed its strong condemnation and outrage at the attack by Israeli armed forces on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. Nine people were killed and many others injured in this attack on international waters. Israel behaves like a rogue State in enforcing the blockade of Gaza.

It is highly regrettable that the UPA government has not even condemned Israel by name for this attack in the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and confines itself to regretting the loss of lives and the use of force. The Polit Bureau demands that the Government of India work actively with other countries to get the blockade of Gaza lifted. The Polit Bureau reiterates that India should stop all military and security collaboration with Israel as long as it remains in illegal occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories.

West Bengal Municipal Polls & its Aftermath

The Polit Bureau heard a preliminary report on the elections to 81 municipal bodies in West Bengal in which the CPI(M) and the Left have suffered losses. The West Bengal State Committee will conduct a review of the elections on the basis of which necessary political and organizational steps can be taken to win back the confidence of those sections of the people who have moved away from the Party.

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the attack launched by the Trinamul Congress and its allies in various parts of West Bengal after the result of the municipal election. So far five activists and supporters of the CPI(M) have been killed in Birbhum, Mushirabad and Bankura districts. There have been attack on the houses of CPI(M) supporters and other places too.

The Polit Bureau appeals to all democratic forces to condemn such violence which is a blatant violation of minimum democratic norms. The Central Government should look into the role of its own Cabinet Minister in inciting such violence.

Kerala Situation

The Polit Bureau noted that various communal and caste forces are being mobilized against the CPI(M) and the LDF government. These forces are sought to be consolidated behind the Congress-led UDF. The increasing intervention of religious and communal bodies in politics does not augur well for the secular polity in Kerala.

The CPI(M) will conduct a vigorous campaign against the interference of sectarian and communal forces in the political affairs of the state.

Prices of Petroleum Products

There are reports that the government is considering a further increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. This will be totally unwarranted and impose a crushing burden on the people in view of the continuing increase in food prices and inflation. The Polit Bureau warns the government not to increase the prices of petroleum products.

Food Security Legislation

Despite the declaration of the Prime Minister a few months ago that the “worst of food inflation is over”, the food inflation rate continues to remain extremely high at over 16.5 per cent. This signifies the utter failure of the UPA in checking price rise. The Government is stubbornly refusing to reverse the neoliberal policies causing price rise. Even today, the buffer stocks of over 4 crore tonnes of foodgrains are rotting in Government godowns. Yet these stocks are not being used to restore the huge cut in foodgrains allocations to the States for APL sections who have been wrongly excluded from the public distribution system.

In this context, the CPI(M) opposes the present approach of the UPA Government on the Food Security Bill, which seeks to provide legal sanction to the exclusion of vast sections of the people from the PDS based on the flawed poverty estimates. This will be even worse than the current situation where the States can move towards a universal PDS combining their own schemes with central allocations. The Government is not interested in expanding the right to food for the food insecure population. It is calculating the numbers of poor to restrict the beneficiaries in order to save resources and restrict food subsidy. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates its demands for a universalized system of PDS with at least 35 kg of foodgrains allocation per family at a maximum rate of two rupees a kilo.

The Left parties are holding a Convention on July 1 in New Delhi to take up this issue.

Ranganath Mishra Commission Report

The Polit Bureau demanded that the UPA government table the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission. The recommendations pertain to reservation in jobs and education for minorities on the basis of their social and educational backward status. There has been undue delay in acting upon the report and this should be taken up in the monsoon session of Parliament.

Maoist Violence

The Polit Bureau condemned in the strongest terms the derailment of the Gyaneshwari Express in West Midnapore district of West Bengal which resulted in the deaths of 149 passengers and injuries to many more. The sabotage of a passenger train indulged in by elements of the Maoist-PCAPA combine is a terrorist act directed against innocent people. This exposes the true face of the Maoists. Firm action should be taken against such elements to deter such violent attacks in the future.

IPL Affairs

The CPI(M) had earlier pointed out the wide ramifications of the IPL affairs which involve large-scale money transactions and illegal activities in the name of a cricket. The manner in which the BCCI and the IPL body have conducted the bids and the franchising have raised a host of issues. The matter cannot be disposed off with some routine enquiries conducted by the agencies under the Finance Ministry. What is required is a full-fledged probe. This should be done by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Extended Meeting of the CC

The Polit Bureau discussed the outline of a draft document for the extended meeting of the Central Committee to be held in August. The PB will meet again on July 3 and 4 to finalise the draft to be presented to the Central Committee.