RSS-BJP walking down a new fascist path: Manik Sarkar
Rahul Sinha
The RSS-BJP is walking down a new fascist path and there is a need to build a strong and united movement against this in the coming days, former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told a public meeting in the heart of Sonamura town on December 6. The meeting, organized during the 12TH State Conference of the Tripura Khet Majoor Union (All India Agricultural Workers’ Union), was inspiring and enthusiastic. All India Agricultural Workers’ Union Vice-President Bhanulal Saha, MLA Shyamal Chakraborty, and Tripura Agricultural Labourers’ Union Secretary Shyamal De also addressed the meeting. Radhaballav Debnath, the president of the organisation’s State Council, presided over it.
Addressing the rally, Manik Sarkar said the BJP government controlled by the RSS is trying to establish a new system of exploitation in India with a fascist mindset. Prices of essential goods are rising. The value of money is falling. People have no work. MGNREGA work is being almost shut down unofficially. Under the earlier Left Front government in Tripura, MGNREGA provided 80-94 days of work per year; now there is no more than 30-32 days of work. Even then, workers are not getting their wages on time. If there is no income, how will purchasing power increase? Work under the Tripura Urban Employment Programme (TUEP) is also nearly closed. Developmental departments have no work. There are incidents of hunger, semi-starvation, starvation deaths, and even children being sold. For employment, the youth of the state have to migrate to other states and even abroad. Across the country, the central government is withdrawing from the education and health sectors, making them stagnant. By handing these over to private capital, it is enabling plunder. Under the BJP rule, unemployment has broken new records.
Manik Sarkar said people are not accepting this. Protests are resonating across the country. To counter this, the RSS–BJP is trying to create divisions in the name of religion and caste. The worst attacks are being carried out on the Muslim community. Now the Christian community is also being targeted. Workers, peasants, agricultural labourers, students, the youth, women, employees — all sections are fighting against this. The rulers are frightened. Hence, they have launched attacks on democracy. All rights are under assault. To serve the interests of the rulers, even the judiciary is being made to play a certain role. Realising that even this will not help them hold on to state power in the interests of exploiters, the ruling party is now focusing its attack on elections. By placing their preferred people in the Election Commission, the RSS–BJP is trying to prepare voter lists according to their own wishes. They are walking on a new fascist path. This means wearing the cloak of democracy on the outside while hiding a hideous face of destruction within. A strong and united movement must be built in the coming days against this.
Addressing the gathering and the democracy-loving people of all sections of the state, Manik Sarkar said that oppressors and protectors of exploiters’ interests cannot remain in power for long. History teaches us this. But they never give up power on their own. Therefore, people must be awakened. They must be organised. They must be convinced. We have to go door to door. We must bring people with us. Referring to the fact that fascist forces are trying to destroy everything, he said that corruption reigns in the state government and the autonomous district council (ADC). Jungle rule prevails. Horrific attacks are being carried out on women. Voting rights are being snatched away. The situation must be changed. The rulers must be isolated and cornered. There is no alternative to struggle. Along with national and state-level movements, struggles must also be taken to the village level on burning local issues. These must continue until the demands are achieved. He further said that people have begun to take to the streets. Take the role of guide in building firmness in the struggle among the people and awakening a militant spirit. Agricultural labourers are not separate from the distressed masses. Therefore, we must fight together. Take an effective role in making this struggle intense, sharp, and widespread.
Manik Sarkar later inaugurated the delegate session of the conference. Shyamal Dey presented the draft report.
