Protest against CBI Hounding Of Teesta Setalvad Held in Mumbai

AROUND 150 activists from various organisations assembled outside Dadar Railway Station in central Mumbai on July 16 evening to protest against the CBI hounding of Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand. The DYFI, SFI and AIDWA took the initiative for organising the protest. CPI(M) Central Committee members Mahendra Singh and Sudha Sundararaman, noted film-maker Anand Patwardhan and many well-known intellectuals and artists joined the protest. Students of FTII and TISS also joined it.

Some Reflections on Corporate Capitalism & Authoritarian State

ON the 40th anniversary of emergency, the veteran BJP leader LK Advani remarked that though the political leadership of the country is mature, he was not confident that the country would not face an emergency like situation again. He further added that the forces who could crush democracy had become stronger. This comment has sparked off a debate on the nature of the current NDA-2 regime. In fact the events of the last few months have made it amply clear that this regime is unwilling to tolerate any criticism and is indeed hounding those who dare to oppose it.

The Impasse over Economic Policy

NEWSPAPERS have been full of stories about differences between the Reserve Bank and the finance ministry over economic policy issues. The differences are so sharp that the government is apparently planning to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act to clip the wings of its governor. These differences however are symptomatic of a deeper malaise afflicting the Indian economy.

Peasants, Agricultural Workers and Rural Artisans’ Demands Day on Sept 1

EIGHT organisations of kisans, agricultural workers and rural artisans, at a joint meeting on 21ST July, decided to organise a “Campaign Fortnight” from 16TH to 31ST August throughout the country on the issues being faced by them. Joint meetings of cadres, mass meetings, seminars, torchlight processions and other programmes will be organised at block, taluk and district levels to draw the attention of public in general against the anti-people policies of the governments.

Thinking Together

• What is the difference between left parties and democratic parties? Which are left parties and which are democratic parties? Are DMDK of Vijayakanth and Tamil Manila Congress of GK Vasan democratic parties? If not, what are they?
R Jawahar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai

First Rajasthan State Convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch Held

THE first Rajasthan State Convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) was held on July 25 in Jaipur. The convention highlighted the prevailing conditions of the state’s Dalit population and took resolve to take up fight to meet the challenges. Delegates from various districts expressed deep concern over the increasing exploitation and oppression of Dalits in the ongoing phase of neo-liberalism. There is not a single district in Rajasthan where Dalits are not discriminated against, oppressed and exploited.

UTTAR PRADESH: First State Convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch Held Successfully

THE first convention of the DSMM, UP was held in Lucknow on June 30. It was inaugurated by Santosh Balmiki, senior journalist, Hindustan Times, who spoke about his own experiences growing up in a family of manual scavengers and the grave injustice that his community is still suffering despite much legislation and many, broken, promises. He said that even today dalit children face humiliation and discrimination in schools and this prevents them from acquiring the education that they need desperately.

West Bengal Heading for Massive Struggle

CPI(M) and the Left Front will unleash a wave of struggles on the burning issues of people in the state. The preparation and campaign for mobilising people has already started. This will be coordinated with the Party Central Committee’s call for the August campaign.All the Left peasant and agricultural workers’ organisations have decided to march towards Nabanna, the state secretariat on August 10. In a first of its kind, peasants from all over the state will gather at five points surrounding Nabanna, which has been fortified with cordons of security.

Dinanagar Attack Condemned

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on July 28.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Dinanagar, Punjab in which seven people were killed including a senior police official. This attack by a three-member squad, reportedly, coming from across the border in Pakistan is a matter of serious concern.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Condoled

Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has issued the following statement on July 28.

THE CPI(M) expresses its deep sorrow at the passing away of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India.

Dr Kalam played a pivotal role in the development of India’s nuclear technology capabilities.

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