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Few Urgent Deliberations regarding the ‘Peace Effort’ and Sustaining the
‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee’ in Nandigram
In Print Edition: June 2007
Fighting comrades of Nandigram,
Since last January the struggle is continuing – Nandigram stands with its head held high amidst fighting with its last drop of blood against the forces of government and parties who are hell bent to ruin utterly the people of Nandigram. A continuous attack from one side and an effort to encircle and starve the people of Nandigram on the other – the government and CPIM didn't spare any. Why they are doing all these? Obviously they are doing so for the propertied classes. In this era of imperialist globalisation, the foreign and native propertied classes have grown voracious appetite. They need more land, more natural wealth. They need reckless exploitation of the working class without any care for the rules and regulations. One of the many forms of this exploitation is ‘SEZ' or ‘special economic zone'. Apart from ‘SEZ', the attack of the propertied classes descends and continues in different other forms too. The central and all the state governments are touting for these propertied classes and all the established parties too. CPIM and the left government are also doing the same. The people of Nandigram have fought them to a temporary halt. This is why the reputation of Nandigram spreads beyond the boundary of Bengal and in to the whole country, and even in the different parts of the world.
After a continuous bloody tiring struggle of five – six months, the people of Nandigram want some respite, a brief breathing space. It seems, speaking to few fighting comrades of Nandigram, that they indeed want a period of peace. Although along with that, they also feel that their main weapon of fight should be kept intact. That is, their organisation of struggle ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' should survive. That organisation, the united power of the people of Nandigram assembled under its banner, the activity and initiative of thousands of people – all these are but their weapons of struggle! Maintaining a continuous resistance for almost six months …Liberating Sonachura – Gokulnagar from police and party occupation within two days after the barbarous terror of the 14th March by the mighty peoples offensive march of some thirty thousand fighters…! All these different examples of mass initiative started after converting Nandigram to a fort by digging entry roads and destroying bridges at once, surely that needed active involvement of tens of thousands! This is why these two thoughts – that is, peace and sustaining the organisation – are not only justifiable but also urgent. It will not do if these thoughts remain confined to two-three or at the most ten-twenty persons – all the fighting comrades should think. Hence, on behalf of Krishak Committee we present few reflections and questions on these two subjects.
Two concerns on the peace effort
(1) It is not hard to understand the reasons for which the people of Nandigram want peace. However, why the government or the big established parties want to restore peace in Nandigram? Why the TV channels and newspapers under the proprietorship of reach classes are so concerned about the peace in Nandigram? It is necessary to understand this clearly. The purpose of propertied classes, government and the big parties behind the restoration of peace is altogether different.
The first reason behind the peace effort by the propertied classes, government and the big parties – it is a matter of great anxiety for the propertied classes, government and all the big parties that the people of a relatively large area, without surrendering to or owing allegiance to any big or medium sized established party, will move independently, stamp violently, harass the administration and render it ineffective. Even to the opposition parties of this state like the Congress, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) etc. it is a matter of great anxiety and discomfort. It should immediately be stopped. Their craving is – your strength should be dampened by keeping you pacified . The peace of propertied Raj, law and order of propertied Raj, administration of propertied Raj should be enforced quickly.
Second reason – even if Nandigram does not again face the trauma of land grabbing for the propertied classes in very near future, elsewhere the government has to carry out grabbing and eviction. An awakened Nandigram will put its imprint there, already putting too. So, Nandigram must be tamed quickly.
Moreover, a third reason – the cunning pundit Chanakya, once advised the king in the guise of a story: ‘even if one tries to wipe out the forest of gum exuding trees by sword, he cannot wipe it out completely; rather the purpose will be served if sweet molasses is spread on the soil. It will attract insects and termites. All these will eat the trees to the deep of their roots and finish them off.' Think of what does this mean.
Whatever it may, the essence is that the reasons for which you want peace and the reasons for which they want are entirely different. The movement of yours, independent and separate, is a cause of great concern for the propertied classes. They will not bother so much if it were a fight between the CPIM and TMC over supremacy of party-politics or political (vote) base area. Moreover, it does not matter at all to the propertied classes for such changes in government as TMC instead of CPIM, Congress instead of BJP, Mayabati instead of Mulayam and the likes. The government of each party follows the line of propertied classes; every party is busy showing the propertied classes that how much “responsible” they are!
(2) Now we move on to another subject. At this juncture many people may not pay heed to this subject but still this is worth contemplating. Many of the fighting people of Nandigram are poor toiling peasants – many of whom have no land of their own – land is in the hands of non-peasant Babus. There are many land labours having no occupation for more than half of the year. There are also other toiling people earning on physical labour of various sorts. Let them ponder – was your life passing very peacefully in the days before January, before the struggle commenced? Could you lead a life like a human being? Could you live with dignity and honour? Did not the pangs of poverty pierce you? Did not the abuses hurled like “lower cast”, “mean fellow”, “rustic crook” torment your mind? We were in peace? Peace will descend only when there will be no division of rich and poor in the society, when the divisions of caste and religion are uprooted – peace is achieved only when you can lead a life of human being; all the fruits of the advancement of civilisation are equally distributed amongst all. You can move in this direction only if the real power for controlling the society is vested with the toiling masses. Is the kind of life we are leading in the contemporary society can be described as one of human being? … Now, look at it from another angle. Were you not living holding your heads high during this struggle, during these months of “unrest”, amidst acute hardship? You have only demonstrated and have seen only a fraction of the power hidden in you. You have shown your organised power and ability in your struggle under the banner of ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' – your organisation of struggle. All these have a taste of their own.
That taste should be cherished even when peace returns. You must keep your organised power alive even if peace returns. Whereas the government and all the established parties want to dampen, destroy and spoil your resolve, initiative and organisation of struggle in the garb of peace effort. That is why you want your organisation of struggle – ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' should survive. Let us move to that subject now.
Sustaining ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' – Why and How
From the very name of ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' (Committee for resistance against eviction from land) its purpose and function is clear. Probably in future a time will come when resisting eviction will not remain the number one or main agenda. What this committee will do then? What will be its aims, objective and principles?
Will those who fought whole-heartedly for these days leave it to a handful of leaders to ponder over this subject? As it happens in other parties that you have seen, a small upper coterie decides everything and the people of “lower rung” only carry out their dictates – As if the only role of the people is to fill up the coffers, cast vote, crowding the meetings and processions and if necessary fight physically. Will it be sufficient to become another such party? Party holds the reign of controlling the toiling masses! Or, the toiling masses too should exercise its control; hold its reign on the party? Look, why this is said. By revolting against the old parties, you had formed your own organisation of struggle. You have erected its foundation, nurtured it. Your ability constitutes the power of committee. It is a “new” phenomenon - like the ones created by the fighting workers in quite a few factories.
What is the new content in it? Leaving one party and taking shelter in another, becoming supporter of or casting vote for one party leaving another – these are old practices. This is not what new phenomenon that is taking place amongst workers is. This is not switching allegiance from one party to another. The new content is – fight and organise on your own strength after revolting from and coming out of the influence of the old parties. Those toiling masses, whom the society of Babus contemptuously called illiterate, “vulgar fellows”, “labour class”, “uncultured rustics”, have themselves come forward to fight and steer their own organisation. They are trying to retain the control of their organisation in the own hands of toiling masses. The advanced, fighting comrades are gradually learning to conduct their own fight and organisation. Also in the last year, bulk of the construction labours of the ‘Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation' revolted against the four old unions and have formed their own organisation and are they running it now. Look at the real aspect of it – on the one hand, the gradually increasing attack of the ruling class and on the other the treachery and surrender by the old, established parties and unions– these two causes are giving birth to that “new”. Many of you move to Metiabruz for doing odd jobs. There you can see how the unions of the fighting workers are running in Hindustan Lever or Garden Reach Ship Builders. Try to talk with the people there. This is not impossible at all. You have to take efforts and initiative. That you can do it is verified during your fight. You have to show same efforts and initiatives about your organisation and committee.
Now suppose you could retain ‘Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee' and took initiative in its affairs too. Thereafter? Some of you are probably thinking – in coming Panchayet election we will project candidates from that committee and win. Well, let that be granted too. Even, let us consider that you have elected an MLA too. Then what? What does those Panchayets do? What else than that same job of consoling the people and keeping them subdued with scanty governmental relief? Few ‘Indira-Awas'. Few loans and grants. Only 100 days job for few people. Distributing twenty blankets amongst five-six hundred poor. Distributing seventy-eighty BPL cards amongst 100-150 poor. Fiction of “self-dependence” at best at two to three hundred rupees per month. ……. Well, suppose you honestly carry out such small, paltry governmental reform projects through your Panchayets. Is that done and over? Wining few Panchayet seats and the “power” of scanty governmental reform projects – will you stop with this achievement after such a big fight? Think of – because you are the traveller of the “new” road. Just another party like the old reformist parties or a bit “honest” organisation to keep the “new” alive – Will this do? Think of – because your fight is not only against CPIM, it is against the attack of ruling class. All the governments of all the parties are now openly playing the role of deputies and agents of ruling class. In this state, the CPIM party is moreover playing the role of watchdog of the ruling class. That is why one should not forget to rise against the attack of ruling classes and all its flunky governments. One should not forget to rise against all the misdeed-injustice-oppression prevalent in the present society. Then only the “new” entity will remain living in your organisation, inside you. Start thinking in this regard within yourselves. If you feel necessary, you can discuss with us too.
With greetings
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