People's Democracy

WHILE the CPI(M) was in the midst of its nation-wide against the Vajpayee government’s policies, came the universally condemned horrendous attack in New York and Washington One of the issues being highlighted in this campaign is the consistent and rapid pro-US shift in India's policy directions. This is seen in all respects -- foreign policy, military ties, economic policies, etc.

Now Vajpayee government's response to the terrorist strikes in America only confirms this trend of total servility to US imperialism. The Cabinet Committee on Security, meeting hours after these strikes, had decided unanimously to "offer all cooperation and facilities for any US military operation in its pursuit of the masterminds of the carnage." This decision was taken even before the US asked for any help from India or was expressing any desire for the same.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation and in this context we can do no better than quote the Editorial of The Times of India which says: "Regrettably, the Prime Minister's televised address to the nation hints at precisely that kind of over-enthusiasm on the Indian government's part. Not content with demanding that the world join hands militarily to `overwhelm the terrorists and neutralise their poison', Mr. Vajpayee exhorted every Indian `to be part of this global war on terrorism …. Terrorism respects no logic, as India which has had to pay a horrific price for it knows only too well'. In this case, the consequences are grave still because it is the subcontinent that is to act as the theatre for the global war that America and its allies have planned against terrorism. Unfortunately, rather than adopting a measured and sober response, official India has chosen to echo the hysteria and war-mongering resounding across major world capitals".

As events have confirmed, it became clear that despite the Vajpayee government's crawling, the USA chose to retain its traditional ally -- Pakistan -- as the main support in its campaign. So brazen is this Vajpayee government that it is not even embarrassed.

Elsewhere in this issue, we carry articles by leading intellectuals and correspondents of longstanding credibility who describe the "the wickedness and awesome cruelty of a crushed and humiliated people". Throughout the entire second half of the 20^th century, the United States has acted as the world's gendarme. During the past decade after the end of the Cold War, US hegemonic military interventions have become more brazen, cruel and inhumane. From Vietnam to Cuba to Korea to Indonesia to Chile and more recently to Iraq, Yugoslavia, Palestine, Sudan -- the list of US interventions and the consequent death of millions of innocent civilians is there for all to see.

By identifying the recent terrorist acts suffered by it with Islamic religion, US imperialism has done immense harm. President Bush's usage of the term `crusade' has not merely evoked memories of the ugly bloody wars of Christianity against Islam in the past, but it has also unleashed a new wave of xenophobic attacks all across the world. A White House spokesman, we are told, later much expressed regrets for the usage of this term. Such hysteria has not spared the lives of Indian Sikhs in the USA. Yet another instance of US double standards is exposed when it justifies Israeli terorism and refuses to link it with Zionism.

The anti-Muslim hatred and poison which the Saffron Brigade continuously spreads in India has receive a shot in the arm under these circumstances. The curfew in Hubli (Karnataka) is a case in point. Utilising the occasion of the 75^th birthday of VHP leader Ashok Singal, a procession raising inflammatory slogans moved towards the controversial Idgah. Clashes followed, blood spiled leaving two dead and many injured. Such tension is culpably growing with reports coming where Muslim students were humiliated and attacked in reputed public schools in Delhi.

This mindset is reflected in the official advertisement put out by the Government of India, beseeching people to observe two minutes’ silence for the American victims of the attacks. (Some have rightly noted that the Vajpayee government never undertook such an expression of mourning during the Gujarat earthquake or the super cyclone in Orissa). It is telling reflection that this same advertisement makes no mention of terrorist attack killing over 300 people of Air India's `Kanishka'. Nor is there any mention of the fact that two of India's democratically elected Prime Ministers were also victims of terrorist attacks. Only those incidents are mentioned where the attacks have allegedly been made by Muslims. Thus the Bombay blasts are mentioned, but not the Bombay riots -- the most ghastly communal riots India has seen in recent years -- nor is there mention of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the death of thousands of Indians in the communal riots that preceded and followed the demolition.

These are as much acts of terrorism as was the daylight murder of Graham Staines and his two sons, and the present day assaults on the Christian minority.

The world is being told that what we have now is a battle of ‘democracy’ against ‘terrorism’. And who is conducting it? The United States of America with its long history of patronising State terrorism, and Pakistan which patronises cross-border terrorism. The battle of democracy is to be conducted by the USA along with a military dictatorship!

People are neither stupid nor still. They seek justice, not revenge. US imperialism, however, seeks retribution. Terrorism, in the final analysis, will have to be tackled and destroyed through political initiatives and addressing the causes and grievances that give rise to, and support it. It can only be hoped that these horrendous strikes will bring on to the agenda of the world community the need to comply with international law, respect for the sovereignty of nations, upholding the right of every people to chose their social order, guarantee of equality, both economic and social, to people belonging to all faiths and traditions and, above all, the reversal of an economic order that enslaves three-fourths of humanity. Swift military intervention may provide illusory solace to some for the moment, but it engenders the seeds of future retribution and reprisals.

(September 19, 2001)