LUCKNOW STAMPEDE INCIDENT

BJP Leaders Promised Saris, Money & Ration Cards

 Madhu Garg

BROKEN bangles. Torn chappals. Strewn chairs… Long after the 22 bodies of poor women and children were removed from the scene, these were the tell tale signs of their tragic end which remained at the scene of the crime. These women were ferried by the BJP leaders in large numbers for the felicitation meeting of birthday boy and BJP top leader in Uttar Pradesh, Lalji Tandon. They were not only promised free saris, but at the meetings held to mobilize this crowd the BJP leaders announced that there would be distribution of money, and more importantly for the women – ration cards. Even as this horrible tragedy shocked the nation, it also raised questions about the bourgeoisie parties cynical and insensitive tactic of bribing the poor (sometimes by doling saris, blankets, old age pension, ration cards etc) in order to mobilise them for their meetings.

Today one finds in almost all slums and settlements of the poor, large number of "people-mobilising" contractors whose services are requisitioned by these parties whenever they need to mobilise people for their political meetings, birthday celebrations etc. These contractors, with the intention of currying favour with these  parties leaders and to personally benefit from them, dupe the poor gullible people with crumbs and promises. This is best illustrated by Lalji Tandon's birthday bashes held every year. Land mafia, history-sheeters sponsor the distribution of dhotis, saris, lunch packets on this occasion. And what they get out of this is Lalji Tandon's blessings for carrying on their nefarious activities through out the year.

This year's sponsor, Brijendra Murari Yadav, is a known history-sheeter with 13 criminal cases pending against him. The cases against him include three of murder, six of rioting and attempted murder and four of illegal possession of arms. He was also detained under the National Security Act in 1992 and Gangster Act in 1996. Assisting him in his nefarious activities is his brother Yogendra Yadav, who has 22 cases pending against him. As one national daily report points out, the crime record of both the brothers came to a grinding halt after 1996. The reason was their growing political clout. Immediately after this heart-breaking tragedy, the BJP leaders, including Tandon have distanced themselves from this function while in the function Tandon and other BJP leaders were lavishing praise on Murari Yadav for donating his riches to the poor. (Each sari was estimated to cost only Rs 40)

 ATTEMPTS TO INTIMIDATE

The BJP flags fluttering at the Chandrashekar park, the site of incident, was testimony to the fact of the conspiracy of the BJP to buy votes through distribution of free saris. Immediately after the incident, the BJP cadre fanned out to various hospitals to see that other political or social organisations or any concerned people are prevented from meeting the relatives and dear ones of the poor victims. This happened to Madhu Garg, who accompanied by other AIDWA activists visited the Medical College hospital in Lucknow to meet the victims and their relatives. They were surrounded by hundred odd BJP goons who physically tried to prevent them from meeting any of the victims as they were very much afraid that their conspiracy would be exposed. The fascist nature of these forces was apparent as they prevented people from even exspressing their sympathy with the victims.

TANDON EFFIGY BURNT

AIDWA has held countrywide protest demonstrations against this incident on April 13. In Lucknow, AIDWA general secretary Brinda Karat led the protest in front of UP Vidhan Sabha. The protestors burnt the effigy of Lalji Tandon and demanded his arrest. They raised slogans such as Mahilaon Ka Majak Banana Bandh Karo - Lalji Tandon Sharam Karo. When this protest rally reached in front of the Vidhan Sabha, a police officer snatched the effigy from the hands of a protestor and ran away. Angry protestors asked the policeman where was such alertness when poor women and children were dying in Tandon's birthday celebrations. They blocked the Vidhan Sabha road and in the meanwhile DYFI activists brought another effigy of Lalji Tandon, which was promptly burnt by the protestors. 

Addressing the protestors, Brinda Karat said that it was not just a simple accident but an insult to the poor, who were blatantly tempted with saris and dhotis for gaining electoral benefit. "Who is responsible for the death of so many poor women"? asked Karat. After mobilising the poor women from slums, how can the BJP leaders now escape the responsibility for these gruesome deaths. She demanded lodging of FIR against Lalji Tandon and his prosecution under relevant sections. She also demanded the intervention of the Election Commission.

Brinda Karat blasted those who were counselling against "politicisation" of the incident by saying that maintaining silence on the killing of the poor hapless women is the real politicisation. She termed the meeting as an unlawful gathering as the district administration was also kept in dark by the organisers. AIDWA state president, Madhu Garg said that what sort of feel good is it where people are dying for the sake of a sari worth a mere Rs 40 in the prime minister's constituency.

VICTIMS ACCOUNT

Before this protest rally, AIDWA leaders went and met the injured victims in hospitals. One of the injured, Fulmati of Fatehpur Aliganj told the  delegation that her four year old nephew was crushed to death and she herself was seriously injured in her back. Another injured, Kusum Rajput of Khadra and Sunita, Ram Rani told the AIDWA leaders that a BJP leader named Kum Kum came to their place and asked them to attend the birthday celebrations of BJP leader Lalji Tandon. She also said that money, sari and ration cards would be distributed at the function. 

The AIDWA leaders, Brinda Karat and Lucknow secretary of AIDWA Vandana Rai visited Pani Gaon from where two women Avadh Rani and Shanta Devi died in this incident. Avadh Rani's husband, Chet Ram told the AIDWA leaders that BJP leader Karuna Mishra forcibly took his wife. Another witness of the incident from this place, Kalavati told that the organisers were throwing the saris like one would throw biscuits to a pack of dogs. The truth is that the “Shining Wallahs” always throw crumbs to the poor of the country with the intention of keeping a lid on their anger.

Four days back a meeting was held in the village and a long list of goodies that would be distributed was read out. The people were also chided for not attending the PM's rally last time in Lucknow and warned that if they miss this meeting, they would lose much. 

This is how the buorgeoisie parties mobilise people for their meetings. Where are the real ration cards for the poor people? AIDWA has decided that if no action is taken against the guilty it will file a PIL in the court.