People's Democracy

Dalit Conference Vows To Work For Formation Of 6th Left Front Govt

Haripada Das

THE sixth state conference of Tripura Scheduled Castes Coordination Committee ended with a vow to plunge into action for forming the Left Front government for the sixth time in the state in the ensuing Assembly elections due in early part of next year. The conference was held at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan, Agartala on August 5-7, 2007.

A huge rally was organised at Stable grounds, Agartala on August 5. The public meeting was presided over by a presidium comprising CPI(M) state secretariat member and minister Anil Sarkar, Jiten Sarkar, Dilip Das, Kanai Rabidas, Dulari Lal Dhanuk. Prakash Karat, CPI(M) general secretary, Manik Sarkar, Polit Bureau member of CPI(M) and chief minister, Anil Sarkar, president and Sukumar Barman, general secretary of the organisation addressed the meeting among others. Among the other veterans on the dais were president of the conference preparatory committee and MP Bajuban Riyan, CPI(M) Tripura state secretary Baidyanath Majumder. Anil Sarkar presented a memento to Karat.

Defying scorching heat that followed torrential rain, dalit people from different sub-divisions of West Tripura and South Tripura districts attended the rally. The people from surrounding areas of Agartala town entered the rally ground playing traditional instruments and beating drums and exhibiting a replica of their professional activities in the procession.

Prakash Karat addressing the gathering said, as casteism originated from class exploitation, it cannot be abolished without class struggle. Without economic freedom, social justice and equality, democracy will have no meaning, he said and added that the struggle of the landless kisans of Khammam in Andhra Pradesh demanding a radical land reform must be extended to all parts of the country. He said the country is celebrating 60 years of independence. The father of our constitution, Dr. B R Ambedkar wanted to shape our constitution enshrining economic freedom, justice and equality for the lakhs of dalits who were languishing under ruthless economic exploitation and social oppression. Some provisions were incorporated in our constitution to that end. But radical land reform is the key factor for economic upliftment of this socially oppressed class. The central government, which represents the interests of the capitalists and landlords, did not abolish casteism. Rather they utilised it for their narrow political gains for the purpose of protecting their class interests. After 60 years of independence, at a time when we take pride for many shining achievements, our shame knows no bound when millions of dalit people fall victims to untouchability and have to launch movement for equal rights for entering into temples, Karat lamented. CPI(M) is the only Party which has been raising the demand for land reform, he noted.

Manik Sarkar in his brief speech said, Schedule Caste Coordination Committee, a united platform of oppressed masses was formed through ceaseless democratic mass movement. Therefore they rightly confide that, to sort out their basic problems, collective struggle with the upper caste poor people is necessary. Sectarian slogans and sectarian movement will alienate them from the mainstream movement of the common people on common issues. On the other hand, toiling masses irrespective of caste and creed must come forward in support of the dalit movement. This should be the model in dealing with the dalit issues at the national level too and in this respect, Tripura Scheduled Caste Coordination Committee can take pride in playing a pioneer role, Manik Sarkar said.

Referring to an NDA meeting convened by the prime minister, Manik Sarkar informed that UPA government initiated a proposal for corporatisation of land for mechanised farming, which is as good as restoration of Jamindari system again including in the three Left-ruled states where land reforms had taken place to a large extent. Only the chief ministers of three Left Front governments vehemently opposed the proposal and it was withdrawn, Manik Sarkar informed. Citing this as the attitude of the ruling Congress on the issue of land reform, Manik Sarkar said, only intensified and relentless united movement can compel the ruling class to bow down to the people’s demands, he asserted.

Altogether 30 delegates took part in the discussion on the political-organisational report placed by general secretary Sukumar Barman. The delegates felt that the Left Front government of the state provided them due rights and dignity, ample opportunities for rehabilitation, job, education, housing and protection of culture. Left Front government has empowered the people at the grass root level through decentralisation of power by means of panchayat, village committee and nagar panchayat and municipality elections etc. Unlike any other states, dalits under Left Front rule no longer feel neglected and alienated because of their race and caste in Tripura, they said.

Some of the aged delegates painfully remembered the awful tales of social neglect, insult and deprivation that was meted out to the scheduled caste people during the Congress rule, 30 years back. They said that situation will not be allowed to come back.

In the concluding session of the conference on August 7, an 87-member state committee and a 25-member state secretariat was formed with Anil Sarkar and Sukumar Barman re-elected unanimously as president and general secretary respectively.