TowardsSocialism
OUR OPPOSITION TO INDO-US
NUCLEAR DEAL IS ON IDEOLOGICAL GROUNDUS
Debabrata Biswas, M.P., General Secretary, AIFB
There has been a lot of controversy,
tension and confusion on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal during the last three
months. Amidst the din we have all along consistently opposed the deal on
various technical and political grounds. But mainly our opposition is on
ideological ground. It is our firm conviction that the deal is not merely a
civil nuclear cooperation agreement, it has rather far
more political implication. We can not rule out the apprehension that this deal will eventually damage our decades-long
non-aligned image and will impede our independent foreign policy and thereby
adversely affect our sovereignty. We can not accept such post-deal ominous
developments and hence, we oppose it on ideological ground.
To be more precise, this nuclear
deal will push
Even before operationalising
the deal,
So we all along opposed the Indo-US
nuclear deal and asked the UPA government not to proceed hastily to operationalise the deal. Our primary aim was not to
destabilize the government. But the fact remained that in case the government
didn't concede to our demand, we have had no other way but to withdraw our
support to it. Consequently, that would lead to fall of the government and an
early poll. If the government insists on its own programme
(of Nuclear Deal with US), without caring for the Left's concern, the
government would create its own crisis and invite its fall - leading to early
poll. But it was wrongly interpreted, particularly by a section of the media,
who started advocating that the Left would suffer a heavy electoral set-back in
case of fall of the government and an early poll. But even then the Left
bravely faced this media-assault and stuck to its ideological stand.
Due to this strict united stand of
the Left, the flow of events took a new turn causing a climb-down
Editorial
If winter comes, can debates be far
behind
The winter session
of parliament comes again as usual in normal course.
Sometimes it starts earlier,
and even ends more earlier than the scheduled time, on
the pretext of various political situation.
Apart from it, there is a tendency of having Parliament sessions of
shorten duration, on this plea or that plea, which can not be encouraged, nor
can be supported, as that amounts to curtailment of Parliament Members' rights.
But
it becomes a matter of more serious concern, when such eagerly-awaited sessions
are ultimately disturbed due to frequent interruptions and adjournments,
without giving opportunity for neefull transactions
and responsive discussions in the house. As our past experience in this respect
is not very encouraging, let us now hope that this winter session is not
disturbed and let this be fully utilized by some long-awaited fruitful debates
on many pending important issues.
Indo-US
Nuclear Deal, obviously, should have a proud place in the list of business
agenda. The Left, along with other like minded parties, strongly pressed for a
debate on this vital national issue during the last monsoon session, but
unfortunately the members were denied of an opportunity to discuss it in the
house. It appeared that some vested interest groups, both in the government and
in the opposition, tried to prevent its discussion with the apprehension that
the total number of members/parties opposing the deal may come out on record,
or the double-face role of some parties on the issue may be exposed. But since
it is a grave national issue concerning the future of the country, the members
must have full opportunity to express their views - for and against the deal.
Not merely the sense of the House, but the categorical views expressed by the
members during a debate in the house should determine the fate of the deal. The
other vexed and important issue is the continuing rise of prices of all
essential commodities affecting millions of poor people of the country. In the midst of high-sounding publicity on
the GDP growth
and the sensex rise, the dismal performance and
failure of the government in the area of continuing price-rise can not be
minimized or bypassed. The Parliament must find a way out to properly address
the problems facing the working class people.
The
other important pending issues are the implementation of the Sachar Committee Report, alarming farmers' suicide (as
reported in press, one suicide in every 30 minutes), comprehensive bill for the
unorganised sector workers, immediate framing of
rules for the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act so that the much-awaited legislation may not
be sabotaged by vested interest lobbies. Besides some lip-services for the
Muslim minorities, no effective steps have yet been taken for implementation of
the Sachar Committee Report. A debate in Parliament
is necessary to expedite government action in the matter. Similar is the case
with the unorganised sector workers who are long
deprived of a comprehensive legislation to ensure their social security and
economic safeguards. Members would also like to have debates to voice their
strong opposition to government policies freely allowing SEZs and entry of corporate
houses in retail trade and agricultural marketing which would seriously affect
livelihood of millions poor farmers and small retail traders. The dangers for
democracy in our neighboring countries, particularly due to military junta
crackdown on pro-democracy movement in
There are many other imp ortant issues too. For discussing many pending legislations
we would look for uninterrupted winter session of Parliament which would
conduct its business in the way as is expected of it by the whole country.
The Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian
History
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
The role which a man plays in history depends partly on his
physical and mental equipment, and partly on the environment and the needs of
times in which he is born. There is something in Mahatma Gandhi, which appeals
to the mass of the Indian people. Born in another country he might have been a
complete misfit. What, for instance, would he have done in a country like
But the conformity of the Mahatma's
physical and mental equipment to the traditions and temperament of the Indian
people is but one factor accounting for the former's success. If he had been
born in another epoch in Indian history, he might not have been able to
distinguish himself so well. For instance, what would be have done at the time
of the Revolution of 1857 when the people had arms, were able to fight and
wanted a leader who could lead them in battle? The success of the Mahatma has
been due to the failure of constitutionalism on the one side and armed
revolution on the other. Since the eighties of the last century, the best
political brains among the Indian people were the best political brains among
the Indian people were engaged in a constitutional fight, in which the
qualities most essential were skill in debate and eloquence in speech. In such
an environment it is unlikely that the Mahatma would have attained much
eminence. With the dawn of the present century people began to lose faith in
constitutional methods. New weapons like Swadeshi
(revival of national industry) and Boycott appeared, and simultaneously the
revolutionary movement began to gain ground (especially in
In 1920
The Indian National Congress of today is
largely his creation. The Congress constitution is his handiwork. From a
talking body he has converted the Congress into a living and fighting organisation. It has its ramification in every town and
village in
But how could he achieve so much within
this short period? By his single-hearted devotion, his
relentless will and his indefatigable labour.
Moreover, the time was auspicious and his policy prudent. Though he appeared as
a dynamic force, he was not too revolutionary for the majority of his
countrymen. If he had been so, he would have frightened them, instead of
inspiring them; repelled them, instead of drawing them. His policy was one of
unification. He wanted to unite Hindu and Moslem; the high caste and the low
caste; the capitalist and the labourer; the landlord
and the peasant. By this humanitarian out-look and his freedom from hatred, he
was able to rouse sympathy even in his enemy's camp.
But
Swaraj is still a distant dream. Instead of one, the
people have waited for fourteen long years. And they will have to wait many
more. With such purity of character and with such an unprecedented following,
why has the Mahatma failed to liberate
He
has failed because the strength of a leader depends not on the largeness - but
on the character - of one's following. With a much smaller following, other
leaders have been able to liberate their country - while the Mahatma with a
much larger following has not. He has failed, because while he has understood
the character of his own people - he has not understood the character of his
opponents. The logic of the Mahatma is not the logic which appeals to John bull. He has failed, because his policy of putting all his
cards on the table will not do. We have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's
and - in a political fight, the art of diplomacy
cannot be dispensed with. He has failed, because he has not made use of the
international weapon. If we desire to win our freedom through non-violence,
diplomacy and international propaganda are essential. He has failed, because
the false unity of interests that are inherently opposed is not a source of
strength but a source of weakness in political warfare. The future of
What of the future? What role will the Mahatma
play in the days to come? Will he be able to emancipate his dear country?
Several factors have to be considered. So far as his health and vitality are
concerned, it is highly probable that he will be spared many years of active
and useful public life and his determination to achieve something tangible in
the direction of his country's freedom will keep up his spirits. So far as his
popularity and reputation are concerned, they will endure till the end of his
life - because unlike other political leaders, the Mahatma's popularity and
reputation do not depend on his political leadership --- but largely on his
character. The question we have to consider, however, is
whether the Mahatma will continue his political activities or whether he will
voluntarily withdraw himself from active politics - of which there are
indications at the present moment - and devote himself exclusively to social
and humanitarian work. A prediction in the case of the Mahatma is a hazardous
proposition. Nevertheless, one thing is certain. The Mahatma will not play
second fiddle to anyone. As long as it will be possible for him to guide the
political movement, he will be there---but if the composition or the mentality
of the Congress changes, he may possibly retire from active politics. That
retirement may be temporary or permanent. A temporary retirement is like a
strategic retreat and is not of much significance because the hero will come
back into the picture once again. We have had experience of the Mahatma's
retirement from active politics once before - from 1924 to 1928. Whether there
is a possibility of the Mahatma's permanent retirement depends to some extent
at least, on the attitude of the British Government. If he is able to achieve
something tangible for his country, then his position will be unassailable
among his countrymen. Nothing succeeds like success, and the Mahatma's success
will confirm public non-co-operation. But if the British attitude continues to
be as uncompromising as it is today, public faith in the Mahatma as a political
leader and in the method of non-violent non-co-operation will be considerably
shaken. In that event they will naturally turn to a more radical leadership and
policy.
In spite of the unparalleled popularity
and reputation which the Mahatma has among his countrymen and will continue to
have regardless of his future political career, there is no doubt that the
unique position of the Mahatma is due to his political leadership. The Mahatma
himself distinguishes between his mass-popularity and his political following
in the years to come in the event of the British attitude being as unbending as
it is today, will depend on his ability to evolve a more radical policy. Will
he be able to give up the attempt to unite all the elements in the country and
boldly identify himself supplant him. The hero of the present phase as well.
But what does the balance of probability indicate?
The
The
Congress socialists appear at the moment to be under the influence of Fabian
Socialism and some their ideas and shibboleths were the fashion several decades
ago. Nevertheless, the Congress Socialists do represent a radical force within
the congress and in the country. Many of those who could have helped them
actively are not available at present. When their assistance will be
forthcoming, the Party will be able to make more headway.
At
the present moment another challenge to the Mahatma's policy has crystallized
within the Congress in the Congress Nationalist Party led by Pandit Malaviya. The dispute has
arisen over the Communal Award of the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay Macdonald. The
issue is, however, a comparatively minor one, because the official Congress
Party and the Congress Nationalist Party are agreed in the total rejection of
the White Paper of which the Communal Award is an integral part. Only the
official Congress party is foolishly afraid of openly condemning the Communal
Award. Since the Congress Nationalist Party does not represent a more radical
force in the country, the ultimate challenge to the Mahatma's leadership cannot
come from that direction.
One
definite prediction can be made at this stage-namely, that the future parties
within the Congress will be based on economic issues. It is not improbable that
in the event of the Left Wingers capturing the Congress machinery, there will
be a further secession from the Right and the setting up of a new organization
of the Right Wingers like the Indian Liberal Federation of today. It will of course take some years of clarify the economic
issues in the public mind---so that parties may be organized on the basis of a
clear programme and ideology. Till the issues are
clarified, Mahatma Gandhi's political supremacy will remain unchallenged, even
if there is a temporary retirement as in 1924. But once the clarification takes
place, his political following will be greatly affected. As has been already
indicated, the Mahatma has endeavored in the past to hold together all the
warring elements landlords and peasant, capitalist and labour,
rich and poor. That has been the secret of his failure. If all the warring
elements resolve to carry on the struggle for political freedom, the internal
social struggle will be postponed for a long time and men holding the position
of the Mahatma will continue to dominate the public life of the country. But
that will not be the case. The vested interests, the 'haves', will in future
fight shy of the 'have-nots' in the political fight and will gradually incline
towards the British Government. The logic of history will, therefore, follow
its inevitable course. The political struggle and the social struggle will have
to be conducted simultaneously. The Party that will win political freedom for
[Extract
from ‘The Indian Struggle’ by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose]
National
Convention of Contractor workers
Sponsoring Committee of Central
Trade Unions and National Federations have organized one day National
Convention of Contractor workers from various sectors on 19th November, 2007 at
V.P. House Lawn,
Com. S.P. Tiwari,
General Secretary, TUCC during his speech had elaborated the expansion of unorganised sector since 1991 and capturing the organized
sector gradually (In - 1991, organized sector 13% unorganised
sector 87%, in 2006 organised sector 6%, unorganised sector 94%) due to rampant contractorisation
and outsourcing in perennial
nature of work in industrial establishments. He stressed the need
to launch aggressive and continuous agitations against Government of India so
that the marching leaps of LPG could be stopped. He also re interated
his call for uncompromising struggle by CTU's to save the country and its
working class from the clutches of Soaring MNC's.
Com. P.V. Kathirvan
(Transport) and Com. Hansraj Akela
(Beedi) also spoke on the occasion. The convention
had decided that on 5th and 6th December, 2007. Dharna,
protest, demonstrations, rallies etc. would be organized at state, district and
unit levels. 8th January 2008 will be observed as DEMANDS DAY of conractors workers. Contractors
workers of TUCC from the states of
The Central Secretariat of All
The Central Secretariat of All India Forward Bloc met at
The meeting elaborately discussed about
the current national and international socio-political situations and adopted
several resolutions on these issues. The meeting also discussed thread barely
about the ongoing preparations for the National Council Meeting and the State
Council meetings of the party.
123 Agreement
The Secretariat has decided to continue
our opposition to the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal and to block the government
from the process of operationalising the deal. The
Secretariat endorsed the decision of the Left Parties that to allow the
government to work out the draft of the India Specific safe Guards with IAEA as
a step to provide the government to have a honourable exit from the deal. The party will stick to this
consensus.
Nandigram
The secretariat strongly condemned the
bloodshed in Nandigram and asked the left front of
Apart from 123 Agreement and Nandigram, the Central Secretariat of the Party has adopted
resolutions on following national and international issues:
1. Tribal people are still deprived of forest
rights
2. Atrocities on dalits
still continue
3. Foreign Universities free to set up centres in India- Grave concern for Higher Education
4. Research in nuclear sector is welcome, but
not privatisation
5. Agricultural indebtedness: Still a vexed
issue
6. Karnataka politics: U-turn dram and
unprincipled bargaining.
7. Emergency in
8. 17th National Congress of CPC
9. Situation in
10. Democratic movement in
11.
12. US threat against
13. 4th International Conference on Federalism
(See
'Towards Socialism' and 'Jangarjan' for detailed
resolutions)
The Secretariat has taken the following
political and organisational decisions unanimously:
1. National
Council Meeting
The meeting has decided to make the
National Council meeting of the Party, which schedule to be held at
The
state Committees of the party are requested to send the list of National
Council members to the central office at the earliest. National Council Members
from different states, as decided in the 15th Party Congress are as follows:
Karnataka 04
Haryana 02
Jharkhand 10
Orissa 05
Uttar Pradesh 12
Madhya Pradesh 04 Kerala 09
Tripura 05
Jammu & Kashmir 05
Total number of delegates for the National
Council will be 250. The Central Committee members of the Party will be
ex-officio members of the National Council. Delegates from Uttarakhand,
The delegate fee will be Rs. 50/- (Rs.
Fifty only)
2.
Documents of the National Council
All the state committees are requested to
translate, print and discuss the draft document adopted by the Central
Secretariat of the party in the District and state Councils meetings. The
central committee will bear fifty percent of the printing cost of the draft
document in different languages. The Central Committee will publish the
document in Hindi and English only.
All the state units are requested to bring
resolutions on local socio-political and economic issues of the states apart
from the suggestions to the central document.
3.
State Council Meetings:
The dates for the state council meetings
have been rescheduled, which is as follows:
Tripura 15-16 Dec. 2007
Manipur 23-24.Dec.2007
Kerala 5-6 Jan.2008
Jammu & Kashmir 9-10 Jan.2008
Jharkhand 16-17.Jan.2008
Madhya Pradesh 19-20.Jan.2008
Balasore Zonal 24 Jan.2008
Haryana 28 Jan.2008
Karnataka 29-30 Jan.2008
Orisaa State 5-6 Feb.2008
Uttar Pradesh 5-6 Feb.2008
Tamilnadu 9-10 Feb.2008
All the state units are requested to
complete the district and other lower level council meeting prior to the state
council meetings.
4. Campaign on 'AIFB For
Netaji's
The Central Secretariat has decided to
launch a nationwide campaign to propagate the political philosophy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and
the long-term political aim of All India Forward Bloc as 'AIFB For Netaji's
5.
March Tripuri
To Make Anti-Imperialist Platform.
The Central Secretariat has decided to
commemorate the 69th anniversary of the historical Tripuri
(Madhya Pradesh) Conference of AICC where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose defeated Shri
Pattabhi Sita Ramayya, the candidate of right wing forces of the Congress
led by Mahatma Gandhi. The All India Forward Bloc, the party founded by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has
the firm conviction that the current Indian situation demands a unified
platform against imperialist forces. The increasing highhandedness of
imperialism in this continent is a threat to the sovereignty and economic
independence of the developing countries of this region. The AIFB, the party
emerged through relentless anti compromise struggle against imperialism is
bound to make such platform against imperialist and neo-colonial forces.
The All India Forward Bloc will initiate
to make a broad based platform of all left and socialist parties, progressive
groups, intellectuals, civil society organizations etc. to launch a persistent
struggle against imperialism. This anti-imperialist campaign will begin from
17th February 2008 from
6. Raj Bhavan March In Jharkhand
The Central Secretariat endorsed the
decision of the AIFB Jharkhand State Committee to organise
a Raj Bhavan (Governor's House) March on 17th
December 2007. This March is against the failure of the state government to
contain the ongoing annihilation and personal killings of common people and
social activists by different Naxal groups and
Maoists in Jharkhand. The AIFB is of the opinion that the issue of Naxalism in different sates is not merely an issue of law
and order. It is a socio political issue cropped up due to inequality,
discrimination and underdevelopment. Socio-political solutions are necessary to
curb this menace. While organising this Raj Bhavan March, the AIFB will raise the issues of rampant
corruption, lack of political accountability and failure of the government to
redress the issues of the common people. The party will also raise the slogan
for the rights of 'Jal, Jungle, Zameen' and to hold the
local body election immediately.
7.
Membership
All the state committees are requested to
send the membership list and fees to the Central Office by 30th November 2007.
8.
Mass Organisation
All the mass organisation
leaders are requested to send the report of their activities and future programme to the Central committee of the party at the
earliest.
9.
Report to the Party Organs
All the lower units of the party are
requested to send the reports of the party programmes
to the central office to publish in 'Towards Socialis'
and 'Jangarjan'.
Wanton violence
mars civil life in Nandigram :
Unilateral CPM
crackdown tarnish left image
The 11-month long violence
and political turmoil at Nandigram (of
But unfortunately the state government
didn't honestly follow thereafter the assurances given and they continued to
very often skip discussions in the LF in respect of many important issues,
obviously ignoring the objections of other left partners in the matter. One
very serious attempt was made by Forward Bloc to convene an all-party meeting
in Kolkata (at Mahajati Sadan)
on 24 May 2007 to initiate peace process in respect of Nandigram
issues. But due to adamant and non-conciliatory attitude of Trinamul
Congress, along with CPM too, the peace talks failed, the resolutions taken at
that meeting were also not implemented. LF Chairman was thereafter entrusted to
follow-up the peace-talks, but nothing took place. An attempt was, of course,
made by the former CM Jyoti Basu
to initiate talks with the TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. But that too failed after the initial meeting.
Meanwhile, eviction of thousands of
families from Nandigram and sporadic violence
continued unabated. TMC-led Bhumi Ucched
Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) activists, in collusion
with some extremist elements, were all out to aggravate the situation. Forward
Bloc and other left partners failed to convince the LF Chairman to once again
initiate sincere efforts for peace process on Nandigram
issue, as was decided earlier in LF meeting.
But it was a matter of shocking surprise
that suddenly the CPM party, along with the support of administration,
unilaterally started concerted actions, from Khejuri
end, during the week from November 5 to 11, 2007, to recover their lost ground
in Nandigram and to rehabilitate their supporters so
long exiled in the adjoining block of Khejuri. The
police was kept inactive and mere spectators, while their party cadres,
reportedly to be armed, forced entry into Nandigram,
causing violence, deaths and injuries in the process. Their action programme, no doubt, helped a large number of people to
recover their houses, which they were forced to desert by the BUPC activities
quite a long time before. But unfortunately, another large number of people,
including women and children, being panic-stricken, were forced to leave their
houses in Nandigram only to seek shelter in whatever
odd places that were available. The whole situation was thus terrorised, full of panic and tension, and no doubt was far
from restoration of peace and order in the area. So far the casualty is
reported (by CM himself) to be 4 dead and 13 injured. In reality, the figures
are apprehended to be much higher.
To add fuel to fire, the West Bengal
Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi issues a public
statement on 9 November 2007, accusing the CPM party indulging in illegal means
to recapture villages after villages in Nandigram by
their cadres. Forward Bloc could not approve such unfortunate and unwarranted
public statement which hampered the impartial role of the Governor as he was
supposed to play. Forward Bloc immediately issued a statement on 10.11.07
condemning the Governor's role, as he failed to follow the normal procedure of
contacting the CM and the administration to give his reactions and warning, but
instead he issued a public statement and thereby created further complications
in the matter.
Forward Bloc hurriedly called a Press
Conference on 10.11.07 to express its grave concern in the latest developments
at Nandigram, which were apprehended to obstruct
peace process there. While reminding the CPM party that their policy of
violence would only help escalating state-wide disturbances, Forward Bloc urged
for immediate all-party meeting at the state-level, in addition to those at local
level, to find an amicable settlement. Forward Bloc further opined that the CM,
LF Chairman and ex-CM Jyoti Basu
should take initiative to convene such meetings immediately and it assured all
help and cooperation in the matter. But unfortunately CPM didn't respond to our
call and wanton violence continued unabated.
Another unfortunate incident happened on
11.11.07 when a large number of independent-minded intellectuals, writers,
actors and other artists rallied together near "Nandan",
where a Film-festival was going on, to express their distress and opposition to
violence and bloodshed in Nandigram. But
unfortunately the police forced them to leave the place and eventually arrested
and took them to Lalbazar Police Head Quater. (Of course, they were released after a couple of
hours.) This unprecedented incident had wide spread adverse repercussions on
the people at large. Of late, the CM and the Commissioner of Police have
expressed regrets for the incident.
The three left partners, viz, Forward Bloc, RSP and CPI urgently met at a meeting on
11.11.2007 at Forward Bloc office and issued a Press statement as follows : That we do not support wanton violence as a means
to find a solution in Nandigram, we are totally
opposed to it. The CPM alone is responsible for this unfortunate turn of
events. Peace and normalcy would have to be restored in no time and appropriate
administrative action be taken. Persistent social and political initiative
would also have to be taken for restoration of peace.
Forward Bloc was clearly of the opinion
that further to the damage caused by the TMC-led BUPC activists continuously
for the last several months, CPM would also be held responsible for the recent
unfortunate developments at Nandigram for their
present unilateral move to recover the de-possessed areas through armed
intervention by party cadres. CPM must follow the agreed upon measures
unanimously recommended by the LF.
Our warning was proved to be correct, when
further deaths and injuries, arson and looting took place during the CPM's
planned area-recovery march through Nandigram
villages.
People were shocked when the CPM leader
declared on 11.11.2007 their complete success in full recovery of the
dispossessed areas and in achieving terror-free Nandigram,
although at the cost of bloodshed and immense misery to thousands of hapless
villagers. People adversely reacted to CPM's claim of such restoration of peace
in Nandigram. State-wide 'Bandh'
was observed on 12.11.07 and eventually the CRPF took control of the area with
effect from 13.11.2007.
Forward Bloc is still firmly of the
opinion that the so-called 'peace' presently prevailing at Nandigram
would be a temporary phase, if further peace process initiated through
all-party meetings to address grievances of the people is not immediately held
and a continuing social and political initiatives are not followed.
We reiterate the 8-point resolution
unanimously adopted at the LF meeting held on 17 March 2007. Four of those
points were materialised, viz
i) The CM had accepted the responsibility of 14
March,07 incident in Nandigram,
ii) Police force was gradually withdrawn from Nandigram,
iii) Official announcement was made that there
would be no acquisition of land (for SEZ) in Nandigram,
iv) Official 'Core Committee' started functioning.
But
the following points were not implemented properly viz,
i) All the important political decisions would
be taken in LF,
ii) LF would initiate continuing social &
political measures for peace process in Nandigram,
iii) LF govt. would work on the basis of LF
principles,
iv) LF govt. would be cautious not to repeat 14
March'07 incidents in Nandigram.
The following measures as decided upon
were also not implemented in time, viz. Adequate compensation to the families
of dead and injured, reconstruction of all houses damaged, rehabilitation of
all, irrespective of political colour, who were
evicted from their homes, joint appeal and joint programme
for implementation of socio-political peace process.
Only very recently, compensation offer has
been declared, but not yet implemented. We urge upon the LF Chairman and the CM
to immediately implement all the resolutions unanimously adopted by the LF.
Forward Bloc continues to have its firm
faith in the necessity of LF, which must be further strengthened based on
principles of democracy and consensus among its constituent parties. LF will
succeed only when it can take the people in confidence.
[Resolution
adopted at Central Secretariat Meeting : 20-21
November, 2007]
Foreign universities free to
set up centres in
grave concern for
Higher Education
Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun
Singh has made a policy declaration that the Government is open to allow
reputed universities from overseas to set up centres
in
Still it is a dangerous proposition that
the foreign universities be free to set up centres in
Most
interestingly, the Higher Education Summit 2007, where the HRD Minister made
the aforesaid announcement, was organized by the FICCI, not by any educational
institution. Naturally, their proposed pattern of higher education based on
foreign universities set up in
It is more regrettable that stating that
the government push for higher education would be
rendered ineffective in the absence of qualified faculty, the minister sought
the assistance of the private sector in meeting the shortage in trained
faculty. In the recent meeting of the Full Planning Commission on Education
held on 13.9.2007, the need for systematically exploring the sector for private
participation for supplementing public funding for higher education was
emphasized.
It is also noted that in a recent
conference, many of the Vice-Chancellors have also favoured
setting up of centres in
So long we have noticed growing flow of
Indian students to
Now, with the open scope to set up centres in
[Resolution adopted at Central
Secretariat Meeting : 20-21 November, 2007
TUCC
state conference of Madhya Pradesh
An
extended meeting of trade union workers was held on 14th November, 2007 at
Research in Nuclear sector is welcome,
but not privatization