Clear
Message from the Revolutionary Democratic Movement in Punjab
We Firmly
Stand with the People of Kashmir
Once again, Kashmir is boiling
with rage. The pent-up anger of the people of Kashmir against their brutal
oppression by the Indian Security forces has erupted in powerful massive
protests in the form of gatherings, demonstrations and skirmishes and clashes
with these forces, in which more than 75 people have been killed, many blinded
and more than thousand injured so far. It is more than 60 days now since the cold-blooded
killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani by the security forces on 8th
of July. Yet the anger of the people is finding no let-up. Brave Kashmiris are
valiantly fighting against the atrocities and brutalities of the security
forces. They are coming out on the roads time and again, in large numbers,
caring little for the restrictions, curfews and even firings. They deserve our
salute.
The just and righteous struggle
of the people of Kashmir has gained support from variety of sections of the
people world over. In India too, the reports of such solidarity actions
supporting the Kashmiri people are there. In Punjab also some such actions have
taken place. This solidarity activity in Punjab, scattered over a wide area and
taking different forms such as conventions, public meetings, demonstrations and
other forms of mass-propaganda, was chiefly organized by the communist
revolutionary, revolutionary democratic and other pro-people forces active in
Punjab. Almost all the sections of society such as peasants, workers,
employees, intellectuals, students and youth participated in these solidarity
actions; especially the leading sections and front rank activists and fighters
of the revolutionary democratic movement of the state participated in
considerable numbers and with a marked conviction.
As a result of this entire
activity by different sections of revolutionary democratic movement of Punjab,
a clear message has emerged in support of the people of Kashmir. The voice has
been raised not only against the brutal treatment meted out to the people of
Kashmir by the armed forces, but also against the tyrannical and despotic political
stance of the Indian rulers and in favor of the right to self-determination of
the nation. Moreover, pertaining to the feverish attempts on the part of the
Indian rulers for utilizing the Kashmir issue to provoke the national chauvinistic
feelings and gain some political mileage, this entire solidarity activity was
done in face of a possible act of disruption, provocation or mischief by rogue
elements. This fact has its own significance. The movement of Punjab could be
seen standing resolutely by the side of the people of Kashmir. Through this
activity is also expressed the common bond between the people struggling
against the different forms of feudal-imperialist oppression and exploitation.
The response that this activity gained has clearly shown that ample
possibilities are still present for further joint or co-ordinated activities on
a wider plane which need to be realized. Here is a brief report (with a note
that more of such activities are still on the calender):
1)
First among the series of solidarity actions is
a state level convention, organized jointly by four revolutionary organizations
i.e. CPI(ML) New-Democracy, Inquilabi Kendra Punjab, Lok Sangram Manch and Lok
Sangram Manch (RDF) and held in the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar. The
convention was attended by around 300 hundred participants from all over the
Punjab. Com. Darshan Khatkar, com. Mukhtiar Poohla, com. Balwant Makhu and com.
Rajesh Malhotra were the speakers who discussed the issue of Kasmir, its
historical perspective, the struggle of the people of Kashmir, their right to
self-determination and the AFSPA at length. The convention demanded the Indian
armed forces be removed from Kashmir, democratic atmoshphere be created and the
right to self-determination be exercised. At the end a protest march was also
in the city. Another organization, namely CPRCI(ML) sent a solidarity letter to
the convention wherein the organization expressed its solidarity with the cause
of the convention. It also appreciated the fact that the convention was
organized jointly by three revolutionary organizations of Punjab and pointed
out the scope and need for more joint activities. (see the letter in end)
2)
The state committee of Association for
Democratic Rights (AFDR) called upon its units to raise a voice in support of
the Kashmiri people in one or the other form. Following the call, the Bathinda
district committee of AFDR, with support of the mass-organizations of peasants,
land laborers, students, youth and electricity employees, organized a district
level convention. The convention was attended by around 350 participants
including peasants, land laborers, noted intellectuals and democratic activists
of the area, youth and students, including few Kashmiri students from locally
situated Central University. It is worth mentioning that 30 of the peasant and
land-labor activists performed the role of vigilantes to prevent any
possibility of disruption or provocation all through the proceedings.
The original main speaker – Sh. Gautam
Navlakha – could not make it to the convention. The convention was thus
addressed by other two speakers Sh. Narbhinder, state committee member of AFDR
and Sh. Parminder Singh, one of the founding members of AFDR and member of its
state secretariat presently. Sh. Narbhinder explainded the historical context
of the Kashmir problem, and Dr. Parminder built his speech around the conception
of the very roots of democracy i.e. the people have the right to decide their
own fate. Suppressing any nationality, he said, against its will, in the name
of integrity of a country is anti-democratic. The right to self-determination
of the people of Kashmir is their democratic right. The democratic character of
each and every person and institution will now be tested on the grounds whether
or not it raised a voice to support the people of Kashmir. The government of
India is trampling down not only this right of the Kashmiri people but also the
constitutional rights to raise a voice, to assemble and even to live. The
expansionist designs of Indian and Pakistani governments have thrown the
Kashmiri people in grave peril.
The convention demanded that the right to self-determination
of the Kashmiri people must be ensured; AFSPA and other black laws should be
repealed; restrictions on media should be revoked; attacks on democratic
activities and organizations upholding rights of the Kashmiri people should be
stopped. Apart from this the convention condemned the communal fascist
atmosphere being created against the religious minorities, dalits and adivasis
in the country. A silent protest march with eye-catching placards and mattos
was also held in the end.
3)
Lok
Morcha Punjab (LMP) gave a call to hold a gathering on the issue of Kashmir in
Lambi region (home constituency of CM Parkash Singh Badal, an alliance partner
of ruling BJP) of Muktsar district. Supported by the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union
(PKMU), the convention was attended by around 250 land laborers, including 125
women and considerable number of youth participants. Sh. N. K. Jeet, state
advisor of LMP and Sh. Pavel Kussa,
state secretary of Naujwan Bharat Sabha addressed the gathering. The convention started with a homage to Nanak
Singh, the deceased leader of PKMU. During his speech, Sh. N. K. Jeet threw
light on the perilous condition of the people of Kashmir under the brutal
attack of the Indian armed forces. Curfews, killings, beatings, arrests, pellet
guns, clashes and mournings have become a norm of the day in Kashmir. Touching
upon the historical aspect of the Kashmir issue he said the accession of
Kashmir in 1947 was only an ad hoc arrangement under certain conditions -
including the condition of holding a referendum. But the Indian rulers had
gradually violated all the conditions and occupied the territory permanently. Sh.
Pavel Kussa told about why the struggling people of Punjab and India must support
the people of Kashmir as both are fighting, in one way or the other, against
the feudal-imperialist subjugation of their lives, livelihoods and lands. This
is, he explained, the common cord between the struggle of the two. The struggle
of the people of Kashmir for self-determination could only succeed by becoming
part and parcel of the struggle of the toiling people of India against the
feudal and imperialist exploitation.
4)
Punjab Students Union (Lalkaar) and Democratic
Students Organization, organized a successful rally at Punjabi University (one
of the reputed universities in Punjab) against the atrocities being committed
upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the confrontation with the Hindu
fanatical organizations, the heavy pressure from the police to draw back the
proposed demonstration and warnings from the University authorities, students
did not relent. A gathering of 150-200 students was addressed by the leaders of
both the student organizations. The participant students were upholding posters
demanding the restoration of democratic rights and condemning the atrocities
let loose upon the people of Kashmir. While addressing the rally Gurpreet of
Punjab Students Union (Lalkaar) said that the Hindu fanatical organizations who
were blaming us for vitiating the atmosphere were themselves doing so. He said
that the acts like curfew, PSA and AFSPA must be opposed along with the
atrocity of every kind.
Hardeep, speaking on behalf of
Democratic Students Organization said the issue of Kashmir has been getting
along with India since 1947 and Kashmir was being crushed between the interests
of India and Pakistan. The government of India had never taken the issue of
peace in Kashmir seriously. The sole solution of the tangle of Kashmir is that
all the people living in all parts of Kashmir occupied by India as well as
Pakistan must be given the right to vote to decide their future, which was
promised by Nehru.
After the leaders concluded their
speeches, the students present there showed their resentment by observing
silence with their faces covered with black strips. The resentment was to show
solidarity with Kashmir and against the attempts by the police administration
to suppress their voice in favor of the truth, rights and justice.Releasing
press notes, these organizations also said that it was thoroughly and
unconstitutionally a wrong manner in which the University was turned into a
police cantonment. And it was done under the concealed plot of suppressing
their voice. The other organizations of the students like AISF and SFI also
turned around there and SFI also issued a press note condemning the plot and
suppression of the students' voice.
Earlier, a kind of propaganda
campaign was organized by PSU (Lalkaar) during which the issue of Kashmir was
highlighted among the campus students through 100-125 wall posters and “an open
discussion” on the issue, attended by 40-45 students.
5)
Another students organization namely Punjab
Students Union, also undertook an agitational propaganda campaign on the issue
of Kashmir in few of the schools and colleges of the State. Durign this
campaign, around half a dozen public meetings, with considerable number of
students were held. The instituitions where the meeting were held are Govt.
senior secondary schools at Nanga and Takhanwadh villages of Moga, ITI Moga,
Govt. Barjindra College Faridkot and Govt. College Muktsar.
6)
A small gathering of around 15 youth workers was
held in the Mazdoor Hall, in the industrial city Ludhiana by Naujwan Bharat
Sabha.
7)
Apart from the above mentioned activitis
directly organized on the issue of Kashmir, the issue was prominently discussed
during some other conventions too. In a convention, on the issue of “the injustice to minorities and the rising intolerance in
the country”, at Punjabi Bhavan Ludhiana, organized by the AFDR and
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Vichar Manch, Umar Khalid, the student leader from JNU
expressed concerns over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He said
“The aspirations of Kashmiri people need to be brought to the centre stage
rather than using pellet guns against them.” He termed the recent killings of
civilians in J&K as extrajudicial killing. “Our struggle is against the
oppression meted out to the lesser privileged, Dalits, Adivasis and civilians
of Jammu and Kashmir,” added Khalid. “We are supporting Kashmiris for their
sake, we are supporting them for our sake, as we know their fight for
independence is actually our fight for independence”. It is the people,
according to him, who should be deciding about what kind of “aazadi” they want.
8)
Again, in a convention on “The Adivasi Struggles
and Democratic Rights”, the issue of Kashmir was discussed by Umar Khalid, the
main speaker. The conventon called by Lok Sangram Manch and attended by around
200 people. Speaking about real democracy Khalid said “we ought to decide what
type of freedom be accepted – the hollow illusion of freedom as preached from
the Red Fort or the real freedom being created through struggles”. He also
declared that “There is no army in the world which can suppress aspirations of
the people…. Kashmirir people are independent as their aspirations are alive.”
The Letter to
the Organizers of Jalandhar Convention
A Message to the
Organizers of the Convention
Comrades,
The convention called by you to support the people of
Kashmir and to oppose the bloody military offensive by the Indian rulers
against the people of Kashmir is an appreciable step. It is rather more
commendable that the step is taken jointly by the three revolutionary
organizations active in Punjab. Our organization CPRCI(ML) firmly stands for
the cause of this convention. We express
our solidarity with the people of Kashmir, waging courageous and perilous
struggle for their rights and justice against the military oppression by the
Indian ruling classes. We send them revolutionary salute. As we share our
concerns, through you, with the comrades/friends attending the convention, we
want to repeat our firm belief that a possibility of wider response to show
solidarity with the people of Kashmir is still present. (Not on the issue of
supporting the people of Kashmir alone, but on many other issues pertaining to
the revolutionary/pro-people cause). We hope that adopting a principled yet
flexible approach, all of us advance further on the path of coordinated/joint
endeavors.
The issue of freedom of Kashmir is present since the
division of India in 1947. Using the military might, Kashmir was divided and
occupied, on the one side by the Indian rulers and on the other side by the
Pakistani rulers. The situation has been explosive for about two and half
decades. About one hundred thousand people have been killed. The number of
those injured, missing and tortured in the police and military camps is far
bigger. About seven hundred thousand army personnel are stationed in Indian
occupied Kashmir; it’s a war like situation there. The rulers strive to
suppress people’s fury with force of the gun, but it erupts in flames time and
again. For around three weeks, the situation is out of control of the army of
the Indian rulers. Despite the curfews, the firings and the ban on internet and
newspapers, people come out on the streets in thousands and clash with the
army. The widespread participation of people in these protests and clashes is
exemplary. Around 50 people have been killed and hundreds are injured, but
nothing can stop the rage of the people.
In Punjab as well as in the country and abroad, voice is
being raised in support of the people of Kashmir. To encourage this positive
response and to lend a hand to the joint endeavor, our Party is at the ready.
We stand by the side of the people of Kashmir in their
struggle for freedom and democracy; in their struggle for the right to
self-determination of Kashmiri nationality, including the right to secede; in
their struggle against the regime of military atrocities by the Indian rulers;
in their struggle against the Indian rulers who are maintaining their
occupation of Kashmir with the aid of black laws such as AFSPA and others; and
we stand against the feudal, comprador Indian rulers.
We stand for the joint endeavor by all the communist
revolutionary and revolutionary democratic forces – the endeavor to arouse the
people of entire India in support of the struggling people of Kashmir; the
endeavor through which we can move forward on the path of establishing the
unity of the people of entire India, so as to defeat the exploiting, oppressing
and imperialist-lackey Indian rulers and abolish this anti-people state.
-
Down
with the blatant national chauvinism and expansionism of the entire ruling
classes and their parties.
-
Down
with the Indian rulers who are trampling down various nationalities under the
name of integrity of India.
-
Down
with the Indian rulers who are feverishly plundering and oppressing the entire
working people all over India.
-
Down
with the Hindu communal fascist trend of RSS-BJP.
-
Long
live the democratic unity of all the people against the feudal and
comprador-capitalist Indian rulers.
With
revolutionary greetings
PSLC,
CPRCI (ML)
03.08.2016
(An extended english version of the report
published in Surk Leeh, Sep. Oct. 2016 Issue)
