Dear All,
Do note the connections of the accussed with the RSS.
Also what do we have to say to the government, the investigating agencies & the corporate media & all the stories of masterminds & hundreds who are rotting in prisons for being falsely accussed . . . the terror of being looked upon as terrorists . . .
Regards
Feroze Mithiborwala
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HINDUTVA’S DEADLY PLATOON
The men who allegedly vowed to match Islamist terror with Hindutva terror: bomb for bomb
SOURCE: From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 8, Issue 2, Dated January 15, 2011
INDRESH KUMAR, a member of the RSS Central Committee. Three accused, Swami Aseemanand, Lokesh Sharma and Shivam Dhakad, and one witness, Bharat Riteshwar, have stated before the CBI that Indresh had mentored and financed the RSS pracharaks behind Malegaon, Samjhauta Express, Ajmer and Mecca Masjid terror strikes.
SWAMI ASEEMANAND, the head of the RSS-affiliated Van Vasi Kalyan Ashram, Shabri Dham in Dangs, Gujarat. He has confessed to playing the role of an ideologue to the terrorists. Besides presiding over terror meetings held in Dangs and Valsad in Gujarat, he also selected Malgeaon, Ajmer Sharif and Hyderabad as terror targets.
SUNIL JOSHI, a former RSS pracharak of Mhow district. He was expelled from the RSS after being accused in the murder of two Congress activists in Madhya Pradesh in 2006. Along with a few RSS pracharaks and Hindu radicals from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu and Jharkhand, he formed an inter-state terror infrastructure.
SANDEEP DANGE, a senior RSS pracharak from Shajapur district near Indore. Along with Joshi and Ramchandra Kalsangra, he was a key figure in the longrunning conspiracy to bomb Muslim places of worship and Muslim neigbourhoods. He is currently absconding.
RAM CHANDRA KALSANGRA ALIAS RAMJI, an RSS pracharak from Madhya Pradesh. He carried out terror strikes in different places between December 2002 and 29 September 2008 (when bombs went off simultaneously in Malegaon and Modasa. He has been absconding since October 2008.
SHIVAM DHAKHAD, an RSS activist and associate of accused Joshi and Ramji Kalsangra. Along with other RSS pracharaks, he allegedly took training in bomb-making in 2005. He also did a reconnaissance of Aligarh Muslim University and residence of Justice UC Banerjee (chairman of the Godhra commission) for terror strikes.
LT COL SHRIKANT PUROHIT, a founding member of terror outfit Abhinav Bharat. He was posted with the military intelligence unit at Nashik. He allegedly tried to draft in other army officers in his terror outfit. He is accused of supplying RDX for the 2008 Malegaon blasts.
DEVENDRA GUPTA, the RSS vibhag pracharak of Muzaffarnagar, Bihar. He provided logistics to Joshi, Kalsangra and Dange for terror strikes. He also harboured Kalsangra and Dange in RSS offices while they were on the run.
LOKESH SHARMA, an RSS worker and close associate of Joshi, Dange and Kalsangra. He purchased the two Nokia handsets that were used to trigger the bombs at Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Sharif.
BHARAT RATESWAR ALIAS BHARATBHAI, the head of Sri Vivekananda Kendra Sansthan in Valsad district, Gujarat. As a close associate of Aseemanand, he participated in several terror meetings held at his residence and also at Shabri Dham ashram. He also travelled with Joshi to Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh providing logistics for the blasts.
YOGI ADITYANATH, BJP MP from Gorakhpur. He was contacted by Aseemanand to provide funds for terrorist activities. Joshi held a hush-hush meeting with him at his Gorakhpur residence in 2006, at the time when the conspiracy to carry out multiple blasts was underway. According to Aseemanand, he didn’t give much support. But he continues to be under suspicion.
DR ASHOK VARSHNAY, RSS prant pracharak of Kanpur. He sheltered key terror accused and RSS pracharak Devendra Gupta at Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, while Gupta was on the run. Varshnay has told investigators that he had shielded Gupta at the behest of Indresh Kumar.
RAJESH MISHRA, an RSS activist and owner of a foundry in Pithampura, near Mhow. He gave 15 cast iron shells in 2001 to Joshi, who used them during failed bomb blasts at Ijtema (a Muslim gathering) in Bhopal in 2002. He was also a co-accused along with Joshi in the murder of local Congress workers.
SUDHAKAR DHAR DWIVEDI ALIAS DAYANAND PANDEY, he ran an ashram named Shardapeeth in Jammu. He played the role of an ideologue to those involved in the 2008 Malegaon blasts. He was in the habit of recording the meetings he would have with Abhinav Bharat members on his laptop.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
PUBLIC PROTEST: UNION CABINET REMOVES CBI FROM AMBIT OF RTI !!
INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION & BHARAT BACHAO ANDOLAN
In Defence of Democracy & the Indian Constitution!
Public Protest against Union Cabinet decision to remove the CBI from the ambit & purview of the RTI.
Venue: Churchgate Station (E) - Footpath. Mumbai
Date: Tuesday the 21st of June / Time: 5.00pm
As the anger against the widespread corruption continues to increase, the Union Cabinet has silently removed the CBI from the ambit of the RTI. Which means that India;s premier investigating agency will become totally opaque & impregnable.
Whilst here the increasing call is for more transparency & the deepening of democratic rights, the Government by drawing an iron veil around the CBI, has further exposed itself to accusations of connivance & shielding the guilty.
With the battle over the Jan Lokpal Bill raging & with more ministers like Chidambaram (2G Scam) & Murli Deora (Krishna-Godavari-Mukesh Ambani Gas Scam) now under the scanner, we are not surprised that the Government is trying to shiled senior political leaders, bureaucrats & corporate ceo's from the increasing public anger & national scrutiny.
This movement is to protect the values of Freedom, Democracy, Social & Economic Justice & the Secular Constitution that was bequeathed to us by Mahtama Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Maulana Azad & all our martyrs.
We thus appeal to the people to attend the demonstration in large numbers.
Mayank Gandhi, Feroze Mithiborwala & Kishore
In Defence of Democracy & the Indian Constitution!
Public Protest against Union Cabinet decision to remove the CBI from the ambit & purview of the RTI.
Venue: Churchgate Station (E) - Footpath. Mumbai
Date: Tuesday the 21st of June / Time: 5.00pm
As the anger against the widespread corruption continues to increase, the Union Cabinet has silently removed the CBI from the ambit of the RTI. Which means that India;s premier investigating agency will become totally opaque & impregnable.
Whilst here the increasing call is for more transparency & the deepening of democratic rights, the Government by drawing an iron veil around the CBI, has further exposed itself to accusations of connivance & shielding the guilty.
With the battle over the Jan Lokpal Bill raging & with more ministers like Chidambaram (2G Scam) & Murli Deora (Krishna-Godavari-Mukesh Ambani Gas Scam) now under the scanner, we are not surprised that the Government is trying to shiled senior political leaders, bureaucrats & corporate ceo's from the increasing public anger & national scrutiny.
This movement is to protect the values of Freedom, Democracy, Social & Economic Justice & the Secular Constitution that was bequeathed to us by Mahtama Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Maulana Azad & all our martyrs.
We thus appeal to the people to attend the demonstration in large numbers.
Mayank Gandhi, Feroze Mithiborwala & Kishore
Saturday, June 18, 2011
26/11 TRUTH: RANA'S ACQUITTAL - MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
26/11 TRUTH: RANA'S ACQUITTAL -
MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
BY FEROZE MITHIBORWALA
The recent acquittal by Tawwarhur Rana by a US Chicago Court for his alleged role in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, has once again exposed the double standards of the US regime. It has also again brought into focus the role of CIA Agent David Headley Coleman, who is clearly the prime mastermind of the 26/11 attack.
But worse, both on the matters of Headley & Rana, the Government of India, is yet to even file a Chargesheet, leave alone, all this talk of "more access & extradition".
So we have this ridiculous charade of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton going to Islamabad to give the ISI a clean chit & Janet Napalitano (Chief of Homeland Security) coming to Delhi to pacify us by targeting Pakistan & then CIA Chief Leon Panetta trying to drive a bargain with the ISI. Whilst our government & the corporate media looks on shamelessly.
In the case of the Rana acquittal, it was a clear attempt to shield the ISI by the CIA. Thus even though Rana is linked to the LeT for the Danish Cartoon affair, his links to the ISI are covered up. This was part of a deal between the CIA & the ISI. Why? Also why is the government of India so silent on this matter? How was he acquitted? The Jury did not speak to or address the media even though they are allowed to & the identities of the Jury members have also been hidden.
Do note the following statements made by the US leadership & the hypocrisy inherent in these positions.
In the aftermath of the Abbotabad attack, where an entire drama was staged, on the 18th of May Secretary of Defence Robert Gates & Admiral Mike Mullen said that “there was no sign that top Pakistanis knew of OBL”
Then on the 28th of May, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a visit to Islamabad said “I want to underscore the point that there is absolutely no evidence that anyone at the highest levels of the Pakistan government knew that Osama Bin laden was living just miles from where we are today”. She had met up with President Zardari, PM Gilani, as well as Military Chief Kayani as well as the Chief of the ISI, Shuja A Pasha. It was at that period we had Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano, who was on her first visit to India & she referred to the ISI involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks. She also spoke of more access to Headley. The Napalitano visit was clearly a damage control exercise to placate Indian public opinion, as the duplicitous US role in the region was on full display.
Then again on the 10-12th of June, we had CIA Chief Leon Panetta who went to meet his ISI counterpart, but the talks failed to reach an agreement. This was also the period when Rana was acquitted from the 26/11 terror attack & only his links with LeT were mentioned for the Danish cartoon matter & none with the ISI. So what was the deal that Panetta & the ISI struck?
The case of Headley-Rana duo have exposed the true role of the US in the region, for those who were a trifle late to understand. Those of us, who have been consistent in our position, are barely surprised, if at all, at the turn of events. This once again proves the level of collusion between the CIA & the ISI, as well as the role that certain pro-US sections within our political & Intelligence leadership-RAW-IB are playing out with the Americans.
The 26/11 was a massive terror attack on India & all of South Asia (http://www.countercurrents.org/mumbai.htm). It was an international plot, planned across 7 nations as per the Interpol report & as yet, we have no "National Judicial Commission of Inquiry" (where even a local riot or a lathi-charge merits a commission of enquiry, or a murder - a CBI inquiry), or a "Parliamentary Committee" to go into the failures & lapses of our Intelligence & national security apparatus, of the glaring lapses on the sea by the Navy, or delays in deploying the NSG forces or that no prior warnings were ignored, or that local links have been unearthed as yet, which is impossible for an attack of this magnitude. Or then, were they lapses? Or wilful criminal complicity? (http://www.countercurrents.org/hansa130510.htm) / (http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala140510.htm)
This for the simple reason, that any honest inquiry will uncover a veritable can of worms, in which a number of political & security elements within our own leadership & expose their external linkages, thus the coverup & of which Headley is the most glaring example.
MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
BY FEROZE MITHIBORWALA
The recent acquittal by Tawwarhur Rana by a US Chicago Court for his alleged role in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, has once again exposed the double standards of the US regime. It has also again brought into focus the role of CIA Agent David Headley Coleman, who is clearly the prime mastermind of the 26/11 attack.
But worse, both on the matters of Headley & Rana, the Government of India, is yet to even file a Chargesheet, leave alone, all this talk of "more access & extradition".
So we have this ridiculous charade of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton going to Islamabad to give the ISI a clean chit & Janet Napalitano (Chief of Homeland Security) coming to Delhi to pacify us by targeting Pakistan & then CIA Chief Leon Panetta trying to drive a bargain with the ISI. Whilst our government & the corporate media looks on shamelessly.
In the case of the Rana acquittal, it was a clear attempt to shield the ISI by the CIA. Thus even though Rana is linked to the LeT for the Danish Cartoon affair, his links to the ISI are covered up. This was part of a deal between the CIA & the ISI. Why? Also why is the government of India so silent on this matter? How was he acquitted? The Jury did not speak to or address the media even though they are allowed to & the identities of the Jury members have also been hidden.
Do note the following statements made by the US leadership & the hypocrisy inherent in these positions.
In the aftermath of the Abbotabad attack, where an entire drama was staged, on the 18th of May Secretary of Defence Robert Gates & Admiral Mike Mullen said that “there was no sign that top Pakistanis knew of OBL”
Then on the 28th of May, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a visit to Islamabad said “I want to underscore the point that there is absolutely no evidence that anyone at the highest levels of the Pakistan government knew that Osama Bin laden was living just miles from where we are today”. She had met up with President Zardari, PM Gilani, as well as Military Chief Kayani as well as the Chief of the ISI, Shuja A Pasha. It was at that period we had Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano, who was on her first visit to India & she referred to the ISI involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks. She also spoke of more access to Headley. The Napalitano visit was clearly a damage control exercise to placate Indian public opinion, as the duplicitous US role in the region was on full display.
Then again on the 10-12th of June, we had CIA Chief Leon Panetta who went to meet his ISI counterpart, but the talks failed to reach an agreement. This was also the period when Rana was acquitted from the 26/11 terror attack & only his links with LeT were mentioned for the Danish cartoon matter & none with the ISI. So what was the deal that Panetta & the ISI struck?
The case of Headley-Rana duo have exposed the true role of the US in the region, for those who were a trifle late to understand. Those of us, who have been consistent in our position, are barely surprised, if at all, at the turn of events. This once again proves the level of collusion between the CIA & the ISI, as well as the role that certain pro-US sections within our political & Intelligence leadership-RAW-IB are playing out with the Americans.
The 26/11 was a massive terror attack on India & all of South Asia (http://www.countercurrents.org/mumbai.htm). It was an international plot, planned across 7 nations as per the Interpol report & as yet, we have no "National Judicial Commission of Inquiry" (where even a local riot or a lathi-charge merits a commission of enquiry, or a murder - a CBI inquiry), or a "Parliamentary Committee" to go into the failures & lapses of our Intelligence & national security apparatus, of the glaring lapses on the sea by the Navy, or delays in deploying the NSG forces or that no prior warnings were ignored, or that local links have been unearthed as yet, which is impossible for an attack of this magnitude. Or then, were they lapses? Or wilful criminal complicity? (http://www.countercurrents.org/hansa130510.htm) / (http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala140510.htm)
This for the simple reason, that any honest inquiry will uncover a veritable can of worms, in which a number of political & security elements within our own leadership & expose their external linkages, thus the coverup & of which Headley is the most glaring example.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
26/11 TRUTH: RANA'S ACQUITTAL - MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
BHARAT BACHAO ANDOLAN
TOWARDS A NATIONAL STRUGGLE AGAINST IMPERIALISM, ZIONISM & BRAHMANISM
MARATHI PATRAKAR SANGH, OPP CST, AZAD MAIDAN, MUMBAI
Thursday, June 16 · 4:30pm - 5:30pm
EXPOSING THE POLITICS OF TERROR IN THE AGE OF IMPERIALISM & ZIONISM
RANA'S ACQUITTAL - MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
SPEAKERS: FEROZE MITHIBORWALA, KISHORE JAGTAP, ASLAM GHAZI, JYOTI BADEKAR & FARID KHAN
The recent acquittal by Tawarhur Rana by a US Court for his alleged role in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, has once again exposed the double standards of the US regime. It has also once again brought into focus the role of CIA Agent David Headley Coleman, who is clearly the prime mastermind of the 26/11 attack.
But worse, both on the matters of Headley & Rana, the Government of India, is yet to even file a Chargesheet, leave alone, all this talk of "more access & extradition". So we have this ridiculous charade of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton going to Islamabad to give the ISI a clean chit & Janet Napalitano (Chief of Homeland Security) coming to Delhi to pacify us by targeting Pakistan & then CIA Chief Leon Panetta trying to drive a bargain with the ISI.
In the case of the Rana acquittal, it was a clear attempt to shield the ISI by the CIA. Thus even though Rana is linked to the LeT for the Danish Cartoon affair, his links to the ISI are covered up. This was part of a deal between the CIA & the ISI. Why? Also why is the government of India so silent on this matter? How was he acquitted? The Jury did not speak to the media even though they are allowed to & the identities of the Jury members have also been hidden.
Do note the following statement of facts.
In the aftermath of the Abbotabad attack, where an entire drama was staged, on the 18th of May Secretary of Defence Robert Gates & Admiral Mike Mullen said that “there was no sign that top Pakistanis knew of OBL”
Then on the 28th of May Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a visit to Islamabad said “I want to underscore the point that there is absolutely no evidence that anyone at the highest levels of the Pakistan government knew that Osama Bin laden was living just miles from where we are today” She had met up with President Zardari, PM Gilani, as well as Military Chief Kayani as well as the Chief of the ISI, Shuja A Pasha. It was at that period we had Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano, who was on her first visit to India & she referred to the ISI involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks. She also spoke of more access to Headley. The Napalitano visit was clearly a damage control exercise to placate India, as the duplicitous US role in the region was on full display.
Then again on the 10-12th of June, we had CIA Chief Leon Panetta who went to meet his ISI counterpart, but the talks failed to reach an agreement. This was also the period when Rana was acquitted from the 26/11 terror attack & only his links with LeT were mentioned for the Danish cartoon matter & none with the ISI. So what was the deal that Panetta & the ISI struck?
The case of Headley-Rana duo have exposed the true role of the US in the region, for those who were a trifle late to understand. Those of us, who have been consistent in our position, are barely surprised, if at all, at the turn of events. This once again proves the level of collusion between the CIA & the ISI, as well as the role that certain pro-US sections within our political & Intelligence leadership-RAW-IB are playing out with the Americans.
The 26/11 was a massive terror attack on India & all of South Asia. It was an international plot, planned across 7 nations as per the Interpol report & as yet, we have no "National Commission of Inquiry" (where even a local riot or a lathi-charge merits a commission of enquiry, or a murder - a CBI inquiry), or a "Parliamentary Committee" to go into the failures & lapses of our Intelligence & national security apparatus, of the glaring lapses on the sea by the Navy, or delays in deploying the NSG forces or that no prior warnings were ignored, or that local links have been unearthed as yet, which is impossible for an attack of this magnitude. Or then, were they lapses? Or wilful criminal complicity?
This for the simple reason, that any honest inquiry will uncover a veritable can of worms, in which a number of political & security elements within our own leadership & expose their external linkages, thus the coverup & of which Headley is the most glaring example.
=============
ORGANIZERS:
ARIF KAPADIA, MULNIWASI MALA, POOJA BADEKAR, FAROUK MAPKAR, JAGDISH NAGARKAR, MUNAWAR KHAN, GHAZALA AZAD, MUNAWWAR AZAD, YAWAR ALI QAZI, SHADAB SIDDIQUI, RAHUL GHARAT, AMRUTA WASKE, HARSHAWARDHAN WARTAK, AJAY SONI & SHRADDHA.
TOWARDS A NATIONAL STRUGGLE AGAINST IMPERIALISM, ZIONISM & BRAHMANISM
MARATHI PATRAKAR SANGH, OPP CST, AZAD MAIDAN, MUMBAI
Thursday, June 16 · 4:30pm - 5:30pm
EXPOSING THE POLITICS OF TERROR IN THE AGE OF IMPERIALISM & ZIONISM
RANA'S ACQUITTAL - MORE EVIDENCE OF US PERFIDY, CIA-ISI CONNIVANCE & THE COMPLICITY OF THE INDIAN STATE.
SPEAKERS: FEROZE MITHIBORWALA, KISHORE JAGTAP, ASLAM GHAZI, JYOTI BADEKAR & FARID KHAN
The recent acquittal by Tawarhur Rana by a US Court for his alleged role in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, has once again exposed the double standards of the US regime. It has also once again brought into focus the role of CIA Agent David Headley Coleman, who is clearly the prime mastermind of the 26/11 attack.
But worse, both on the matters of Headley & Rana, the Government of India, is yet to even file a Chargesheet, leave alone, all this talk of "more access & extradition". So we have this ridiculous charade of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton going to Islamabad to give the ISI a clean chit & Janet Napalitano (Chief of Homeland Security) coming to Delhi to pacify us by targeting Pakistan & then CIA Chief Leon Panetta trying to drive a bargain with the ISI.
In the case of the Rana acquittal, it was a clear attempt to shield the ISI by the CIA. Thus even though Rana is linked to the LeT for the Danish Cartoon affair, his links to the ISI are covered up. This was part of a deal between the CIA & the ISI. Why? Also why is the government of India so silent on this matter? How was he acquitted? The Jury did not speak to the media even though they are allowed to & the identities of the Jury members have also been hidden.
Do note the following statement of facts.
In the aftermath of the Abbotabad attack, where an entire drama was staged, on the 18th of May Secretary of Defence Robert Gates & Admiral Mike Mullen said that “there was no sign that top Pakistanis knew of OBL”
Then on the 28th of May Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a visit to Islamabad said “I want to underscore the point that there is absolutely no evidence that anyone at the highest levels of the Pakistan government knew that Osama Bin laden was living just miles from where we are today” She had met up with President Zardari, PM Gilani, as well as Military Chief Kayani as well as the Chief of the ISI, Shuja A Pasha. It was at that period we had Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano, who was on her first visit to India & she referred to the ISI involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks. She also spoke of more access to Headley. The Napalitano visit was clearly a damage control exercise to placate India, as the duplicitous US role in the region was on full display.
Then again on the 10-12th of June, we had CIA Chief Leon Panetta who went to meet his ISI counterpart, but the talks failed to reach an agreement. This was also the period when Rana was acquitted from the 26/11 terror attack & only his links with LeT were mentioned for the Danish cartoon matter & none with the ISI. So what was the deal that Panetta & the ISI struck?
The case of Headley-Rana duo have exposed the true role of the US in the region, for those who were a trifle late to understand. Those of us, who have been consistent in our position, are barely surprised, if at all, at the turn of events. This once again proves the level of collusion between the CIA & the ISI, as well as the role that certain pro-US sections within our political & Intelligence leadership-RAW-IB are playing out with the Americans.
The 26/11 was a massive terror attack on India & all of South Asia. It was an international plot, planned across 7 nations as per the Interpol report & as yet, we have no "National Commission of Inquiry" (where even a local riot or a lathi-charge merits a commission of enquiry, or a murder - a CBI inquiry), or a "Parliamentary Committee" to go into the failures & lapses of our Intelligence & national security apparatus, of the glaring lapses on the sea by the Navy, or delays in deploying the NSG forces or that no prior warnings were ignored, or that local links have been unearthed as yet, which is impossible for an attack of this magnitude. Or then, were they lapses? Or wilful criminal complicity?
This for the simple reason, that any honest inquiry will uncover a veritable can of worms, in which a number of political & security elements within our own leadership & expose their external linkages, thus the coverup & of which Headley is the most glaring example.
=============
ORGANIZERS:
ARIF KAPADIA, MULNIWASI MALA, POOJA BADEKAR, FAROUK MAPKAR, JAGDISH NAGARKAR, MUNAWAR KHAN, GHAZALA AZAD, MUNAWWAR AZAD, YAWAR ALI QAZI, SHADAB SIDDIQUI, RAHUL GHARAT, AMRUTA WASKE, HARSHAWARDHAN WARTAK, AJAY SONI & SHRADDHA.
Monday, June 13, 2011
think..........
For a successful revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
A CALL FROM GAZA IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM FLOTILLA II
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A CALL FROM GAZA in Support of the Freedom Flotilla II
Besieged Gaza, Occupied Palestine
(12.6.2011)
We the Palestinians of the Besieged Gaza Strip, on this day, five years after closures began on Gaza , are saying enough inaction, enough discussion, enough waiting – the full siege on the Gaza Strip must end.
Shortly after 2006 democratic election which were supervised by people and bodies from the international community, nations formerly supporting aid and cultural organizations in Gaza withdrew their support. In mid-2007, our borders, controlled by Israel and Egypt, fully closed, locking Palestinians within and preventing imports and exports from crossing our borders.
From December 27 2008 to January 18 2009, Israel waged an all-out slaughter on Gaza, killing over 1500 Palestinians, the vast majority innocent civilians and among them over 430 children, and destroying thousands of homes, businesses, factories and buildings including universities, schools, hospitals and medical care facilities, and damaging vast tracts of our water and sanitation system.
Two and a half years following the cessation of Israel's attacks, almost no homes and few buildings have been rebuilt, our sanitation and sewage system is more dire than ever, raw waste continues to be pumped into our sea –for want of proper treatment facilities –polluting our water and the fish along the coast which fishermen are forced to harvest –banned from entering the 20 nautical miles of sea accorded to Palestinians under the Oslo agreement—contaminating our drinking water and food supply.
Our farmers continue to be shot at, maimed and killed by Israeli soldiers along our border, prevented from working, growing and harvesting their land, denying us a rich supply of produce and vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition continue to rise, affecting our children's growth and their ability to study. Our economy is shut down by lack of functioning factories and electricity. Our students hold little to no prospects of exiting for study abroad, even when placements and scholarships have been secured, due to the Israeli control of the Erez crossing and the Egyptian-controlled Rafah crossing being closed more often than opened. Our ill suffer for want of necessary medications and medical supplies and equipment.
Since 2005, over 170 Palestinian organizations have called for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to pressure Israel to comply to international law. Since 2005, Palestinians have weekly met in villages in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, to protest Israel 's occupation policies.
Creative civilian efforts such as the Free Gaza boats that broke the siege five times, the Gaza Freedom March, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, and the many land convoys must never stop their siege-breaking, highlighting the inhumanity of keeping 1.5 million Gazans in an open-air prison.
On the 2nd of December, 22 international organizations including Amnesty, Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid, and Medical Aid for Palestinians produced the report ‘Dashed Hopes, Continuation of the Gaza Blockade’ calling for international action to force Israel to unconditionally lift the blockade, saying the Palestinians of Gaza under Israeli siege continue to live in the same devastating conditions. Human Rights Watch published a comprehensive report "Separate and Unequal" that denounced Israeli policies as Apartheid, echoing similar sentiments by South African anti-apartheid activists.
The recent announced opening of the Rafah crossing has yet to be fully enacted. Even when open, it will mean little with respect to the imports and exports of goods to and from Gaza and will not improve the plights of fishermen, farmers and Gaza 's unemployment and manufactured poverty rates.
We request that the citizens of the world oppose this deadly, medieval blockade. The failure of the United Nations and its numerous organizations to condemn such crimes proves their complicity. Only civil society is able to mobilize to demand the application of international law and put an end to Israel 's impunity. The intervention of civil society was effective in the late 1980s against the apartheid regime of South Africa . Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have not only described Israel ’s oppressive and violent control of Palestinians as Apartheid, they have also joined this call for the world’s civil society to intervene again.
We call on civil society organizations worldwide to intensify the anti-Israel sanctions campaign to compel Israel to end to its aggression. We call on the nations and citizens of the world participating in the Freedom Flotilla 2 to continue their plans to sail to Gaza where they would be welcomed by Palestinians. The civil society initiatives of the Freedom Flotillas are about taking a stance of justice and solidarity with besieged Palestinians when your governments will not. We call on the Flotilla movement to grow and continue to sail until the siege on Gaza is entirely lifted and Palestinians of Gaza are granted the basic human rights and freedom of movement citizens around the world enjoy.
Signed by:
University Teachers' Association
Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network
Al-Aqsa University
Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza
General Union of Youth Entities
Arab Cultural Forum
General Union for Health Services Workers
General Union for Public Services Workers
General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers
General Union for Agricultural Workers
Union of Women’s Work Committees
Union of Synergies—Women Unit
Union of Palestinian Women Committees
Women’s Studies Society
Working Woman’s Society
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
One Democratic State Group
Palestinian Youth against Apartheid
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info
Palestine Sailing Federation
Palestinian Association for Fishing and Maritime
Palestinian Women Committees
Progressive Students Union
Medical Relief Society
The General Society for Rehabilitation
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah
Rafah Olympia City Sisters
Al Awda Centre,
Rafah Al Awda Hospital,
Jabaliya Camp Ajyal Association,
Gaza General Union of Palestinian Syndicates
Al Karmel Centre,
Nuseirat Local Initiative,
Beit Hanoun Union of Health Work Committees
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Information Society
women section -union of Palestinian workers syndicate
Middle East Childrens’ Alliance -Gaza
Local Initiative -Beit Hanoun
A CALL FROM GAZA in Support of the Freedom Flotilla II
Besieged Gaza, Occupied Palestine
(12.6.2011)
We the Palestinians of the Besieged Gaza Strip, on this day, five years after closures began on Gaza , are saying enough inaction, enough discussion, enough waiting – the full siege on the Gaza Strip must end.
Shortly after 2006 democratic election which were supervised by people and bodies from the international community, nations formerly supporting aid and cultural organizations in Gaza withdrew their support. In mid-2007, our borders, controlled by Israel and Egypt, fully closed, locking Palestinians within and preventing imports and exports from crossing our borders.
From December 27 2008 to January 18 2009, Israel waged an all-out slaughter on Gaza, killing over 1500 Palestinians, the vast majority innocent civilians and among them over 430 children, and destroying thousands of homes, businesses, factories and buildings including universities, schools, hospitals and medical care facilities, and damaging vast tracts of our water and sanitation system.
Two and a half years following the cessation of Israel's attacks, almost no homes and few buildings have been rebuilt, our sanitation and sewage system is more dire than ever, raw waste continues to be pumped into our sea –for want of proper treatment facilities –polluting our water and the fish along the coast which fishermen are forced to harvest –banned from entering the 20 nautical miles of sea accorded to Palestinians under the Oslo agreement—contaminating our drinking water and food supply.
Our farmers continue to be shot at, maimed and killed by Israeli soldiers along our border, prevented from working, growing and harvesting their land, denying us a rich supply of produce and vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition continue to rise, affecting our children's growth and their ability to study. Our economy is shut down by lack of functioning factories and electricity. Our students hold little to no prospects of exiting for study abroad, even when placements and scholarships have been secured, due to the Israeli control of the Erez crossing and the Egyptian-controlled Rafah crossing being closed more often than opened. Our ill suffer for want of necessary medications and medical supplies and equipment.
Since 2005, over 170 Palestinian organizations have called for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to pressure Israel to comply to international law. Since 2005, Palestinians have weekly met in villages in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, to protest Israel 's occupation policies.
Creative civilian efforts such as the Free Gaza boats that broke the siege five times, the Gaza Freedom March, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, and the many land convoys must never stop their siege-breaking, highlighting the inhumanity of keeping 1.5 million Gazans in an open-air prison.
On the 2nd of December, 22 international organizations including Amnesty, Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid, and Medical Aid for Palestinians produced the report ‘Dashed Hopes, Continuation of the Gaza Blockade’ calling for international action to force Israel to unconditionally lift the blockade, saying the Palestinians of Gaza under Israeli siege continue to live in the same devastating conditions. Human Rights Watch published a comprehensive report "Separate and Unequal" that denounced Israeli policies as Apartheid, echoing similar sentiments by South African anti-apartheid activists.
The recent announced opening of the Rafah crossing has yet to be fully enacted. Even when open, it will mean little with respect to the imports and exports of goods to and from Gaza and will not improve the plights of fishermen, farmers and Gaza 's unemployment and manufactured poverty rates.
We request that the citizens of the world oppose this deadly, medieval blockade. The failure of the United Nations and its numerous organizations to condemn such crimes proves their complicity. Only civil society is able to mobilize to demand the application of international law and put an end to Israel 's impunity. The intervention of civil society was effective in the late 1980s against the apartheid regime of South Africa . Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have not only described Israel ’s oppressive and violent control of Palestinians as Apartheid, they have also joined this call for the world’s civil society to intervene again.
We call on civil society organizations worldwide to intensify the anti-Israel sanctions campaign to compel Israel to end to its aggression. We call on the nations and citizens of the world participating in the Freedom Flotilla 2 to continue their plans to sail to Gaza where they would be welcomed by Palestinians. The civil society initiatives of the Freedom Flotillas are about taking a stance of justice and solidarity with besieged Palestinians when your governments will not. We call on the Flotilla movement to grow and continue to sail until the siege on Gaza is entirely lifted and Palestinians of Gaza are granted the basic human rights and freedom of movement citizens around the world enjoy.
Signed by:
University Teachers' Association
Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network
Al-Aqsa University
Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza
General Union of Youth Entities
Arab Cultural Forum
General Union for Health Services Workers
General Union for Public Services Workers
General Union for Petrochemical and Gas Workers
General Union for Agricultural Workers
Union of Women’s Work Committees
Union of Synergies—Women Unit
Union of Palestinian Women Committees
Women’s Studies Society
Working Woman’s Society
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
One Democratic State Group
Palestinian Youth against Apartheid
Association of Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Info
Palestine Sailing Federation
Palestinian Association for Fishing and Maritime
Palestinian Women Committees
Progressive Students Union
Medical Relief Society
The General Society for Rehabilitation
Afaq Jadeeda Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Deir Al-Balah Cultural Centre for Women and Children
Maghazi Cultural Centre for Children
Al-Sahel Centre for Women and Youth
Ghassan Kanfani Kindergartens
Rachel Corrie Centre, Rafah
Rafah Olympia City Sisters
Al Awda Centre,
Rafah Al Awda Hospital,
Jabaliya Camp Ajyal Association,
Gaza General Union of Palestinian Syndicates
Al Karmel Centre,
Nuseirat Local Initiative,
Beit Hanoun Union of Health Work Committees
Red Crescent Society Gaza Strip
Beit Lahiya Cultural Centre
Al Awda Centre, Rafah
Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Information Society
women section -union of Palestinian workers syndicate
Middle East Childrens’ Alliance -Gaza
Local Initiative -Beit Hanoun
26/11 truth: Now RANA'S acquittal: PART I & II - David Colemann Headley Is a CIA-FBI Agent
By Feroze mithiborewala
Dear All,
http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala181010.htm / David Colemann Headley Is A CIA-FBI Agent / By Feroze Mithiborwala
===========
http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala291010.htm / The Headley Saga: What Are They Hiding? / By Feroze Mithiborwala / 29 October, 2010 / Countercurrents.org
After the recent acquittal of Rana for his alleged involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks by US Courts, is there anyone still left in doubt regarding the collusion of the CIA-ISI in this regard? Rana has links to the LeT & has is facing imprisonment for his role in the Danish cartoon issue, but none for his role in the 26/11.
It is a clear attempt to safegurad the ISI elements who were involved in the 26/11 terror attacks.
This is basically a quid pro quo between the CIA & the ISI, with the Government of India & our RAW & IB, well in the know.
Thus once gain we are told that we will be given access to Headley for further questioning.
Headley we know has been used as a tool of disinformation by our government, especially the NIA led by Chidambaram ( a corpporate stooge currently involved in the mass murder of Adivasis).
Thus Chidambaram used Headley to bail out Modi on the Ishrat Jehan encounter by linking that innocent girl to LeT. Then to safe guard the Abhinav Bharat-Sanatan Sanstha & the RSS, statments were published that the Samjhauta express was the handiwork of the ISI, whilst now we know better after Swami Aseemanand's statments.
And as we all noticed, after Assemanand's confessions, immediately the statements attributed to Headley & used by Chidambaram then came to a halt. Also the Chhitisingpora massacre in Kashmir was linked to the ISI, whereas our own security forces were involved as we all well know.
So our media & govt are supposed to chew on the Headley bone, to pacify the rising anger & doubts amongst the masses.
What a darn sham!!
The articles that I had penned during that period exposing Headley as a CIA agent (thus not a double agent, as we are being told & therefore knowingly misled by our media & government) are useful reminders to the questions & facts that we need to comprehend & grapple with . . . but are we willing to raise them is the question, that begs an honest reply.
In Solidarity with the Global resistance to Imperialism & Zionism!!
Feroze Mithiborwala (National President) & Kishore Jagtap (National Vice-President)
Bharat Bachao Andolan
JAI HIND!! JAI BHARAT!!
Dear All,
http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala181010.htm / David Colemann Headley Is A CIA-FBI Agent / By Feroze Mithiborwala
===========
http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala291010.htm / The Headley Saga: What Are They Hiding? / By Feroze Mithiborwala / 29 October, 2010 / Countercurrents.org
After the recent acquittal of Rana for his alleged involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks by US Courts, is there anyone still left in doubt regarding the collusion of the CIA-ISI in this regard? Rana has links to the LeT & has is facing imprisonment for his role in the Danish cartoon issue, but none for his role in the 26/11.
It is a clear attempt to safegurad the ISI elements who were involved in the 26/11 terror attacks.
This is basically a quid pro quo between the CIA & the ISI, with the Government of India & our RAW & IB, well in the know.
Thus once gain we are told that we will be given access to Headley for further questioning.
Headley we know has been used as a tool of disinformation by our government, especially the NIA led by Chidambaram ( a corpporate stooge currently involved in the mass murder of Adivasis).
Thus Chidambaram used Headley to bail out Modi on the Ishrat Jehan encounter by linking that innocent girl to LeT. Then to safe guard the Abhinav Bharat-Sanatan Sanstha & the RSS, statments were published that the Samjhauta express was the handiwork of the ISI, whilst now we know better after Swami Aseemanand's statments.
And as we all noticed, after Assemanand's confessions, immediately the statements attributed to Headley & used by Chidambaram then came to a halt. Also the Chhitisingpora massacre in Kashmir was linked to the ISI, whereas our own security forces were involved as we all well know.
So our media & govt are supposed to chew on the Headley bone, to pacify the rising anger & doubts amongst the masses.
What a darn sham!!
The articles that I had penned during that period exposing Headley as a CIA agent (thus not a double agent, as we are being told & therefore knowingly misled by our media & government) are useful reminders to the questions & facts that we need to comprehend & grapple with . . . but are we willing to raise them is the question, that begs an honest reply.
In Solidarity with the Global resistance to Imperialism & Zionism!!
Feroze Mithiborwala (National President) & Kishore Jagtap (National Vice-President)
Bharat Bachao Andolan
JAI HIND!! JAI BHARAT!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Fast by Baba Ramdev: New Face of Communal Politics
Baba Ramdev’s anti Corruption Fast: New Face of Communal Politics
Ram Puniyani
The police crackdown on people assembled to participate on the anti corruption fast by Baba Ramdev on the Sunday night, 5th June 2011, needs to be condemned to no end. As the police methods are, brutal by there nature, in their effort to evacuate the Ramlila ground, they did resort to the firing of tear gas shells and lathi (baton) charge leading to injuries to many, including women and children. The police action was the culmination of the failure of the negotiations between Government and Ramdev. Ramdev is continuing his fast in his Patanjali Yoga Ashram in Haridwar.
A brief run down of the background and few details of the event are in order. After Anna Hazare started his fast for Lokpal bill at Jantar Mantar, Baba did join it. The fast by Anna Hazare got a lot of support from the middle class sections. All over one could see the hand of well organized machinery trying to crystallize the spontaneous upsurge of people in support of Anti Corruption movement led by Hazare. This again, one can see, came in the backdrop of massive scams, 2G etc. the scale of graft shook the people and the middle classes spontaneously supported the fast, and RSS backed up the fast and made the upsurge more organized. During this fast the whole attention was focused on Anna Hazare who was labeled as ‘Second Gandhi’! Baba had his differences with Annaji, as he had his own scheme of things to capitalize on the issue around his following. This following has been built up through his very ‘successful’ business of Yoga teaching. This Yoga is being lapped up in country with new anxieties and to overcome the new tensions of the globalized era.
Baba claims to have a massive following and after Annaji’s fast he declared that he too will go on fast with a focus on the illicit money stashed in foreign countries. He began his mobilizing work and his advisors included the RSS trained Govindacharya. His protest hunger strike was well organized, a sort of five star arrangements were put in place with massive expenditure. The support base of Ramdev is the section of middle class, including the trading community and the one’s with organizations like Khaps, who came in large number. Those who have seen the dharnas and protests of the deprived sections of society must have been gripped with shock that such massive funds can be mobilized with such a huge number participating in a protest, which though genuine, still just looks at the issue in a superficial way.
One concedes that corruption is one of the major scourges of our country, but one also knows that corruption is a superficial manifestation of the deeper rot of the system as a whole. The attempts to weed out corruption without addressing the gross inadequacies of the system and massive injustice prevailing it the society cannot work, as repeatedly demonstrated during the agitations led by Jaya Praksh Narayan and later V. P. Singh.
Still the section of population which participates in these protests is those, who are very different from the large suffering masses of the country. Generally this section is those, based on whom the BJP slogan of ‘Shining India’ depends. In addition, there is another following of Baba, whose own source of wealth may have dubious origin. Coming to Baba himself he is quite a phenomenon, a successful yoga teacher turned businessman and now on the threshold of the political ambition, hiding it all under the cover of saffron garb and religious image.
To pick up the sequence of events, once Baba was close to begin his fast, the Government got panicky for obvious reasons of electoral politics. RSS combine has the parallel support base like that of Baba. Negotiations with RSS were already on, about starting a new political party or to undertake maneuvers which can shift away substantial votes in the kitty of RSS politics, to its progeny BJP; working for a politics aimed at Hindu nation. The Government was keen to prevent his fast and in that direction they kneeled in front of Ramdev. The negotiation began and in the second round of negotiations the agreement was reached that government will expedite measures to ensure all in the direction of getting the illicit money from abroad and tighten the noose around those who have stashed such wealth. Ramdev’s associates signed the agreement and Ramdev declared that 99% of his demands have been met. Obviously it meant that there was no need for him to sit on the hunger strike.
Still once he came to Ramlila maidan (ground), he persisted on the fast. Now his associate claims that they purposely gave a letter of approval, as they feared being arrested. At this point of time the Government felt ditched. Normally these agitations are undertaken so that your demands are fulfilled and 99% is the highest success rate possible. So what was the intention in continuing the agitation? Obviously the fast was a pretext to ensure that the mobilization done for political goals should be consolidated and not be allowed to fritter away. The anti corruption label was just a façade and the goal was to strengthen the politics for Hindu Nation, something which had led to divisive tendencies in the country. Interesting things followed. Manmohan Singh says the crackdown was inevitable; the details are not given so one cannot say as to what was there in Government’s mind. It is at this time that the state authorities decided to take Ramdev away and get the Ramlila maidan cleared of those assembled there. When police approached to take Ramdev away, he jumped from the stage in the midst of his women supporters and disappeared. Few hours later he was spotted wearing the clothes of a women and hiding his beard with a duppata (scarf), from where he was taken away.
So far the experience of agitations is that the leader takes the first blow. The leader is there to protect the followers from the wrath of the police action. But this is politics of different hue. Here cowardice is paraded as bravery and honesty is replaced by tricks! After giving the letter to the Government, Ramdev backed out from that and like a ‘brave’ leader when the police wanted to take him away he hid behind the women and ran away wearing women’s clothes, leaving his followers to face the consequences of his mobilization! While giving the letter to withdraw the fast and after this disguise to escape, Ramdev justifies it by saying that these are the tactics followed by Shivaji. This argument lacks all the understanding of a democratic society. Shivaji was a king, battling with other kings for power. In democracy the agitations and discussions are undertaken to lead the path for pressure on Government. Leaders’ court arrest in a democracy to make their point and tricks are a cheap escape route for some. So here cowardice is being paraded as emulating a King’s methods.
The political aspects of the whole phenomenon are very curious. The RSS combine has underwritten the whole movement. It seems, after two defeats at the general elections, this political outfit is on the lookout for another issue which can give them the electoral rewards the way communal violence gives or the way Babri masjid demolition gave them. The present mobilization is the same which is for the Hindu nation, by and large, which is opposed to the rights of the Adivasis, Dalits and other marginalized sections of society. This was the pattern of the mobilization of Babri masjid demolition as well. The things are not so unclear by now. All the actors of demolition politics are very much around. Govindacharya, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Uma Bharti, in overt or covert manner. The other actors of demolition assault, Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi have joined in post dispersal protests. RSS functionaries have been the one’s who are the major backers of Ramdev. They have so far kept quiet after the atrocities against marginalized sections, against the violence against farmers or against minorities. Now the Babri demolition gang is leading the procession to Rashtrapati Bhavan and having a ‘celebratory dharna’, dancing and singing, to call for the joint session of parliament.
While the issue of corruption measures against corrupt is to be supported to the hilt, one has to distinguish the genuine and deeper efforts to root out the phenomenon of corruption from the sensational efforts and still bigger sensational presentation of the same by the large section of media. The glorification of Ramdev and the efforts around that are aimed to create a mass hysteria of the pre-Babri Masjid demolition days. The efforts for rooting out corruption had been on at various levels even earlier. What adds to the suspicion about the motives of the breast beating against corruption now is the very timing and the well organized nature of the protest.
The current protests also should bring our attention to another part of our democracy. In a democracy whether the Government is to be seen as less responsible than the civic action groups? While the civic actions groups play a most valuable part in the democracy, by putting pressures on the government in a multiple ways, we need to see that it is still through the elected government that the programs can be implemented. So where do we draw the line. If Government accepts 99% of your demands, is there a need for continuing your agitation. If there are differences in the joint committee formed by civic action groups and the government, what should be the weight-age of each group? After all government is an elected body. The trend of Babas and Swamis coming to the political arena gives a very dangerous message. Is it that we want to emulate Pakistan where Mullahs ruled the roost for long time and even now have a big weight in the political affairs, and that is one of the major reasons for the problems through which Pakistan is going through currently. Baba Ramdev, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Sri Sri Ravishanker have full right as a citizen, but to dabble in politics with the claims of spiritual following is to abuse of religious spirituality.
Many a theories will be tumbling out of the whole Ramdev episode, one of the role it has played is that it has diverted the attention away form the Sangh terror trails which have ravaged the country from Malegaon to Ajmer. The deeper links of those involved in the acts of terrorism with functionaries of affiliated organizations is out in the open now, one hopes that the authorities don’t loose sight to ensure that guilty of acts of terror are given the punishment due to them.
One reiterates that any violation of the peaceful protest for social issues is condemnable, at the same time the betrayal of compromises and five star dharnas may be having more to it than meets the eye is more than clear by now.
(A modified version of this article appeared in Financial World, Tehelka on 8th June 2011, http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ws080611RamdevsFast.asp)-
www.pluralindia.com
Ram Puniyani
The police crackdown on people assembled to participate on the anti corruption fast by Baba Ramdev on the Sunday night, 5th June 2011, needs to be condemned to no end. As the police methods are, brutal by there nature, in their effort to evacuate the Ramlila ground, they did resort to the firing of tear gas shells and lathi (baton) charge leading to injuries to many, including women and children. The police action was the culmination of the failure of the negotiations between Government and Ramdev. Ramdev is continuing his fast in his Patanjali Yoga Ashram in Haridwar.
A brief run down of the background and few details of the event are in order. After Anna Hazare started his fast for Lokpal bill at Jantar Mantar, Baba did join it. The fast by Anna Hazare got a lot of support from the middle class sections. All over one could see the hand of well organized machinery trying to crystallize the spontaneous upsurge of people in support of Anti Corruption movement led by Hazare. This again, one can see, came in the backdrop of massive scams, 2G etc. the scale of graft shook the people and the middle classes spontaneously supported the fast, and RSS backed up the fast and made the upsurge more organized. During this fast the whole attention was focused on Anna Hazare who was labeled as ‘Second Gandhi’! Baba had his differences with Annaji, as he had his own scheme of things to capitalize on the issue around his following. This following has been built up through his very ‘successful’ business of Yoga teaching. This Yoga is being lapped up in country with new anxieties and to overcome the new tensions of the globalized era.
Baba claims to have a massive following and after Annaji’s fast he declared that he too will go on fast with a focus on the illicit money stashed in foreign countries. He began his mobilizing work and his advisors included the RSS trained Govindacharya. His protest hunger strike was well organized, a sort of five star arrangements were put in place with massive expenditure. The support base of Ramdev is the section of middle class, including the trading community and the one’s with organizations like Khaps, who came in large number. Those who have seen the dharnas and protests of the deprived sections of society must have been gripped with shock that such massive funds can be mobilized with such a huge number participating in a protest, which though genuine, still just looks at the issue in a superficial way.
One concedes that corruption is one of the major scourges of our country, but one also knows that corruption is a superficial manifestation of the deeper rot of the system as a whole. The attempts to weed out corruption without addressing the gross inadequacies of the system and massive injustice prevailing it the society cannot work, as repeatedly demonstrated during the agitations led by Jaya Praksh Narayan and later V. P. Singh.
Still the section of population which participates in these protests is those, who are very different from the large suffering masses of the country. Generally this section is those, based on whom the BJP slogan of ‘Shining India’ depends. In addition, there is another following of Baba, whose own source of wealth may have dubious origin. Coming to Baba himself he is quite a phenomenon, a successful yoga teacher turned businessman and now on the threshold of the political ambition, hiding it all under the cover of saffron garb and religious image.
To pick up the sequence of events, once Baba was close to begin his fast, the Government got panicky for obvious reasons of electoral politics. RSS combine has the parallel support base like that of Baba. Negotiations with RSS were already on, about starting a new political party or to undertake maneuvers which can shift away substantial votes in the kitty of RSS politics, to its progeny BJP; working for a politics aimed at Hindu nation. The Government was keen to prevent his fast and in that direction they kneeled in front of Ramdev. The negotiation began and in the second round of negotiations the agreement was reached that government will expedite measures to ensure all in the direction of getting the illicit money from abroad and tighten the noose around those who have stashed such wealth. Ramdev’s associates signed the agreement and Ramdev declared that 99% of his demands have been met. Obviously it meant that there was no need for him to sit on the hunger strike.
Still once he came to Ramlila maidan (ground), he persisted on the fast. Now his associate claims that they purposely gave a letter of approval, as they feared being arrested. At this point of time the Government felt ditched. Normally these agitations are undertaken so that your demands are fulfilled and 99% is the highest success rate possible. So what was the intention in continuing the agitation? Obviously the fast was a pretext to ensure that the mobilization done for political goals should be consolidated and not be allowed to fritter away. The anti corruption label was just a façade and the goal was to strengthen the politics for Hindu Nation, something which had led to divisive tendencies in the country. Interesting things followed. Manmohan Singh says the crackdown was inevitable; the details are not given so one cannot say as to what was there in Government’s mind. It is at this time that the state authorities decided to take Ramdev away and get the Ramlila maidan cleared of those assembled there. When police approached to take Ramdev away, he jumped from the stage in the midst of his women supporters and disappeared. Few hours later he was spotted wearing the clothes of a women and hiding his beard with a duppata (scarf), from where he was taken away.
So far the experience of agitations is that the leader takes the first blow. The leader is there to protect the followers from the wrath of the police action. But this is politics of different hue. Here cowardice is paraded as bravery and honesty is replaced by tricks! After giving the letter to the Government, Ramdev backed out from that and like a ‘brave’ leader when the police wanted to take him away he hid behind the women and ran away wearing women’s clothes, leaving his followers to face the consequences of his mobilization! While giving the letter to withdraw the fast and after this disguise to escape, Ramdev justifies it by saying that these are the tactics followed by Shivaji. This argument lacks all the understanding of a democratic society. Shivaji was a king, battling with other kings for power. In democracy the agitations and discussions are undertaken to lead the path for pressure on Government. Leaders’ court arrest in a democracy to make their point and tricks are a cheap escape route for some. So here cowardice is being paraded as emulating a King’s methods.
The political aspects of the whole phenomenon are very curious. The RSS combine has underwritten the whole movement. It seems, after two defeats at the general elections, this political outfit is on the lookout for another issue which can give them the electoral rewards the way communal violence gives or the way Babri masjid demolition gave them. The present mobilization is the same which is for the Hindu nation, by and large, which is opposed to the rights of the Adivasis, Dalits and other marginalized sections of society. This was the pattern of the mobilization of Babri masjid demolition as well. The things are not so unclear by now. All the actors of demolition politics are very much around. Govindacharya, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Uma Bharti, in overt or covert manner. The other actors of demolition assault, Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi have joined in post dispersal protests. RSS functionaries have been the one’s who are the major backers of Ramdev. They have so far kept quiet after the atrocities against marginalized sections, against the violence against farmers or against minorities. Now the Babri demolition gang is leading the procession to Rashtrapati Bhavan and having a ‘celebratory dharna’, dancing and singing, to call for the joint session of parliament.
While the issue of corruption measures against corrupt is to be supported to the hilt, one has to distinguish the genuine and deeper efforts to root out the phenomenon of corruption from the sensational efforts and still bigger sensational presentation of the same by the large section of media. The glorification of Ramdev and the efforts around that are aimed to create a mass hysteria of the pre-Babri Masjid demolition days. The efforts for rooting out corruption had been on at various levels even earlier. What adds to the suspicion about the motives of the breast beating against corruption now is the very timing and the well organized nature of the protest.
The current protests also should bring our attention to another part of our democracy. In a democracy whether the Government is to be seen as less responsible than the civic action groups? While the civic actions groups play a most valuable part in the democracy, by putting pressures on the government in a multiple ways, we need to see that it is still through the elected government that the programs can be implemented. So where do we draw the line. If Government accepts 99% of your demands, is there a need for continuing your agitation. If there are differences in the joint committee formed by civic action groups and the government, what should be the weight-age of each group? After all government is an elected body. The trend of Babas and Swamis coming to the political arena gives a very dangerous message. Is it that we want to emulate Pakistan where Mullahs ruled the roost for long time and even now have a big weight in the political affairs, and that is one of the major reasons for the problems through which Pakistan is going through currently. Baba Ramdev, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Sri Sri Ravishanker have full right as a citizen, but to dabble in politics with the claims of spiritual following is to abuse of religious spirituality.
Many a theories will be tumbling out of the whole Ramdev episode, one of the role it has played is that it has diverted the attention away form the Sangh terror trails which have ravaged the country from Malegaon to Ajmer. The deeper links of those involved in the acts of terrorism with functionaries of affiliated organizations is out in the open now, one hopes that the authorities don’t loose sight to ensure that guilty of acts of terror are given the punishment due to them.
One reiterates that any violation of the peaceful protest for social issues is condemnable, at the same time the betrayal of compromises and five star dharnas may be having more to it than meets the eye is more than clear by now.
(A modified version of this article appeared in Financial World, Tehelka on 8th June 2011, http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ws080611RamdevsFast.asp)-
www.pluralindia.com
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
think.........
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”- Maria Robinson
Public Meeting on Human Rights Violations in Kashmir
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Meeting on 'Human Rights Violations in Kashmir'
Kashmir Solidarity Forum
Invites
you to a Public Meeting
on 'Human Rights Violations in Kashmir'
Date - 7th June, 2011
Time - 4 p.m
Venue - Press Club,Mumbai
Speakers -
1.Parveena Ahangar - Founder of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), Kashmir
2. Freny Maneckshaw- Senior Journalist who was recently in Kashmir will share her experiences
3.Dilnaz Boga - Journalist and Film Maker- Moderator
Kashmir Solidarity Group is a broad network of individuals and organisations working on highlighting issues concerning Kashmir, in Mumbai. This group was formed in 2010 following the developments in the valley since February last year, which led to a strong upsurge by the youth of Kashmir. In this meeting we will lay emphasis on the human rights violations in the valley.
You all are invited to participate in this very important programme along with your interested friends. Please feel free to pass on this message to others also.
On behalf of
Kashmir Solidarity Group
Public Meeting on 'Human Rights Violations in Kashmir'
Kashmir Solidarity Forum
Invites
you to a Public Meeting
on 'Human Rights Violations in Kashmir'
Date - 7th June, 2011
Time - 4 p.m
Venue - Press Club,Mumbai
Speakers -
1.Parveena Ahangar - Founder of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), Kashmir
2. Freny Maneckshaw- Senior Journalist who was recently in Kashmir will share her experiences
3.Dilnaz Boga - Journalist and Film Maker- Moderator
Kashmir Solidarity Group is a broad network of individuals and organisations working on highlighting issues concerning Kashmir, in Mumbai. This group was formed in 2010 following the developments in the valley since February last year, which led to a strong upsurge by the youth of Kashmir. In this meeting we will lay emphasis on the human rights violations in the valley.
You all are invited to participate in this very important programme along with your interested friends. Please feel free to pass on this message to others also.
On behalf of
Kashmir Solidarity Group
25,000 People March in Tel Aviv in Support of Palestinian State Based on 1967 Borders by CP of Israel
25,000 People March in Tel Aviv in Support of Palestinian State Based on 1967 Borders
by the Communist Party of Israel
About 25,000 people took part in a march in central Tel Aviv on Saturday evening supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
The march ended with a rally at the Tel Aviv Museum. MKs Dov Khenin (Hadash), Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor), Nino Abesadze (Kadima), and Zahava Galon (Meretz); the Mayor of Nazareth Ramez Jeraisy; the editor in chief of Al Ittihad communist newspaper and well-known feminist activist Aida Touma-Sliman; and playwright Yehoshua Sobol gave speeches.
Numerous political parties and peace groups -- including Hadash (Democratic Front for Peace and Equality-Communist Party of Israel), Labor, Meretz, the Derech faction of Kadima, Peace Now, Combatants for Peace, Solidarity Sheikh Jarrah, and Gush Shalom -- organized for this march. Among the marchers were a number of other current and former Knesset members: MKs Muhammad Barake (Hadash), Afu Agbaria (Hadash), Hanna Sweid (Hadash), Ilan Gilon (Meretz), and Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz); former MKs Issam Makhoul (Hadash), Tamar Gozansky (Hadash), Haim Oron (Meretz), and the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Israel, Muhammad Nafa'h.
Some marchers held signs reading "Palestinian State -- An Israeli Interest," "Bibi, Recognize the Palestinians," and "Yes, We KEN [which means "yes" in Hebrew]." Other signs said, "Yes to Peace" and "Jews and Arabs Refuse to Be Enemies." The demonstrators also carried Palestinian, Israeli, and red flags.
Several dozen right-wing activists, wrapped up in Israeli flags, held a counter-rally at the starting point of the march in Rabin Square. During the march, two left-wing activists were arbitrarily arrested by the police.
A veteran Communist Party member, Prof. Yenina Altman, 80, came all the way from Haifa to attend the march. "It's important for me to express the desire to see the Palestinians independent," she told. "I came from Poland after my entire family perished. I had been in a ghetto and a concentration camp. I would like to have my country show respect for the Palestinians and recognize their right to an independent state just as we desired for ourselves."
A member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Israel, Rawda Murcus, from the Galilee town of Kafr Yasif said, "We hope that acts of protest like this will grow stronger and cause a change necessary for an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmHxB4ksGCI&feature=player_embedded#t=0s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yej8cRlk0_g#t=0s
by the Communist Party of Israel
About 25,000 people took part in a march in central Tel Aviv on Saturday evening supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
The march ended with a rally at the Tel Aviv Museum. MKs Dov Khenin (Hadash), Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor), Nino Abesadze (Kadima), and Zahava Galon (Meretz); the Mayor of Nazareth Ramez Jeraisy; the editor in chief of Al Ittihad communist newspaper and well-known feminist activist Aida Touma-Sliman; and playwright Yehoshua Sobol gave speeches.
Numerous political parties and peace groups -- including Hadash (Democratic Front for Peace and Equality-Communist Party of Israel), Labor, Meretz, the Derech faction of Kadima, Peace Now, Combatants for Peace, Solidarity Sheikh Jarrah, and Gush Shalom -- organized for this march. Among the marchers were a number of other current and former Knesset members: MKs Muhammad Barake (Hadash), Afu Agbaria (Hadash), Hanna Sweid (Hadash), Ilan Gilon (Meretz), and Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz); former MKs Issam Makhoul (Hadash), Tamar Gozansky (Hadash), Haim Oron (Meretz), and the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Israel, Muhammad Nafa'h.
Some marchers held signs reading "Palestinian State -- An Israeli Interest," "Bibi, Recognize the Palestinians," and "Yes, We KEN [which means "yes" in Hebrew]." Other signs said, "Yes to Peace" and "Jews and Arabs Refuse to Be Enemies." The demonstrators also carried Palestinian, Israeli, and red flags.
Several dozen right-wing activists, wrapped up in Israeli flags, held a counter-rally at the starting point of the march in Rabin Square. During the march, two left-wing activists were arbitrarily arrested by the police.
A veteran Communist Party member, Prof. Yenina Altman, 80, came all the way from Haifa to attend the march. "It's important for me to express the desire to see the Palestinians independent," she told. "I came from Poland after my entire family perished. I had been in a ghetto and a concentration camp. I would like to have my country show respect for the Palestinians and recognize their right to an independent state just as we desired for ourselves."
A member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Israel, Rawda Murcus, from the Galilee town of Kafr Yasif said, "We hope that acts of protest like this will grow stronger and cause a change necessary for an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmHxB4ksGCI&feature=player_embedded#t=0s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yej8cRlk0_g#t=0s
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