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The working-class and
oppressed masses, already hit hard by a decade of globalisation, are now faced
with new challenges. On this, the first May Day after September 11, the
working-class finds that the world is being increasingly pushed towards fascism
and war. The carnage in Gujarat, the massacres in Palestine, and the war on
Afghanistan, is just the start of an imperialist/comprador new offensive. US
imperialism’s ‘war on terrorism’, is nothing but a call for open fascist
terror against the struggling masses throughout the world. The Indian rulers
seek a place of prominence in this New World Order, acting as faithful
surrogates of imperialism in general, and US imperialism in particular. Economic
liberalization, Hindutva fascism and state terrorism are a key formula of
India’s comprador bureaucrat bourgeoisie to achieve this goal.
Well before Sept.11th
the world economy was moving into recession. Sept.11th catalysed the process and
brought all major contradictions in the world into sharp focus.
Imperialist
domination of backward countries, particularly that of the US, has taken an
aggressive turn, reflected in Bush’s statement "those not with us, are
against us". Wars of aggression, destabalisation, and aggressive
arm-twisting are now openly practiced according to the Bush formula. So, US
aggression on Afghanistan; Israeli terror on Palestinians; US troops in the
Philippines, Central Asia, Colombia and elsewhere; threat of the use of force in
Iraq, Iran, N.Korea, etc.; increasing intolerance of rulers, like Chavez
(Venezuela), etc., who do not totally dance to the US tune; — are all a part of
the new US war-mongering in the post-Sept.11th scenario, carried on under the
banner of ‘anti-terrorism’. A massive increase in expenditure on war and defense
has had the twin purpose of seeking to pull the US economy out of recession and
furthering its geo-political ambitions. Its $2.1 trillion 2003 budget was geared
to finance the biggest military build-up since the Cold War. This was made up of
a massive 12% increase ($48 billion) for wars of aggression, and a huge
111%increase for internal repression (called security).
But, all is not
smooth for US global designs. The recessionary conditions have further enhanced
contradictions within the imperialists, particularly between the US & the EU.
Though not as yet sharp, they continue to grow. In fact, cracks appeared within
the coalition at the very inception, during the Afghan war. Since then, while
united in fleecing the third world, the EU opposed US policy on Iraq, Iran,
Palestine and in many other places, and is pushing to bring its own armed forces
into operation, independent of NATO (i.e. the US). Trade wars are also growing,
reflected in the US’s arbitrary imposition of tariff on imported steel, and
retaliatory action by the EU and Japan. In addition, using the pretext of the
Afghan war, the US has aggressively pushed to station massive military forces
throughout Central Asia — 19 military bases, with 60,000 military personnel
(including Afghanistan & and Pakistan) — to grab the vast oil and gas deposits,
thereby enhancing contradictions with the Russian imperialists.
Finally, all the
imperialist countries, with the US and Britain in the lead, have stepped up
their repressive policies at home, through the introduction of fascist acts,
increased surveillance, and hate-campaigns against blacks and immigrants.
While such is the
scenario in the developed countries, the situation is far worse in the
underdeveloped countries of the world. Now, any hesitation to implement IMF/WB/WTO
stipulations to the full is dispelled, at virtual gunpoint. But here too,
contention over the spoils is growing, particularly between the US and the EU,
with the US increasingly flexing its military muscle to gain a head start, or
sustain its weakening (economic) hold.
In India, the country
has just completed the fourth consecutive year of economic slow-down. The last
year, 2001-02, was the worst of all, with industrial production growing at a
mere 2.6% (compared to 5.6% in the previous year). Capital goods witnessed
negative growth of 4.2%, while exports were stagnant. Imperialist-dictated
economic reforms is playing havoc with the economy, reducing it to ruin. Crores
are being impoverished, and hunger and starvation stalk the country. Millions
die of (curable) diseases, ‘natural’ calamities, and now even suicides, which
have reached epidemic proportions. On ‘economic reforms’ all parliamentary
parties are one, with mere shades of difference — that too depending on whether
they are in power or in opposition.
While celebrating May
Day, the Indian working-class will, no doubt, be taking stock of the massive
attack on their living standards and the gradual removal of all their trade
union rights. Galloping unemployment; lakhs of dismissals in the name of VRS;
de-facto wage freeze; cut in bonus, returns on PF and other saving schemes;
increased tax and spiraling service charges for basic amenities — an all-round
drop in living standards with greatly heightened insecurities, for even the
once-secure government employee. And now, to curb the rising discontent of the
workers as a result of this attack on their living standards, the government has
sought to totally curb all workers’ rights through its new EXIT policy of hire
and fire at will, and amendments to the Industrial Disputes Act. The mass action
of April 16th was, to some extent, the workers’ answer to these deteriorating
conditions. On that day, over one crore workers and employees throughout India
went on a day’s strike against the government’s imperialist dictated economic
policies. In this biggest strike action against privatization etc., the entire
banks (including the RBI), Mumbai Port trust and all the PSU establishments,
including oil, power, electronics and coal were totally closed. The strike also
had its impact on air and surface transport. But, the working-class, or, more
particularly its vanguard (or Maoists), will have to question the limitations of
token action, and plan to go beyond it through a more aggressive plan of
continuous mass action against the very roots of the problem.
On the other hand,
since Sept.11th, the ruling classes, with US backing, have turned more
aggressive, not only against the struggling masses of India, but also against
the people of neighbouring countries in the sub-continent.
They have launched
fierce attacks on all sections of the people, particularly against those
struggling against imperialist dictated policies. At the focus of their wrath
has been the revolutionary communists, who have been most consistent in exposing
their policies and uncompromising in their fight against them. The next to face
the brunt of the Indian state are the nationality movements fighting for
self-determination — particularly those in J & K and in the North East. Their
attacks, particularly in Indian Occupied Kashmir, have been stepped up since
Sept.11, after seeking to neutralize Pak assistance to the freedom fighters.
They have also consistently been attacking all struggles of the oppressed
masses, not giving in to even a single of their demands, making a mockery of the
so-called right to free speech and movement. The passing of POTA is yet another
step forward in state terrorism.
Together with this
the Sangh Parivar, backed by large sections of the state apparatus, is
systematically fanning the flames of Hindu chauvinism, seeking to divert
people’s discontent into an orgy of internecine strife. The horrors of Gujarat,
openly and unashamedly justified by the top leadership of the BJP, is an
indication of what is to come. The policy of appeasement adopted by the
parliamentary opposition towards the Hindu fascists, in order to protect their
upper-caste vote banks, only fuels the fascist appetite. With the BJP in power
the Sangh Parivar has spread its tentacles far and wide, infiltrated large
sections of the state apparatus and bureaucracy, and with an extensive network
in education, media and other spheres of Human Resource Development. This can
act as a menace to society even without political power.
Finally, the Indian
rulers have designs of a super cop status in South Asia, as part of US
geo-political strategy in the region. Its expansionist policies towards our
neighbours are geared to brow-beat these countries to serve the interests of
India’s comprador bureaucrat bourgeoisie and their TNC masters. They are
directly intervening in the internal affairs of Nepal to help suppress the
Maoist upsurge in the country, led by the CPN(M). The Indian rulers are also
being used by the US as a political counterweight to China’s growing influence
(economic and political) in Asia. Joint policing of the straits of Malacca with
the US navy, and the recent diplomatic initiatives in Cambodia, Vietnam and
Myanmar, is part of US long-term strategy to counter China.
It is in such an
overall international and local situation, that the Indian working-class, and
particularly its leadership, the revolutionary communists, have to evolve
tactics that effectively win over the masses, isolate the main enemy, and hit
telling blows on them. Today the revolutionary forces are still very weak, the
fascists are consolidating their forces, the bourgeois/revisionist opposition is
ineffective, and the liberals are too terrified for consistent action. It is
only once the revolutionary forces gain strength and effectivity, that all the
other sections will gain confidence to rally in the battle. — the targets of
which have to be, in the immediate sense, the policies of economic reform, Hindu
fascism and State terrorism. Of course, the central aspect of this struggle will
have to be the continuation and development of the people’s war in the
semi-feudal countryside to establish Base Areas.
Since Sept.11. the
ruling classes in both India and the world are in an aggressive mode. Let alone
revolutionary, even liberal opinion is not tolerated. In such a situation it is
only the communist revolutionaries (i.e. genuine Maoists) that will be able to
face the increased terror. We have seen excellent resistance put up by the
Maoists in Nepal. We see a growing upsurge worldwide against globalisation and
US/Israeli war-mongering. We see a growing working-class awakening in many parts
of the world as shown by the pitched battles in Argentina. In India too the
situation is ripe for rapid advances.
On this the May Day
2002, the vanguard of the Indian proletariat, would have to take stock of the
situation as it unfolds, prepare the masses and itself to face the increased
fascist terror, build up and strengthen the people’s war, and devise the most
effective tactics in the given situation to beat back the enemy offensive.
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