Images of Socialist Party and SYS National Conference

Indo – Pak War 1971 – Some Not So Public Facts

Rajindar Sachar

 The recently declassified documents of 1971 war between India and Pakistan have without any doubt established the fact of absolute tilt of USA President Nixon and Kissinger against India.

 This hostile aggressive stand taken by Nixon was sought to be justified by the false premise that Indira Gandhi was right from the beginning determined to attack East Bengal. This however was a lie and Nixon above all the people knew that on the other hand she tried her best to avoid confrontation with Pakistan. As a matter of fact Indira Gandhi tried her best to persuade Nixon to intervene at an early stage to help her do so.

 In July 1971 Kissinger had a stop over in India on his secret visit to China. At that time mass fleeing form East Pakistan and terror by Pakistan army were creating havoc in West Bengal and rest of the country. Mrs. Gandhi, was obviously under a big strain. She therefore invited Kissinger for a private breakfast to be able to discuss the matter urgently.

 However on the evening before, Mrs. Indira Gandhi telephoned General Mannckshow, our Army Chief and told him that she would like him to come and meet her at breakfast next morning. She did not disclose as to who her other guests were. She further told General that when he comes for break fast, he should come in Army uniform. Naturally, General felt surprised and asked whether he had heard rightly that she wanted him to come in the uniform at the break fast because it was naturally a very strange suggestion. Mrs. Gandhi was straight forward and told him “yes, she wanted him to come for break fast but in uniform. So, General Mannckshow went for break fast in full uniform and soon they were joined by Kissinger.

 At that meeting Mrs. Indira Gandhi was persistent in asking Kissinger to plead with Nixon that he should try to restrain Pakistan for what was being done in East Pakistan because the conditions there were becoming intolerable and it was almost becoming impossible for India to remain silent. Kissinger however, went on prevaricating and would not really give a straight answer. Rather he tried to underplay the situation. Mrs. Gandhi, however, still insisted, but to no avail. Kissinger would not gave any assurance that Nixon would do something about it.

 Obviously rattled, Mrs. Gandhi said if that was the position she may have to do something herself which she was reluctant to do. At this Kissinger again expressed his inability on his and Nixon’s behalf to do anything and asked her rather ironically as to what she intended to do. At that time she stood up and pointing towards General (who was in full military uniform) told Kissinger that if USA Government, USA President cannot control the situation then I am going to ask him (meaning the General) to do the same.

 There was stunning silence for a minute and the sharp message was conveyed to Kissinger in a very stark manner. As a matter of fact, General was himself surprised and suddenly understood the purpose as to why he had been asked to come in uniform rather than in civilian clothes at apparently, a harmless function of break fast. Obviously, Nixon and Kissinger had their egos deflated and were not going to forgive Mrs. Gandhi for such an attitude.

 Mrs. Gandhi had no other course but to create world opinion in favor of India. She requested J.P. the socialist and legendary hero of freedom struggle to go on world tour to explain Indias case, which the patriot that he was he willingly undertook. But still the matters were getting worse, but India could not directly intervene. Refugees were continuing to pour in from East Bengal. Sidharat Shankar Ray was in charge of borders. On one of the usual visits by Mrs. Gandhi to border where a public meeting was being held to reassure the public that the matter was being looked after properly. On this visit to West Bengal she told Ray that after public meeting she would go back to Delhi, and Ray should stay for some days in Calcutta and come later.

 At the public meeting while Mrs. Gandhi was addressing, one of her aides handed her a small paper – she read it and put it in her pocket and continued as usual with her speech. After the meeting ended when going to the airport she told Ray that he should come along with her to Delhi. Ray was a little surprised at this sudden change of his programme. But her followers did not ask questions of Indira Gandhi – there was implicit compliance. After about 15 minutes of flight onward to Delhi Mrs. Gandhi leaned back in her seat, a bit relaxed, took out paper given to her at public meeting and told Ray who was sitting next to her, here is the information “Pakistan has attacked”. At first blush it would seem strange that Mrs. Gandhi should seem relaxed on knowing about Pak attack. But there was obvious logic – India was reeling under refugees influx and yet it dared not attack East Bengal, because then the world opinion would call it the aggressor. An excuse was necessary and Pakistan had now conveniently provided it. Of course, let us be objective war on East Bengal front was all weighed in favor of India – As General Arora told me, though to start with some hard knock were taken it was smooth march – the whole population of East Bengal was against Pakistan.

 The movements of Pak army were leaked in detail by Mukti Bahni and their volunteers to Indian army whose task was made smooth (though no doubt India lost quite a few thousand of armed forces). To make matters still easier Indian air force had no opposition and bombard General Niazis official Bangalow. As one of the Air Chiefs told me “you can’t imagine the panic, the utter helpness at being bombard from above by enemy planes, knowing fully well that you can’t even send one plane to stop them. It was inevitable that Niazi surrendered without much time.

 We, both Pakistan and India have to put and fortunately have already put those sad memories behind us and are determined to march together on a common course of mutual confidence and benefit and faith in each other to build a bright future for both our countries. The past should not control the future of our two countries.

LOKPAL LEGISLATION DEBATE REQUIRE CALMER CONSIDERATION.

  Rajindar Sachar

The debate in Parliament on the proposed Lokpal legislation has unfortunately touched a low nadir; instead of discussing the legislation in a sober atmosphere and with conscious effort to arrive at as much consensus as possible, the parties instead indulged in mutual attacks.

Governments furtive slip in of various quotas including the minorities was a deliberate ploy with on eye on U.P. Elections, notwithstanding the doubt on legality of it expressed by former Supreme Court Judges and jurists. Could even any one imagine that the selection committee of Prime Minister, leader of opposition, irrespective of their party affiliation and non political Chief Justice of India that they would not include as members from the amongst Muslims, and women, when any number of them are available on their own merit. Why this non issue was loud mouthed unless  it  is a device to stall the

Lokpal legislation. Let us not forget that these Mulayam / Lallu groups were the ones who sabotaged women Reservation bill by wantonly insisting a sub quota in Women Reservation Bill thus embarrassing Sonia Gandhi and Sushma Swaraj who had earlier without any embarrassment embraced and congratulated each other at their victory in Lok Sabha, but had to beat a retreat in Rajya Sabha

The suggestion that if there are any allegations against the Prime Minister they would be decoratively pigeon holded and brought out after he had remitted office (which may be even 5 years later) does not make any sense, Are we living in a democracy or under a kingship who was supposed to be a representative of Divine. Recently a sitting Prime Minister of Italy who was forced to resign on corruption charge proved against him by a court magistrate.

Similarly Chirac, Prime minister of France has been sentenced to 7 years and the President of Israel being sent to jail on the grounds of moral impropriety. The most contentions matter of C.B.I. remains unresolved. His appointment should be by a joint committee consisting of Lokpal and the standing committee of Parliament. Give C.B.I. director a fixed tenure for say five or 10 years. He should have full administrative control over the staff of C.B.I. and earmarked funds from the consolidated fund. There would be no interference with his day to day from the Central Government or Lokpal. However Lokpal would be entitled to ask or and receive reports from him at regular intervals and also authorized to convey its decisions on such matters. He shall not be removed from service except in the manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court – the same manner of removal applies to the removal of Chief Election Commissioner.

I for one would not limit the choice necessarily to a police official and it could even be from outside the service. If it is decided to have a Chief Vigilance Commissioner, the same conditions and procedure will apply as applicable to Director of C.B.I. Surprisingly not withstanding bitter wrangling on other aspects all members of the Parliament are unanimously agreeing to keep themselves immune from the ambit of Lokpal or even Directors C.B.I. for their corrupt actions and bribery if it is done inside the Parliament. To me this is scandalous and unacceptable.          

In their defence Members of parliament invoke Article 105 of the Constitution, and the widely criticized  majority  judgment  of  (3 against 2) on in Narsimma Rao case (1999) (I believe the matter is referred to a larger bench).

The minority Judgment however warned that this interpretation could lead to charter for corruption so as to elevate Members of Parliament as “super-citizens, immune from criminal responsibility”. It would indeed be ironic if a claim for immunity from prosecution founded on the need to ensure the independence of Members of parliament in exercising their right to speak or cast their vote in Parliament, could be put forward by a Member who has bartered  away  his independence by agreeing to speak or vote in a particular manner in lieu of illegal gratification that has been paid or promised. By claiming the immunity such a Member would only be seeking a licence to indulge in such corrupt conduct. In other countries such a conduct of MPs is treated as criminal, since 1875 in Australia.  

To invoke Article 253 of the constitution for enacting Lok Ayukat is of doubtful legality and imperishable in our federal set up. Surely no state can resist the public sentiment built for Lok Ayukat.                

The matter of Lokpal is too important and needs to be discussed more seriously and not under pressure of forth coming elections in Punjab and especially of U.P. Also the panicky reaction of Central government to Anna Hazare threat of fast compounded by the opposition wanting to cash on it when they went to Anna Hazare sit in to cooze upto him. Their puerile excuse that they wanted to explain their point of view is unacceptable Political Parties hold their own meetings to explain their position to the public. We go to Jantar Mantar to show our solidarity with the victims of forced  displacement,  and  the  illegal  actions  of   the   government  on  the deprived poor.  The parties do not go to the sit in of a person they are now wanting to deride and ridicule. Of course I agree that Anna Hazare has full rights to muster support and arouse masses and exercise his democratic rights – and to put pressure on the government and even the parliament, to pass a particular law because the ultimate sovereign are the people. But there is a caveat that this discussion requires a calmer atmosphere. Could the parties unanimously agree to adjourn the discussions to be after the pressure of U.P. Elections is over with a pledge to pass the legislation as first item when it begins the next session. 

As a measure of his genuine concern for strong Lokpal Anna Hazare, on his part, one hopes would reciprocate by not going on fast. He can rest assured that peoples determination to have a strong Lokpal is not so weak, as to let government avoid its solemn pledge to pass the bill in the next session of the parliament – if the government further prevaricates it most know that consequences could be monumental and no government can remain in permanent confrontation with its real masters, the people of India.    

                                                                                    

DATED: 28/12/2011

New Delhi.

First National Convention Socialist Yuvjan Sabha

 

Socialist Yuvjan Sabha (SYS) held its first National Convention on 18^th December 2011, Sunday, at Sardar Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sane Guruji Smarak, Pune. SYS is a national youth front of Socialist Party (India).It was announced on 21^st Aug.2011 at the meeting of national executive council of SPI. Founder National Chief of Arogya Sena Dr.Abhijit Vaidya, a cardiologist by profession, was entrusted the responsibility to lead SYS. A national executive council of four members Dr.Neeraj, Prof. Niranjan Mahato, Dr.Hemlata and George Jacob was also announced in the same meeting. After this Dr. Vaidya visited Bihar, UP, J & K and was also in touch with members of the national and state councils of SPI from 12 states. Within few months of foundation ad hoc committees of Delhi, Bihar and Maharashtra states along with Pune – PCMC city units were established. To expedite the process national president of SPI respected Bhai Vaidya suggested that SYS should hold a national convention. And thus this convention was held at Pune.

This national convention was attended by around 300 Socialist Youth from 9 states viz. Maharashtra , Delhi , Bihar , Kerala , Gujarat , UP , Karnataka , West Bengal and  Jammu . Within Maharashtra State youths had come from around 9 districts. The convention venue was named after Sardar Shahid Bhagatsing. The convention started with powada sung by Shahir Chitre supported by dholaki by TV star Ms Kshirsagar  and ‘Yuva Geet’ sung by famous TV star Jasraj and colleagues. Dr.Nitin Ketkar, chairman of the reception committee, welcomed and thanked all and elaborated the purpose of the convention. After this, publication of ‘Appeal to Youths’ written by Dr.Abhijit Vaidya in 3 languages Hindi, Marathi and English was done at the hands of Dr.Premsing , General Secretary , SPI and Jayantibhai Panchal, Treasurer, SPI . After this Rashmi Vaidya, vice president, Pune SYS read messages sent by SPI national president Bhai Vaidyaji and parliamentary board chairman Pannalalji Surana. Prof. Neeranjan Mahato and George Jacob expressed their thoughts regarding strengthening of SYS.  

In his address Jayantibhai Panchal said, “Socialist Party is the need of time and youth wing is the need of the party. SYS deserves hearty congratulations for holding such a successful gathering of dynamic youths within 4 months of its foundation. This convention will convey the message to our country that young socialists are ready to take up the challenges posed by globalization, capitalism and fundamentalism.”

Dr. Premsing in his address as the chief guest said, “India has a large population of youths. This youth power lacks definite political direction and SYS can fill this vacuum. SYS will have to study the past of the socialist movement in India but find new avenues for spreading socialism and must involve women power. Socialists in India leaded various people’s movements, thousands of socialists were in the jail during freedom struggle and as well as many post freedom struggles. Younger generation of socialists must maintain this tradition of going to jails for the people of India. Youths of SYS also should conduct extensive study camps on various issues.”

Dr.Abhijit Vaidya in his presidential address said, “Future leadership of SPI and also our country will emerge from SYS. Indian socialism has a very glorious tradition but unfortunately this tradition was pushed to oblivion for few decades. SPI has revived this tradition and entrusted the responsibility to SYS of carrying it in the future. For this we must connect ourselves with ideology of Gandhi and Ambedkar along with science.  Our country is facing challenges of globalization, privatization, consumerism, cast system, fundamentalism, rising poverty, collapse of public welfare, industrialization of education, atrocities against women and backward, corruption. Farmers are committing suicides. We require Mahatma Phule’s Farmer’s Whip even today. Privatization of education has created 21^st century cast system which is an indirect effort to nullify Dr Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste. Privatization of health has encouraged five star medical tourism. IT sector and BPO’s has created 21^st century slavery. On the other side unemployment is rising since banks have no funds for self employed youths though they have enough money for people like Vijay Mallya who declares bankruptcy in King Fisher airlines on one side and continues his liquor empire on the other side.  Young generation of farmers wants to quit farming. To change all this we need to have a political revolution best on socialism. Present political system has crushed dreams of today’s youth about Balashali Bharat. We need to change this political system to achieve our dreams and for this youths must join politics. Many forces are cultivating hatred against politics in the minds of young generation. But politics is never dirty it becomes dirty because of dirty people entering in to it. SYS will try its best to change this trend. Jasmine revolution started in Tunisia against dictatorial regime, is responsible for Arab Spring across  the Arab World and Occupy Wall Street movement started against capitalistic economy across the world are a kind of non violent revolutions spearheaded by mainly youth. The language used by these youths is nothing but language of democratic socialism. The main inspiration for OWC movement came from economist Josef Stiglitz’ article ‘Of the 1%, for the 1% and by the 1%’ But any political revolution without proper leadership and without political ideology will eventually lead to anarchy. Here we all must study Dr Ambedkar’s famous speech Grammer of Anarchy. There is always a danger of fundamental elements taking advantage of this kind of political turmoil like Muslim Brotherhood has taken in Egypt.  Some forces in our country are trying to push our country also in the same direction in the pretext of anti corruption sentiments.  Corrupt Congress has to go but this should not make way for BJP like parties. Socialist Party only can give third alternative in this situation. ”

Post lunch session started with Kranti ke Geet, Samuh geetgan conducted by Rashtra Seva Dal sainik Baba Nadaf. In the afternoon SYS published 10 point youth manifesto in three languages which was read by Rashmi Vaidya. The points covered in the manifesto are:

1. Oppose globalization, environmental destruction, support sustainable development 2.Free, equal and quality education for all and oppose foreign universities 3.Unemployement

4. Support farmers, unorganized laborers, encourage young farmers, abolish child labor

5. Secularism

6. Abolition of castes, encourage inter caste marriages  

7. Eradication of corruption, oath not to take and give bribe

8. Women equality, dignity and empowerment

9. Non violence

10. Constructive work

 Representative and guests from various states expressed their views on this manifesto. Amongst the prominent speakers who spoke were George Jacob (Kerala), Prof. Mahato (Delhi), Ashwin Kumar (Delhi), Tarun Bannerji (W.Bengal), Pradeep (Kerala), Dinesh Pawar (Karnataka), Ranjit Mandl (Bihar), Ranjeet Thakare and Manoj Mane (Maharashtra). All the members decided to take up the responsibility of establishing SYS in their own states.

Prof Pramod Dalvi, General Secretary, SYS Maharashtra conducted compeering. Other dignitaries present on the dais were Sacchidanand Sing, member national executive, SPI; Varsha Gupte, Secretary, Maharashtra, SPI, Adv Sudhir Nirpharake, president, Pune SPI. The programme was concluded with the national anthem.

A team of around 50 volunteers, to name a few Mundada, Ajgaonkar, Benuskar, Katti, Sonavane, Bahirat, Runwal, Bhandari, Hagavane, Nihar etc of SYS, worked relentlessly for a month to make this convention a grand success.               

  

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF SYS

Respected Chairperson and Sathi,

              

 As you all are aware that formation of Socialist Yuvjan Sabha (SYS) as a  youth front of Socialist Party (India), was announced at a meeting of National Council of SPI which was held at New Delhi on 21^st August 2011. I was entrusted the responsibility to lead SYS. Neeraj Singh,Niranjan Mahato, Dr. Hemlata and George Jecob were declared as the members of the national executive of SYS. SYS started it’s functioning immediately

1.     Letter to the national council of SPI-                                                                           

     I wrote a personal letter to all the members of the national council of SPI on 5^th Sept.11 to  send me names of at least 5 youths from their states whom I can inclued in the national  council of SYS or can entrust the responsibility of establishing state units. I have received  positive responses from Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, W.Bengal, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. I appeal to all the members to send me the names at the earliest. 

2.     SYS Committee for Delhi state- 

  

A 11 member ad hoc committee of SYS for Delhi state was formed on 18^th Sept. 2011 in a meeting of SPI workers at Delhi. Dr. Sandeep Yadav is theincharge, Shashank Bhardwaj and Ajay Kumar are nominated conveners and Jayant Kashap, Sumit Saurav, Sachchidanand Singh, Anup Tiwari, Yashwant, Rajeev Kumar, Amit Kumar, Dr.Kunal and Nikhil Pandey are the members.

    3.   Free Heart check up camps in slums on the eve of World Heart Day-

 

·        25^th Sept. 2011 Ghorpade Peth slum, Pune

·        2^nd Oct. 2011 Lohiyanagar slum, Pune

Both the camps were mainly organized in collaboration with Arogya Sena and Sahriday, a public forum for prevention of heart diseases, both the organizations are headed by Dr.Vaidya. In both the camps a team of 5 doctors guided by Dr.Vaidya examined around 400 patients, 300 ECG’s and 350 blood sugar levels were done.

All the heart, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetic patients were given medicines worth Rs. One lac. All this was done totally free. Patients who required further investigations like ECHO, TMT, Coronary Angiography or further treatments like Angioplasty or  heart surgeries were extended substantial financial assistance. Around 60 volunteers of SYS, Arogya Sena, Sahriday made both the camps a great success. Both the camps were attended by office bearers of SPI-Maharashtra and Pune.

4.     Organising Satyagriha andolan between 2^nd Oct. to 12^th Oct. 2011-

·        7^th Oct. 2011 at S.M.Joshi Statue, Pune

·        9^th Oct. 2011 at Senapati Bapat State, Pune

Both the Satyagriha dharna’s were lead by Dr.Abhijit Vaidya and were attended by Pune based Maharashtra Party and Pune city party officebearers along with Arogya Sena members.

5.     SYS’s protests against Shivsena and Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena-

SYS made a strong protest against Bal Thackrey’s inflammatory speeches against non-maharashtrians and Raj Thakare’s violent agitation against Bihari and Utter Pradeshi auto-rickshaw drivers in Mumbai in Oct.2011.

     6.  SYS extends help to SPI’s Maharashtra state council meet-

          SYS, Pune extended all its co-operation to SPI Pune unit to organize SPI’s

          Maharashtra State council’s meeting on 27^th Sept. 2011 at Pune.

7.     SYS Bihar State meeting, Patna-

Arogya Sena had a Bihar state conference on 16^th Oct.2011 at Patna. This conference was chaired by Dr.Vaidya and was attended by many veteran socialists and around 250 volunteers. The main co-ordinators were Indiraraman Upadhyay, Sachidanand Sing and Adv.Ranjit Mandal.                                 In the second half of the conference a meeting of SYS was held. A large number of youths of Arogya Sena have also decided to work for SYS.A state committee will be formed soon. 

    8.  SYS Pune – Pimpari Chinchwad

A meeting of SYS workers was held on 22^nd Oct. 2011 at Pune. It was chaired by Dr.Vaidya. A 10 member committee for Pune and Pimpari-Chinchawad was formed. Manoj Mane was elected as President, Amar Pol as Gen.Secretary, Ms.Shradha Bahirat as secretary and Dr.Nitin Nalawade, Balasahed Lashkare, Ganesh Babar, Ms.Varsha Jambhale, Ms.Pooja Bahirat, Darshan Gadiya and Rajesh Vaidya are the members.

First meeting of the newly formed committee was held on 2 nd Nov 2011 and was chaired by Dr Vaidya. Pune – PCMC unit has decided following action programme:

 

A.    Miserable state of hostels and canteens in the colleges and hostels for backward students.

B.     Frequent changes of Pune Uiversity’s Vice Chancellor

C.     Quality control  on paper checking

D.    Quality control on teaching

E.     Anti ragging commando squad of SYS

F.     Ant privatization of education drive

G.    Yearly elocution competition for under graduate college students and trophy in the name of Dr Ra                                                                                                                                                                                 

      9. SYS-Uttar Pradesh

           Arogya Sena is inaugurating a Uttar Pradesh state branch on 6^th Nov.2011 at    

 the  hands of Dr. Vaidya at Lucknow. Around  60 youths from UP will            undergo   Arogya Sena’s crash course. After this all these members will hold a meeting   for formation of SYS-UP unit and will participate into SPI’s state conference. 

    10. SYS – Kashmir

         Arogya Sena is holding Kashmir unit’s meeting on 12^th Nov.2011 at Srinagar

          and a free health camp at Bandipora, Kupwar district on 13^th Nov.2011.

Dr.Vaidya is visiting Srinagar along with 2 central committee members.

Arogya Sena has around 100 highly qualified volunteers in Kashmir valley. Many of  these volunteers have expressed their interest in SYS. Dr.Vaidya will assess the possibility of establishing SYS-Kashmir in his visit.

  11. SYS National Conference –

 SYS has decided to hold a national conference on 18^th Dec. 2011, Sunday at Pune. The conference will be held at Sane Guruji Smarak, Rashtra Seva Dal.

I appeal to all the Sathi’s to motivate maximum number of youths eager to work with SYS, to come to Pune on 18^th Dec. 2011. A 10 member reception          committee has been formed. Dr.Nitin Ketkar is the chairman of this committee.  More details about the national conference will be personally communicated by  me on 6^th Nov. 2011.

       

            Dr Abhijit Vaidya, 

            MD, IPT-Cardiology

            National President, SYS