Lok Sangharsh Morcha Contesting election in Gujarat Assembly

[ambarish rai]

lokLok Sangharsh Morcha Decided to Contest Gujarat Assembly Elections

LSM needs support form progressive section empowering the people’s movement

 

Dear Friends,

 

As you know that the election of Gujarat Assembly has been declared by election commission, which is scheduled to be held between 11^thto 16^th December, 07. Gujarat has witnessed an autocratic, fascist and communal rule during last one decade. Even, the opposition has failed in fulfilling its responsibility to give voice to the democratic rights and people’s aspirations in the state. Congress too, as an opposition party has played its passive role. Obviously, there was no one to oppose the heinous crimes done by Narendra Modi in his regime. The people of Gujarat have been squeezed in between Congress and BJP, since long. Gujarat needs a genuine opposition, new political dimension and pro-people policies for development.

It is ridiculous that while the indicators are showing high developmental index under the slogan of so-called vibrant Gujarat, the fact is that 16% tribals of total population along with Dalit and Minorities are being marginalized in developmental discourses. According to ground reality more than 30% Gujarati people are compelled to live below poverty line. Unemployment and illiteracy are increasing rapidly. The funds under NREGA are returning back to the centre from most of the districts and maximum Schools are running without students and teachers. In the name of development, Corporate are receiving all the facilities from the Government grabbing Natural resources and fertile lands of farmers under SEZ. In fact, the democratic life of Gujarat has been almost destroyed and corruption is prevailing in the system through the bureaucracy. Democratic rights, social harmony, people’s oriented development and the obligation of the State regarding the compliances of Constitutional rights are left out. Minorities are bound to live under threat since long, while fake encounters have become a permanent phenomenon in the state. Gujarat police has been exposed in this regard. With the help of the State, the fundamentalist forces are continuously demolishing the peace and secular credentials in a fascist manner. The dissent opinion and cultural expression reflecting diversity are also under attack. The tribal and other oppressed sections are forcibly barred from the rights to organize themselves and express their views. The Poor are paying the price of ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ by loosing their land and forest. The situation has become worse where millions of displaced are still awaiting for their past rehabilitation packages from the State while the Government of Gujarat is planning to displace another millions of tribal and peasants by the proposed “SEZ”. But, the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi is now creating only illusions among the tribals by false announcements and promises at the time of election.

 

Despite of repression, LSM is fighting for People’s Right & Democracy

       As you know friends, Lok Sangharsh Morcha is working since long in south Gujarat mobilizing tribals to get their rights. About 90% tribal are residing in the rural area and maximum of them are displaced due to so-called developmental projects. Ukai dam project is one of them due to which approximately one lakh fifty thousand families of 172 villages are displaced and still awaiting for their rehabilitation. The core issues of tribals is to get justiciable rehabilitation, rights over forest land, employment, educational facilities and a democratic environment to live fearlessly. Heavy migration of lakhs of youths for employment every year and deaths due to malnutrition are also the basic issues of the region. State is abdicating from its responsibility to provide basic needs and protect people’s right to organize them. While working to organize and mobilize tribals in the area Lok Sangharsh Morcha had to face several assaults by the state government. Illegal detention of tribal leader Suman Vasawa under PASA for 50 days, arrest of 5 thousand people while celebrating Shahid Bhagat singh’s birth anniversary at Dediapada, externment notice issued by Narmada Collecter to LSM leader Bhiku Bhai Tadvi from 4 districts - Narmada, Surat , Bharuch and Vadodara are nothing but vain attempts to crush our movement and create terror among our ranks. More than 200 acre crops of Villagers belonging to LSM villages of Umarpada taluka has been destroyed by forest officials and police aimed to dispossess the villagers from their lands indulging 58 cadres of LSM into false cases. As a result of our struggle, the newly enacted “Forest Law, 2006” has created a new enthusiasm and hope among tribals, to get legal validity over their unrecognized land existing in their possession till 13, December, 2005. But unfortunately, the forest officials and local police are forcibly evicting them from their possessed land. But, the tribals of South Gujarat have been continuously fighting against authoritarianism and for their rights without fear. At least 10 thousand tribals demonstrated at parliament twice. Tribal march at District headquarters and campaigning at grassroot level have been also observed. 30 thousand letters sending to the Prime minister for the enactment of forest act, public meetings, Dharna and convention at Gandhinagar for restoring democracy in Gujarat, march of 20 thousand tribals at Surat against Umarpada incident were the few important activities among the series of programmes which LSM has convened under its own banner in the recent years. Politicization, generating awareness among masses and spreading democratic and secular values in the working area are also the core activities LSM is devoted for. LSM has played an important and active role in uprising the tribals and other poor and oppressed sections of the society, for their Democratic Rights. On 17^th and 18^th of March-2007, LSM held a National Convention in South Gujarat; in which almost 45,000 tribals and eminent Leftists, Socialist and True Gandhians had addressed the people; and supported LSM.

Dear friends, the struggle to come out of the pathetic situation prevailing in Gujarat, regarding democratic rights, social harmony, pro-people development and the compliance of the constitutional obligations of the State has a long way to go. The tribal and other oppressed sections are forcibly barred from the rights to organizing themselves and expressing their views. It is also true that the struggle against all these discriminations is going on. But, we want to reiterate that the struggle is not for Jal-Jangal-Jameen only nor it is a struggle of tribals only but it is the issue of keeping the sovereignty and dignity of the country unified. It is the struggle to establish the rule of the working class over the country. It is the struggle to bring the tribes in the mainstream of social development as well as giving their due shares in the politics of the country.

Certainly, in the forthcoming elections in Gujarat LSM has to play a strong role asserting tribal issues and tribal tights. LSM will join hands with secular forces and organizations and groups of similar ideology. LSM is also joining hands with the other poor, deprived, and exploited communities who have lost their rights over natural resources gradually as an impact of Globalization. LSM condemns the role of the state as the agents of Imperialistic forces. LSM is interested and dedicated for building a united front of Marxists, Socialists, Radical Ambedkarites and True Gandhians, so that Indian society could be transformed. Today, the necessity of a strong political alternative is being felt within Gujarat which can represent the aspirations of the common people. If 16% tribals, 9% muslims and 7% dalits residing in the state come together on a platform, there would be no doubt in the defeat of Modi Government. Lok sangharsh Morcha has taken a bold initiative against the khaki brigade of Modi and we would make an effort to unite the workers, peasants, tribals, muslims and dalits to take the campaign forward and to make a radical political alternative.

Kindly Support for the election campaign

 

            At this crucial juncture, we want to appeal for your valuable participation in the political struggle and to join hands with LSM in the coming election with a strong will to defeat the Modi Government. LSM has decided to contest 7 seats:-

1, Nizher 2. Songarh 3. Dediapada 4. Mangrole and others are to be finalized. We also appeal to make financial help and contribution to the organization for the cause. We need some activist, cultural team and political organizers, in kind as vehicle, printing material, banners too, who can make election campaign effective.

Pl. send your contribution on;

 

Adress:-  Masubhai Vasawa ,

Office Secretary,

Lok  Sangharsh Morcha,

At Post & Taluka- Sagbara,

Dist. Narmada, Gujarat

Pl. Send Cheques on:-

Lok Samanway Pratishthan

Account No. 10287, Bank of Baroda

(lok samanway pratisthan is registered under trust & society act )

 Major issues for campaign-

                                   

1.      Defeat autocratic, fascist and communal rule of Gujarat,

    Ensure the victory of democratic, secular forces and the forces of people’s movement.

2.      Build a genuine opposition  in  Gujarat fighting for common masses,

     Fight for new economic path  free from neo-liberalism.

3.      Oppose eviction, Displacement and anti people development.  

4. Fight for implementation of Forest Act, 2006 and declaration of rules immediately.
5. To stop land-grabbing from the tribals and farmers in the name of making SEZ.
6. For spending 16% of state budget in the development of tribals and to stop the expenditure of the sanctioned amount in other area.
7. To stop police atrocity on tribals and to nullify the controversial Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005.

8.      Stop harassing Adivasis by demanding new Caste Certificate every year. Give them Caste Certificate that will be useful at least for 25 years.

9. Provide quality education in Adivasi areas through Common School System.
10. Implement the Adivasi (Tribal) Self-Rule in meaningful and effective ways.
11. Give land titles to forest land tillers and also to those who have been tilling fallow lands for many years.
12. Create special schemes that will provide jobs to Adivasis in their own areas.
13. Make special laws that will protect the interests of unorganized workers like   sugar cane cutters, salt workers, construction workers and stone quarry workers.

 

 

 

 

With Regards,

 

Ambarish Rai,                          Pratibha Shinde

    President,                                        Secretary

 

                Lok Sangharsh Morcha

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