Top Left leader says Modi successful in "hoodwinking" people: Land rights meet seeks to minimise PM influence

By Our Representative
A senior CPI-M leader, in Ahmedabad to attend the three-day national convention on land rights, has admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been “successful” in hoodwinking Indian people, adding, “A propaganda master, people still remain under his strong influence.”
Speaking on the closing ceremony of the convention, organized by top Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar and her supporters under the banner of Bhumi Adhikar Andolan (BAA), Hanan Mollah, CPI-M's politburo member and eight-times member of Parliament, asked about 500-odd social and political activists from 15 states to “intensify” the land rights struggle in states.
An all-India apex body of radical farmers' organizations, BAA, said Mollah, was formed to oppose the Modi government's effort to scuttle the Land Acquisition Act (LAA), 2013, especially by dropping the provisions of consent and social impact impact assessment.
While land rights organizations consider LAA, 2013, passed by the previous UPA government, as a “gain” for those attached with land for livelihood, top corporates identify it as a major impediment for quick expansion of industry in India.
“BAA has been successful in ensuring that the amendments, which were thrice promulgated through an ordinance, are dropped. But Modi has now adopted a new tactic: Of not implementing LAA, 2013, even as asking states to promulgate their own laws to undermine it”, Mollah said.
The convention ended after deciding on a six-month action plan on land rights. It would include forming state-level BAA teams, programmes to gherao state assemblies seeking implementation of LAA, 2013, linking the struggle for land rights with workers' struggle and struggle to implement the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The programmes planned include representation to the President of India on August 10, two days before Parliament's monsoon session ends, seeking his intervention for implementing LAA, 2013, taking out inter-state padyatra starting from four states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana and Assam – in order to “educate” people about land rights, and observing forest rights day on December 15 across India.
The convention saw participation of two political parties, CPI-M and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While there was a huge talk of forging a unity on land rights, especially around LAA, 2013, promulgated by UPA, the Congress was kept out of the convention. No reason was given.
A six-page resolution (click HERE) passed at the convention called upon delegates to propagate the need to reject the “GDP-based growth model”, as adopted in Gujarat, insisting on stopping forced land acquisition for industrial corridors, smart cities, special economic and manufacturing zones, as also for building dams which lead to displacement of large sections.
Insisting on the need to “empower” local self-government institutions by implementing forest rights Act and Panchayats Extension of Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, which require tribal gram sabha consent for land acquisition, the resolution wanted the government to come up with a clear land use policy to “protect” farmland from being diverted to non-agricultural use.
Ashok Shrimali, general secretary, Mines, Minerals and People (MM&P), one of the chief organizers of the convention, said, “For the first time, the land rights movement recognized the need to take under its fold mining activity. The resolution wants governments to declare no-go areas, such as dense forests and climate sensitive regions.”

Comments

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Clive Lloyd legacy reminds us of the golden era that reshaped cricket

By Harsh Thakor* As August 31 marked the 80th birthday of cricketing icon Clive Lloyd, it also heralds the impending 50th anniversary of his ascension to the captaincy of the West Indies team. Under his leadership, a collection of extraordinary talents coalesced to create one of the most formidable teams in cricket history. The roots of West Indian cricket dominance trace back to a colonial past.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

RG Kar saga: Towards liberation from the constraints of rigid political parties?

By Atanu Roy* There's a saying: "There is no such thing as a half-pregnancy." This adage seems particularly relevant when discussing the current regime of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party appears to be entrenched in widespread corruption that affects nearly every aspect of our lives. One must wonder, why would they exclude the health sector—a lucrative area where illicit money can flow freely, thanks to a network of corrupt leaders colluding with ambitious bureaucrats?

Narmada valley again facing flood disaster, exacerbated by Sardar Sarovar dam 'mismanagement'

By Our Representative The environmental advocacy group South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) has issued a warning , supported by detailed diagrams, that the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is at risk of causing flash floods in the Narmada Valley this year, similar to incidents that occurred last year.

Damaging signal sent to various levels of judiciary? Modi at religious function at CJI's residence

Counterview Desk The civil rights group, National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), has expressed its "grave concern" over the Prime Minister’s recent presence at a religious event at the Chief Justice of India's residence, underlining, "Independence of Judiciary from Executive must be ensured in all circumstances".

Unwavering source of ideological inspiration in politics, life: Personal tribute to Yechury

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak Sitaram Yechury was everyone's comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defines his everyday life as a committed communist.

Trailblazer in literary innovation, critic of Indian mythology, including Ramayana

By Harsh Thakor* Ranganayakamma, commonly known as RN, stands out as a transformative figure in promoting Marxist thought, democratic ideals, and anti-caste principles through her remarkably clear and engaging writing style. A trailblazer in literary innovation, her works span a broad array of topics, from critiques of Indian mythology and revivalism to discussions on civil liberties, the Indian Communist Movement, and Maoism in China.

'Void in Leftist landscape': Loss of Sitaram Yechury who had helped form INDIA bloc

By Vikas Meshram* The passing of Sitaram Yechury has cast a profound stillness over leftist organizations across India. Renowned as a distinguished politician, columnist, economist, and social activist, Yechury was a staunch advocate for student rights and movements. His leadership skills became apparent early in his academic career, as he was elected three times as the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury also endured imprisonment during the Emergency period, underscoring his commitment to political activism.

Search This Blog