08 OPINION
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 20 NOVEMBER 2018
Ebbing of Maoist ascendancy
THE TRIBUNE established in 1881
The turnout is a warning to fascist movements that they don’t reflect popular will
Act of terror in Amritsar
Policing failure costs innocent lives
T
HE attack on the Nirankari Bhawan in Adliwala village, near AJAI SAHNI
Amritsar, has cost three innocent lives. It has again highlighted EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR
the failure of the police in the state and at the Centre to gather CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
and provide actionable intelligence. Memory of the decade of terrorism
I
and attacks on religious places is fresh in Punjab, and recent incidents RRESPECTIVE of who wins the
prove, if any proof was needed, that vigilance must be eternal. current elections in Chhattis-
The unguarded target, a Sunday congregation, was attacked by garh, the Maoists have already
two motorcycle riders, who apparently threw a grenade and escaped lost, particularly in Bastar divi-
after that. This is the fact that is known. Beyond that, all is conjec- sion, one of their last strongholds. In a
ture, although inevitably the ISI, Khalistani, extremist hands, are resounding vote for democracy, and
all being noticed ex post facto. The task before the administration an explicit and courageous rejection
is to calm the nerves of the people and to apprehend the perpetra- of the CPI-Maoist’s call for a boycott
of what they described as a farzi elec-
tors of the attack, and improve security at other public places that
tion process, the voter turnout in eight
could be targeted. Capt Amarinder Singh and the administrative
top brass have taken the preliminary steps.
districts across 18 Assembly seats
averaged as much as 76.28 per cent.
Even as Punjab has largely been at peace, there has been a series of Crucially, the first phase of elections
intermittent incidents over the past couple of years. As everyone in Chhattisgarh was intended to
knows, peace is always fragile in the state. A section of politicians, how- address some of the country’s worst
ever, seem to have forgotten this hard lesson of the past decades. left wing extremist (LWE) affected
Opportunistic and inflammatory statements feed chaos. The police will districts. Bastar has long been domi-
take the time to find out more. Kite-flying with comments about who nated by Maoist activities and has
could have done this dastardly deed will further muddy the waters and been the principal haven for its lead-
vitiate the atmosphere in the state. It is time for the state police to rise ership since the progressive loss of
to the occasion. The Punjab Police is riven with rift at the top. This areas of dominance in the Telangana
would have had implications on its intelligence parsing abilities. The region of then Andhra Pradesh
through the early 2000s.
intelligence failure should not be compounded by a failure in policing
Since the last Assembly elections in
and the investigation. The people of Punjab have lived in communal
2013, Bastar has accounted for 929
harmony even in the face of terrorist threats. They deserve to live with- LWE-linked fatalities — 98.41 per cent
out the shadow of terrorism constantly staining their lives. recorded in Chhattisgarh, and 43.95
per cent of the 2,114 fatalities record-
ed across the country in this period
(South Asia Terrorism Portal data, till
Scramble for reservation November 12, 2018).
Significantly, of the 18 Assembly con-
stituencies in Bastar, nine registered a
Limits to tackling aspirations by promises voter turnout of over 80 per cent (Don-
I
gargaon constituency with 85.15 per
N what appears to be the rerun of an old movie, the BJP govern- cent, recorded the highest polling). Just
ment in Maharashtra is enacting a charade that was unsuccess- three constituencies recorded a vote of
fully played out by its Congress-NCP predecessor exactly a less than 74 per cent. These, significant-
decade back. As is the case now, in 2008 a committee declared the ly, are the worst affected by Maoist vio-
Marathas to be a socially and educationally backward community lence. Of them, Bijapur constituency
and just before the last Assembly polls, the state government decid- recorded the lowest turnout, at 47.35 per
ed to allocate 16 per cent reservation for Marathas in education and cent, and has seen 244 Maoist-linked
employment. This was to be over and above the reservation under fatalities since 2013 and has already
the Mandal Commission quota. There have been similar attempts to recorded 57 killed this year (till Novem-
placate the dominant agriculturist castes in Haryana and Rajasthan ber 12). Similarly, Sukma district,
(Jats), Andhra (Kapus) and Gujarat (Patels). which recorded 321 fatalities since 2013,
and has already counted 67 killed this
In each of these cases, there are commonalities as well as differ-
ences. All four are warrior-agriculturist castes caught in a complex
vortex of aspirations and resentment. On the one hand, they feel
Time once, now pollution reading
bypassed by the post-globalisation boom in the services and knowl-
edge-based sectors. On the other, they face declining returns from
agriculture and fear the rise of the other backward castes after the
Mandal reservations came into effect. But in political ascendency,
Marathas and Jats also share the distress of being edged out from Rajiv Sharma
their previous stranglehold over the state’s political leadership. This
recent deprivation of power has provoked a series of violent out-
bursts over small symbolic issues by the frustrated Maratha youth.
The Devendra Fadnavis government will cite an extraordinary
and exceptional situation to convince the courts to permit a breach
O NCE 2.5 PM and 10 PM were
times on a clock, now they
have become a measure of
deadly particulate matter of smoke
and dust we inhale to challenge
in the 50 per cent ceiling for reservation. That will only open the
organs meant for a gust of fresh air.
floodgates for the socially dominant castes in other states to clamour
Things were never so bad. There are
for the same, thus upending the entire reservation arrangement,
thick clouds of smoke all around and
which is neither an employment generation scheme nor a poverty everyone appears to be clueless.
alleviation programme. And even if it was approved, the benefits will Authorities are in a fix. Judiciary does-
accrue to a microscopic section of the caste in question. These inter- n’t know how to get its umpteen rul-
mediate castes are deluding themselves by reposing faith in reserva- ings executed by an indolent adminis-
tion to extricate them from poor returns from agriculture, lack of tration. Leaders are wary of losing their
quality education and the absence of decent, formal jobs. precious vote-banks. Farmers are citing
the ‘cost factor’ to get rid of the stubble.
We are forced to breathe in carcino-
❝ ❞
thought for the day
If you can find ways without obstacles, it probably Panth at the crossroads
leads to nowhere. — Che Guevara The murder of two devotees at Kotka-
pura and Bargari, protesting peaceful-
ly against desecration is reminiscent
of the massacre of devotees at
on this day...100 years ago Nankana Sahib in the early 20th cen-
tury, an incident which has been
canonised in Sikh prayer. Gone are
the days of panthic leaders like Baba
Kharak Singh, Giani Gurmukh Singh
Musaffir, Giani Kartar Singh and Mas-
lahore,wednesday, november 20, 1918
ter Tara Singh, who were devoted to
the panth, which is now passing
Are Indian Merchants to Blame? through a phase of decadence. Situa-
UNFORTUNATELY the Englishman’s correspondent, in suggesting a boycott of tions, formerly inconceivable, are
enemy goods, brings an unjustifiable charge against Indian merchants who coming up daily. The rulers of yester-
purchase cheap goods, no matter what their origin may be. It is not the fault of day are being questioned by the rulers
Indian merchants if they go in for such goods as are in popular demand, and the of today. That is the ubiquitious sce-
real difficulty is the intense poverty of the masses and their inability to patronise nario in the India of today.
superior goods at higher prices. It is for the manufacturing and exporting TAJINDAR SINGH, JALANDHAR
countries to study the tastes of the people and supply such materials as are
within the purchasing power of the people. The one thing that the correspondent
forgets about India is that her people are not at present to be compared Look for real reason
economically with those of Canada and Australia, though their claim for political There are many possibilities with
equality with the latter is perfectly justifiable. India must be given freedom to regard to the attack on Nirankari con-
solve her economic problems in the same way as the Dominions have been. gregation. It may be an independent
action of some Khalistani sleeper cell
Boycott of German Goods. activated by some foreign, non-Pak-
The Englishman supports a suggestion made by a correspondent that for the istan, extremist elements. Or given
next five years the citizens of India should enter into a compact not to buy enemy the upper hand of our armed forces in
goods. He says that Great Britain, the Dominions and the Allies can provide J&K, the ISI in collaboration with
everything necessary for India. The problem is not an easy one, and it is too early Khalistani rebels is trying to open a
yet to say what the future trade policy of the Empire will be. Mr. Lloyd George has second front in Punjab. It could also
declared that there is to be no trade war and one of Mr. Wilson’s 14 conditions has be because of polarisation and dirty
made that clear enough. It will, we believe, be possible to encourage a policy of politics. Given the fact that Lok Sabha
Imperial preference as far as it suits the economic conditions of each unit of the elections are round the corner, just
Empire. In case of India the question deserves careful consideration from the
standpoint of people whose requirements are different in many matters. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
A PALE SHADOW: Violent formations are quickly de-legitimised by defeat and the
Maoists, having taken a beating, have lost their capacity for disruption in most areas.
Once guns enter the equation, claims to popular support (on
both sides) are unverifiable. People simply go along with the side
that threatens greater violence or offers the greatest protection.
year, saw its Konta constituency regis-
ter an astonishing 55.3 per cent voter
turnout — higher than what would be
the average for most urban constituen-
cies in peaceful states.
As in the past, the Maoists had called
for a boycott and violent incidents,
intended to intimidate the population
and to disrupt security arrangements
for the electoral exercise, continued
through the 38 days from the
announcement of the schedule on
October 6 and the vote on November
12. At least seven civilians and nine
SF personnel were killed in 15 lethal
attacks during this period. Signifi-
cantly, at least 14 Maoists were killed
in operations during this time.
It is clear that the Maoists have lost
credibility and that democracy, with all
its imperfections, is more in line with
the aspirations of the people in regions
where rebels have long claimed to rep-
resent popular will — a myth that has
won great favour with elements within
the intellectual classes and even
among the ‘strategic community’ in
this country. Indeed, even during the
last Assembly elections in 2013, when
the Maoists had threatened to cut off
fingers if people voted, the turnout in
Bastar was a high 75.93 per cent.
genic air until everyone behind the
smog screen is able to reach a consen-
sus and give oxygen a fair chance to
flow in our lungs once again. Until
then, our health is at the mercy of poi-
sonous fumes being generated in mon-
strous proportions day in and day out.
We don’t spare a thought when dry
leaves are burnt in a park, asphyxi-
ating hapless morning walkers. Fre-
quent forest fires don’t shock us
anymore. Heritage buildings are
gutted. No festive occasion is com-
plete without crackers. Nothing
scares us. The depleting ozone layer,
coughing kids, itchy eyes, panting
elderly, increasing carbon footprint
— nothing stirs our soul.
letters to the editor
like the allegations in the earlier Maur
blast case in Punjab, this attack may
have local political affiliation. As
regards insurgency, it can’t thrive
without the support of a larger local
populace. People of Punjab have, long
ago, parted ways from extremists.
JASHANDEEP S KANG, CHANDIGARH
Full autonomy for CBI
Apropos the editorial ‘AP, Bengal bar
on CBI’ (Nov 19), it is disturbing that
the CBI stands accused of being used
by the Centre to implicate opponents
to scuttle dissenting voices. Over-
politicisation of institutions is bound
to deal a blow to the federal structure.
Such developments can be prevented
when a policy envisaging absolute
autonomy to the CBI is put in place.
Its impartiality would be manifested
only when it carries out raids also
against leaders associated with the
ruling party since it can’t be pre-
sumed that they are all incorruptible.
ROSHAN LAL GOEL, LADWA
Indira stands forgotten
It is sad to observe that there were few
remembrances on Indira Gandhi’s
birth anniversay on November 19.
The Union government failed to
insert even a perfunctory advertise-
ment in newspapers. It seems that a
For decades now, poorly informed
commentators have projected move-
ments of armed violence in India —
particularly Maoist rebellion — as
some sort of inchoate expression of
the popular will of the people, an
incipient version of the ‘people’s
democracy’ the Maoists promise,
against the ‘fake democracy’ of the
parliamentary system. The truth is,
once guns enter the equation, claims
to popular support (on both sides)
become unverifiable. People go along
with the side that threatens greater
violence or offers the greatest protec-
tion. Despite the capacities of the
state and its agencies, and their many
aberrations, state violence is exer-
cised under significantly greater con-
straints than the violence of rebel for-
mations and their kangaroo courts. It
is not difficult to simulate the mani-
festation of ‘popular support’
through acts of demonstrative cruel-
ty, an art the Maoists have mastered
well in their areas of dominance.
The Maoist choice of violence does
not flow from any evident superiority
of their so-called ‘people’s democracy’
— a notion that has been left entirely
undefined, and that has collapsed into
arbitrary tyrannies wherever Maoist
Reduced visibility because of
smoke emanating from burning
fields leads to many accidents every
year. But nothing is done because no
one is answerable and life goes on.
Issuing pollution check certificate
is a farce. Not a single vehicle under-
goes the mandatory check before
issuing the certificate. Adulterated
fuel used by commercial vehicles to
reduce input costs is also a big source
of venomous spew.
We ourselves are responsible for the
situation we are in. Gross insensitivity
towards the environment and the cal-
lous attitude of the authorities have
worked in tandem to ensure that we
have landed ourselves in a gas cham-
new culture has developed: that of
hatred, malice, mud-slinging and
political expediency. Will it not perco-
late to the masses? It is, that is why we
see violent hartals and bandhs on triv-
ial matters. She was a tall leader and a
great administrator. She did not buck-
le under US pressure in 1971 and
walked away with one of the most
decisive war victories in history. She is
criticised for the Emergency, but it
will remain unclear how the pantheon
of leaders of those times would have
acted had they been at the helm dur-
ing those turbulent times.
NEERAJ KISHORE SHARMA, SUNDERNAGAR
Clean chit opposed
Apropos ‘Top court to hear plea
against clean chit to Modi in Gujarat
riots case’ (Nov 14), though the delay
in the Gulbarg massacre case did
show lacunae in our justice system,
we still have our apex court, which can
be approached for challenging the
clean chit given to the mighty. As if
the 14-year wait was not traumatic for
Zakia Jafri, the clean chit to then CM
Modi was a shock. There are bleak
chances of any relief coming her way,
because a battery of legal advisers will
be presented by the defence, but the
slain MP’s widow deserves apprecia-
tion for fighting against all odds.
MONA SINGH, AMRITSAR
THE TRIBUNE
or Marxist-Leninist power has been
established; nor does it flow from a
long experience of seeking, and fail-
ing to address, problems through con-
stitutional democratic processes; it is,
rather, an ideological given, an end
and a good in itself. Apart from a tiny
core of the top leadership, it is not the
Maoist ideology that inspires or pro-
vokes people to join the movement. It
is, rather, frustration with the demo-
cratic state’s inability to meet the
least of their aspirations; or it is the
complete absence of choice in areas
where the state has abdicated or failed
to fulfil its duties, and where the
Maoists have established their tran-
sient dominance. When the move-
ment begins to lose ground, much of
the Maoist recruitment becomes pro-
gressively coercive, even as large
numbers abandon rebel camps to
return home or to surrender.
Another reality is that such violent
formations are quickly de-legitimised
by defeat. The Maoists have been tak-
ing a beating over at least the past six
years and have lost their capacities
for disruption and violence in most
areas of past dominance. Small pock-
ets in poorly connected regions, most-
ly dense forest, remain a challenge,
but the time when the Maoists would
put up improvised checkpoints along
many principal roads and extort ‘tax-
es’ from travellers are long gone.
The Maoists have openly
declared themselves the enemies
of democracy, and are not alone in
this hostility. While armed LWE
constitutes a significant threat to
the stability of the system in
shrinking areas of the country, the
gravest threats come from extrem-
ist ideologies that seek to subvert
the system from within. The voter
turnout in Bastar is a demonstra-
tion and a warning to movements
of fascism, both Left and Right,
that they do not reflect the will of
the people, in particular the most
marginalised and impoverished
(Bastar is among the poorest
regions of the country, though this
profile is changing). India’s faith
remains in its constitutional
democracy; the powers that seek
its subversion will be rejected,
again and again.
ber. Seeing young ones wearing masks
to school, restricting the elderly indoors
and cricketers of a neighbouring coun-
try staging a walkout in the Capital of
my country because of air pollution
pains me. The day is not far, we all will
have to carry oxygen canisters.
Some problems don’t have a concise
solution, but a firm resolution by every-
one — people, authorities and NGOs —
to bring about a change in the vitiated
atmosphere. Sooner or later, said Evo
Morales, we will have to recognise that
the earth has rights too, to live without
pollution. What mankind must know is
that human beings cannot live without
Mother Earth, but the planet can live
without humans.
How do I run my home?
I am working with the Punjab
school board and wish to draw atten-
tion to the working of the education
department. I work on contract
under the Centrally sponsored
RMSA. The Punjab Government
has not paid salary to teachers
employed under SSA and RMSA for
long. In the case of RMSA teachers,
salary has not been paid since May.
This has been a regular practice.
When we enquire about it at the Dis-
trict Education Office, we are told
that the headquarters at Mohali
have not released salaries. Over the
past three years, I have written sev-
en times to the DGSE, Mohali,
explaining the problems we face in
the absence of money, but only once
got a response, and even then, salary
was not given. Twice I have lodged
complaint at the grievance redress
cell, but in vain. It is very difficult to
meet family requirements. Often, I
have to take loans and pay interest
to meet the daily expenditure, and
also pay income tax. Such an irre-
sponsible approach has disturbed
my personal and professional life. I
go my workplace every day and do
my duty sincerely, still I am denied
my legal right to get wages. Are we
living in a democracy, where the wel-
fare of citizens is paramount?
ANKUSH SABHERWAL, KAPURTHALA