OPPOSE GROWING FASCIST ATTACKS OF PRO-IMPERIALIST BJP GOVT.

On the evening of 11th July 2002 a group of journalists and several civil rights activists were holding an open meeting at Triveni Kala Sangam. A public meeting had been organized on 4th July in Delhi against the arrest of over 100 journalists in Nepal under the Emergency there, and the killing of prominent journalist Krishna Sahai in police custody there. That meeting was addressed by Kuldip Nayar, Kamleshwar and Rajendra Yadav among others. Now a meeting was being planned in the first week of August to discuss the current situation in Nepal. The activists and journalists who sat together at Triveni that evening are all public figures and there nothing furitive about the gathering. As the meeting dispersed, it was surrounded by about 25 plainclothesmen of Special Cell of Delhi Police who refused to disclose their identity. They snatched away mobile phones of those picked up and bundled 13 people into waiting vans. They were taken to a double storeyed building behind the Lodhi Road police station, shoved into different rooms without light and water and detained till night. As press and democratic individuals began reaching the site, the Indians in the group were released abruptly without explanation, while four journalists of Nepali origin were detained as 'Maoists'. Towards all protestations about legal and constitutional provisions or about Supreme Court judgements, the policemen were indifferent- they had orders "from above."

Next day it was reported in the media that the four journalists of Nepalese origin were being served notice to quit India. However, they were deported to Nepal on the 11th night itself, even as Delhi High Court passed an order staying their deportation on 12th July morning. Among the Indians detained were journalists Anand Swarup Verma and Gautam Naulakha,  Hindi poet Pankaj, civil rights activists Dr. Anoop Saraya, Anil Prakash and others.

It is significant that despite the Indian govt. kowtowing to US imperialism, and its backing the regicidal King Gyanendra and the Deuba Govt., a wide cross section of people in India, especially journalists, civil rights activists and democrats, have opposed the imposition of Emergency in Nepal. Not only here, in Nepal itself, a wide cross sections of journalists and democrats and also a section of Nepali Congress (which has split on this issue) have condemned the Emergency. It is obvious that in the name of "containing Maoists"- who are painted as terrorists- there is virtual imposition of Palace Rule, a muzzle on the press, and grave suspicion about whether the parliamentary democracy won through prolonged struggle and many sacrifices will survive. Nepalese people can hardly be expected to forget that Gyanendra has been a vociferous and known opponent of dilution of Palace Rule. In fact Emergency provisions were passed by Nepal parliament for the second time only due to the CPN(UML) showing the role of revisionist forces.

Demonstration by Janhastakshep and PUCL

The arrest of the journalists evoked widespread condemnation from many democratic sections and political parties. PUCL, PUDR and Janhastakshep all issued public condemnations. The Delhi Union of Journalists condemned the arbitrary arrests and linked them with other recent cases of harassment of journalists by the Hindutva forces led Govt. The 'Left' parties and CPI(ML)-New Democracy also condemned the detentions and the attack on organizations planning a public meeting. Shri Surendra Mohan (Member, National Committee, PUCL) led a delegation to lodge a complaint at the NHRC. On Thursday, 18th July, PUCL and Janhastakshep held a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in which our party activists also participated. Holding banners and posters against the fascist designs of BJP Govt., showing up the arbitrary arrests as part of a growing series of police high-handedness in Delhi, the organizations presented a memorandum to the Home Minister. Among those who addressed the meeting were Dr. Ish Misra (Janhastakshep), Prof. Tripta Wahi of Delhi University, Shamsul Islam (Convenor , Nishant), Vijay Singh (Delhi Univ.), Shri Pankaj Singh, Animesh Das (Secy., Delhi IFTU), Shri N.D. Pancholi (PUCL) and others.

Speakers pointed out that under the drive of US imperialism all protests and all challenges to ruling elites are branded as 'terrorism' since 11th September 2001. The Indian Govt., acting as a junior partner of US imperialism, is trying to establish the same parameters in the Indian subcontinent. Linking the repression on Nepalese people living in India with Gyanendra's India visit (after which a social organization like All India Nepalese Unity Society was banned under POTA), many speakers pointed out that during the anti-colonial struggle several Indian leaders were protected by Nepalese people. During Emergency in Indian several leaders had sought safety in Nepal's democratic sections. But now to oppose Emergency was being made synonymous with terrorism, though India, as a parliamentary democracy, which had abolished privy purses, should firmly uphold Nepal people's struggle to oppose backdoor imposition of palace rule. Speakers also condemned the use of the word 'terrorists' in connection with the Maoists, and advocated restoration of democratic rights and talks between the Nepal govt. and the Maoists on the democratic demands they have raised.

The entire incident must be seen in the light of growing intolerance world over by ruling elites against any people's protests. In India, the Hindutva regime selling India to imperialism, is out to impose its pseudo-patriotism and communal outlook as the only acceptable ideology. All people's struggles especially those led by revolutionaries, are 'terrorism.' It should not be lost on us how shaky such regimes are, which cannot even tolerate their people protesting oppression across the borders of reactionary regimes.