[sacw] SACW | 11 Feb. 03

[Harsh Kapoor]

South Asia Citizens Wire | February 11, 2003

#1. Militancy, Nationalisms and The Bomb: The Indian Sub-Continent :=20
An open public discussion
(14 February, London)
#2. What sense can Iraq war make (M.B. Naqvi)
#3. Bangladesh High Court asks government not to arrest or harass=20
Muntasir, Shahriar and Saleem
#4. Critiquing Cricket and Silly Points (Cat's Eye)
#5. An Advani-Inspired Reshuffle - BJP readies for battle (Praful Bidwai)
#6. Response to recent comments made to, and questions asked of, The=20
Campaign to Stop Funding Hate.

-----------------------------------

#1.

AHIMSA AND THE CENTRE FOR SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES, SOAS
with support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation

invite you to a discussion

Militancy, Nationalisms And The Bomb: The Indian Sub-Continent

with Amartya Sen (Master of Trinity College, Cambridge)
Jon Snow (journalist and presenter of Ch.4 news)
Khalid Nadvi (Institute of Development Studies, Sussex)
Pervez Hoodbhoy (Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad)
Praful Bidwai (journalist and author)

and the screening of Pakistan and India under the Nuclear Shadow=20
Produced and directed by Pervez Hoodbhoy; script by Zia Mian

Friday 14th February, 2003 from7 to 10 pm at
The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre,SOAS, Thornhaugh
Street,Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG [UK]

all are welcome admission free

AHIMSA c/o 02077941635
www.ahimsaworld.org.uk

______

#2.

[10 February 2003]

What sense can Iraq war make

By M.B. Naqvi

The world has come to believe that no matter what Hans Blix has to=20
say to the UN Security Council on February 14, the US will soon start=20
the war on Iraq. A lot of noise was made about the need to find a=20
smoking gun for the world body to sanction the war. Messrs George W.=20
Bush and Tony Blair have made it plain that they will have their war=20
whether or not a smoking gun is found. That is that. At any rate Mr.=20
Colin Powell's oratory on Feb 6 has not convinced skeptics.

Let's stop and think why should the world's sole superpower, acting=20
as a sort of political Pope, wants to destroy Saddam Hussain's=20
regime. According to the US case, the Baathist regime is hiding=20
Weapons of Mass Destruction. Moreover he is a beastly tyrant who has=20
used American-provided chemical weapons against Iranians and his own=20
Kurds. There is another charge: his embassy in Islamabad was helping=20
al-Qaeda --- at a time when Osama bin Laden was working for the US.=20
Indeed Saddam himself was working with the US earlier in trying to=20
crush Iranian Revolution. WMDs that Saddam may possibly have could=20
only be those the technology of which was provided by the US itself.

The burden of proof rests with the US, the accuser. No accused can be=20
asked to provide the smoking gun --- in order to be punished. As for=20
WMD possession, who doesn't possess them? In this case, nuclear WMDs=20
are out of the question because Iraq doesn't possess their=20
wherewithal. Other WMDs are of course an evil thing. But the=20
possession of chemical and biological WMDs cannot become a casus=20
belli for the US because the largest hoards of such weapons are in=20
the US.

Iraq poses no noticeable threat to any of its neighbours after its=20
adventure against Kuwait --- perhaps a sting operation in itself ---=20
and ten years of constant aerial bombardment by US and UK and the UN=20
trade embargoes. Saddam's links with Islamic fundamentalism can be=20
laughed out of court. A Baathist regime stands for a secular Arab=20
Nationalism; the two simply do not gel. Saddam's record vis-=E0-vis=20
religious extremism is one of brutal suppression. He simply cannot be=20
tarred with the brush of Islamic terrorism. The question is: are the=20
US Administration leaders being carried away by a xenophobic hysteria=20
that has come to grip America or are they trying to intensify that=20
hysteria as a cover for their designs.

Even so, it may be argued that Middle East is an explosive place and=20
possession of WMDs of any kind by a tyrannical regime will pose risks=20
to regional peace. Which country in the region is afraid of Iraq's=20
intentions? There is factually none --- except Israel. But doesn't=20
Israel possess WMDS of all, repeat all, description and in=20
overwhelming quantity. The US is the bosom buddy of Israel and has=20
never uttered a word against Israel's various WMD programmes.=20
Knocking out the Baathist regime in Iraq will warm the cockles of=20
Israeli ultra's hearts like Sharon and Netin Yahu. If possession of=20
WMD in ME is bad, Israel ought to be targeted first. Why is Iraq=20
being chosen now?

It is a strange situation. Iraq denies and all the resources of the=20
US and UN cannot prove anything against Saddam, except that he=20
horribly oppresses his people --- in a world that is chockfull of=20
assorted masters of torture and murder, most of whom maintain fairly=20
chummy relations with the US. What is so special about Saddam's=20
near-totalitarian rule? The way US government is going hammer and=20
tong against him would seem to suggest that US has some=20
extraordinarily important agenda, the success of which depends on the=20
regime change in Iraq.

There is a worldwide movement against the warlike designs of the US=20
government, most obediently supported by the British. Different=20
people assign different motivations to Messrs Bush and Blair. The=20
magic word oil is on most lips. Iraq's oil reserves would be world's=20
largest but for Saudi Arabia's. One scenario seems certain: before=20
too long, the Americans military power would overwhelm in the=20
confidently expected war and Saddam would be killed or exiled. He=20
also runs the risk of a coup against himself that would do the same=20
to him --- but may avert the war. But the realistic chances of such a=20
coup are few and it is uncertain the US wants it.

The US would, after Saddam is gone, appoint a military Administrator,=20
an American General, who would pick up the pieces of Iraq and its=20
government. That may take quite a few years --- unless the US, for PR=20
purposes, sets up a government comprising Iraqis chosen by CIA and=20
other experts on Iraq. That will be, Karzai-fashion, a fine cover for=20
favouring America by ethnic Iraqis and not by the US nationals. In=20
reconstructing the Iraqi economy, use of Iraqi oil will not only pay=20
for rebuilding the war-ravaged Iraq but also the cost of US invasion=20
--- a time-honoured practice of all imperial powers that use the=20
victim's resources to recover the cost of the invasion. US oil giants=20
will make a pretty penny and gas will be cheap in the US.

But is oil the driving force for George W Bush? Despite all his=20
clan's links to oil for its prosperity, it might not be the main=20
motive. Contracts, concessions and bright business opportunities for=20
America's big oil industry would be there anyhow whenever Saddam is=20
replaced by America-loving Iraqi stooges. Political designs may=20
really be more important. In such terms, the questioning gaze will,=20
almost automatically, turn to Israel the security of which is=20
America's overriding concern. Who can miss this connection? Saddam is=20
the only Arab tyrant, out of so many, who is bankrolling the=20
Palestinian Intefada. His removal will dry up the only vital support=20
the Palestinian resistance is getting. It can be foreseen as speedily=20
collapsing. Sharon's Israel will then face no cognisable opposition=20
to whatever dispensation it imposes on the hapless Palestinians. New=20
Palestinian refugees --- those left after Sharon-Netin Yahu types=20
have implemented their final solution --- will then be other Arab=20
regimes' problem.

That removal of Saddam can be followed by the Baathist cousin, Syrian=20
regime; the latter can not long survive in the new political climate.=20
That will give a jumpstart to what is called the redrawing of ME map.=20
How many regime changes in the region would follow in quick order is=20
hard to say. Perhaps democratisation of Arab states, a la=20
Afghanistan, will give finishing touches to the American design for=20
the ME: oil will be under firm control of America-loving Arab=20
stooges, and not Americans themselves, and it will be as safe ---=20
deniable to any upstart new power that looks like challenging the US=20
supremacy in future --- as it will be cheap.

Once ME is thus reconstructed --- by some regime changes and by=20
scaring the others into abject submission --- it will be safe from=20
itself. It can then graduate from being an American redoubt into=20
becoming a springboard for the even more serious business of saving=20
Asia from its own non-democratic regimes. There is the uncertain=20
situation in Central Asia with the two widely different questions=20
that Russia and China pose, both being actual great powers and=20
potentially even greater. For the present, however, North Korea is=20
cocking a snook at the US: it not only has walked out of the NPT,=20
thrown out IAEA inspectors and revived its only reactor but proclaims=20
the intent to go for the Bomb. It has followed this up by warning the=20
US to stop reinforcing its South Korean garrison or it would attack=20
American soldiery preemptively.

Mr. Kim Jong Il is not joking. He is playing hard ball. He knows the=20
US cannot treat North Korea like Iraq. North Korea is where it is and=20
the times are changing, with the Japanese being at a crossroads:=20
would they go nuclear and be the enemy of all Koreans or would they=20
use diplomacy to reconcile with both sets of Koreans, helping provide=20
the North with oil and food. North Korea may be isolated. But no=20
Asian has forgotten the early 1950s or the reasons why both Russia=20
and China came to the aid of (North) Koreans. And their common=20
communism was not the only reason. In any case, all indications are=20
that the US will employ diplomacy to get over its spat with North=20
Korea.

Asia is changing by the emergence of four major Asian powers: Japan,=20
China, Russia and India. Of these India and Japan are on excellent=20
terms with the US. Out of these two Japan is capable of surprising=20
everybody; it seems to be getting tired of not being paid the respect=20
it deserves. China is a potential, as well as the current,=20
superpower. It simply cannot be trifled with. Russia is still a=20
superpower if only it can get its economic act together. At any rate,=20
despite its political and economic vulnerabilities, it cannot be=20
taken for granted either.

But given the hard economic facts of life, the US has to play a=20
dominant role in Asia and corner as many Asian resources and markets=20
for itself as possible. Above all the task the US has set for itself=20
is to remain unchallengible all over the globe. Other Continents are=20
in line (including Europe, despite EU's potential) but not Asia. Here=20
challenges are cognisable and are growing. The future of what=20
American commentators have started calling the new Holy Roman Empire=20
with Washington as the new Rome will be decided on the plains and=20
mountains of Asia. Tough political battles lie ahead, the starting=20
point being Iraq.

______

#3.

http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/feb/10/10022003mt.htm#A6

Bangladesh High Court asks government not to arrest or harass=20
Muntasir, Shahriar and Saleem

The High Court Sunday (9 February) directed the government's=20
concerned law enforcing authority not to arrest or harass columnist=20
Professor Dr. Muntasir Mamoon, writer and journalist Shahriar Kabir=20
and correspondent of Reporters Sans Fronti=E8res - journalist Saleem=20
Samad. The higher court said that they could be arrested unless there=20
is a specific charge and the court issues warrant of arrest=92s against=20
individuals.

Dr. Muntasir Mamoon, Shahriar Kabir and Saleem Samad appeared before=20
the court with application under Section 498 read with 561A of the=20
Code of Criminal Procedure. After hearing the application the=20
division bench comprising Justice Syed Amirul Islam and Justice Mirza=20
Hossain Haider passed the above order.

It was alleged before the court that though the above 3 petitioners=20
were released on bail recently following the court's order, the law=20
enforcing agencies continued to keep them under surveillance of their=20
movements and their phones were bugged which created a reasonable=20
apprehension in their mind that they may be arrested at any time and=20
may be subjected to torture in jail custody. The court also ask the=20
government to allow them to travel outside the country and also=20
enter. The passports of Shahriar and Saleem were impounded by=20
authorities restricting travels abroad. Barrister Tania Amir appeared=20
for the petitioners. [edited version]

______

#4.

Cat's Eye
[12 February, 2003]

CRITIQUING CRICKET _ & SILLY POINTS

Here we go again! As war in Iraq looms large, we are going to=20
be right-royally distracted by the World Cup cricket tamasha in South=20
Africa _ with a safari thrown in as a bonus. Sri Lanka having won one=20
World Cup, and lost the next, is gearing up for another round of=20
elation and depression. We in Sri Lanka, however, as Cat's Eye once=20
said, are hysterical winners but (like other South Asians) the=20
world's worst losers. Cat's Eye had a lot to say about the last two=20
World Cups and Sri Lanka's victories and defeats. The critiques it=20
made included false nationalism promoted by cricket matches, the=20
inability of South Asians to cope with defeat, the machismo of=20
cricket and the escapist role of cricket in Sri Lanka _ a country=20
wracked by war, youth unemployment and economic hardship.

Cricket Nationalism
During the last World Cup euphoria, Cat's Eye warned that=20
there was a spectre haunting the ex-colonies of South Asia _ that of=20
cricket nationalism "where India and Pakistan must defeat each other=20
at cricket or face national humiliation, and Sri Lanka who must beat=20
them all." It added that the colonial masters who introduced cricket=20
to the region as a "gentleman's game" also harped on stuff such as=20
"fair play", "the Umpire's word" and "let the better side win." Cat's=20
Eye said: "Ho, ho, but if your national team loses to the better=20
side, you send bangles and female garments to the Captain (and) stone=20
his house=8A If you win, you go berserk and the boys have new careers=20
advertising the products of the multinationals."
The question posed then was "can you separate cricket from=20
flag-waving nationalism?" And Cat's Eye warned that beating the=20
other side becomes an issue of "national pride, and pride as we know,=20
is a dangerous emotion, especially when it is expressed=20
collectively." What is more, cricket also becomes a cause of=20
international tension and violent nationalist emotions against=20
minorities, as seen in the attitudes of Shiv Sena and Bal Thackeray=20
who banned not only the Pakistan team from Bombay, but even the=20
Indian team, as it was led by a Muslim (Azaruddin)!
David Dunham and Sisira Jayasuriya also noted in 1999 that=20
"despite all the poverty, suffering, ethnic conflict and violence=20
throughout Sri Lanka _ there was passionate identification with the=20
team and an exuberant explosion of national consciousness." We were=20
glad to be winning at something and as Cat's Eye commented in 1997:=20
"while academics discuss the disintegration of the nation state in=20
South Asia, males of these countries participate in the unusual=20
phenomenon, namely the Nation vicariously winning 'battles' and=20
'wars' on the cricket field and feeling good about it. When Sri Lanka=20
wins a match, the emotion released is unbelievable, as if the country=20
had won a World War. The illusion of victory over internal and=20
external foes is maintained _ an interesting example of false=20
consciousness."
Cat's Eye also remarked in 1999 that cricket, rather than promoting=20
world peace, was causing international disharmony and internal=20
turmoil, and noted some contradictions of international cricket. "We=20
side with Our Team, Our Boys, Our Mother country, but when South=20
Asians or the West Indies play any 'white' team, we are with the=20
brothers." When Pakistan played Australia, for example, the whole of=20
Sri Lanka cheered for Pakistan, "since we hate Shane Warne, and we=20
hate Australian racists and their dubious umpires, and we hate=20
arrogant Aussies who have no 'history'!"

Machismo
Janake Biyanwila, the former national diving champion,=20
perceptively argued that subcontinent cricket is often an=20
"ethnocentric masculine neurosis." Many other critics such as Dr=20
Duree Ahmad of Pakistan have also referred to cricket as a very=20
macho, man's game; "the psychological deconstruction of cricket=20
reveals that it is very similar to some cherished male sexual=20
fantasies." It is also true that it is South Asian feminists who have=20
not only deplored the national frenzy over a boys' sport, but have=20
also looked beyond the game to analyse the cricket mania in South=20
Asia _ in the context of political instability and economic=20
uncertainty. But then and now, feminists who critique cricket are=20
often accused of unpatriotic and anti-national attitudes.

Escapism and the Opium of the Masses
Dunham and Jayasuriya argue that in a country with national crises _=20
economic, social and political _ "cricket was the only arena in which=20
Sri Lanka seemed to be winning" and linked the immense popularity of=20
one-day cricket to the growth of a TV mass audience and the spread of=20
cricket to rural schools. Some have also argued that cricket is the=20
new religion, with new Gods and Devils, and has become an escape _=20
cricket as "the heart of a heartless world" _ especially since the=20
cost of living has become unbearable. Is it then the Opium of the=20
Masses? Is cricket the ultimate Diversionary Circus when the rulers=20
can't provide the Bread?
So in 2003, has the picture changed? Not much perhaps. But we=20
note the increasing racism in the game, and the racist insults on the=20
field and off, the black/white tensions, and the refusal to play in=20
Zimbabwe, and the on-going allegations of Cricket Board=20
mismanagement, not to mention the legacy of match-fixing and mafia=20
influences.
Already the sports writers, irrespective of the peace=20
process, are geared up with their war-like rhetoric. In 1997, we were=20
treated to headlines: "Indians Vanquished", "Massacre at Premadasa=20
Stadium." Now the Leader (9/2/03) writes (referring to the team) that=20
on the 10th of February "the warriors step out for their first=20
battle." What is really lamentable is that what should be an=20
enjoyable sport has become a national frenzy, with some guys even=20
dying of heart attacks when their side doesn't win! When Sri=20
Lanka won the World Cup for the first time, Ashok Mitra _ former=20
Minister of Finance in West Bengal's Marxist government _ and a=20
cricket buff _ referred to the Sri Lanka team as a new, unspoilt,=20
uncorrupted team that went out and played the game. But, he predicted=20
that commercialism, advertising, big money and other temptations=20
would soon set in. He was right, and today the Diversionary Circus=20
that cricket provides includes all kinds of strange side-shows to=20
keep us amused. But on with the game, we say, and may the best side=20
win!

_____

#5.

February 10, 2003

An Advani-Inspired Reshuffle
BJP readies for battle

By Praful Bidwai

The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to steer India into an early=20
general election, ahead of October 2004. That is the single most=20
important message sent out by the Vajpayee Cabinet's latest=20
reshuffle, by the BJP's organisational revamping, by its manoeuvres=20
vis-=E0-vis other political parties, especially Ms Mayawati's Bahujan=20
Samaj Party and Ms J. Jayalalithaa's AIADMK, and not least, by its=20
singularly ill-advised, devious plan to aggressively revive the=20
Ayodhya temple issue. The BJP has admittedly stolen a lead over other=20
parties, including its National Democratic Alliance partners, in=20
setting the national agenda. However, it is by no means free of=20
policy incoherence, factional strife and power struggles within its=20
second-generation leadership. A determined Opposition could still=20
fight the BJP effectively--if it musters the will and imagination to=20
mount a comprehensive challenge. This is a big IF.

The Cabinet reshuffle shows three clear trends: disproportionate=20
influence of Mr L.K. Advani's group; an attempt to put a relatively=20
"respectable", broadly representative face upon the new team in terms=20
of caste and region; and a push for policies like a=20
soft-on-the-middle-class budget, which could electorally help the=20
BJP. Some of these policy changes will be put to test and modified in=20
Himachal Pradesh, where elections are due later this month. The first=20
two trends are unmistakable.

Mr Advani was the principal architect of the re-allotment of=20
portfolios, most detailed decisions pertaining to which were made=20
while Mr Vajpayee was away from Delhi. These mainly involved=20
consultation with party president M. Venkaiah Naidu, himself close to=20
the hawkish Home Minister. Among the important decisions were the=20
dropping of Mr Pramod Mahajan, the re-induction of Mr Arun Jaitley as=20
Law Minister with additional portfolios, and further expansion of Mr=20
Arun Shourie's powers, along with Mr Shatrughan Sinha's demotion, Ms=20
Sushma Swaraj's elevation, and Mr Vijay Goel's sacking as a junior=20
minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

The two Aruns' rise is indisputably dramatic. Mr Shourie's ascendancy=20
is explained by the BJP's anxiety to project a strongly pro-business,=20
pro-privatisation, neoliberal image. Mr Shourie is the Cabinet's sole=20
"foreign-educated" minister, with a World Bank background duly=20
matching his neoliberal zeal. Mr Jaitley has been brought back partly=20
because of changed corporate-power equations related to the mess over=20
mobile phones, but mainly because he, unlike his straightforward=20
predecessor Jana Krishnamurthy, is expected to manage to get a=20
favourable judicial order to help the VHP secure the so-called=20
"undisputed" plot in Ayodhya taken over by the government soon after=20
the Babri mosque demolition.

This is part of the BJP-VHP's design to rake up the temple agenda=20
after the Supreme Court last March thwarted their plan to start=20
construction by the back door. Disturbing the Ayodhya status quo=20
would make nonsense of the 1993 Act. The entire rationale of taking=20
over land adjacent to the site where the Babri mosque once stood was=20
to ensure that the outcome of the land dispute adjudication or=20
out-of-court settlement between all concerned parties won't be made=20
infructuous or unimplementable thanks to new structures built on the=20
surrounding plots. The Act's objective will be subverted if the VHP's=20
demand is conceded.

Yet, the VHP is brazenly making that demand, and wants to start=20
temple construction right away although there is no support for this=20
in Ayodhya or UP. It is encouraged in Machiavellian ways by the BJP=20
which has forced the Centre to start the process of judicial=20
manipulation by moving the Supreme Court to vacate the one-year-old=20
stay--without consulting its allies. Crucial here is the role of=20
Jayendra Saraswati, the Kanchi Shankaracharya, the PM and Mr Jaitley,=20
besides VHP fanatics. Reviving the temple issue in a sectarian way=20
can only further exacerbate the process of communal polarisation. The=20
BJP is trying to extract (relatively minor) political mileage by=20
playing with fire.

Mr Jaitley's re-entry into government is inseparable from this=20
design. This was purportedly to be "balanced" by Mr Mahajan's shift=20
to the party. In reality, that shift has to do with Mr Advani's=20
distaste for him, Mr Mahajan's role in the mobile telephone=20
controversy favouring CDMA-Wireless-in-Local-Loop operators (whose=20
competitors are close to the Advani camp), and his alleged=20
involvement in the Shivani Bhatnagar case. Mr Mahajan, a relatively=20
capable second-generation BJP leader, stands badly demoted and will=20
seek his revenge. His sacking, and Mr Goel's removal from the PMO,=20
leave Mr Vajpayee few trustworthy Cabinet allies, barring Mr Murli=20
Manohar Joshi. Similarly, Ms Swaraj's promotion and many other=20
portfolio changes reflect Mr Advani's clout.

Considerably less important is the reshuffle's function in giving=20
more representation to the Dalits (Sanghpriya Gautam), Adivasis from=20
Chhattisgarh (Dilip Singh Judev), Bhumihars (C.P. Thakur), OBCs=20
(Chhattrapal Singh), Patels (Bhavna Chikalia), and Meenas from=20
Rajasthan (Jaskaur Meena). These are the only faces of diversity and=20
multiculturalism which the BJP can conjure up. They are meant to=20
dress up the Cabinet for elections. The decision to retain Mr=20
Shatrughan Sinha with a lesser portfolio is also related to his=20
utility as a crowd-puller, not seriousness as Minister.

This reshuffle further tilts the balance within the NDA between the=20
BJP and others. Over the years, the non-BJP parties have been more=20
and more marginalised. Since 1999, their share of full Cabinet posts=20
(nine) has remained stagnant, but the BJP's has risen from 14 to 23.=20
Of the 39 Ministers of State, at least 33 are from the BJP, including=20
three of the five with independent charge. Their fate could be worse=20
if the AIADMK and the BSP join hands with the BJP. Mr Vajpayee has=20
also hinted at a reshuffle of non-BJP ministers in the NDA, probably=20
in April. This is a scarcely concealed strong-arm tactic to secure=20
their tacit or explicit compliance with the BJP's "distinct",=20
divisive agenda on Ayodhya, etc.

In this reshuffle, Mr Vajpayee has had to yield a lot to Mr Advani.=20
But Mr Vajpayee's biggest gain is that he will lead the BJP in an=20
early (October or January) election. Mr Vajpayee is already trying to=20
recoup his losses--e.g. clawing the CBI back to himself within 24=20
hours. There is speculation that after the Budget session, he might=20
even ask Mr Advani to "devote himself to party work", and appoint Mr=20
Joshi as Deputy PM. Of late, Mr Joshi has moved very close to Mr=20
Vajpayee, even as Mr Jaswant Singh has moved close to Mr Advani.=20
After the Gujarat results, Mr Vajpayee has hardened his soft-Hindutva=20
stance and articulated rabidly anti-Muslim positions. The next few=20
months will see some sharpening of the Vajpayee-Advani rivalry,=20
understated and covert as this is. Politically, Mr Vajpayee may have=20
the better of his rival. But in ideological terms, he will have to=20
yield ground to forces to his Right.

The BJP is set to evolve towards a hardcore Right-wing orientation,=20
in which terrorism is equated with Islam, divisive Hindutva with=20
nationalism, and the sangh parivar depicted as India's sole guarantor=20
of security. In the coming state elections, the party will do its=20
utmost to capitalise on prejudice (e.g. against religious=20
conversion), ignorance (of Islam and pro-reform currents in India's=20
multicultural Muslim communities), paranoid hatred of India's=20
multi-religious, multiracial identity. If the BJP wins in Himachal,=20
it will unleash a virulent communal campaign nationwide, and=20
capitalise on the anti-incumbency factor in Rajasthan, Madhya=20
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi. However, its Lok Sabha election=20
plans will depend critically on what happens to its uneasy alliance=20
with Ms Mayawati in UP. If their shaky coalition collapses, the=20
BSP-BJP could together call a mid-term poll. This will change many=20
national political equations.

The BJP's ability to manipulate public opinion will depend on its=20
economic policy--which, being elitist, is a big disadvantage. The=20
telecom fiasco has resulted in a 40 percent increase in the rates=20
payable by low-end users. The Planning Commission wants the=20
government to extend at least Rs. 134,000 crores in budgetary support=20
to various programmes related to basic services. But the government=20
can spend barely Rs. 117,000 crores to. So, social sector programmes=20
will be drastically cut. The effects of the UTI scam in eroding=20
people's savings have proved abiding. LPG and kerosene prices are to=20
be jacked up sharply, raising the economic burden on the majority.

Luckily for the BJP, its opponents haven't yet got their act=20
together. Not only do they show little ability for mutual=20
co-ordination. They are unable or unwilling to mount a serious=20
ideological challenge to Hindutva. The Congress doesn't seem to have=20
drawn many lessons from Gujarat. It is floundering even in=20
Maharashtra, where it wantonly changed the Chief Minister. Mr Sushil=20
Kumar Shinde is not known as a Dalit activist or campaigner. The=20
Congress will certainly lose some Maratha votes from sacking Mr=20
Vilasrao Deshmukh, but it won't get many Dalit votes thanks to Mr=20
Shinde. If the Congress adopts a principled stand on issues like=20
secularism, national security and clean politics, it could frontally=20
challenge the BJP. But it seems more inclined to do "cow protection"=20
politics, as in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress should know that a=20
soft-Hindutva strategy has never paid off. But will it change course=20
and take on Hindutva?--end--

_____

#5.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLICY INSTITUTE FOR RELIGION AND STATE
110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite # 510 Washington DC 20002=20
<mailto:John@p...>John@p... 202 547 4700

Washington think tank alerts US on growing terrorism and religious=20
politics in South Asia. Dr. Gidoomal urges, monitoring of funds used=20
to promote religious violence in South Asia:

(February 10, 2003) -- The Policy Institute for Religion and=20
State organized a press conference on Friday morning at the National=20
Press Club, Washington DC on the subject of terrorism and security in=20
South Asia featuring Dr. Ram Gidoomal CBE, a well known businessman,=20
social activist and a candidate in the London Mayoral 2000 elections=20
in the UK.

Dr. Gidoomal launched the document, entitled "Healing the Wounds -=20
Minorities and Human rights in India" - a publication of the=20
proceedings of a conference held in London on August 15, 2002=20
following the tragic events that took place in Gujarat in February=20
2002. Many well-known scholars and social activists from the US, UK=20
and India took part in the proceedings. Dr. Gidoomal warned that "Non=20
Resident Indians must exercise utmost vigilance when remitting funds=20
to South Asia. It is imperative that funds flow are monitored to=20
minimize the risk of misappropriation which could result in=20
increasing the risks associated with terrorism and security"

Excerpt from Introduction of the report:
"Since 27 February, 2000 Gujarat has been at the center stage of=20
Indian politics. From the hideous violence of Godhra to the=20
elections in December and beyond, events in Gujarat have evoked=20
strong emotions across India and, indeed, around the world. Hatred,=20
suspicion and fear have been dominant. But there have also been many=20
welcome examples of people acting with courage, honor, self-sacrifice=20
and a concern for justice.

'Gujarat today, India tomorrow' is a commonly heard slogan from the=20
Hindutva brigade. That makes it all the more important to examine=20
carefully what has been happening in Gujarat, for better or for=20
worse, and to consider the implications for India and beyond=8A"

Recommendations to the Indian Diaspora:

1. Establish a coalition
2. Encourage local groups
3. Give generously and responsibly
4. Strengthen minority communities
5. Peace in South Asia

TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sarah Eltantawi 202 879-6726
or Zahir Janmohamed 202 368 8914

o o o

South Asian Development Partnership
HEALING THE WOUNDS
Human Rights and Minorities in India =A3 10.00
Add =A32.50 to cover postage, packing & handling

proceedings of the conference held in London on 15th August 2002=20
including contributions by; Dr Ram Gidoomal CBE (Chairman), Maja=20
Daruwala, John Dayal, Lord Meghnad Desai,
Harsh Mander, Gopal Menon, Sir Gulam Noon, Shrikumar Poddar and Dr=20
Prem Sharma. Published for the Conference Committee by South Asian=20
Development Partnership.

SADP, 50 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1BT
e-mail info@s...
Telephone 020 8770 9717
http://www.southasian.org.uk

______

#6.

Response to some recent comments made to, and questions asked of, The=20
Campaign to Stop Funding Hate. :

Q1: How is the Campaign responding to hate at ground level?
A1: Hate, such as that seen on the ground in Gujarat, is perpetrated=20
through a well organized network that is maintained by abundant=20
logistical and financial support, a substantial portion of which=20
comes from abroad. Exposing and reducing the financial base that=20
supports hate is just one of the goals of the Campaign. The=20
alleviation of hate requires, among other things, building awareness=20
about the conditions that produce and sustain hate. It requires=20
education, networking and disseminating information at various levels=20
of society, within the press, within civil society, within=20
institutions. This is precisely the larger goal of the Campaign.

There are a lot of groups and individuals working on the ground in=20
India who are part of the Campaign's outreach network. Members of the=20
Campaign have been working in India on a regular and long term basis.=20
For example, some members of the Campaign work regularly with=20
sustainable development policy and projects in village India.=20
However, as members of the Campaign also live in the United States,=20
we consider it equally important for us to focus on the overseas=20
collection of hate money that supports violence and sectarianism in=20
India.

Besides being part of the Campaign, many of us also work actively at=20
an individual level, with multiple groups resisting communalism on=20
the ground in India. To a certain extent, the Campaign to Stop=20
Funding Hate in the US is a direct response to the need felt in India=20
to expose the myth propagated by the Sangh Parivar that Hindutva is=20
an ideology indigenous to India. It also dispels the myth that=20
Hindutva is entirely supported from within India while Islamic and=20
Christian fundamentalism is fomented through 'foreign' funding. Most=20
grassroots anti-communal groups and organizations, and analysts, in=20
India have said that without the monetary and ideological support of=20
'successful' NRIs, Hindutva would not be as much of a force as it is=20
in India today. The Sabrang/SACW report went a long way in exposing=20
the deceptions employed by the Sangh Parivar in obtaining money from=20
overseas under the guise of 'relief and development'.

The value of the Campaign for forces in India can be understood by=20
examining the RSS response to the Sabrang\SACW report and to the=20
Campaign=97both in India and abroad. The RSS did everything it could to=20
silence the issue as quickly as possible in India. Questions raised=20
in Parliament as to the disposition of funds coming from abroad to=20
Sangh Parivar organizations were given the most vague of responses.=20
Clearly, the RSS saw the Campaign as having a negative effect for=20
them in India and sought to silence it. The rabid and hate filled=20
response of the Sangh Parivar to the Campaign and individuals=20
associated with the Campaign in the US also vindicates our contention=20
that the Campaign makes a relevant contribution to obstructing the=20
Sangh in its drive to spread hate at the ground level in India.

Q2: Is it not true that some of the RSS money gets to the ground?=20
Isn't cutting off this funding a disservice to the needy?

A2: The CSFH is committed to supporting sustainable development in=20
India. However, it is imperative to understand that the kind of=20
development financed by the Sangh Parivar only lays the groundwork=20
for divisiveness and sectarianism. The Sangh's version of development=20
is not sustainable in that it does not build stronger communities, it=20
weakens them by dividing them against each other. Dividing=20
communities against each other also reduces that capacity of these=20
communities to work together to sustain the ecology, the water and=20
forests and agricultural lands that are critical to their survival.=20
As the IUCN inter-governmental panels found, it also impacts the=20
environment adversely. Sectarianism does not support sustainable=20
grassroots development. It does not empower local actions for=20
self-determination, such as the magnificent efforts of over 63,000=20
villages struggling across India to secure access and rights to=20
forest lands for livelihood and cultural survival. Neither does it=20
support the needs of 375 million of India's poorest citizens.=20
Effective rural development can only be enacted through a commitment=20
to support local human rights and livelihood needs in ways that are=20
ecologically sustainable, and by building tolerant, democratic and=20
secular communities in village India.

Development must address the structural inequities of caste, class=20
and gender, religion and tribe, to ensure that development projects=20
and aid has the desired effect at the grassroots. To address these=20
inequities is not divisive, as the Sangh contends. Society is already=20
divided between those who have and those who are dispossessed, those=20
with power and those who are marginalized, at local and global=20
levels. To address the conditions that produce these divisions and=20
inequities is essential to healing them. The UN declaration of=20
Development, the World Social Forum, Rio 10+, the Planning Commission=20
of India, the National Ministries of Rural Development, Environment=20
and Forestry, local movements for sustainable development such as the=20
Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Orissa Jangal Manch, the Pani Panchayats,=20
all support the contention that development can be successful only=20
through ensuring the rights of ALL people, not by singling out some=20
based on religion, gender or social status. The participation of=20
tribals in the attacks on Muslims in Gujarat, 2002, was an example of=20
how development aid disbursed on a sectarian basis only facilitates=20
the further disintegration of society, not its development.

It is fallacious to equate the Campaign's position of 'No funding for=20
Hindutva' with 'No funding for Development'. The project of ensuring=20
that marginalized communities continue to receive the critical=20
support they need can be realized by resisting the divisive politics=20
of Hindutva on the one hand, and on the other, working to ensure that=20
development money reaches the marginalized through existing=20
non-sectarian grassroots based development groups.

Q3: Are we Sangh baiting?

A3: We are not 'Sangh baiting' Sangh baiting would imply that we=20
only do this to get a rise out of the Sangh because we merely=20
'dislike' them for some reason. Such a contention is not just wrong,=20
it is silly. The Campaign is largely an outcome of the horror all of=20
us felt after the Sangh Parivar went on its genocidal rampage in=20
Gujarat. The Sangh presents one of the greatest dangers to India's=20
existence as a tolerant, pluralistic and democratic society, and its=20
ideology of hate needs to be countered. Since a large proportion of=20
the Sangh's funding derives from overseas, exposing some of its=20
fund-raising tactics overseas, and the uses of such funds, is=20
necessary.

'Sangh baiting' indeed. We all have our personal and professional=20
lives that we would love to give our exclusive attention to, but are=20
compelled by conscience to do this work until the Sangh's hate can be=20
neutralized.

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
THE CAMPAIGN TO STOP FUNDING HATE
www.stopfundinghate.org
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

SACW is an informal, independent & non-profit citizens wire service run by
South Asia Citizens Web (www.mnet.fr/aiindex).

DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in materials carried in the posts do not
necessarily reflect the views of SACW compilers.
--=20