Continued heavy rain failed to interrupt Red Flag Rally

Rally was held against anti people policies of Govt.

Ludhiana: 5th September 2014: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen):

The Communist Party of India (CPI) and  CPI(M), CPM Punjab, CPI M L Liberation  took out a protest demonstration from Bhai Wala Chowk to Mini Secretariat where a rally was held against anti people policies of the Badal government and the central govt. of Narinder Modi and to demand repeal of the black laws enacted by the government. After the rally a memorandum was presented to the Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana to be forwarded to the Punjab government. The rally in which thousands of workers of all four parties participated was presided over by a presidium of Com Amarjeet Singh Mattu, Com Paramjeet Singh and Com O P Mehta. 

Addressing the rally Com Charan Singh Virdi-State Secretary of the CPI (M), Com Mangat Ram Pasla-state secretary CPM Punjab, Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Secretariat Member CPI Punjab said that as a result of these policies there is rise in prices of essential commodities including the LPG and Petrol,  law and order situation has deteriorated, consolidation of land and sand mafia, criminal activities of drug mafia and increase in the petty crime. The law and order situation has deteriorated to the lowest ebb ever in the recent period. The leaders said that on one side the Badal Govt. is responsible for land Mafia and Sand Mafia as well as the drug peddlers who  are active without any fear. imposing taxes to the tune of Rs. 9000 crores on the people of Punjab in form of property tax, increase in bus fare, registration of vehicle rates increase, enhancement of rate of Intqal and TS 1, electricity tariff etc. The tax on petrol is also maximum in Punjab. They criticized the Modi Govt. for its pro-corporate policies, spreading of communal , implementing its agenda of Hindutva in Education and culture, Disbanding the National  Planning Commission, inviting FDI in every sector, framing new laws for the appointments of Judges of Supreme Court. 

Addressing the gathering Com Sukhvinder Singh Sekhon- Member state committee CPI (M), Com Paramjit Singh, Com D P Maur, Dr Arun Mitra, Com Jatinder pal Singh, Com Mahinder Singh Acharwal, Com Jagdev singh Kalsi, Com Roop Basant Baraich and Com Harbans Singh Lohatvadi Com Sukhdarshan Natt lambasted the government for framing Law – prevention of damage to public and private property which is in fact an excuse to implicate the struggling  toiling masses for their just demands.  Therefore whereas this struggle is being waged against these black laws, on the other hand this struggle is to highlight just demands of the common people such as to waive off the urban property tax, strict action against the drug peddlers, jobs to the unemployed, to fill the vacant places in government departments,  to bring the health and education under the control of government, to increase the 

old age and widow pension to at least Rs. 3000-00 per month, to crush the violence against women, minimum wage to the unskilled workers to be Rs. 15,000-00 per month, strengthen the public distribution system, effective check on sand and land mafia, remove all toll plazas which have already  got the money back for the work done, to implement recommendations of Dr Swaminathan for proper remuneration to the peasants, to fulfill the just demands of the agriculture labour pending since long and to regularize the temporary employees, for the just demands fo Asha and Aanganwari workers. They further said that through this joint struggle of the left parties the struggle against the communal and dictatorial  policies of the Modi government and this will continue till fulfillment of 14 point demand charter. This will also continue to develop an formidable pro people alternative in the state. This joint struggle has filled lot of enthusiasm among the workers.     

Those who addressed the Com Gulzar Gorea,  Com D P Maur, Com Jatinder Pal , Com Jagdish, Com Ramesh Rattan, CPM, Com Badev Singh Latala, Com Surinder Singh Jalaldiwal, Com Avtar Gill, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com Sukhminder Lotey, Com Devraj, Com Kewal Singh, Com Jagdish Chander, Com Amarnath Koomkalan,  Com Manjeet Singh Buta

Ludhiana: (CPI) and CPI(M) held a protest march

Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at 3:08 PM
Even the police personnel are not safe in Punjab

Ludhiana: 25 Jan 2014: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen):
The Communist Party of India (CPI) and  CPI(M) held a protest march against the rise in prices of essential commodities including the LPG Petrol, deteriorating law and order situation and other anti people policies of the state government, consolidation of land and sand mafia, criminal activities of drug mafia and increase in the petty crime. The parties held rally at the railway station and then marched to the Clock Tower Chowk. Speaking on the occasion various speakers said that even the police personnel are not safe as proved by the killing of an ASI trying to save the honour of his daughter by a member of the Akali Dal. The incident of violence at the mini secretariat is also another evidence. The law and order situation has deteriorated to the lowest ebb ever in the recent period. All sections of the people particularly the women have never felt them so unsafe as today. The unwarranted behaviour with the struggling teachers is highly condemnable the speakers said. There is political interference in the functioning of the police. Land Mafia and Sand Mafia as well as the drug peddlers are active without any fear. The speakers also lambasted the government for imposing taxes to the tune of Rs. 9000 crores on the people of Punjab in form of property tax, increase in bus fare, registration of vehicle rates increase, enhancement of rate of Intqal and TS 1, electricity tariff etc. The tax on petrol is also maximum in Punjab. Not only that the employees are not being paid salaries on time. Even the pension is not being disbursed. Over and above increase in the prices of LPG have completely imbalanced the ordinary family. Large number of people have not got the subsidies. They are even finding it difficult to get Aadhar cards. People have to wait in long queues for this and then run around in the banks. Policies of both state and central governments have robbed the people. Those who addressed the gathering include Com Vijay Mishra- Member State Committee CPM, Com Kartar Singh Bowani- Secretary CPI Ludhiana, Com Sukhminder Singh Sekhon- Member state committee CPI (M), Com Gulzar Gorea, Com O  P Mehta,  Com D P Maur, Com Jatinder Pal , Com Jagdish, Com Ramesh Rattan, Com Amarjeet Mattu- Distt. Secretary CPM, Com Badev Singh Latala, Com Surinder Singh Jalaldiwal, Com Avtar Gill, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com Sukhminder Lotey, Com Devraj, Com Kewal Singh, Com Jagdish Chander, Com Amarnath Koomkalan, Com Anod Kumar, Com Manjeet Singh Buta, Com Ramadhar Singh.

Political- economic situation worsening day by day

Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 11:50 AM

State committee of M C P I (U) reported in a meeting 

Doraha: (Ludhiana): 20 Jan 2014: (Rector kathuria//Punjab Screen):

State committee of M C P I (U) held its meeting here at K K Kaushal Memorial Bhawan Doraraha. Com. Ajaib Singh Bhangu presided over the meeting. The meeting was attended by Kiranjit Sekhon, Prem Singh Bhangu  Polit Bureau members, Com. Lakhwinder Bowani, Prem Singh Nanva, Mangat Ram Longowal all central committee members. Comrades from Chandigarh, Patiala, Sangrur Ludhiana, Mohali also attended the meeting.

 Com. Kuldip Singh Grewal National Secretary M C P I (U) made a reporting on the present political- economic situation, which is worsening day by day. He called upon the members to strengthen the party organization. All the members’ present made contribution for enriching the political-economic report.

State committee has decided to hold protest dharnas at Tehsil levels throughout the state against anti-people policies of the state as well as central Government from February 10 to 13, 2014 according to Pawan Kumar Kaushal State Secretary of M C P I (U) Punjab. The state committee also considered the possibilities of Joint struggle with likeminded left and democratic parties and groups and M C P I (U) state committee has made an appeal for the joint struggle on the burning issues of the people to all the likeminded parties and groups in the state.

State committee passed resolutions against price rise, un-employment, inflation and corruption in all walks of life. In a resolution, it urged the state government  and Power com to reduce the power rates like Delhi and Haryana. Power rates are highest in Punjab after Karnatka.

In a special resolution, State Committee of M C P I (U) has urged the state government to return the surplus and unutilized land of “Siel Chemicals” near Rajpura, to the owners. It also supported the struggle of the farmers of 33 villages against the forcible acquisition of their lands. In the last resolution , state committee has expressed its serious concern over drug trade going on in the state, in which politicians of the ruling classes and police are involved and demanded an independent judicial enquiry into the nexus of police-bureaucrates and politicians of the state. It also demanded action against all those responsible for drug and narcotics trade to save the youth of Punjab from this menace.

Death of two minor girls

Sat, Sep 14, 2013 at 4:17 PM

CPI has expressed anguished and shock

The Communist Party of India (CPI)  has expressed anguished and shock death of two minor girls who were working as domestic help. This is in continuation of several similar incidents in the recent past. Ever increasing crime in the city is a matter of grave concern for all the right thinking citizens. Com Ramesh Rattan – City Secretary and Dr Arun Mitra – Asstt. Distt. Secretary have said that timely action by the police in several incident can prevent such crime. But many a times it has been observe that it takes lot of efforts on the part of victims to get the cases registered and even after that the culprits go on roaming scot free. It gives impression that section of police is either hand in glove with the criminals or is apathetic towards the crime and their duty. This encourages the criminals.

Jan Samparak campaign started at Ludhiana by CPI

This will continue till 20^th as a part of nationwide campaign

With a call to defeat the communal designs of the BJP and to oust the anti people UPA 2 in the coming elections, the Communist Party of India (CPI) district Ludhiana began JAN SAMPARK programme  after paying floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev at the Jagraon Pul today. This will continue till 20^th September as a part of the nationwide campaign.  Addressing the gathering state secretary of CPI Com Bant Singh Brar said that the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar  have thoroughly exposed the BJP and the state government of Akhilesh Yadav for their petty ambitions to hold power by splitting the society on communal lines. Paying homage to the deceased he demanded immediate stern steps to identify and punish those responsible for the communal carnage. BJP approach to put forward Narinder Modi as the fore runner in the electoral battle to Parliament is a very dangerous move  as Modi is responsible for killing of 3000 innocent people in Gujarat. He further said that the UPA 2 has completely sold out the nation to the foreign multinationals. As a result of these policies the country is now heading towards an economic emergency. Devaluation of rupee to such a low level and coming down of the growth to just 4.4 has proven complete failure of the government’s economic policies. Price rise of essential commodities has forced the common man to cut down its daily budget on food. This will further lead to the already existing high percentage of malnutrition in the country. The rampant corruption at the centre has proven hollowness of the government.

Com Kartar Singh Bowani district secretary CPI said that law and order problem in the state is very grave. Land mafia, sand mafia and the drug mafia are ruling freely. Democratic norms are being flouted by the government. Those demanding justice and their rights are being beaten.

Com D P Maur assistant secretary CPI demanded that the poor above the age of 60 should be given pension of Rs.3000.00 per month. Workers should be given Rs.10000.00 as minimum wage.

Dr Arun Mitra informed that the rally passed a resolution condemning American designs to attack Syria. Others who addressed include Com Ramesh Rattan, Com Gurnam Gill, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com Kewal Singh, Com Kuldeep Singh Binder, Com Manjeet Singh Boota, Com Ram Singh, Com Ramchander.

Rise in gas prices only to benefit Reliance

Motive to collect funds for election-alleges CPI
A fraud with the nation 

Reply from the Petroleum Ministry

Letter of Com Gurudas Das Gupta

Communist Party of India (CPI)  has charged that union cabinet’s decision of  fixing the cost of  natural gas produced from RIL KG Basin at USD 8.4 MMBTU is a fraud with the nation and a move to give billions to the Ambanis while the actual cost of production  is USD 2.74 MMBTU as told by the Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas in the Parliament vide its reply dated 2nd August 2013 to a question by com Gurudas Das Gupta MP. This is only to give huge sum of money to the Ambanis with a view to collect crores from them for the election fund.  This was alleged by Com Amarjeet Kaur, national secretary CPI while addressing a group of comrades here at Ludhiana. She said that despite repeated requests and queries neither the finance ministry nor any other government agency came forward to tell the actual cost of production. Therefore Com Gurudas had to file a PIL in the Supreme Court. The court has already served notice to 6 parties including the Finance and Petroleum Ministry and RIL in this regard.  Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry ultimately gave the reply after computing the financial statement of the company 2011-2012. It is a clear violation of democratic norms and cheating with the national exchequer by the government. This hefty benefit to the RIL will lead to increase in the prices of LPG, Power Supply by Rs.2.00 per unit and rise in the prices of fertilizers like urea. Whereas the RIL will reap a benefit of Rs.81000 crorers in the next five years, the nation will lose Rs.2,20,000 crorers she said.  No wonder the Congress is opposed to RTI on financial status of the parties. CPI has demanded immediate review of the cabinet’s decision as  already the RIL is being given  USD 4.2 MMBTU which is nearly 1.5 times of the cost of production.  Com Gurudas has  written a letter to the Prime Minister. 
(Letter of Com Gurudas Das Gupta and reply from the Petroleum ministry is attached)

Com Gurudas Das Gupta, MP Calls upon the workers

Lead the fight against policies of the govt.
AITUC meet described the policies as Anti people & pro-corporate 

The UPA-II Govt. is increasingly working in the interest of big corporate business houses of India and the international cartels undermining the national interest. Latest decisions of the Govt. are enough indicators of the rightist shift in the policies detrimental to Indian growth and progress based on justice and equality. These are against the basic spirit of the Indian constitution which speaks of justice and equality as its mainstay.  The Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education.  Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country. This was stated by Com. Gurudas Das Gupta, Member Parliament and General Secretary All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) while addressing the 19th State Conference of AITUC at Punjabi Bhawan Ludhiana today. On that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of contractorization and outsourcing,  contractualisation and casualisation of labour on the other hand is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. Bringing in FDI in retail trade is a virtual sale out of small business to the foreign companies. It will be big blow to more than 4 crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home based and small scale industries etc. Recent announcement of 100% FDI in Telecom and raising of FDI limit in oil sector would further lead to perpetuate the economic crisis.  The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60 paise per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps. 

He said, the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core.  The government’s announcement that only 21.9% of the population lives below poverty line is a shear mockery. How can anyone earning Rs.33.00 per day is above poverty line he asked. In this background he said, the trade unions have come out with their strategies to fight the attacks of government on working people. The successful two days strike by all the Central Trade Unions on 20-21 February,in which independent federations, associations and other independent trade unions also participated, first ever such action in the independent India have shown the unity among the working class and is a big challenge before the government.
Com Amarjeet Kaur – National  Secretary AITUC in her speech said that the workers charter of demands includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000, universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc.

Comrade D L Sachdev in his greetings  called upon the unions to prepare for the next round of proposed joint agitations which includes campaign on demands at grass root level to be followed by massive rallies in the state capitals on 25th September and then a march to parliament on 12th December to be adopted in a joint national convention of Trade Unions to be held on 6th August 2013 at New Delhi.
Addressing the conference Com Bant Singh Brar – President and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal - General Secretary of Punjab unit of AITUC said that the state govt. of Punjab is not following a different course as regards the economic policies in general are concerned. Rather it has been taking anti labour and anti farmer measures more aggressively.  There is increase in the unemployment and due to contractualisation of jobs the real wages of the workers in the state have come down. The workers protests are being crushed by using the police force. AITUC will resist all this.
The conference began with hoisting of AITUC flag by veteran trade unionist Com O P Mehta.
The conference was attended by over 250 delegates from various sections from different parts of the state. The conference elected Com Bant Singh Brar as president and Com Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal  as general secretary. It also elected a  working committee to run the affairs for the coming period.
Earlier Dr.Arun Mitra – Chairman Reception Committee welcomed the delegates.  A reception committee with Dr Arun Mitra as Chairman, Com O P Mehta as President and Com D P Maur as General Secretary worked day and night to make the event successful.
Today’s conference was attended by the elected delegates of various organisations of workers and employees from all over the Punjab. They included workers from different industries, Hosiery, Textile, Construction, Roadways, PRTC, Corporations, BSNL, Banks, Power sector, FCI Palledar, University, PSSF, Govt. Class 4 employees, Khet Mazdoor, MANREGA Workers, ASHA workers Anganwadi workers and other unorganized sector.

AITUC meet at Ludhiana: A grand success

International Labor Day

May Day Conference to be held in Ldh PUDA grounds 
Workers’ organizations have called upon all workers-laboring masses-youthto participate in the conference

Ludhiana: 30 April 2013: International Labor Day is call to all workers-laboring masses of the world for waging a united struggle against every type of exploitation. On the occasion of 128^th International Labor Day tomorrow (1^st May), May Day Conference is being organized by Karkhana Mazdoor Uinon, Punjab (KMU) and Textile-Hosiery Kamgar Union, Punjab (TKMU) in PUDA grounds Ludhiana. TKMU president Rajwinder said that large no. of people from workers-laboring masses and youth will gather for the conference. He said that May Day Conference is not just a formality for them. Today, laboring people are being exploited and oppressed barbarically. There is no big mass movement against these atrocities. In such times, remembering the revolutionary legacy of May Day and by taking inspiration from it, building the future path for changing the present inhumane conditions is the only right way to commemorate the May Day.

            During the program, comrades in the leadership of the workers’ organizations will speak on the history and relevance of May day in present times, and also on the economic-political-social conditions of country and world today. The speakers will also discuss that in such situation exploited and oppressed can follow which path today when the whole system is rotting from head to foot.

            Comrade Rajwinder also said that organizations affiliated to many parliamentary vote-seeking parties hire the B-grade singers and make the orchestra girls to dance to gather the crowd on the occasion of May Day. The May Day Conference will oppose and expose such practices and will take forward the revolutionary ethos of May Day. There will be a cultural program comprising of revolutionary songs & plays. He said that it is very important to bring forward the alternative to the ugly, vulgar & consumerist culture served to the masses by the capitalist media.

            KMU and TKMU have called upon all the workers-youth who want to bring a change to take part in the conference.

Lakhwinder,

President, KMU, Punjab.

Mobile No.- 9646150249

CPI rally at Ludhiana

Solidarity with the brave struggle of Jagatsinghpur 

The Ludhiana district unit of the Communist Party of India held a rally in solidarity with the brave struggle that is going on against the Central and State government move to hand-over 4000 acre of fertile agricultural land at Jagatsinghpur district, (Odisha) near the Paradeep Part to a South Korean transnational corporation, POSCO for a steel plant, displacing several thousand families who have been earning their livelihood for near a century. Hundreds of workers carrying placards condemned state repression on the peaceful agitators and demanded immediate cancellation of false cases against CPI national council member Abhay Sahu and others, suitable payment to those killed and injured by the police, stop evicting people from the area, proper compensation to the land owners and ensure that the environment considerations/obligations are met with. Addressing the gathering Com Kartar Singh Bowani Distt. Secretary said that our government is out to sever the interest of foreign Multi National Corporations while completely ignoring the local population. Dr Arun Mitra Asstt. Secretary said that the neoliberal economic policies pursued by the governments have led to huge widening of gaps in the society with net income of vast majority of our population falling down continuously. Increase in prices of essential commodities is deliberate as a result of these policies. He also condemned the rise in power tariff by the Punjab govt. and termed it like adding fuel to the fire of people’s problems. This must be rolled back he  said.  Com D P Maur Asstt. Secretary said that the people’s resentment against these policies has been widely reflected in the two days trade union strike on 20 and 21 February. But the government instead of talking to the working class is holding meetings with the elite. Others who addressed include Com O P Mehta, Com Gulzar Goria, Com Gurnam Gill.

Some more links:

Worker on the Bahadarke Road stabbed

Shopkeepers on road

IDPD delegation going to Germany

AITUC meeting held at Ludhiana

CPI rally at Ludhiana

'Caste question amd Marxism' debate at Chd

Emancipation of Indian Society is impossible 

without finding a solution to the Caste question

Chandigarh, 12 March. The dicussion involving the various intellectuals and social activists arrived here from different corners of the country on the subject 'Caste question amd Marxism' has started in the Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar that has commenced in Bhakna Bhavan today.

At the very beginning of the seminar, it was clearly stated that no project of eliminating exploitation in Indian Society can be put forward without giving due consideration to the caste question. In this five-day seminar, various historians, social scientists, writers, social activities from states like Punjab, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar etc. are participating. In addition, senior leaders from both the main political parties of Nepal are also participating along with the intellectuals from the Britain and Germany.

            In the commencing session of the seminar, Satyam from Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies said that in the seminar, issues like relation between Marxism and Ambedkarism, political ideas of Dr. Ambedkar, Marxist Understanding of the caste qusetion, historiographic writing of the caste question, caste question and dalit literature & aesthetics etc. will be thoroughly debated so that the obtacles to the social change can be removed. He said that in last few years the mechanical thinking prevalent in Marxist circles has undergone a change and in Dalitists also, questions are being raised regarding the ideas of Dr. Ambedkar.

            Satyam also said that there has been a trend to bring a compromise between the Marxixm & Ambedkarism, and a trend of subaltern & identity politics. Analysis of these trends from Marxist perspective is also the need of the hour.

              Managing trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust, Meenakashi said that a national level seminar on the important issues concerning the communist movement of India is organized every year in the memory of Com. Arvind. Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies has been founded to carry out the research and study on the theoretical and practical issues faced by the communist movement of India.

            While welcoming the various guests reached for the seminar, Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi magazine Pratibadh said that left movement in Punjab has a distinct history and the
 caste question has also always remained here in its peculiar form. It has been a big thing for us that such a seminar is being organized here in Chandigarh.

            The commencing session was presided over by the politbureau member of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and famous literary critic Ninu Chapagai, senior tradeunionist from Mumbai Deepati, Trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust Meenakshi, and editor of Magazine 'Ahwan' Abhinav. The stage was conducted by poetess Katyayani.

            The program started after paying homage to Comrade Arvind. Then the team from 'Vihaan' cultural group presented revolutionary songs.

            Overall, 14 papers and write-ups will be presented in the seminar on different aspects of the subject. The base paper of the seminar 'Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint' is prepared by the research team of Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies.   Other papers include 'Ambedkarism and Dalit Liberation' by Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi journal Pratibaddh;  'Historiography of Caste' by Abhinav, editor, Aahvan; 'Class, Caste and Identity Politics' by Shivani, Delhi University; 'Caste and Politics in West Bengal' by Praskanva Sinharay, CSSS, Kolkata; 'Caste and Sex in Marxist Traditions' by Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta, JNU; Marxism and the caste question' by Asit Das, Researcher and Activist, New Delhi;  'On Identity Politics' by Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University; On Conjoint Relevance of Marxism and Ambedkarism by Sukhdev Singh Janagal, Punjab and on the limitations of caste and identity politics by Jai Prakash of the 'Jati Virodhi Andolan'.

Eminent historian Prof. Irfan Habib will send a background note on caste in India, Ninu Chapagain, Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division of UCPN (M) will present a write-up on 'The Dalit Question and Aesthetics' and a paper 'Towards A Programme for Abolition of Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy' by Dr. Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal (Democratic), Pune will be presented. Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of Glasgow will make a presentation through internet linkup and his paper 'Dr. Ambedkar or Dr. Marx' will be circulated as a background note.

— Meenakshy (Managing Trustee), Anand Singh (Secretary)

Arvind Memorial Trust

For more information, please contact:

Katyayani – 09936650658, Satyam – 9910462009, Namita (Chandigarh) –  9780724125

The Caste Question and Marxism

Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar started

Sangharsh Sandesh by CPI(M)

Northern Jatha Flagged Off from Jallianwala Bagh

The third of the CPI(M)'s Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha – the Northern Jatha – began its journey from historic city Amritsar today. Earlier, Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) paid tributes to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh before embarking on the Jatha.

The Jatha team was received at Jallianwala Bagh with warmth from hundreds of people assembled there from across the state. Led by Vijay Mishra, the coordinator for the Jatha in Punjab and member of the State secretariat of the CPI (M) Punjab, Brinda Karat laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
Davinder Singh Josh, son of Sohan Singh Josh, one of the founders of communist movement in Punjab, handed over the Jatha flag to Brinda Karat.
Addressing the media afterwards, Ms Karat said that the people of India are in search of a better alternative, which is completely different from the Congress and BJP who are representing corporate interests rather those of people. She said that the message of these Jathas is to invite the public to consider the alternatives that are being presented by CPI(M).
Replying to a question on “with whom the CPI(M) will fight the next elections”, she said that the party will be representing the people’s interests and will fight the elections for safeguarding their interests. She dismissed Modi’s claim that BJP is the only alternative to Congress. She termed both the Congress and BJP as two different sides of the same coin and when they are power in Delhi, they will toe the neo-liberal policies in the interest of foreign and national monopoly capitalist.
She expressed anguish about the condition of people living in border districts. She said that their sources of livelihood and opportunities are continuously under threat from the border disputes. She reminded the gathering about the history of Amritsar which was a centre for cross border trade till the border disputes set in and ousted lakhs of people.
Brinda Karat called up on the public to participate in the party’s Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha in big numbers and make success the March 19th public meeting that is going to be held in Delhi marking the culmination of the four nationwide Jathas.
Members of the Central Committee of the party, Hannan Mollah, Inderjeet Singh, Charan Singh Vridhi and Rajender Sharma, participated in this flag handing over ceremony. Memoona Mollah, Vijay Mishra and other leaders too were present.

Abhinandan of renowned thinker J S Anand

                                                                                                                                                            (photos by Rector Kathuria)

Book Released by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi

LUDHIANA,March 4,2013:(Rector Kathuria): An ‘Abhinandan Granth’ on renowned literateur, journalist, public figure and a thinker, S. Jagjit Singh Anand was released by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi(PSA), Ludhiana today. The first copy of the treatise was presented by the PSA President Gurbhajan Singh Gill and others including the NRI from America S. Roop Singh Roopa, PSA Senior Vice President, Dr Anup Singh Batala, Secretary Dr Gulzar Singh Pandher, Surinder Kailley, Members Er Janmeja Johl, Sukhdev Singh Premi and Manjinder Singh Dhanoa. S. Anand could not reach the PSA function to receive the publication, due to his indisposition. 
Dr Rajnish Bahadur Singh, the editor of the treatise, Mrs Urmila Anand wife of S. Anand, The Trustee of Nawan Zamana paper Jass Mand and S. Sukeerat Anand, son of S. Anand were also present. 

The function was presided over by Dr S.S.Johl, Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, while the Mayor of City of Ludhiana, S. H.S. Gohlwarhia, was the Guest of Honour. S. Roop Singh Roopa, Gurbhajan Gill and Gulzar Pandher were prominent among others who were present on the occasion. 
‘The factual information comprised in the treatise throws light on the multifarious aspects of the personality of S. Anand’, said Gurbhajan Gill, adding that the future generations would derive inspiration from the life and works of S. Anand. He declared that an Award in the name of S. Jagjit Singh Anand will be given every year by the PSA for which S. Roop Singh Roopa has provided sponsorship. 

S. Gohlwarhia and Dr Johl described S. Anand as a Yugpursh who always stood boldly for the righteous cause. Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa highlighted the nation-wide stature of S. Anand saying that he impressed people with his straightforwardness and bold voice even in the difficult times. 
S. Rajneesh Bahadur Singh said that he felt honoured in writing the Treatise that he said provided him opportunity to know the great personality, S. Jagjit Singh Anand.