Monday, January 26, 2015

People’s Manifesto

Unity Convention of Secular-Democratic-Progressive Forces

“Threats from Fascist & Imperialist Forces in India, 

Challenges & Strategies”

January 22 & 23, 2015 (Thursday & Friday): Gondwana Bhawan, Raipur: Chhattisgarh










People’s Manifesto 

On Rebuilding Chhattisgarh

We, the participants at the Chhattisgarh Unity Convention of Secular-Democratic-
Progressive Forces held on 22nd & 23rd of January, 2015 at the Gondwana Bhawan, Raipur 

(Chhattisgarh) representing people’s organisations, political parties, social movements, trade 

unions, social and cultural action groups, NGOs and progressive intellectuals, who believe in 

the Vision of a Socialist-Secular-Democratic India and, in turn, work for the realization of such 

a Vision, reaffirm our faith in and commitment to the Constitution of India, which avowedly 

declares in its Preamble: 

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a

SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the [unity and integrity of the Nation]”

We express our deep concern that, for the first time in the electoral history of India, the 

religious fundamentalist forces (with a declared historical agenda for “Hindu Rashtra”) trying 

to gain political control over the State, thus, posing grave threats to the very core and content 

of the Constitution of India.

We had no doubt in our minds that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government with 

Bhartiya Janata Pary (BJP) in absolute majority would pursue and realize the vision of a 

Hindu Rashtra, as projected in the ideological documents of the Rashtriya Swamsewak 

Sangh (RSS), written by their founders. Historical reality has established beyond doubt that 

the BJP is fully under the control of the Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh (RSS), (and its many 

allies and front organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, etc.). 

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In this regard, the violent history of communal forces in India since Independence, 

more so the genocide in Gujarat under Sri Narendra Modi as its Chief Minsiter, has been 

revived under the autocratic control of State machinery by the BJP, as demonstrated in the 

subsequent events during the last 200 days of NDA Rule in India. 

Presently almost all parliamentary democracy institutions and processes are being 

weakened through autocratic legal action, such as leading to the resignation by the 

Chairperson and members of the Censor Board, many journalists and media persons being 

sacked or shifted only because they are suspected of having left-orientation, and 

communalisation of education, leading to changing the vice-chancellors and heads of 

institutions, imposing strictures and violent attack on screening of films, etc. 

We are also well aware of the hidden agenda behind the slogan of development of a 

New India, and “good times ahead” under the leadership of Sri Narendra Modi. It is crystal 

clear that the BJP-led NDA Government is pursuing the goals of globalization serving the 

interests of the Corporate World (domestic and multinational), by putting the vast natural and 

human resources of our country into their hands for profit-making. Policies of privatization 

and liberalization are being pursued at the cost of the vast majority of marginalized masses 

are who are systematically and ruthlessly pushed to the periphery. The autocratic leadership 

has scant regard for the human rights and democratic values enshrined in the Indian 

Constitution! 

 Reversal of Labour Reforms earned by historical labour movements;

 Land Acquisition Ordinance, Coal Ordinance, Insurance Ordinance and Ordinance 

 The fresh data and debate on “poverty line”; 

 The unilateral decision increasing the height of Narmada Dam; 

 Targeting of select NGOs/Social Movements in the IB Report, branding them as 

 The red-carpet treatment of the newly formed Government by the 

Raj

anti-development, meaning, anti-national; 

globalized/imperialist countries, Adani’s Australian coal mine contract ( with State 

Bank of India providing Rs. 60,000 crores of ; nuclear liability negotiations with 

Obama; 

 Home Ministry’s aggressive militaristic attitude to conflict in Central India.

These are only a few indicators pointing towards the contours of the ‘Corporate-
Communal-Security-State’ taking shape under the present autocratic regime. No doubt, the 

State Machinery is nakedly and un-ashamedly at the service of the rich and powerful, and 

ruthlessly and openly against the poor and marginalized. 

While the national scenario is clearly moving towards the road-map of ‘Corporate-
Communal-Security-State’, in Chhattisgarh, the plunder and loot by the Corporate World, and

the sidelining of democratic processes have been already underway during the past tenure of 

the present regime. Now with the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, the State 

Government is acting more bold and bloody in adopting authoritarian-rule-of-law to suppress 

all dissenting voices and democratic movements resisting globalization, combating 

communalism and defending democracy.

 The reincarnation of Salwa-Judum in its new avatar like the recent resolutions by 

about 50 Gram Sabhas to ban the non-Hindus from preaching and practicing their

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 The systematic violent attack on Christians and other minorities, and the 

 The linkage between the Corporate agenda in Bastar (and in all of Chhattisgarh), 

religion in the villages in Bastar, are like the same old wine of fascism in a new 

bottle. 

campaigns like “Ghar vapasi” are deliberately on the increase to create a rift 

between the adivasis, dalits, landless and marginal farmers so as to carry on with 

the Corporate Agenda without any hindrance from people’s united action.

and Salwa-Judum (and now the banning of non-Hindus) was well exposed not only 

by the human rights and people’s organizations, but declared as un-constitutional 

and anti-democratic by the apex court of the country. 

Therefore, the designs of the Corporate World in achieving their goals can be clearly 

seen on the one hand, diluting the pro-people provisions of the Land Acquisition Act and 

Forest Rights Act, and on the other hand, in diverting the basic purpose of the Gram Sabhas

in protecting their natural and cultural resources from plunder and loot for profit, greed and 

endless pursuit of affluence at the cost of basic human rights of life and livelihood of the vast 

majority of the people, in this case the adivasis and dalits. 

The Chhattisgarh situation is even more sensitive due to conflict between the Maoists 

and the State in a large area of the State. This has led the State to inject more stringent and 

draconian repressive laws (like the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005) and 

machinery (heavy deployment of para-military forces in large areas inhabited with adivasis 

and dalits, affecting their lives, livelihood and culture, etc.) which, in turn, violates the human 

rights of citizens, especially in the conflict zone. This conflict-context would call for fresh 

reflection-action-reflection process to be initiated by the progressive parties and individuals in 

Chhattisgarh. 

We are also conscious of the fact that other coalitions like the United Progressive

Alliance (UPA) are committed to and also have been pursuing ruthlessly the goals of a 

Global-Corporate India, even if without the blatant aggression of the fascist forces. 

We also express our concern that the primary thrust of the present regime is an 

aggressive onslaught on left-democratic forces, silencing the voices of dissent and 

constricting freedom of expression. This enables implementation of the corporate agenda 

with the rule of an iron hand, sidelining established institutions and discarding procedures laid 

down in the Constitution of India.

The political backdrop in India, more so in Chhattisgarh, has made it mandatory for the 

people’s organizations, social movements, progressive intellectuals, trade unions, social 

action groups and left parties to join forces to re-formulate strategies and agenda for future 

action for the realization of the VISION OF A SOCIALIST-SECULAR-DEMCORATIC INDIA. 

This Convention declares on the basis of conclusions drawn through discussions that: 

1. The principles of sovereignty, socialism, democracy, secularism as enshrined in the 

Constitution of India be widely proclaimed and strengthened; 

2. Freedom of Expression to the followers of all religions, and to let them live freely 

without fear according to their religious beliefs; 

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3. Land Acquisition Ordinance 2014 be repealed, and the Land Acquisition Act 2013 be 

restored, with additional provisions in favour of the farmers; 

4. Coal Ordinance be repealed, and following the directives given by the Hon’ble 

Supreme Court of India, auction of coal mines be held as per the real need and not 

for the benefit of the Corporate Sector; along with it the consent of the gram sabhas be 

made mandatory; impact on environment and forest be taken into consideration as per 

the provisions of the law before the allotment of mines; 

5. Exploitation of natural resources and mineral wealth in favour of the industrialists be 

stopped forthwith; 

6. Anti-labour amendments/provisions introduced in the Labour Laws benefitting the 

industrialists and employers be withdrawn forthwith, regularization of workers be made 

mandatory in public and private sector, and contract system be totally abolished; 

7. Privatization of water, forest and land, privatisation of public sector, and disinvestment 

be stopped forthwith; 

8. “Made In India” policy be introduced instead of “Make In India”, so as to increase 

employment opportunities, urban and rural unemployed be provided jobs on priority 

basis so as to increase their purchasing power; 

9. Free quality education be provided from KG to Post Graduate; Health Services Rights 

Act be legislated, with provisions for free medical treatment for all;

10.Farmers be paid profitable price for their produce. Employment should be guaranteed 

throughout the year under MNREGA, with provision for, at least, 200 days in a year. 

Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme be also enacted on similar lines. Workers 

under MNREGA be paid on a regular basis; 

11.MNREGA should not only be linked with agricultural/rural labourers, but also reviewed 

against the backdrop of agriculture and farming; 

12.Those forest dwellers who are denied rights over the occupied land under the Forest 

Rights Act be provided with legal documents (pattas) forthwith; 

13.Implementing the Food Rights Act, the public distribution system be made effective 

and inclusive; 

14.Rising prices be controlled, and corruption be brought to an end; 

15. “Religious conversion” and “ghar wapasi” should be brought under the provisions and 

principles enshrined in the Constitution; laws related to these be reviewed and 

repealed accordingly, so that religious freedom for all citizens is restored; 

16.Legal action be taken against drugs, liquor and decadent culture, and social reforms 

movements be strengthened against such social ills; 

17.Violence and atrocities against women, especially trafficking related crimes be strictly 

dealt with by the law enforcing machinery, and social struggles should continue 

against these; 

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18.The Governor should take appropriate legal action under the provisions of “PESA” and 

5th & 6th Schedule, so that exploitation and repression in scheduled areas is stopped; 

19.Repression and anti-constitutional laws must be repealed forthwith, such as AFPSA, 

Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 

2008, and colonial legal provisions like Sedition, etc. ;

20.In the name of combating Maoists, the deployment of para-military forces, and 

advocacy of direct military action by the NDA government should be opposed, and in 

order to establish peace in Chhattisgarh, issues such as social justice, people’s rights 

must be taken into consideration, so as to preserve and promote citizens constitutional 

rights to life and livelihood. 

PLEDGE

We are committed to internalize and implement this Manifesto and programmes 

into and through our organisations, and pledge ourselves to stand united and in 

solidarity through dialogue and struggles. 

We the participants at the Chhattisgarh Unity Convention adopt it on 23.1.2015:

1. Communist Party of India; 2. Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha; 3. Akhil Bhartiy Adivasi

Mahasabha; 4. Kheti-Bachao, Jeewan-Bachao Andolan; 5. People’s Union for Civil Liberties –

Chhattisgarh; 6. Baiga Mahapanchayat – Chhattisgarh; 7. Chhattisgarh Mahila Jagriti Sangathan; 

8. Pardhi Mahapanchayat – Chhattisgarh; 9. Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan; 10. Chhattisgarh 

Mukti Morcha ( Mazdoor Karyakarta Samiti); 11. Chhattisgarh Mines Shramik Sangh; 12. 

Chhattisgarh Labour Institute; 13. Nadi Ghaati Morcha; 14. Chhattisgarh Christian Fellowship; 15. 

Akhil Bhartiy Krantikaari Kisaan Sabha; 16. Ekta Parishad- Kanker; 17.Chhattsigarh Christian 

Forum; 18. Bhartiy Muslim Mahila Andolan – Chhattisgarh; 19. Chhattisgarh Bal Shramik 

Sangathan; 20. Sabla Dal (Domestic Workers’ Union); 21. Communist Party of India (Liberation); 

22. Muslim Baitulmaal Foundation; 23. All India Secular Forum – Chhattisgarh; 24. Indian Social 

Action Forum (INSAF); 25. Dalit Mukti Morcha; 26.All India Progressive Forum – Chhattigarh; 27.

All India Peace & Solidarity Organisation –Chhattisgarh; 28. National Alliance of Women (NAWO); 

29. Jan Sanskritik Manch; 30. All India Law Forum.

:Presidium: 1. Chittaranjan Bakshi (94252-02641); 2. Janak Lal Thakur (94241-07557); 3. C L Patel 

(98266-41016); 4. Nand Kumar Kashyap (94062-13116); 5. Sudha Bhardwaj (99266-

03877); 6. Lakhan Singh (77730-60946); 7. Anand Mishra ((98933-54482)): 

Treasurers: Ganesh Ram Chaudhry (99932-33527); A P Josy (94255-43304)

Steering Committee: Rajendra K Sail (98268-04519); Sudha Bhardwaj (99266-03877); 

Alok Shukla (94076-04811;Gautam Bandopadhyay (98261-71304);

Sheikh Ansar (99932-33537); Tej Ram Vidrohi (89596-66036)

Shashi Krishi Farm, Village & Post, Tumgaon, Dist. Mahasamund :Pin-code: 493445: Chhattisgarh: 

Contact Address:

India: E-mail: rajendrasail@gmail.com

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