Sir,

I join the Central Committee of the party in its expression of anger at the wanton destruction and loss of life due to the bomb blast in Jaipur on May 13, 2008. I would also like to offer my condolences to the victims and their families at this unspeakable horror.

These events are coming at a time when the bourgeois parties are in a phase of preparation for the upcoming general elections due in 2009. Although the UPA coalition appears stable, the present economic climate of rising prices, galloping international prices of petroleum, the instability of the dollar is a source of great concern for the Government. It may yet decide to call for early elections while the going is still good, and before there is a full blown crisis for which the people of India will hold the present Government responsible. The main competitor for the Congress, the main party in the UPA is the BJP, which was the largest party of the former NDA Government. Keenly aware that its electoral fortunes could swing one way or another, it is trying to distinguish itself as being tough on terror, and says that it is also capable of somehow controlling economic forces. It is also in the midst of its own crises as can be seen from the events that have followed the Jaipur bombing in the context of the 'Gujjar agitation'.  Scores of lives have been lost in this agitation, mainly due to police firing.  However, no political party is able to come out openly and denounce this latter loss of life.

In this scenario, the ruling circles themselves are unable to decide how to approach the general election.  It is not unlikely that major catastrophic events will be the background in which they seek to chart out their political course, at least in the immediate future.

Shortly after the Jaipur events, the former President, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has come out saying that India needs to be highly vigilant about terrorism.  The much reviled Mr. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat has come out saying that new laws are required to face the terror threat. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mrs. Vasundhara Raje Scindia has also expressed such sentiments. The Chief Ministers of states at their various conferences repeatedly issue statements about the threat posed by terrorists. In other words, any observer will gather that it is  precisely these interests that seek to gain advantage from such atrocities. In an atmosphere of terror, they will seek to pass draconian laws which will then be used to put away any one opposing any policy of the state, in the name of protecting the country. 

We must be ever vigilant against the ruling circles who will seek to divide and divert the energies of the people in their favour, by whipping up chauvinism and hysteria.  It is an important task to first understand who the real enemies of the people are, and what their aims and activities really are all about.

Sincerely,
A. Narayan, Bangalore