The call of our times – a Republic of workers and peasants and a voluntary Indian Union

Even as our rulers roll out the tanks and military aircraft that symbolize their ever-growing military prowess and their aspiration to achieve a big power status, on January 26 this year, to mark the 58th Republic Day, the masses of workers and peasants and other toiling people all over the country are increasingly questioning what this Republic means to us.

For the masses of people, it is evident that this Republic caters to the interests of only a handful of the wealthiest capitalists, while denying the rest even the most basic rights.

The economic reforms program, has been extended to include privatization of even basic civic amenities such as water and electricity. Forcible large-scale acquisition of agricultural and forest land has led to the displacement and loss of livelihood of millions of peasants and tribals. The opening up of wholesale and retail trade to the biggest Indian and foreign monopoly capitalists is also threatening the livelihood of millions of small traders. The drive to convert our cities into ‘global hubs’ spells increasing harassment and displacement for the urban working people.

The rights of the working class, won over many years of hard struggle, are under severe attack, with virtually no labour laws being applicable in the SEZs. Fishermen, forest dwellers and all sections of the working people are bearing the brunt of the ‘development’ agenda of the big bourgeoisie. The rulers strive to justify this all-round assault with the slogan of making Indian industry ‘competitive’ in the world market and turning India into a world power.

Women face insecurity at every step and are among the worst victims of the economic reforms program of the bourgeoisie as well as the repression by the state forces.

The people of various nations and nationalities remain victims of unbridled state terror and army rule, despite the widespread and prolonged struggle demanding that the AFSPA and other fascist laws be scrapped, in Manipur and other northeastern states and Kashmir.

In its pursuit of turning India into a global power, the UPA government is actively strengthening its strategic alliance with the US, one of the most bloodthirsty imperialist powers known to mankind. This alliance is completely against the interests of the Indian people and the world’s people.

Once again ‘achievements’ to this republic will be flashed on T.V. screens across the nation. It is the same Republic in which the rulers have perfected the art of crushing the opposition of the people, through direct state violence and terror, as well as through state-organised communal violence and bomb blasts and terrorist strikes.

As various sections of the oppressed people rise up in struggle against this flagrant denial of our rights, it is becoming increasingly clear that this Republic and the political system and process it defends, offer absolutely no mechanisms by which the working people can exercise their will. People have no political power to influence major policy decisions that affect our lives, or to initiate legislation to protect our rights. From the voices arising in all quarters, it is evident that what the workers, peasants and other sections of the working people are demanding is political power to determine our destiny. This means the power to rule over ourselves and get rid of the middle-men, the political leaders of the established political parties such as the Congress, BJP and others, who have no qualms about sacrificing the interests of society in favour of their wealthy capitalist and imperialist patrons.

A movement is underway to challenge the existing political process of this Republic, in which elections are periodically organized merely to strengthen the stranglehold of the big political parties that faithfully serve the ruling bourgeoisie and maintain the status quo. In many parts of the country, people are taking the initiative to put forward candidates for election from amongst their peers and are seeking mechanisms to make the elected representatives accountable to the people. People are getting organized at their workplaces and residential areas and seriously considering what kind of renewal the existing political system and process need, in order to serve the interests of the majority, the toiling people.

People’s Voice firmly upholds the view that only the rule of the workers and peasants and an Indian Union based on the voluntary association of nations and peoples, can bring about the democratic renewal in the political system and process that Indian society is crying out for. This is necessary in order to enable the masses of people to become masters of our destiny. The times are calling for establishing a Republic of workers and peasants and a voluntary Indian Union, in place of the present Republic which has nothing but deprivation and misery to offer to the majority.