From: Jangroko Abhiyan <jangrokoabhiyandelhi@yahoo.com>
Subject: JANGROKO ABHIYAN STATEMENT
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 04:02:26 -0700 (PDT)
SAY NO TO WAR
We condemn the horrific acts of violence in America on September 11, 2001 in which more than 6000 people have died. Nothing can justify the massacre of unarmed civilians by any group, whatever the nature of its grievance. However, the primary responsibility for the deaths of those innocent people lies with the US government itself, for the events of that day are a direct fallout of US foreign policy for decades. Self-righteousness does not sit well on the shoulders of the US government which is responsible for equally horrific crimes stretching from the nuclear bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the more recent deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children, described by the US administration as "a price worth paying." The US administration has also continued to support the occupation and persecution of Palestinians by the state of Israel. These acts have deeply angered people all over the world irrespective of their race or religion. When those in authority persistently let crimes against the people go unpunished, then it creates the conditions for the undermining of democracy. We in India have seen how the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the carnage of Muslims set the stage for the Bombay blasts - terror always begets terror.
Those responsible for the attacks in the US must be identified and brought to justice, but nothing can justify the US government seeking to extract revenge from the innocent civilian population of Afghanistan, squeezed between the Taliban on the one hand and US imperialism on the other. Let us remember that Osama bin Laden is an American creation , one of the many trained by the CIA as part of US policy against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan since 1979. In twenty years of war, ten lakh Afghans have been killed, 50 lakh made refugees and 20 lakh displaced, leaving the country ravaged. If the US now bombs Afghanistan, it will be calamitous not just for that unfortunate country and its people, but for the subcontinent in general.
We are therefore outraged by the offer of "full support" made by the Indian government to US military efforts, in a game of one-upmanship with Pakistan. Being sucked into this war will make an already grim situation worse for all of us grappling with the government's anti-people policies on various fronts, from the economic to the political. In this overall climate of insecurity the Indian ruling classes can use talk of war and national pride to divert attention from the legitimate demands of the people for jobs, shelter and decent wages. We are all aware of the shocking and shameful truth that while government godowns are full of grain, people in Kashipur and other parts of our country are dying of starvation. Indian governments repeatedly swear by military solutions to issues such as Kashmir, without addressing the alienation and aspirations of the people. In the name of fighting terrorism the NDA government oppresses people fighting for their rights while protecting organizations responsible for terrible crimes against minorities. We are also alarmed by the manner in which sections of the media are linking terrorism to Islam and whipping up passions against minorities.
Friends, it is up to us to firmly oppose our country becoming part of the US war machinery. Let us come out on the streets in our thousands, let us join our voices in protest across the globe - say no to war.
Jang Roko Abhiyan
All India People's Resistance Forum, All India
Federation of Trade Unions, All India Nepalese Unity
Society, Ankur, Bigul Mazdoor Dasta, Democratic
Students Union, Delhi Pradesh Mazdoor Jan Sangathan,
Disha Chhatra Sangathan, Jhuggi Jhopri Sangharsh
Samiti, Mehnatkash Mazdoor Morcha, mazdoor Ekta
Committee, People's Front, Progressive Students Union,
Progressive Mazdoor Trade Union, Rahul Foundation,
Sandhan, Saheli, Trade Union Committee of India,
Workers' Solidarity.