Strongest indictment of "Marxist Intellectuals" who supported Buddha/CPIM regime from probably one of the finest philosopher of our time Pratap Mehta/
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/26726._.html
On their Marx, ready to bow Pratap Bhanu MehtaPosted online: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 0000 hrs
Left intellectuals%u2019 statement on Nandigram shows why Left intellectualism is so damaging
Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Even in a political culture used to its most privileged classes, professionals, officials, captains of industry acting servile in the presence of power, the self-abasement of so many intellectuals in the service of power still comes as something of a shock. At one level, absurd to suppose that the sole task of intellectuals lies in opposing power or restricting authority, wherever these may touch them. Denying the moderate claims of duly constituted authorities and politicians can itself be a symptom of fanaticism. During NDA rule, scientists and intellectuals lined up to put their seal of approval on many hare-brained schemes. But little did we imagine that Indian intellectual servility to power would reach a new low. A recent example is a statement issued by a group of prominent Left intellectuals that once again confirms that their loyalty is to power and party, not morality and argument.
The Left is gifted with some of the finest minds. But too often their ingenuity is used for artful circumlocution. The recent statement on the violence in Nandigram is a perfect example of that. The statement begins with a tone of sincerity that only Left intellectuals can feign, expressing pain and anguish at the violence in Nandigram. But it swiftly descends into a premature exoneration of the state government. It says that the tragedy at Nandigram on March 14 was %u201Centirely unanticipated, unjustified, and unfortunate turn of events%u201D. In the annals of circumlocution this use of %u2018unanticipated%u2019 is almost on par with %u2018collateral damage%u2019. Imagine a Modi or a Bush being exonerated by the magical power of the term %u2018unanticipated%u2019.
The statement then goes on to say that the CPM has asked for a judicial inquiry into the incident. Why not instead ask: what took the government so long to institute an inquiry? Why not condemn the fact that the CPM is still launching an assault on the judiciary for asking for an inquiry? The statement says: %u201CNobody belonging to the Left would ever justify repressive action against peasants or workers, who are the basic classes of the Left.%u201D This is another piece of circumlocution. What does basic classes of the Left mean? That only the Left can speak for them? This is hubris. Or that these classes primarily support the Left? This is a fantastic piece of wishful thinking. Yes, nobody would %u201Cjustify%u201D. But why not outright condemnation? Why not at least say that the government badly mishandled the situation? Why engage in that perpetual deferral of assigning responsibility on the state government, to which the Left so objects in others? In the statement there is a sincere call to make efforts so that %u201Ctension subsides and normalcy returns to the area%u201D. But the statement ends with: %u201CWe appeal to all concerned not to let the wounds of Nandigram become festering sores.%u201D Again, reasonable enough. But in the context it is difficult to read it as anything other than a plea not to interrogate the state government too closely; as if any critical intervention will transform wounds into festering sores.
Left economists have often screamed hoarse about investment in health, education, and minority welfare. Yet they consistently treated the West Bengal government, a regime with an appalling record on these issues, with kid gloves. Intellectuals in the service of power, is a disconcertingly widespread phenomenon. This temptation has many sources. Intellectuals, perhaps even more so than others, can be rank opportunists. And certainly a system where the state controls so many of the resources and incentives that govern the professional lives of intellectuals, intellectual life is bound to be easily corroded by state power. The Left%u2019s case is more complicated. The Left%u2019s yearnings for an ideal of commitment makes them blind to the messy realities of power around them.
Intellectuals often come in packs. Their sense of identity comes from ingratiating themselves with a particular group and the imperatives of holding onto at least that group override intellectual clairvoyance. Even intellectuals who are opposing power and authority can succumb to this temptation. Much of what passes as intellectual life on the Left, with some possible exceptions, has this character. Its incantations seem like so many efforts to maintain a kind of group identity, a kind of dogmatic closure that is as corroding as the powers they oppose. There are of course exceptions: whether you agree with them or not, it is at least admirable that Sumit Sarkar, Tanika Sarkar and Pradip Datta did not make their conscience hostage to party diktat and protested against the state government.
But this is a losing battle. It is still a matter of astonishment that intellectuals have, in the interests of party or veniality, given up discussing their fiduciary responsibilities as professional teachers. The Central government has just engaged in the largest populist buyout of higher education since Independence. To facilitate rapid expansion of the system, necessitated by increased reservations, the government has raised the retirement age of university teachers to 65, with reappointment up to 70. There is an argument to be made that our retirement ages are too low. But this increase could at least have been linked to performance. Or it could have been used to leverage other radical reforms that universities badly need. But get this. The increase in retirement age has also been accompanied by a directive to first fulfil all outstanding quotas in teacher recruitment. What will be the consequence of this directive superimposed upon increase in retirement age? The effects will vary a bit, but its net result will be that there will be almost no new recruitment in the general category for at least five, possibly more, years. All of us believe in some form of affirmative action. But is it desirable the entire university system be made stagnant, just when it needs to be made most vibrant? History will ask Indian intellectuals this question: how did they manage to make the university about everything else but the cultivation of intellect? Party politics, identity politics, venial conniving, moralising self-congratulation trumped everything.
The Left drops the word %u2018critical%u2019 as easily as most of us breathe. A pity that it does not prefix it by %u2018self%u2019. The Left%u2019s damage to intellectual life has been considerable, in part because it has the veneer of sophisticated intellectualism. But understand why it doesn%u2019t rise above party loyalties and you understand why the only thing Indian universities do not do is cultivate the life of the mind.
The writer is president, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
By soft-peddling Nandigram to remain in power at Delhi, COngress will pay huge price in WB. Its already third force, and is becoming further marginalized.
CONGRESS PEOPLE ARE ENMASS JOINING HANDS WITH TRINAMUL. SPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.
This is adding more pressure on CPIM, as if opposition is united, CPIM will loose much of its seats.
Left Front partners are asking for more flesh as well.
RE:One fall out is definite: Congress will be marginalized even further in WB
by Uttamkumar on Mar 27, 2007 12:20 AM Permalink
If Congresss loose in WB, we donot care. But we do care, how many Nandigram is going to happen and Congress will remain silent. Under the shed of CPM all anti-nationals, criminals and anti-socials are occupying every sector not in Bengal but also in INDIA. That's the biggest treat to INDIA social and national security.
RE:One fall out is definite: Congress will be marginalized even further in WB
by Uttamkumar on Mar 27, 2007 12:45 AM Permalink
Pranab Mukherjee is much more hypocrite to Bengalis and equally dangerous nationally as CPMs are.
Interference in Judiciary happens nowhere in the world other than West Bengal, India. It clearly indicates that there is a DEEP HONEY-MOON chapter is going on between CPM-Congress at the center. Shame on Sonia, Shame on Manmohan. People elect Govt to protect their basic right. But people are being mass murdered and the Central Govt is looking for shameless boneless spineless support from CPM and interfering judiciary and CBI prob. INDIA is really in bid trouble now. We do not know how many Nandigram is going to heppen where 14 people murdered (officially) and about 400 people (bodies) are missing which are not found in any camp of either CPM or opposition.
I heard that in many villages people are seeing joint Trinamool and Congress rallies first time in a decade.
Congress supporters are hardcore anti-CPIM. And as they understand Cong is not taking strong action against CPIM on nandigram, they are joining TMC in droves.
It's unnerving CPIM as opposition is getting united at grass root.
This flip-flop on CBI by CPIM leadership has damaged CPIM's reputation. Large chunk of intellectuals associated with left have goive against it.
Local Bengali press, including those who were biggest supporter of Brand-Buddha (like the Anandabazar) are publishing daily reports (not only from CBI, but from judicial probe being conducted by State Govt) which says:
1. CPIM caders definitely went with Police.
2. CPIM cadres had foreign made guns and cartridges.
3. POLICE WERE NOT FIRED UPON BY PROTESTORS (this is from State Govt's Judicial probe).
4. It could have been easily handled by Police WITHOUT FIRING.
5. Scores of people are still missing.
6. CBI GOT PHONE NUMBERS OF CPIM LEADERS WHO WERE IN TOUCH WITH Armed acdres.
............. ............
ALL THESE PROVE, CPIM HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS THE SITUATION IN NANDIGRAM AND WAS MISLED BY LOCAL LEADERS.
RE:CPIM's image is getting even more sullied by this HC position - as people are seeing this State Govt/CPIM opposed to CBI probe now, though Buddha, Yechuri, Madam Karat Welcomed CBI probe INITIALLY.
by Uttamkumar on Mar 26, 2007 11:03 PM Permalink
Interference in Judiciary happens nowhere in the world other than West Bengal, India. It clearly indicates that there is a DEEP HONEY-MOON chapter is going on between CPM-Congress at the center. Shame on Sonia, Shame on Manmohan. People elect Govt to protect their basic right. But people are being mass murdered and the Central Govt is looking for shameless boneless spineless support from CPM and interfering judiciary and CBI prob. INDIA is really in bid trouble now. We do not know how many Nandigram is going to heppen where 14 people murdered (officially) and 400 people (bodies) are missing which are not found in any camp of either CPM or opposition.
It is very strange, but can only happen in India. West Bengal Govt. leaded by Buddhadev is not at all deserve to rule WB at the present circumstances and the earlier its exist, the better for CPIM since world is watching their every actions as they are the democratically elected govt. in WB even public knows that in India total democracy and true democratic elections are not at all possible. The two things are controlling elections in India: one is money power and second is muscle power and mis rule of govt. machinery. Where money power fails, muscle power is ruling and people are getting helpless to vote for their choice without fear of their life and their relatives, families. By making statements in public against judiciary's role when WB HC already ordered CBI enquiry on Nandigram issue, WB Govt. and its party is trying to thwart independent proble in that henious crime done which is a great shame after the British Era. BUDDHADEV and its party has to take moral responsibility and resign immediately, elect a new CM in place of Buddhadev, suspend the authorities who ordered firing and atrocities in Nandigram, withdraw WB police and send Para Military forces to get confidence on the authorities because people are not all beliving WB police as they are the police of CPIM and its caders and they will only look for CPIM caders and its people and we cannot trust WB police under BUDDHADEV ADMINISTRATION. Same condition of GUJRAT RIOTS CASE is applicable on NANDIGRAM carnage as well. There should not be any double standards and WE ARE SURE THAT INDIAN JUDICIARY WILL COME OUT OF THE PRESSURE TACTICS ADOPTING BY THE RULERS OF THE COUNTRY AND GIVE EXEMPLARARY PUNISHEMENTS AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TYPE OF CARNAGE.
The media and the intellectuals have to step up pressure and see that buddha resigns .Buddha resignation will send across the message that No CM of any state can get away by grabbing land and later killing the right full land owners in cold blood.history will never pardon india if we let a person with Stalins, Hitlers, Saddams, Dyer mindset to continue.In fact Budddha should be tried for murder, arrested immediately and put behind bars for getting his goons and his partymen to rape helpless women , get young children orphaned, young men maimed. His atrocities sounds very similar to what Hitler did against the Jews.
All those guys who make pro CPM and Pro budhha comments here should have the same magnamity when thier own ancestral land, ancestral home ancestral villages and employmnet oppurtunities are siezed by the corrupt govt and a few ruppes thrust on you. In case you protest the state police is there to bash / rape you up.
Buddha and the entire CPM politboru/leaders should set high standards by surendering thier personal property in kolkatta and let thier entire property be acquired by the bengal goverment. There is a huge need for IT Parks, Biotech parks Export processing Zones and there is no land available in kokatta. let the CPM Leaders/Politboru start with thier own property .Let the WB govt pays them some rupees and let them hand over thier ancestral property/homes etc .This excerise will send a very positive message to the west bengal citizens.
Good to see that High Court has given time to my favourite party to hush up the crime they have committed. Prayers of supporters of the red brigade have been listened to by the legal system. And my good advice to all the humanly thinkers would be to give a big clap to this decision and join our evil side. I hope you already know the power of my red flag brothers. Do not mess with us. Today Nandigram tomorrow Rediffgram.
Jaoyti Basu bribed Justice (Retd.) Bhagabati Prasad banerjee Salt Lake Plot , hypocrit Left can do any thing to be in power with the help of Vamp congress. Shame shame & Shame . Please educate the people and aware the henious activities of Communist in India With the help of INDIRA Congress .... SONIA
