Back to basics

The editorial in the latest issue of People’s Democracy says that the attack on Christians in Orissa should be seen in the context of the BJP’s victory in Gujarat.

It says “In January, the RSS ostensibly observing Golwalkar’s birth centenary unleashed communal disturbances in Bangalore, Mangalore, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Tirur in Kerala, Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh etc. The year is ending with the organised attacks on the Christian minorities in the Kandhamal district in Orissa where 15 churches were burnt down and properties of Christian educational institutions destroyed... These attacks come soon after the Modi-led BJP victory in the Gujarat assembly elections. This victory gives a powerful impetus to the trend that we had noted in these columns last week, that is, the RSS/BJP’s return to its basics.”

Caste in stone

B.V. RAGHAVULU, Politburo member of the CPM, says the atrocities on dalits are worst in AP and the state ranks second in terms of discrimination all over India. “Even after 60 years of Independence, the conditions have not improved for dalits socially and economically. The Congress party ruled continuously for 35 years in the state, but did not effect changes in the conditions of dalits, who were its major supporters. When Indira Gandhi was defeated elsewhere in the country, she was elected with a thumping majority in the state due to the support of the dalits”.

Raghavulu says that during the freedom movement many Congress leaders in Andhra Pradesh initiated social reforms in dalit colonies. They built schools and hospitals for the dalits. These leaders later joined the Communist movement.

... contd.