THIS ARTICLE IS FROM 'CLASS STRUGGLE' THE MONTHLY ORGAN OF CPI(ML) CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
What Howdy, Modi Event For?
Narendra Modi’s ‘Howdy, Modi’ event of Sept 22, 2019 in Houston, US became a point of debate and controversy even before he returned to India. But Modi was not bothered by it. He patted his own back in commendation. He said that the event was a great success and it raised India’s respect and image to new heights in the world.
Modi was overwhelmed by joy to meet and shake hands with US President Donald Trump in Howdy, Modi event. It was a historic and unforgettable memory for him. Addressing the audience,he said: “You can hear the heart beat of the great partnership between India and US in this celebration of the world’s largest democracies. You can feel the strength and depth of human bonds between our great nations.” “We in India have connected well with President Trump.” “Trump is my friend,a friend of India who has left a deep and a lasting impact everywhere.”
Trump did not lag behind. He complimented Modi as “a great man and a great leader.” “PM Modi and I have come to Houston to celebrate everything that unites America and India – our shared dreams and bright future.”
Here, both leaders claim to represent largest democracies, shared dreams and great partnership.But it is a sheer illusion to believe that they are on an equal footing. One leader, i.e; of India represent the big bourgeois and landlord classes who are subservient to imperialism. The BJP had taken the mantle of power from the Congress in 2014 on the promise to provide all opportunities for the imperialist loot and turn the working class and toiling people of our Country into voiceless cogs and screws in the whole profit – spinning production and trade mechanism of imperialist and corporate looters. In the sphere of politics, the Indian ruling classes allow the imperialist looters to dictate the internal policies of our Country. They extend the support to the politics of domination pursued by the imperialist powers in general and US in particular in the world. India’s rulers joining the US –Japan – Australia alliance in Asia is neither a partnership among the equal partners nor it is in the interests of our country and people. This alliance, in reality, is an instrument in US strategy to impose its domination over the world and Asia in particular. It is aimed at draining India’s soil,economic, human and military resources in the interests of US imperialism.
Democracy in the view of Indian ruling classes is almost a closed book for the overwhelming masses of Indian people. It is virtually a play ground for the exploiting ruling classes to decide among themselves who must occupy the seat of power for a definite period of time. Here too, one’s greater ability to out beat the opponent in using money, muscle power, communal, casteist, diversionist and other foul methods and in impressing upon the imperialist patrons that they alone can serve them better will decide the outcome of the game. Ever since the BJP had come to power it had been revealing its real face more nakedly. It had shown its ability in blowing up the national chauvinist frenzy among the people and reap votes. BJP and its regime had gone to intolerable levels in scuttling the dissent, democratic voices, wiping out even the remote traces of democratic norms, institutions and organizations in our Country. Of late, the dangerous ideas such as even a democratic process of election can be abandoned as now we have a popular and able leadership in Modi are in circulation.Thus the claims of BJP and Modi representing democracy and democratic values are misleading and travesty of truth. Whether the exploiting ruling classes and their regimes don the mask of democracy or reveal their autocratic or fascist nature nakedly they are only guided by two objectives in the main: one, how best to serve the interests of big bourgeoisie, landlord classes and imperialism;two, how to deprive the overwhelming masses of Indian people from using their democratic right in their own interests and keep them under illusions or suppressed.
Similarly, the claim of US President Donald Trump that he represents a largest democracy in the world is a big lie. The regimes in US represent the big monopoly capitalists who are pursuing the imperialist policies in the world. The so called democratic system here only allows the parties of these ruling classes to contend for power. It ensures the uninterrupted continuation of these policies notwithstanding with the fact which of the ruling class party is voted to power.
The hands of US rulers are drenched in the blood of freedom loving people in various countries of the world in the course of most brutal, unjust and oppressive wars waged by them. In their attempt to impose their domination, the US imperialists had butchered millions of people. They had engineered the assassination of Heads of States, popular leaders, armed coups, toppling regimes,division of countries and stoked internecine wars between the countries. They resorted to all sorts of conspiracies in an attempt to subjugate the countries and people and gain control over the markets,natural resources and the fruits of labor. On one side, the US imperialists are sitting on the colossal heaps of weapons of mass destruction. On the other side, they banish the small and weak countries from possessing the weapons even for self defense. On one side, they fund, arm, train and freely use the countless terrorist groups to create troubles, tensions, destabilize regimes and dismember countries in an attempt to impose their own control over them. On the other side, they claim to oppose and fight terrorism and use the same as an alibi and justification for their attacks and wars of invasion and occupation against other Countries. All these acts are done in the name of democracy and no American law will come in the way of imperialist crimes against humanity. The so called democracy and democratic system in the imperialist countries like US are only masks or tools for the imperialist policies of plunder, oppression and domination.
Thus, one democracy in semi-feudal and semi-colonial countries like India is a mask for autocratic rule and utterly powerless against imperialism. Another democracy in US is also a mask for oppressive rule and a tool of imperialist plunder, oppression and domination in the world. It will be totally misleading to call a system as democratic if it denies the democratic rights to the overwhelming masses of people; if it does not allow them to use it in their own interests and the Country and if it serves as a tool of suppression in the hands of a handful of exploiters in one’s own country and the world. The democratic forces must, therefore, expose the false claims of exploiting classes about democracy and march together with the vast masses of people in the struggle for a democratic system in the real sense of the word.
Selected Audience:
Modi govt. chose Houston as a venue for ‘Howdy, Modi event’ because, the Indian-Americans are heavily concentrated here. A good chunk of nearly 40 lakh Indian –Americans in US enjoy a dual citizenship with the right to vote in India as well as US. So, here Modi and Trump were addressing their prospective voters too. Modi sought to defend much criticized and debated policies of BJP govt. in India as well as the world. Curiously, the BJP govt. has gathered a carefully selected people to the Howdy, Modi event to ensure a favorable audience. Here, Modi reassured the audience that his party had won a big majority in 2019 elections and the govt. formed by it is strong and determined enough. He said: “India today is not postponing challenges. It is fighting it head on. India is not working on small incremental changes, but on complete solutions.” In one word, he was assuring the NRIs as well as American investors that the BJP govt. in India is strong and capable enough to take better care of their interests. He did not stop here. Quite shamefully and much hurtfully to the American people, he raised the slogan ‘Abki bari Trump Sarkar’- in a move to extend support to Trump if he happens to contest in the 2020 US presidential elections.
US Supremacy Asserted:
The US president Trump’s message to the Indian-Americans in Houston is too interesting. He said: “you enrich our culture; you uphold our values; you uplift our communities .......We are proud to have you as Americans .......” “Our first duty is, we must always be there for the American people – whether it is African – Americans, Hispanic – Americans or Indian – Americans. We are going to take care of our citizens first, we are going to take care of our Indian – Americans before we take care of illegal immigrants who want to pour into our Country.”
“America has always been a nation of pioneers and patriots, risk takers and free thinkers and dedicated workers who have honed their trade, mastered their field, and teach their children to always give their very, very best.”
“Every Indian – American help to write this story of American greatness and everyone here today has a crucial part in building an even grander and greater American and Indian future.”
Here Trump has left nothing unsaid to assert the supremacy and greatness of American culture,values and leading role in the world. He set the duties for the Indian – Americans too and spelt out in what order of priority he proposes to treat different types or categories of American citizens.
A Big Lie:
Modi claimed in Houston that his govt. considers India as a country of diverse cultures, lifestyles and various languages and upholds the unity in diversity as the special feature, heritage and proof of India’s vibrant democracy. This claim is a big lie. What we witness in India is ever intensifying attacks by the BJP and Sang Parivar forces on the very idea that India is a country of various nationalities each having their own distinct features. The slogan of Hindu Rashtra is a part of this attack. BJP and Sang Parivar’s attempts to impose, even by force and coercion certain cultures,life styles and food habits on all the people in the name of Gou raksha and love jihad, etc. too are a part of the attempt to wipe out the idea that India is a country of various nationalities. Modi’s talk about diverse cultures, languages and life styles is nothing but a deliberate attempt to mislead the world people, pacify the growing criticism and discontentment among the democratic minded people in US and the world at the happenings in India under the BJP’s rule.
Kashmir Question:
In Houston, Modi defended BJP Govt.’s moves to end the special status to Jammu – Kashmir,abrogate the Article 370, divide Jammu – Kashmir into two and degrade it into Union Territories.The entire world knows that the govt. had resorted to these surprise and arbitrary moves by keeping the people in dark, turning the entire Kashmir into an open jail guarded by the armed forces and by cutting the Kashmir people from all forms of communication, media and movement within Kashmir as well as with outside world. It arrested the political leaders and activists and imprisoned thousands of people. By this onslaught, the Indian rulers had turned their back to the promises made by them to the people of Kashmir as well as the world that the political future of Kashmir will be finally decided in accordance with the national aspirations of Kashmir people. Kashmir people are now deprived of all avenues to express their views. Yet, there are many indications that they are very much disturbed and agitated by the Indian govt.’s onslaught and they would express themselves powerfully and find a way to intensify the struggle against the injustice meted to them and for their own rights.
Modi used the Howdy, Modi platform to unleash attacks on Pakistan rulers. He said: “They have made hatred towards India the Center of their agenda.” “They support and harbor terrorists.Some people, who cannot control their Country are having problems with what is going on in India.” “Time has come for a decisive fight against terrorism and those who support it.”
The leadership of a country choosing another country as a venue for attacks against another country is not at all in line with a normal behavior of a Head of State. But Modi had done this with a definite purpose. He wanted to tell the US that Pakistan and terrorism supported by it are a cause of India’s problems in Kashmir. This is also an attempt to deny the right of Kashmir people to decide their political future.
The US imperialists are clear in their mind. They do not wish to lose the comprador rulers of any country. There can be competitions and clashes among the comprador rulers of different countries.At times, they can be a matter of some head ache for the imperialists. But no one should underestimate the role of imperialists behind them. They would transform the problems or disputes among the semi-colonial and semi-feudal countries into opportunities for themselves to further tighten their own oppressive strangle hold on these countries. US relation with India and Pakistan is a best example for this. While projecting themselves as the friend of both, mediators and peace restorers, the US imperialists had done a lot to stoke tensions, hostilities and even wars and war like situations between India and Pakistan and reaped big profits in arms sales and aid to both countries. In their policies and actions, the imperialists are always guided by their own interests.
Trump has repeated his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue. The Indian rulers say that Kashmir is India’s internal problem. But, at the same time, they see the roots for this in the policies and actions of Pakistan rulers. The Pakistan rulers maintain that Kashmir problem cannot be solved without a discussion and agreement between India and Pakistan. Curiously,the common point between the three is: All deny the decisive role of Kashmir people in the resolution of Kashmir problem.
Hallow claims :
No one took Modi’s assurance in Houston that ‘everything is fine in India today’ seriously.When Modi was speaking in US, India was already in serious economic crisis. Kashmir was under total black out. The atrocities against women, attacks on dalits and minorities, the progressive and democratic intellectuals; curtailment of rights of workers; suicides by the distressed peasants; mob lynchings; frenzied attempts to communalise every aspect of life and communally divide the people and the problems of life like unemployment and unbearable costs of life were continuing unabated. Modi govt.’s credibility was going downhill and more and more people in the country were taking the road of united struggle against the anti- people, anti-democratic and communal politics of BJP govt.
Struggle Ahead:
The entire Howdy, Modi event was a flop show. It was a stage – managed exercise of propaganda based on blatant lies and empty assertions by a regime whose policies are at the root of all problems faced by our people in India. The leaders of Indian govt. cannot raise their credibility, which is on a downhill, by shaking hands with a leader of world power, US President Trump, who too is faced with increasing criticism and opposition. The fact remains that the policies of subservience to imperialism pursued by the Indian ruling classes and present Modi govt. place them in a shamefully unequal position vis-ą-vis US imperialism. This cannot be rectified without pursuing genuinely democratic policies; without breaking free from the imperialist bondage and without taking the road of opposition to the imperialist policies of plunder, oppression and domination. The vast masses of our people – working class, peasants, other oppressed and toiling people; communist and democratic forces are already in this struggle. Advance of this struggle alone can pave the way for a genuinely democratic and independent India.
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Narendra Modi’s ‘Howdy, Modi’ event of Sept 22, 2019 in Houston, US became a point of debate and controversy even before he returned to India. But Modi was not bothered by it. He patted his own back in commendation. He said that the event was a great success and it raised India’s respect and image to new heights in the world.
Modi was overwhelmed by joy to meet and shake hands with US President Donald Trump in Howdy, Modi event. It was a historic and unforgettable memory for him. Addressing the audience,he said: “You can hear the heart beat of the great partnership between India and US in this celebration of the world’s largest democracies. You can feel the strength and depth of human bonds between our great nations.” “We in India have connected well with President Trump.” “Trump is my friend,a friend of India who has left a deep and a lasting impact everywhere.”
Trump did not lag behind. He complimented Modi as “a great man and a great leader.” “PM Modi and I have come to Houston to celebrate everything that unites America and India – our shared dreams and bright future.”
Here, both leaders claim to represent largest democracies, shared dreams and great partnership.But it is a sheer illusion to believe that they are on an equal footing. One leader, i.e; of India represent the big bourgeois and landlord classes who are subservient to imperialism. The BJP had taken the mantle of power from the Congress in 2014 on the promise to provide all opportunities for the imperialist loot and turn the working class and toiling people of our Country into voiceless cogs and screws in the whole profit – spinning production and trade mechanism of imperialist and corporate looters. In the sphere of politics, the Indian ruling classes allow the imperialist looters to dictate the internal policies of our Country. They extend the support to the politics of domination pursued by the imperialist powers in general and US in particular in the world. India’s rulers joining the US –Japan – Australia alliance in Asia is neither a partnership among the equal partners nor it is in the interests of our country and people. This alliance, in reality, is an instrument in US strategy to impose its domination over the world and Asia in particular. It is aimed at draining India’s soil,economic, human and military resources in the interests of US imperialism.
Democracy in the view of Indian ruling classes is almost a closed book for the overwhelming masses of Indian people. It is virtually a play ground for the exploiting ruling classes to decide among themselves who must occupy the seat of power for a definite period of time. Here too, one’s greater ability to out beat the opponent in using money, muscle power, communal, casteist, diversionist and other foul methods and in impressing upon the imperialist patrons that they alone can serve them better will decide the outcome of the game. Ever since the BJP had come to power it had been revealing its real face more nakedly. It had shown its ability in blowing up the national chauvinist frenzy among the people and reap votes. BJP and its regime had gone to intolerable levels in scuttling the dissent, democratic voices, wiping out even the remote traces of democratic norms, institutions and organizations in our Country. Of late, the dangerous ideas such as even a democratic process of election can be abandoned as now we have a popular and able leadership in Modi are in circulation.Thus the claims of BJP and Modi representing democracy and democratic values are misleading and travesty of truth. Whether the exploiting ruling classes and their regimes don the mask of democracy or reveal their autocratic or fascist nature nakedly they are only guided by two objectives in the main: one, how best to serve the interests of big bourgeoisie, landlord classes and imperialism;two, how to deprive the overwhelming masses of Indian people from using their democratic right in their own interests and keep them under illusions or suppressed.
Similarly, the claim of US President Donald Trump that he represents a largest democracy in the world is a big lie. The regimes in US represent the big monopoly capitalists who are pursuing the imperialist policies in the world. The so called democratic system here only allows the parties of these ruling classes to contend for power. It ensures the uninterrupted continuation of these policies notwithstanding with the fact which of the ruling class party is voted to power.
The hands of US rulers are drenched in the blood of freedom loving people in various countries of the world in the course of most brutal, unjust and oppressive wars waged by them. In their attempt to impose their domination, the US imperialists had butchered millions of people. They had engineered the assassination of Heads of States, popular leaders, armed coups, toppling regimes,division of countries and stoked internecine wars between the countries. They resorted to all sorts of conspiracies in an attempt to subjugate the countries and people and gain control over the markets,natural resources and the fruits of labor. On one side, the US imperialists are sitting on the colossal heaps of weapons of mass destruction. On the other side, they banish the small and weak countries from possessing the weapons even for self defense. On one side, they fund, arm, train and freely use the countless terrorist groups to create troubles, tensions, destabilize regimes and dismember countries in an attempt to impose their own control over them. On the other side, they claim to oppose and fight terrorism and use the same as an alibi and justification for their attacks and wars of invasion and occupation against other Countries. All these acts are done in the name of democracy and no American law will come in the way of imperialist crimes against humanity. The so called democracy and democratic system in the imperialist countries like US are only masks or tools for the imperialist policies of plunder, oppression and domination.
Thus, one democracy in semi-feudal and semi-colonial countries like India is a mask for autocratic rule and utterly powerless against imperialism. Another democracy in US is also a mask for oppressive rule and a tool of imperialist plunder, oppression and domination in the world. It will be totally misleading to call a system as democratic if it denies the democratic rights to the overwhelming masses of people; if it does not allow them to use it in their own interests and the Country and if it serves as a tool of suppression in the hands of a handful of exploiters in one’s own country and the world. The democratic forces must, therefore, expose the false claims of exploiting classes about democracy and march together with the vast masses of people in the struggle for a democratic system in the real sense of the word.
Selected Audience:
Modi govt. chose Houston as a venue for ‘Howdy, Modi event’ because, the Indian-Americans are heavily concentrated here. A good chunk of nearly 40 lakh Indian –Americans in US enjoy a dual citizenship with the right to vote in India as well as US. So, here Modi and Trump were addressing their prospective voters too. Modi sought to defend much criticized and debated policies of BJP govt. in India as well as the world. Curiously, the BJP govt. has gathered a carefully selected people to the Howdy, Modi event to ensure a favorable audience. Here, Modi reassured the audience that his party had won a big majority in 2019 elections and the govt. formed by it is strong and determined enough. He said: “India today is not postponing challenges. It is fighting it head on. India is not working on small incremental changes, but on complete solutions.” In one word, he was assuring the NRIs as well as American investors that the BJP govt. in India is strong and capable enough to take better care of their interests. He did not stop here. Quite shamefully and much hurtfully to the American people, he raised the slogan ‘Abki bari Trump Sarkar’- in a move to extend support to Trump if he happens to contest in the 2020 US presidential elections.
US Supremacy Asserted:
The US president Trump’s message to the Indian-Americans in Houston is too interesting. He said: “you enrich our culture; you uphold our values; you uplift our communities .......We are proud to have you as Americans .......” “Our first duty is, we must always be there for the American people – whether it is African – Americans, Hispanic – Americans or Indian – Americans. We are going to take care of our citizens first, we are going to take care of our Indian – Americans before we take care of illegal immigrants who want to pour into our Country.”
“America has always been a nation of pioneers and patriots, risk takers and free thinkers and dedicated workers who have honed their trade, mastered their field, and teach their children to always give their very, very best.”
“Every Indian – American help to write this story of American greatness and everyone here today has a crucial part in building an even grander and greater American and Indian future.”
Here Trump has left nothing unsaid to assert the supremacy and greatness of American culture,values and leading role in the world. He set the duties for the Indian – Americans too and spelt out in what order of priority he proposes to treat different types or categories of American citizens.
A Big Lie:
Modi claimed in Houston that his govt. considers India as a country of diverse cultures, lifestyles and various languages and upholds the unity in diversity as the special feature, heritage and proof of India’s vibrant democracy. This claim is a big lie. What we witness in India is ever intensifying attacks by the BJP and Sang Parivar forces on the very idea that India is a country of various nationalities each having their own distinct features. The slogan of Hindu Rashtra is a part of this attack. BJP and Sang Parivar’s attempts to impose, even by force and coercion certain cultures,life styles and food habits on all the people in the name of Gou raksha and love jihad, etc. too are a part of the attempt to wipe out the idea that India is a country of various nationalities. Modi’s talk about diverse cultures, languages and life styles is nothing but a deliberate attempt to mislead the world people, pacify the growing criticism and discontentment among the democratic minded people in US and the world at the happenings in India under the BJP’s rule.
Kashmir Question:
In Houston, Modi defended BJP Govt.’s moves to end the special status to Jammu – Kashmir,abrogate the Article 370, divide Jammu – Kashmir into two and degrade it into Union Territories.The entire world knows that the govt. had resorted to these surprise and arbitrary moves by keeping the people in dark, turning the entire Kashmir into an open jail guarded by the armed forces and by cutting the Kashmir people from all forms of communication, media and movement within Kashmir as well as with outside world. It arrested the political leaders and activists and imprisoned thousands of people. By this onslaught, the Indian rulers had turned their back to the promises made by them to the people of Kashmir as well as the world that the political future of Kashmir will be finally decided in accordance with the national aspirations of Kashmir people. Kashmir people are now deprived of all avenues to express their views. Yet, there are many indications that they are very much disturbed and agitated by the Indian govt.’s onslaught and they would express themselves powerfully and find a way to intensify the struggle against the injustice meted to them and for their own rights.
Modi used the Howdy, Modi platform to unleash attacks on Pakistan rulers. He said: “They have made hatred towards India the Center of their agenda.” “They support and harbor terrorists.Some people, who cannot control their Country are having problems with what is going on in India.” “Time has come for a decisive fight against terrorism and those who support it.”
The leadership of a country choosing another country as a venue for attacks against another country is not at all in line with a normal behavior of a Head of State. But Modi had done this with a definite purpose. He wanted to tell the US that Pakistan and terrorism supported by it are a cause of India’s problems in Kashmir. This is also an attempt to deny the right of Kashmir people to decide their political future.
The US imperialists are clear in their mind. They do not wish to lose the comprador rulers of any country. There can be competitions and clashes among the comprador rulers of different countries.At times, they can be a matter of some head ache for the imperialists. But no one should underestimate the role of imperialists behind them. They would transform the problems or disputes among the semi-colonial and semi-feudal countries into opportunities for themselves to further tighten their own oppressive strangle hold on these countries. US relation with India and Pakistan is a best example for this. While projecting themselves as the friend of both, mediators and peace restorers, the US imperialists had done a lot to stoke tensions, hostilities and even wars and war like situations between India and Pakistan and reaped big profits in arms sales and aid to both countries. In their policies and actions, the imperialists are always guided by their own interests.
Trump has repeated his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue. The Indian rulers say that Kashmir is India’s internal problem. But, at the same time, they see the roots for this in the policies and actions of Pakistan rulers. The Pakistan rulers maintain that Kashmir problem cannot be solved without a discussion and agreement between India and Pakistan. Curiously,the common point between the three is: All deny the decisive role of Kashmir people in the resolution of Kashmir problem.
Hallow claims :
No one took Modi’s assurance in Houston that ‘everything is fine in India today’ seriously.When Modi was speaking in US, India was already in serious economic crisis. Kashmir was under total black out. The atrocities against women, attacks on dalits and minorities, the progressive and democratic intellectuals; curtailment of rights of workers; suicides by the distressed peasants; mob lynchings; frenzied attempts to communalise every aspect of life and communally divide the people and the problems of life like unemployment and unbearable costs of life were continuing unabated. Modi govt.’s credibility was going downhill and more and more people in the country were taking the road of united struggle against the anti- people, anti-democratic and communal politics of BJP govt.
Struggle Ahead:
The entire Howdy, Modi event was a flop show. It was a stage – managed exercise of propaganda based on blatant lies and empty assertions by a regime whose policies are at the root of all problems faced by our people in India. The leaders of Indian govt. cannot raise their credibility, which is on a downhill, by shaking hands with a leader of world power, US President Trump, who too is faced with increasing criticism and opposition. The fact remains that the policies of subservience to imperialism pursued by the Indian ruling classes and present Modi govt. place them in a shamefully unequal position vis-ą-vis US imperialism. This cannot be rectified without pursuing genuinely democratic policies; without breaking free from the imperialist bondage and without taking the road of opposition to the imperialist policies of plunder, oppression and domination. The vast masses of our people – working class, peasants, other oppressed and toiling people; communist and democratic forces are already in this struggle. Advance of this struggle alone can pave the way for a genuinely democratic and independent India.
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