Towards a Non-violent economy

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on February 11, 2010 at 2:15pm

Dear BB,
This is a great approach and must be pursued with vigour. I, however, feel the paper is silent on the violent economy being implemented within our country. Newspapers, State Governments and the Central government are united against Maoists these days and Prime Minister declared Maoism as the greatest internal threat to the country. The whole thing seems a hogwash, Even Gandhians are not spared by Salva Judum and the Police alleging that they were supporting Maoists.
The 'war' against Maoists is in reality a war for Tatas who aspire to capture mineral rich villages of tribals. I do not support the Maoist violence on principle. Also, as a strategy, the Maoist violence is going to be defeated by the superior violence of the state.Only mass mobilization, I think is the way to solve the problem.but that is later. Meanwhile, tribals are the worst sufferers and it is a stark reality that except Maoists nobody else speaks for these poor people.Once Maoists are finished who is there to speak for the tribals?
The government IS implementing a viollent economy.
Perhaps this was an international seminar and you preferred to avoid the local issues but I shall be glad to know that your organisation sides with tribals as Gandhians have done in Chhattisgarh. I have downloaded your paper and sending it to some of my friends outside this forum with a request to go to your website and respond.Best luck and regards.

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Permalink Reply by Balamurali Balaji on February 12, 2010 at 6:13am

Yes, DD, Economy being non-violent is very important nowadays as trade and commerce go out of control as done by unknown elements indulging in illicit trading of blocked goods. Political background do exists in some cases where the crores of rupees and dollars traded for drugs, weapons etc.

Maoists are violent and follow the violent methods for political existence. But, I am not sure what they do or what kind of trade they do for building their economy. I am also not sure if they resist the present reservation system for the tribals.

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on February 12, 2010 at 8:49am

As I have already said I do not support violent means adopted by Maoists. I do not even think they will succeed,for the simple reason, as Gandhi believed, violence is a KNOWN method and government can respond to it more efficiently by using violent means and violent agencies. Maoists could be trying to establish their own ideological rule in these parts of the country where tribal population is in a large majority. They do block normal welfare activities of the government with a purpose, for sure. it directly goes against tribals. So, they suffer form both sides.
The issue is, how the mainstream politics has treated these tribal people. Have they taken care of their genuine uplift? Why in the name of economic development tribals are being uprooted. The question is, who is speaking for them? As on date, only Maoists. Once they are crushed, no one knows what will happen to these tribals. This is the real picture. I am not saying out of sympathy for Maoists. On the contrary, the initiative must be wrested from them and more and more people should come out in defence of the rights of the tribals. The violent economy shows its teeth everywhere including India. I thought, we need to focus on the violent nature of the Indian economy. Gandhians,and that too, Gandhians like you who are capable can wrest that initiative. For the timebeing it may appear that Gandhians are supporting Maoists but in reality it is not so.
Whether Maoists oppose or support the reservation for tribals is not important. Giving a job away in a government department away from their place may benefit a couple of persons but if we simultaneously take steps to destroy their local economy, not give them rights over forest land, if they cannot enter the forests but poaching and felling of trees goes on unabated, there is widespread corruption in maintaining our forests and mines are to be handed over to outsider industrialists with no stkes for tribals there is something to think about.
This issue needs deeper study and Gandhians can come out with some remedy.Please let me know if I could be of any help in this regard. I am not attached to any organisation, Gandhian or non-Gandhian. Not even any political party. I am just an individual and have my own viewpoint.

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Permalink Reply by Balamurali Balaji on February 15, 2010 at 6:00am

Dear DD,

Maoists problem is being tackled by the present government. They can speak for tribals but not beat for anyone. As our Home minister said, they must shun the violence and putforth their agenda as any other democratic organizations. We Gandhians cannot, at the least I, cannot get into this violent situations without adequate security.

But, there needs to be protection for their rights! No doubt about it.

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on February 15, 2010 at 11:15am

Yes, it is very violent. I would not like you or anyone else getting into trouble. People like Himanshu Kumar are already in trouble and we can only wish they get the upper hand since Himanshu Kumar is the genuine voice of tribals.

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Permalink Reply by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on February 15, 2010 at 7:39am

It is only way for peace and joy...Gandhi started it but discontinued...let us start again...

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Permalink Reply by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on March 7, 2010 at 11:54am

Wonderful approach when India and world turning violent...

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