[Assam] Piece from the Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da,

>Only when violence begins the government wakes up--but only transitorily.

So, the question still remains - if all this is transitory (from a waffling
GOI, say), how does it help the 'cause'. Is this struggle a transitory
solution to a long term problem?

*>can you* *dispute the net effect, the ultimate result?*
What net results are we talking about? In a democracy, even sops are
negotiated. Every state does it. In the case of Assam, it may be sops to
curb violence. So, why have other states (who think they have not got their
due from the center) not taken to violence (following Assam's example)? Have
they all perished?

*> instead of attempting to do the right thing by Assam;*
**
And, what is this right thing, you talk about? If you mean 'independence',
the GOI cannot and will never do that. Whats next?

 >*** Easier than what Ram? Bribery? Corruption? Play the game according to
the >rules set by the oppressors?

Well, those are not the only choices. Corruption and bribery exist NOT just
in Assam, but elsewhere too. But there are people in Assam and elsewhere who
are NOT violent, and yet they happen to lead lives without corruption and
bribery.

 >Is it not 'insanity' ? Expecting different outcomes while pursuing the
same
>policies?

Obviously, when people keep doing the same things and expect different
results - that is insanity. So, why is the ULFA doing the same things decade
after decade, yet returning with the same results. According to your own
arguments, the ULFA (being more pristine than the GOI) ought to know better.
They still dealing with the same old GOI with all its trappings of
ineficiencies, corruption etc, and yet their decades long struggle has
managed to produce a lot od dead people, and little else. Is that insanity?

>***" Violence and mayhem" however is a product of a failure of a
'democratic' and political >process. ULFA was a RESULT, a PRODUCT, of
desi-democrasy's abject failures

If it was the abject failure of democracy, then all of India would have been
ablaze with insurgents running lose all over.  No, C'da, you will have to
agree that insurgents made the wrong call here. Violence only begets
violence and the blame game can keep on going.

>No different in the case of Assam vs. India. ......-- than Assam has
produced in its quest for >freedom

You are of course basing this on the notion that all of Assam is struggling
for independence from India. While, most will agree that its only a few who
are. If all of Assam was behind the ULFA, Assam would have been independent
a long time ago. :-) :-)

--Ram




On 8/16/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>  Ram:
>
>
> >If the GOI is so inept and the right hand doesn't know what the left is
> doing, >why are so sure that only blowing up things will actually catch the
> GOI's >attentions?
>
>
>  *** For the simple reason of decades of observation. India's myriads of
> armed
> uprisings are a direct result of the  blindness and deafness of its
> governing powers. Only when violence begins the government wakes up--but
> only transitoryily
>
>
> Just look at how Assam came to be known to India. First it was the Andwlon
> that put it in the map, and ULFA brought it out to the forefront. Many of
> the Indian handouts to Assam since that time was a direct fall-out of ULFA's
> actions, NOT necessarily out of fairness, NOT to empower Assamese society,
> but more as a countermeasure to ULFA, in the spirit of that quintessentially
> Indian virtue: BRIBERY! And predictably the largesse ends up with a select
> group of beneficiaries. And these beneficiaries, fine human beings they are,
> sing the praises of their benefactors. Even if you and others argue that my
> view is much too cynical, and even if there could be an element of truth in
> it,* can you*
> *dispute the net effect, the ultimate result?*
>
>
>
>
> >But, all that DOES not solves ULFA's or Assam's interest. Low intensity
> >violence by insurgents may at times cause some politician to pay attention,
> but >these do not provide long-term solutions.
>
>
>  *** If that is true, and if that is what India believes, then how come
> GoI, for all these decades, have had  spouted only excuses and propaganda,
> instead of attempting to do the right thing by Assam; by taking the lead in
> finding a negotiated political solution to the stalemate, knowing full well
> that India
> cannot achieve an outright military victory?
>
>
> What is the rationale here Ram?
>
>
> Is it not 'insanity' ? Expecting different outcomes while pursuing the
> same
> policies?* If you were in charge would YOU continue to do the same thing
> that has not produced any results?*
> *
> *
> And if not, would you not be inclined to ask: Helllloooo, anyone home at
> Indraprastha? Would you not want those vicious watchdogs of desi-demokrasy
> -- the fearless press, to ask the same question?
>  *
> *
> *
> *
> >Violence is widespread because there are insurgent groups that find it
> easier >to get away with impunity.
>
>
>  *** Easier than what Ram? Bribery? Corruption? Play the game according to
> the rules set by the oppressors?
>
>
>
>
> >I seriously doubt, if the GOI has some grandiose plan for Assam's real
> estate - >I doubt if they have a plan at all.
>
>
>  *** You may be right, you maybe wrong and regardless, you and I are NOT
> effected directly. But those whose lives are impacted by it every day, could
> take it a differently, couldn't  they?.
>
>
>
>
> >If Assam is to be become independent from India only thru violence and
> mayhem, >one wonders what kind of liberation these insurgents have in store
> for the >common person.
>
>
>  ***" Violence and mayhem" however is a product of a failure of a
> 'democratic' and political process. ULFA was a RESULT, a PRODUCT, of
> desi-democrasy's abject failures. It is not the END GOAL. Throughout history
> freedom movements produced exactly such violence. Why? Because the
> oppressors were not about to give in. No different in the case of Assam vs.
> India. Gandhi was an exception, even though Indian freedom movement saw far
> more violence -- even proportionally -- than Assam has produced in its quest
> for freedom. In fact the Hindu-Muslim pogroms probably were unprecedented in
> human history. And it too was on account of a quest of freedom.
>
>
>
>
> >Lastly, C'da, I will leave you with a portion of the editorial from
> today's >Sentinel: (Highlights mine)
>
>
>
>
>  *** So what else is new Ram? Did you see anything new here? It is the
> same old blather that we have seen decades on end. But has it produced any
> result? If not is it not an exercise in that 'insanity'?
>
>
> c-da
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 2:11 PM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> >But it does not change the fact that ULFA had to go blow things up >again
> to remind GoI that talking about holding direct negotiations is >not enough,
> that doing something about is necessary.
>
>
>
> If the GOI is so inept and the right hand doesn't know what the left is
> doing, why are so sure that only blowing up things will actually catch the
> GOI's attentions? For all one knows, it could be the reverse, where some
> politician or general in the GOI takes a more drastic and adamant stance -
> whereby ULFA's blowing up things may actaully be responded in kind.
>
>
>
> >*** Why is it surprising Ram?IF GoI represents the people, it has the
> responsibility to serve the >people's desire, doesn't it?
>
>
>
> It is surprising because violence has to be condemned all round - not just
> the times when ULFA cadres are killed. For all we know, the GOI may be
> responding to violence by the ULFA.
>
> Yes, there are times when Govt. soldiers go berserk and kill unnecessarily
> and without reason - but normally, they only react to violent situations.
>
>
>
> But, all that DOES not solves ULFA's or Assam's interest. Low intensity
> violence by insurgents may at times cause some politician to pay attention,
> but these do not provide long-term solutions.
>
>
>
> >Why is it becoming more and more widespread instead of >becoming lesser
> and lesser?
>
>
>
> Violence is widespread because there are insurgent groups that find it
> easier to get away with impunity. Often it is even a great career path for
> the leaders of such organizations. And of course, I agree with you that many
> in the GOI really don't seem to care one way or the other. But you are wrong
> if you think it is only Assam (the old step-motherly treatment)  or the
> real-estate stuff. This is the way the GOI treats many states. Luckily for
> many of those states, they don't have an ULFA to pull them down further.
>
>
>
> I seriously doubt, if the GOI has some grandiose plan for Assam's real
> estate - I doubt if they have a plan at all.
>
>
>
> If Assam is to be become independent from India only thru violence and
> mayhem, one wonders what kind of liberation these insurgents have in store
> for the common person.
>
>
>
> Lastly, C'da, I will leave you with a portion of the editorial from
> today's Sentinel: (Highlights mine) -- Ram
>
>
>
> Organizations like the* United Liberation Front of Asom* (ULFA)* that have
> totally lost direction* and have no compunction* whatsoever in targeting
> innocent civilians* , should finally realize that they stand* no chance*whatsoever against a system which,
> * despite its many shortcomings and pitfalls, ultimately depends on the
> democratic sanction of the masses* . The strength of* Indian democracy
> lies* in the fact that it has succeeded in evolving a structure which has
> made free and fair elections possible. This is no mean achievement when
> compared with experiments with representative democracy elsewhere.*Therefore, the challenges to our polity must be met not through
> fundamentalist exclusivity of a different type, but by strengthening those
> very values and precepts that have given our democracy a pride of place
> among the comity of nations* . Let the national tricolour be unfurled at
> every place today, saluting the spirit of India, its essence and its unique
> experiment with democracy.
>
>
> On 8/15/06,* Chan Mahanta* <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> Ram:
>
>
>
>
> >Could it not be within the realm of possibilities that the ULFA did send
> out >'feelers' to the GOI?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *** I was not commenting on that. There could be substance to that. But it
> does not change the fact that ULFA had to go blow things up again to remind
> GoI that talking about holding direct negotiations is not enough, that doing
> something about is necessary. GoI sat on its haunches after the PCG
> meetings, with its many arms pronouncing conflicting and contradictory
> statements, sounding like its right hand never knowing what the left is
> doing, as always.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >That the Sentinel is (also) trying to put the onus of breaking the peace
> >initiatives on the GOI is surprising
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *** Why is it surprising Ram? IF GoI represents the people, it has the
> responsibility to serve the people's desire, doesn't it? People of Assam
> have been clamoring for a negotiated settlement for decades. But has the
> 'people's govt.' responded ? Does it really care about what the people of
> Assam has been seeking all these years?
>
>
>
>
> IF, the GoI is made up of sincere and able people attempting to respond to
> their  constituents' needs and desires, holding the reins of powers and
> wearing that halo of legitimacy; should it continue to,decade after decade,
> find excuses about why it cannot take the lead in finding a political
> solution to the
>
> conflict?
>
>
>
>
> >If violence is bad, then it has to be bad when either the ULFA or the GOI
> >commits it. It can't be glossed over for one while the other is held
> >responsible.
>
>
>
>
> *** Surely. But WHY has violence steadily become the preferred method for
> disaffected peoples of India to get resolution of their grievances Ram? Can
> you answer that? Why is it becoming more and more widespread instead of
> becoming lesser and lesser? There is a pattern to it. And it is unmistakable
> to those who are willing and able to see and hear.
>
>
>
>
> Furthermore, if violence is the weapon of them BAD guys only, why is it
> that the good guys, with far more capability of destruction, act just like
> the BAD GUYS ? Are they incapable of thinking more creatively? Or are they
> tone deaf? Or they just don't care what happens to Assam, as long as the
> real-estate remains with India, damn the people?
>
>
>
>
> Take your pick Ram :-).
>
>
>
>
> c-da
>
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> At 12:38 PM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> >I saw that too Ram. But it means little.
>
>
>
> I am naive, C'da but am still wondering why the AT report would mean
> little, while the Sentinel's would mean a lot.  Could it not be within the
> realm of possibilities that the ULFA did send out 'feelers' to the GOI?
>
>
>
> That the Sentinel is (also) trying to put the onus of breaking the peace
> initiatives on the GOI is surprising as it seems to have forgotten numerous
> assaults on civis and security personnel by the ULFA.
>
>
>
> If violence is bad, then it has to be bad when either the ULFA or the GOI
> commits it. It can't be glossed over for one while the other is held
> responsible.
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
>
>
> On 8/15/06,* Chan Mahanta* <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> I saw that too Ram. But it means little.
>
>
>
>
> The highlighted part below merely reaffirms the *insanity that is Indian (
> and Assam) Govt. policies ( or more precisely an absence of any) and a
> section of Assam establishment's expectations.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c-da
>
>
>
>
> * "The definition of* insanity* is continuing to do the same thing and
> expecting a different result" ( Seymour M. Hersh)
>
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> At 10:32 AM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> Below from the Assam Tribune (today). Also, from the Sentinel piece, just
> wanted to highlight this from what you sent.
>
>
>
> *"If the ULFA, even after such positive gestures from New Delhi, dithers
> on holding talks, it would be suicidal for the rebels as the commoners in
> Asom, who are craving for peace, would never forgive the outfit."*
>
>
>
> There definitely are a lot behind-the-scenes stuff going around. Reading
> both from the Sentinel and the AT, we don't know if the GOI was trying to
> pull a fast one here or the ULFA sent out 'feelers'.
>
>
> Wonder what those feelers are?
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
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