[Reader-list] Public meeting, All-India Convention on Nandigram & SEZs

[V Ramaswamy]

Dear Friends

Pictures from the public seesion at Esplanade, Kolkata, on Day 2 of the
All-India Convention on Nandigram & SEZs (2-3 June) are accessible here:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=rimcegid&aid=576460762403602161&pid=&wtok=SsKjcRc7xmnr5pTeyeosOg--&ts=1180938127&.src=ph

Among the speakers were: Vaskar Nandy, Hari Sharma, Siddiqullah
Chowdhury,Vara Vara Rao, GN Saibaba, Pasupati Prasad Mahato, Dipankar
Bhattacharya,Sandeep Pandey and Medha Patkar.

Among the resolutions accepted by delegates:

Punishment of those responsible for the Nanndigram massacre.
Compensation for the victims.
Scrapping of the SEZ Act.Amendement of the Land Acquisition Act.
All projects must be approved by Gram Sabhas.

For me personally, it was astounding and electrifying to see that a Muslim
clergyman, Sidiqullah Chowdhury, has entered the public domain and the
political space; brought together diverse groups, parties, communities and
individuals, and especially from the weaker sections, with significant
participation in all aspects by women; and shaken the all-powerful CPI(M) in
West Bengal. Speaker after speaker complimented Siddiqullah Chowdhury and
lauded his leadership of this movement, which is now an all-India movement
against SEZ, and for inclusive economic development. Once again, Bengal
shows the way ...

Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee had been quick to label the
grassroots mobilisation in Nandigram "communal". However, the truth is that
the Nandigram resistance and struggle may prove to be a beacon of real unity
and solidarity across communities - in this 150th anniversary year of the
First War of India's Independence, and the centenary of the son of India,
Bhagat Singh - to thwart the whims of the capitalist lapdog CPI(M). Speakers
cautioned the public about possible attempts to subvert this unity by
provoking communal disturbances.

Best

V Ramaswamy
cuckooscall.blogspot.com