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Why I am associating with Solidarity?
| By | March2010 |
| By C R Neelakantan (A leftist activist and former member of CPM in Kerala) I have been associating with Solidarity youth movement from its beginning Understanding and identifying with the ideology they subscribe to, was not the reason behind the close association that I had with them. We all know that there is no much relevance left for the ideological positions taken by different parties and groups in our present context. I have met this group from the various struggle fronts across the state. I have been supporting these struggles standing at the particular social and political vantage points which may be different from theirs. My interest in the ideological base of Solidarity grew as I realized their considerable involvement with most of these struggles. Such a search led me to the conclusion that their political stands share a number of commonalities with those of mine. The most important point at which our ideas converge is the shared understanding about the politics of these peoples struggles occurring around us. Until recently, the definition of peoples struggles in Kerala was limited to the activities undertaken by either the mainstream political parties or organizations based on caste or religious identities. They undertook many struggles as representing the oppressed masses. Because they had strong organizational and financial base, these struggles seemed as equivalent in strength to their opponents. However, the nature of the struggles that we see today is entirely different from the former ones. Most of these struggles are created and carried forward by the marginalized sections of the population consists of Adivasis, dalits, fishermen, and other such communities and groups and hence seem prima facie weaker. Apart from a few exceptions, especially those in the opposition, most of the political parties do not associate themselves with these struggles. [Even these parties in opposition, irrespective of their political orientations, would cease providing the resistance movements with support once they become part of the ruling group]. In such a situation, I think it becomes ones duty to align with the weak and oppressed. In such a situation, I think it becomes ones duty to align with the weak and oppressed. All of these struggles emerge and evolve as masses start facing severe crises; those threaten their basic survival itself. A major chunk among them is against the acquisition and exploitation of natural resources by capitalist forces. Huge numbers of Indian and foreign business powers compete with each other in order to seize the control over natural resources such as rivers, forests, agricultural land, hills etc. and receive both direct and indirect support from the state and major political parties. In the guise of being investor friendly, which they think is essential to bring about development they in fact reinforce the exploitation of livelihoods of masses. Governments become agents of these investors in order to grab our land for various developmental projects by paying only some nominal prices. The state uses its coercive apparatus too, to put an end to these struggles. The list of those struggles in which Solidarity has participated is endless. Their presence is felt all across Kerala wherever such struggles are taking place.In Kasaragod district, thousands of people suffered from grave health problems resulted from the use of Endosulphan (a hazardous chemical pesticide) in the vast cashew nut plantations. Irrespective of the political coalitions that came to power governments were neglecting their condition. Even to ban the use of this pesticide it took a lot of time and thought for the government. They did not create any provisions for assisting them for medical expenses let alone giving compensations. Solidarity activists, not only managed to collect some lakhs of money from all over the state, also were able to utilize it efficiently for the victimized people. The struggle against the Coca cola factory in Plachimada (Palakkad district) also receives very strong support from Solidarity. They both provide assistance in sustaining the struggle in front of the factory and organized a number of support groups in other parts of the state. Their efforts in resisting the Express High Way project, especially in the Central and Northern districts were beyond comparison. |
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