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This year, like the
last one, Lok Sangram Manch of Punjab (LSM) commemorated 23rd March as martyrs
day to pay revolutionary homage to martyrs Shahid Bhaghat Singh, Rajguru &
Sukhdev. For this a month long campaign was launched by organising mass
meetings, flag hoisting, slogan writing, culminating in big functions at
different places. During this campaign the revolutionary ideas and goals of the
martyrs were widely propagated among the people. It also called on the people to
fulfill the martyr’s unfinished dreams. This time, this campaign presented a
different look because it carried the message of the unity of two revolutionary
democratic or anti-imperialist and anti-feudal organizations i.e. LSM and
Jamhoori Morcha and acquired the new name LSM. The unity of the two
organisations into one was by itself a real homage to the martyrs of 23rd March.
This unity highly enthused the followers of both the organizations. This unity
also cherished the hopes of the common people, that it will carry forward the
struggle, representing the interests and problems of the people.
In this enthusiastic
atmosphere, thousands of leaflets and posters were displayed in many areas.
Through this material the message of the martyrs was conveyed to the people to
fulfill their objectives, unfinished dreams and unfinished work through
intensifying the people’s struggles. The anti-imperialist campaign primarily
focused on three political points: The first was the exposure of the impact of
so-called economic reforms and imperialist penetration on the lives of the
people. The second was on the US imperialist’s aggressive war-mongering policies
worldwide, with the focus on Iraq. And the third was the imperialist and
expansionist role in Nepal to suppress the growing Maoist movement in the
country.
This campaign was
initiated from Hussaniwala, Distt. Ferozepur on 23rd March by holding a
programme at the ‘martyr’s column’. But on that day the CM of Punjab was to
arrive there. Hence there was a big rush of lumpens, chamchas and governmental
sycophants. The district authorities refused permission to the Manch to hold a
function on that day. After a long struggle this restriction was removed and
permission was granted. This was granted only two days before the function in
the background that the Manch had already declared to hold a function there,
even if permission was not granted. Then there arose the problem of acquiring a
proper place for the programme. The co-operation of the village people in every
respect not only helped in solving this problem but also proved their real bond
with the Manch. The village people also arranged a ‘langar’ for the Manch
programme. When early in the morning the Manch leader, Balwant Makhu, reached
the site of programme with his team of cultural workers, there were police
everywhere. There were lots of police nakas everywhere together with the cheap
film songs. At that time the number of people was not many as the police created
much hurdles for the team. They were allowed only when they threatened to
organise a protest. Hence the real inheritors of the martyrs reached the martyrs
column and paid homage, shouting revolutionary slogans and by taking an oath to
carry forward the unfinished task.
Thereafter two
diametrically opposite programmes were held there. One was organised by the real
followers of the martyrs represented by the LSM and the second was organised by
the murderers of the martyrs i.e. hypocritical Congress leaders. They sang songs
on the supposed independence while the Manch called it a fake independence. In
the Congress programme vulgar songs were relayed, while from the Manch platform
revolutionary songs, plays, action songs and choreographies were displayed. The
leaders of the revolutionary mass organisations addressed this function and
highlighted the ideals of the martyrs, and called on the people to carry on
their unfinished tasks. The cultural team presented their revolutionary
programme. In the evening the demonstration organised by the Manch attracted the
attention of thousands of people. The rally held at the martyrs column was
highly surcharged. For the successful completion of this programme, meetings and
rallies were organised in dozens of villages since many days before, and a fund
collection campaign was also successfully carried out. Ferozepur city too was
covered by this campaign.
The Campaign’s next
big programme was launched in Smalsar (Moga) on 24th March. In the past this
village was a stronghold of movement but there has been no activity since a long
time due to many reasons. After many years the Manch held an attractive
propaganda campaign and mobilised the masses. The gathering of people was beyond
the expectations of the Manch. Leaders of the BKU (Krantikari),’Pandu Mazdoor
Manch, LSM, Aurat Mukti Manch’s and a leader, Surinder Kaur Dhudike addressed to
the gathering. Revolutionary songs, action songs, choreographeries were
presented by the revolutionary cultural front (krantikari sabhiacharak kender).
The plays like ‘Behkda Roh’, ‘Chone Tammassa’ ‘Maowad’ were also presented.
About 2000 people gathered for the function.
The next programme
was held on 25th March at Matta village, Distt. Faridkot. For the
preparation of the programme at Matta village, mass meetings and rallies were
held in the villages Ajit Gill, Dalianwali, Rameana Matta, Romana, Sawewala,
Bhagtuana, Rorkipura and Dhapai. During the campaign committees were organised
at villages Rameana, Dalianwali and Romana. Although the programme started late
about 1500 gathered. Darshan Singh Sarawan was the stage secretary and a number
of leaders from the mass organisations spoke. A revolutionary cultural front
from Moga presented the plays "Behkda Roh", "Begmo Di Dhi", "Maowad", "Choone
Tamassa", and revolutionary songs.
This was followed by
a programme on 27th March at Kassoana village, Distt. Ferozepur. For the
programme at village Kassoana a big meeting was held. Here, about 400 people
gathered.
On the same day a
programme was also held at Baggike Modd, Distt. Ferozepur. Because of the
backwardness of the area this is a stronghold of religious activists like Dera
Sachcha Sauda, Dera Beas, and because the coming festivals of Holi and Bhandara
of Dera Beas people were busy in these activities. In spite of all this the
Manch has developed a strong democratic base in the area by continuing a fight
against all forms of oppression, violence, discrimination, during the last few
years. On the call of LSM approximately 3000 gathered for the programme. Before
the programme a propaganda and fund raising campaign were conducted in over 15
villages of this area. Revolutionary songs, revolutionary plays, choreographies,
action songs were presented by teams of the cultural front, Ferozepur and also
the Lok Kala Manch, Mandi Mullanpur.
On 29th March the
next programme was held at Dhuri, Distt. Sangrur. This took place at
night. The preparations for the programme was done by holding mass meetings in
nearby villages. LSM was a new name for that area because the front was made
after the unity. Leaders from the LSM, Aurat Mukti Manch and Radical Student
Union addressed the gathering. The people’s gathering was near about 700. The
revolutionary cultural team from Dhuri and Moga presented their plays.
The next programme
was held on 30th March at Guru Harsahai village, Distt. Ferozepur. In
this area of Punjab the LSM is emerging as a rising force in comparison to the
anti people parliamentary parties. The people of dozens of villages came to know
about the Manch as a ‘Vote boycott’ organisation and as a fighter of militant
struggles. This was the result of constant and comprehensive activities of the
Manch over the years and the propagation of revolutionary democratic politics.
The Manch achieved this prestige because of its militant struggles through which
it challenged the evil gentry of the area and also due to the struggles against
murders, kidnappings, police repression, robberies, and thefts and gundaism,
protected by the authorities. This time the gathering of the people on 23rd
March in commemoration of martyrs was qualitatively different. Among the
gathering of about 2,500 people the number of rural workers and poor peasants
were larger. People reached the venue in their tractor trolleys shouting
slogans. Despite the absence of women organization leaders it is a matter of
satisfaction that hundreds of women participated in the programme. Before this
programme a big campaign of propaganda and collection of funds was launched
covering the large and small villages. The leaflet published by the Manch
reached every door. The people gave an encouraging response to the campaign.
During the later stages big meetings and rallies were organised in specific
villages. Because of this successful campaign a large number of men and women
from about 15 neighbouring villages reached the site of the programme. Huge
martyr’s gates were erected on the roads to Muktsar, Faridkot and Goluke from
Guruharsahai. The programme was initiated in the pandal decorated with flags,
Mattos. A two minute silence was observed with the flag hoisting. The Manch’s
young leader, Jail Singh, from Chappa Chiri solmanised the flag hoisting.
Balwant Makhu, Kundan Arniwala, Gurmeet Judge, Ajmer Singh, Baldev Abohar were
the main leaders among the people who paid their homage to the martyrs. In
addition to this the revolutionary cultural teams from Moga and Ferozepur
presented their programmes. By the raising of hands some resolutions were passed
by the people: to remove the emergency in Nepal, to stop the brutal violence
upon the peasant movement in Andhra, Bihar, Dandkarania, to stop the
privatization of the Electricity Board, to abrogate the bank loans and debt of
moneylenders of the peasants and workers, to stop the detention of the peasants,
to eradicate satta, gambling and sale of poisonous medicines in the market and
to provide employment to E.T.T. teachers and unemployed youths.
On 31st March a
programme was held at village Kawanwali (in Monga district). This area comes in
a belt of small sized villages. It was the initiation of the Manch in this area.
In dozens of villages of this area rallies and meetings were arranged. The
revolutionary cultural team front Moga’s artists boys and girls wrote the
slogans on walls the whole day and met the people directly. The gathering of
people was approximately 10,000. The revolutionary cultural team from Moga
presented their plays on the stage. Leaders of the BKU (Krantikari), LSM and
Aurat Mukti Manch addressed the gathering.
Then a programme was
held on 2nd April at Dhapali village, Distt. Bathinda. Before the programme the
meetings were held in the area. Posters, leaflets and a fund campaign were
launched. The gathering of people was approximately 2000. The pandal was packed
and the people even sat on the roofs of houses. Revolutionary songs, plays,
choreographies and actions songs were presented by the revolutionary-cultural
front of Moga.
The final programme
was held on 3rd April at Nathana village, Distt. Nathana. Rallies were held at
Nathana, Bhucho, Poohla, Jandawala, Kalyan, Khialliwala for the preparation of
the programme. About 1000 people gathered for the programme. Besides speeches,
the Lok Kala Manch, Mandi Mullanpur presented their plays "Mein Phir Partaga",
and "Begmo Di Dhi". Also the revolutionary-cultural front Moga presented their
play "Maowad" and "Choone Tammassa Hindustan" and other choreographies and
action songs.
Through this campaign
the Manch paid homage to the martyrs as well as presented the martyrs ideology
from a revolutionary point of view. The Manch called on the people to carry
forward the militant struggles and make the people aware about the present
political situation. The people were also made aware of the ongoing peasant
struggles in the hilly and forests regions of the country.
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