Red Indians: Maoists urge anti-globalization uprising

[Die Neue Zeit]

http://rt.com/news/indian-maoists-revolution-mnc-359/



A growing Maoist group in India is brewing a revolution that could soon spill on to the streets, urging multinational companies (MNCs) out of the country because, they say, globalization causes a widening gap between rich and poor.

For almost 25 years the Maoist rebels in India, estimated to have 10,000 armed fighters and around 50,000 supporters, have been attempting to overthrow the government in New Dehli, using violence and intimidation to turn India into a communist society.

In some parts of the country their tactics have worked, creating a so-called “red corridor” in areas where traditional law and order is almost nonexistent.

In their eyes the government is not taking any interest in the indigenous people of rural India and has actually displaced the population from its mineral-rich land for development projects.

The government has called the Maoists the single biggest security threat to India and has held them responsible for displacing and killing thousands of civilians.

But far from the jungles of India a new Maoist revolution is springing up, largely focused on overthrowing multinational companies and development.

The Maoists argue that the arrival of multinational companies in India has actually caused a further divide between rich and poor. They want to see an India without the presence of “dominant Western companies,” where everyone has access to basic rights.

The brains behind this uprising is Varavara Rao. The highly-educated man is, in most senses, the opposite of his counterparts in the jungle, though he served eight years in prison for anti-government activities.

Armed with a pen and paper and sitting in his relatively modern flat in Hyderabad, Rao is seen as the intellectual leader of the Maoists and a voice for a growing group of Indians against globalization.

“If the investment is from outside, we will kick them away and occupy them. Today the Indian government itself has become a big real estate agent for big companies and multinational companies,” claims Varavara Rao.

Hyderabad is a symbol for many Indians of the country’s booming economy and presence on the global stage. The city has the biggest Microsoft research and development office outside the United States and is home to several major multinational groups, IT firms and biopharmaceutical companies. For many in the city, the presence of foreign firms is welcomed.

“They are providing us job opportunities. We are educated here with a lot of talent, so that talent is used by the MNC’s, but if they don’t use the talent then that’s wasted,” a young man told RT.

“They are providing different applications for our needs like supermarkets, ATMS,” echoes another.

“Because of corporate companies educated people are getting more jobs. They can earn more money within short period of time with dignity,” explains a third.

But the Maoists are not convinced that modernization means a better quality of life for everyone.

Maoist leader Venugopal believes that “Those who did not get the fruits of this globalization even they got frustrated, they tend to get frustrated and one day if their genuine grievances are not addressed they will fight it out. Will throw all of us out including us middle class who are sitting idle.”

While most Indians are not convinced that communism is the answer, many agree that India needs to find a way to improve on its own.

“I, as a patriot, think that India has such a huge resource of minerals, water wealth, land power, science and technology establishment, human resources that we can produce anything. We don’t need MNC’s, it is MNC’s who need India,” Venugopal concludes.

While they watch the uprisings around the Arab world, they believe it is the subcontinent’s turn to demand change.

[DaringMehring]

“I, as a patriot, think that India has such a huge resource of minerals, water wealth, land power, science and technology establishment, human resources that we can produce anything. We don’t need MNC’s, it is MNC’s who need India,” Venugopal concludes.

Aside from the "patriot" appeal, you're right. Except for one thing: you can kick out the MNCs, and the Indian bourgeoisie will still take all those things.

There is the India of the bourgeoisie, and the India of the poor, not one all-peoples India being corrupted by the MNCs.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Of course "globalization," that is the economic integration of the entire world, was actually one the historic benefits of the development of capitalism. While capital pursues its own aims, the creation of a global economy can only benefit us when it comes time to move beyond the nation-state and initiate efficient production for human ends on a world scale.

[Die Neue Zeit]

^^^ NHIA, Ricardo's comparative advantage has limits: http://www.revleft.com/vb/comparativ...400/index.html

Aside from the "patriot" appeal, you're right. Except for one thing: you can kick out the MNCs, and the Indian bourgeoisie will still take all those things.

There is the India of the bourgeoisie, and the India of the poor, not one all-peoples India being corrupted by the MNCs.

Slight correction to your last sentence: there is the India of the bourgeoisie and petit-bourgeois compradors, and the India of everyone else (new sans-culottes, dispossessed class and socioeconomic patriotic petit-bourgeoisie, etc.). India is ripe for revolutionary change of, by, and for the "everyone else" - so long as the proletarian demographic minority knows its place.

[Rocky Rococo]

Of course "globalization," that is the economic integration of the entire world, was actually one the historic benefits of the development of capitalism. While capital pursues its own aims, the creation of a global economy can only benefit us when it comes time to move beyond the nation-state and initiate efficient production for human ends on a world scale.

Strictly speaking that's true, but the way the term "globalization" has come to be used is as a shorthand for the neoliberal character and content of the process as it has proceeded in the past several decades. The original statement makes far more sense when read in that manner, although I certainly agree with Daring Mehring's point about the fact that the Indian bourgeoisie would be glad to take control of the means of production so developed.

[Jose Gracchus]

Sounds like a bunch of bullshit rhetoric to direct struggles into the safe waters of nationalism, chauvinism, and reactionary fantasies of "local" and "independent" economy and society.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

the term "globalization" has come to be used is as a shorthand for the neoliberal character and content of the process as it has proceeded in the past several decades.

The question is "by who?"

The answer is, liberals, reformists, labor bureaucrats and others who promote a return to the "glory days" of capitalism; for their own reasons.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Indian Maoists should just stick with what they do well, like killing dozens of cops. Everytime they issue anything even remotely bordering on a political statement, I just get depressed because I'm reminded of the fact that they're Maoists.

[Os Cangaceiros]

"I'm an Indian patriot, we need to get these goddamn carpetbaggers out of India!" < not really my idea of a stirring communist message.

[RadioRaheem84]

I think they're trying to say that their resources should belong to the Indian people not the multi-nationals. I wouldn't read too much nationalist rhetoric in what they're saying.

[Jose Gracchus]

Why not? Do they say large Indian firms which destroy resources and people's lives should be subject to the same treatment as the evil foriegners? This reads exactly like special pleading for the "progressive," "patriotic," or "national" bourgeoisie, and you have to be able to see that.

And "Indian people" is a bourgeois-national construct, that serves bourgeois-national ends. It is not a communist aim.

[RED DAVE]

India is ripe for revolutionary change of, by, and for the "everyone else" - so long as the proletarian demographic minority knows its place.

And what do you believe that place is?

RED DAVE

[Obs]

so long as the proletarian demographic minority knows its place.

How the fuck are you not restricted yet?

[Die Neue Zeit]

And what do you believe that place is?

Just not the ruling class, ruling over those outnumbering them. When the Indian proletariat outnumbers everyone else, that's a different story.

How the fuck are you not restricted yet?

Your logic is flawed. HINT: This board doesn't restrict Maoists except Third Worldists.

[Commissar Rykov]

Did I really just read that right? Why are you here if you don't agree with Proletariat Emancipation? Wow you are beyond the simple bureaucrat I thought you were.

[Die Neue Zeit]

^^^ Two stages are necessary in India, just not of the bourgeois or "New Democracy" types.

[Commissar Rykov]

^^^ Two stages are necessary in India, just not of the bourgeois or "New Democracy" types.

But a stage without the Proletariat in charge. So how is that any different from those two ideas?

[Die Neue Zeit]

Because another class other than the bourgeoisie and proletariat is in charge, positioned to develop "capitalism without capitalists."

[RED DAVE]

Because another class other than the bourgeoisie and proletariat is in charge, positioned to develop "capitalism without capitalists."

Congratulations: you have (a) stumbled in the formula for state capitalism; (b) you
confirmed your essential stalinism.

RED DAVE

[Per Levy]

so long as the proletarian demographic minority knows its place.

on its knees and bowing down to the petite bourgeoisie you so adore?

Just not the ruling class, ruling over those outnumbering them. When the proletariat outnumbers everyone else, that's a different story.

you should change your tendency from revolutionary marxist to reformist socialdemocrat, the latter is more fitting to your views. just saying.