[Assam] My Take on Independence - I-V COMBINED

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da'

I am going to try and respond to as many points as I can in this round. Will
have to keep the rest for later.

>what I consider to be the most important cause: *The one involving
governmental unresponsiveness, both state >and central, to the people's
needs, concerns and demands and its utter inability to deliver on its most
>fundamental of duties, leading to the widely held belief, even amongst
those who decry ULFA the loudest *,* >that Assam gets step-motherly
treatment, that it is treated like second-class citizens and so forth.*


Really! Years ago, when I had indicated that the root cause was just like
the above - ie: economics - where Assam felt left out in national
developemnt. At that time, you had dissagreed, and felt it was all about how
different Assamese culture/rooots etc was from the rest of India.

But I am gald you have come around to agree and realize that the basis of
most such conflicts is economics - jobs, growth, development, poverty, etc.

>out of desperations they took to arms, to break free from Indian rule, and
thus, among other things, re-shape their >government to fit their needs:
Political, economic, cultural and what have you.

Of course, they did. The rest of us in Assam had no earthly clue what was
going on.
And I guess the $210 million and $600 million amounts being bandied about
were something of an afterthought and ULFA's main goal was of course the
"interests of the Assamese people".


>I don't know anyone, in Assam, elsewhere in India or abroad, who would not
want to see an end to the insurgency >and the never-ending armed conflict.
But for that wish to be realistic, the thoughtful person must ask: *What has
>changed to the conditions that created the conflict to begin with?*

By that, do you mean the common folks. If however, you are talking about the
ULFA, or some of the politicians, and other opportunists - you couldn't be
further from reality. If what the US think-tank says is true of Paresh & Co.
then the ULFA leadership ain't giving up all that big money for anything -
least of all for Assam. Plus, with something like this, there is big
money (or power) for any number of folks being involved. Yes, there are some
folks who are ready to lay down their lives for the cause. Those numbers are
few and far between, and are usually those who have been misled by the ulfa
leadership and others. On the whole, most of those who are in control of
this "mess" are NOT at all interested in finding a solution.
And I sincerely hope I am wrong on this count.


>Many in this forum, past and present, implied -- but never clearly took a
stand that I >can recall, to confidently suggest that YES, change is
possible under prevailing >Indian rule, backed up by credible evidence. The
discussion, as far as I can tell, is >entirely absent in Assam or elsewhere
in India. Only when fresh violence erupts >there is a temporary awareness
but the discourse is entirely dominated by the 'desi->sekurity-wallas',
compliantly and mindlessly parroted by a large segment of the >Assam
establishment.



The change you refer to is "reforms". My take on this is this:

In India, some reforms are taking place. And yet, they are not as fast,
efficient or as much as one would like. Even in Assam, things are changing,
and there have some things (National Games for instance) which the state can
brag about.



For the sake of argument though, even if  I were to take your side - that
reforms, under the prevailing "Indian" rule are not possible.

Given that, what makes you think that Assam will be any better (if not
worse) once Assam is "independent"

You fail to realize, like it or not, Assam is *married* to India in almost
every facet. If India realizes reforms, so will Assam. If if doesn't, nor
will Assam.

And, from the very practical sense, do you think a big country like India
will have absolute no influence (good or bad) on an independent Assam in all
its facets? You name it, Assam will have it. So, this notion of
"independence" is some dream that some lost souls are still searching. :)

Add to all this, there is a sizable population of *khar khowas who DO
NOT*share this dream. They feel, live, and swear by India.



>The truth is that India's nationhood is mostly a facade, a make-believe,
just like all its institutions of state, and its >commitments. No wonder
then,the  *Indian establishment,just like Assam's*, who have acquired a
reasonable >standard of living *milking* this dysfunctional state's
largesse, is terrified of the prospects of one or more constituents, >like
Kashmir, or Nagaland or Assam leaving



Now, why would that establishment be terrified? Leaving? I do not think
either Kashmir or Assam (or Nagaland) are going anywhere. Yes, groups like
the ulfa can continue with this low-intensity fight with GOI forces, cause
damage here and there - thats about it. From all that we know of Indian
history, whether it is right or not(morally) - India still has not given up
Kashmir,or Nagaland, Manipur, or Assam.

So, I seriously doubt if the collective establishment either in Delhi or
Assam is woried - specially when there are many Assamese who do not
subscribe to your views.



* >upsetting their lifestyles and their aspirations. Never mind the
aspirations of the >overwhelmingly vast majority of their compatriots who
never got to taste their >STATE sponsored well-being. *

**

I am just flabbergasted. So with an independent Assam - can you assure and
show us a game plan where and how all the 'have-nots' are going to share in
this state-sponsored well-being?



>But India's stability ought not to be at the cost of the people of Assam.
Let India take care of itself. It is high time >Assam took charge of its own
affairs.



India's success and stability is for and by all the states - Assam included.
You frequent attempts at driving a wedge between Assam (and "India") is not
working. Assam is very much a part of India and most Assamese feel they are
Indians.




>what I consider to be the most important cause: *The one involving
governmental unresponsiveness, both state >and central, to the people's
needs, concerns and demands and its utter inability to deliver on its most
>fundamental of duties, leading to the widely held belief, even amongst
those who decry ULFA the loudest *,* >that Assam gets step-motherly
treatment, that it is treated like second-class citizens and so forth.*

*>I reject the Assamese complaint of being treated unfairly, given the
'step-motherly' >treatment  *

C'da - are you arguing with yourself?:) The above two views seem to
contradict each other. But then, maybe I don't get what you are trying to
imply.

*>It is a losers' proposition*. Assam MUST take charge of its  own affairs,
rise to the responsibilities of governing >itself effectively, planning for
its own future. Dilli can never do it for    them.

And how do you prospose this is going to take place. Is there some grand
plan?




*>But to do that Assam must have control over its resources, and the FREEDOM
to >reorient and radically reform its governmental system. *

Again how - how will Assam gain control of "its own resources"? Does it have
enough people wanting a bloody fight with India. And why are you seeking
freedom (from India) - does it not imply that India is controlling Assam and
its resources? (your words, not mine) :):)

Well more on Parts 3, 4 and 5 later.

Regards

Ram
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