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

[Chan Mahanta]

Sorry Ram.

You have NOT addressed one thing with any substance. You also used my 
past comments out of context and keeping out parts of the full 
statements. Whether you do it purposely or due to the selective 
memory syndrome I don't know. But it is often done by people whose 
sincerity of purpose is lacking.

I can go into each issue one by one and show their emptiness. But we 
have been there many times before. I will concentrate on those new 
ones,. hoping they at least are a tad bit more interested in finding 
answers.

c-da








At 11:07 PM -0600 3/1/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>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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