Press Briefing Monday, 22 June 2009

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed addressed the media today.


Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that the Congress party welcomed the decision taken by the Central Government today to declare the CPI Maoists as a terrorist organization. He said that the states affected by Naxal violence would be helped by this decision. Recounting the steps taken by the Central government in this regard he said that the Union government, to counter the problem of Naxalism, had formed the Cobra force on which it spent Rs 1300 crores. Besides that Rs 500 crore were given to Naxal affected states to modernize their police forces. He added that the state governments must now shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.

To a question on the monitoring of the funds provided by the Central government, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that this question should be posed to the central government as this was a Congress party briefing not a central government briefing.

To a question on the logic and objective of banning the CPI (Maoist) considering the fact that Naxalism is a socio-economic problem, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that a political ideology can be countered politically but not its unlawful activities like killing of innocent people, our paramilitary and police personnel which is unacceptable.

To a question, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that he was not here to explain the statements of the Hon’ble Home Minister. He said that he was merely welcoming on behalf of the Congress party the step taken by the Government of India in banning the CPI (Maoist) - an umbrella organization of all Naxal activities. He said that if one went through the media records, one would find that the CM of West Bengal had said that the Home Minister had suggested for a ban on the CPI (Maoist) and that they were considering it.

To a question that the Left Front gave a statement today that there was no need to ban the CPI (Maoist) and that it should be countered politically, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed that it was the violence perpetrated by this organization and the killing of innocent people and security forces that led them to ban it. He added that there was a clear division in the Left Front with some calling for a ban on this organization while some others were against the ban.

To a question that in the National Executive of the BJP it was decided that Hindutva would be watered down to cultural Hindutva but even after it has been proved by the Forensic Lab Report that the voice on the hate-speech CD belonged to Varun Gandhi the BJP was backing him and hence that reflected the BJP’s hypocrisy, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that there was no doubt that the BJP indulges in double speak. He said that ultimately only what the Sangh Parivar wants happens in the BJP.

To a question on why there was massive operation in West Bengal and not in Bastar which has been more severely affected by Naxal violence, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that law and order was a responsibility of the state government and whenever they ask for assistance the central government helps them. He added that this is exactly why a white paper was being demanded from states affected by Naxalism to give an overview on the situation with regard to the efforts made by the state government and their action plan to stop Naxal violence.

To a question on what the Congress party thought about the Salwa Judum, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that the Congress party was not in favour of any organization which takes law into its own hands without having the authority to do so.

To a question on whether Naxalism was seen as a law and order problem or socio-economic problem or a lack of development problem, Shri Shakeel Ahmed said that it would be difficult to point out one, as the Naxalism problem was a combination of all of the above.

To a question on whether the Congress party would want the Maoists to come to the negotiating table, Shri Shakeel Ahmed said that in a democratic set up everybody was welcome to come to the negotiating table. But ultimately since law and order was a state subject, so the talks would have to be held with the concerned state government.






(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC