A great wave of movement swept West Bengal on 10th January 2002. Overcoming brutal repression by police and CPI(M) musclemen, millions of people rose up in one mighty force to observe Bangla Bandh on that day. Our party SUCI called the Bandh against electricity-hospital charge hike, education fee hike, etc., implemented by the CPI(M)-Front government and the anti-people policies of the BJP-led NDA government. From the foot of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, an area of 87,000 square kilometers, downtrodden people of the whole state created a landmark in democratic mass movement under correct revolutionary leadership in this historic bandh.

People have been suffering from globalization, being implemented both by the central and the state governments. Power tariff, hospital charges, fee hike as well as hundreds of thousands of retrenchment com-pounded by countless other problems have caused deep discontent among the people. People wanted protest, people wanted resistance. People awaited a guidance.

Right in this situation the SUCI which has a long record of developing sustained mass movements, declared bandh to be held on 10th January, to be preceded by other agitational activities. In a press conference on 11th December 2001, Comrade Provash Ghosh, Secretary, West Bengal State Committee, gave the bandh call. Comrades immediately started to draw graffiti in favour of 10th January Bandh.

On 15th December, a General Body meeting was held in Calcutta where party comrades from all over Bengal gave out their whole mind to listen to the leadership — how to reach the suffering people immediately on war footing with the call of bandh, how to accomplish other tasks — to enroll volunteers, to build up people's committees, to propagate in areas where we do not have organization, so on and so forth. The object was to reach people at every nook and corner of West Bengal with the bandh call. Immediately after the meeting, comrades jumped into intense all-out campaign.

The moment bandh was declared, people, particularly the poorest section, enthusiastically received it and told our comrades, ‘It is our bandh, it is people’s bandh.’ People said, ‘SUCI is the only party who fights for us, all other parties fight solely for ministerial posts.’

A special bulletin of Ganadabi, our party organ in Bengali, that explained the burning issues and called the people to observe bandh on 10th January, was printed and then reprinted on public demand to the tune of nearly one million. The burning issues, the exposure of the BJP-led NDA and CPI(M) Front's pro-capitalist anti-people policies and above all SUCI's appeal in the bulletin touched the million suffering minds. It was followed by distribution of two million leaflets. Besides Bengali leaflets, Hindi, Urdu and English leaflets were also distributed — all showing charts of terrible hikes in charges of electricity, hospital and education fees. These besides, wall writings, posters, street corner meetings, door to door approach, mobile microphone propaganda, fighting fund collection etc., lifted the propaganda to a high pitch. At many places, people themselves collected slogan matters and did wall writings where we have no workers.

Many men took Ganadabi bulletins to distribute. A letter containing an appeal to observe bandh by the West Bengal State Committee of the SUCI was given to all kinds of public committees like market committees, associations of taxi owners, transport owners, hawkers, slum dwellers, unorganized workers, rickshaw pullers, state government and private sector employees, bank employees, teachers' associations, student unions, clubs, libraries, etc., who decided in favour of Bandh and extended active cooperation.

But beyond the limited force of our total activists, a greater force was in work — the force of the people who reached the remotest village, who talked to the village housewife, who conveyed to the boatman, or the harvesting peasant, or the other poor who have thronged to the towns and cities, who discussed with the pullers of rickshaws or carts or men engaged in construction works, or the poor who set up a roadside tea stall. Why poor and middle class guardians wore a happy face, why patients in hospitals feel jubilant? What make the poorest slum dwellers look at our comrades with a kind eye, what made people to crowd our mobile propaganda units to take leaflets and distribute them themselves, what made a Calcutta college principal refuse the SFI union's pressure to hold examination on bandh day, what made some participants of anti-bandh CPI(M) procession to secretly tell the shopkeepers to observe bandh? It is the countless people who day in and day out, spread the message of bandh through the length and breadth of the state.

The call of Bandh caused a sharp polarization — the government, the ruling parties, the BJP, the Congress, the industrialist houses, big business, vested interest were on the one hand and on the other were the common toiling people and the rank and file of different parties, particularly of the CPI(M). It is noteworthy that a large number of the CPI(M) activists, a section directly and the other indirectly, worked for bandh defying the CPI(M) leadership stricture. The people of West Bengal particularly noted that the BJP held meetings, organized propaganda directly against bandh. The anti-bandh stand of BJP and CPI(M) exposes their true character once again.

Trinamul Congress (TMC), another bourgeois party of West Bengal, took a peculiar stand. On the one hand they said that they are opposed to any bandh, on the other observing people’s response they are forced to say, TMC supported this bandh morally. But TMC said that they would not endeavour to get down on streets and propagate in favour of Bandh. By such contradictory statements, the TMC tried to satisfy the ruling class on the one hand, on the other tried to exploit the tremendous people's support in favour of bandh to refurbish its image, lost after TMC's debacle in the last Assembly elections. But it went in vain and TMC made itself ludicrous the eyes of the people.

The barrage of false propaganda by the media that Bandh brings disaster to the poor and the middle class was most stubbornly faced by the poor, the middle class themselves.

On 28th December the government issued an order threatening punishment of upto 5-year jail and fine for road and railway track blockade.

As days passed bandh propaganda got more and more momentum. People discussed that this is the party that fought and compelled the CPI(M)-Front government to reintroduce English at the primary stage. People opined that when SUCI leads a movement, it continues to the final stage. This party alone is capable to achieve this. Such was the continued public talk.

The CPI(M) tried to spread confusion and terror through its daily newspaper, through hundreds of thousands of handbills, street corner meetings and processions, by means of defacing SUCI wall writings, spoiling bandh posters, etc.

As days were passing people's sentiment further deepened. This growing sentiment made the CPI (M) leadership panic-stricken. Pressure tactics, threats, and finally deployment of huge police contingent, besides using battalions of Rapid Action Force and CPI(M) musclemen, were resorted to. In Calcutta alone, 4000 armed police personnel were deployed to tackle about 400 workers of the SUCI — 10 police for one activist — beside RAF and musclemen. Comrade Provash Ghosh described the entire situation as an undeclared war on people.

The government and the CPI(M) declared that trains, buses, trams would run. Circular was issued to the central and state government employees that punishment would be meted out in case of nonattendance at office.

SUCI appealed to them to observe bandh even if police and military were deployed. The government employees decided not to go to office. Even bank employees, teachers, other middle class employees took the same decision. They took the decision because they witnessed and were inspired to see how rickshaw pullers, construction workers, grocers — etc. i.e. the poor who depend solely on daily earnings were ready to observe bandh. The situation became such that to keep functioning the Writers' Buildings, the WB government headquarters, all ministers were asked through newspaper notice to attend Cabinet meeting on that day there.

The CPI(M) supporters among whom yet the flame of leftism burns, mass movement yet has appeal, who are pro-communist, sadly had confessed to SUCI comrades, ‘CPI(M) leaders were purchased in greed to become ministers, this party can't do anything for the people. We can depend on you only’.

Thus momentum for bandh rose. As a part of movement, during this time, electricity bill boycott started on January 1. It received spontaneous support. The Calcutta Electricity supply Corporation (CESC) had to admit that a large section of consumers did not pay their electricity bills as a result of bill boycott.

Experiencing the massive mass support the CPI (M) declared on the bandh eve that hospital charges would be reconsidered. Through press statement CPI(M) said it is ready to hold talks with the SUCI. CPI(M)'s sole objective was to make people desist from observing bandh. But people were not confused because they knew the deceptive character of the CPI(M).

From 5th January onwards the entire West Bengal was in a mood as if a battle was imminent — on the one hand there are the ruling class, the ruling CPI(M), its allies — all panic stricken, and on the other hand there are people led by the SUCI, firm, determined, ready for any ferocious attack.

At last came the 10th January. History witnessed a new Bengal. The entire West Bengal stood up like one man and observed Bandh — Bandh was spontaneous, all out.

The Central government could run only a few trains for it could not compel all the employees to join work and the passengers, themselves held blockades on tracks. The few plying trains carried not more than 8-10 passengers. Same is the picture of government buses, and trams. Even under pressure private transport did not run. The few passengers, who rode, were ticketless so-called passengers deputed by the ruling party. The government buses, trams and trains thus plied, entailed wastage of huge public money. All transport including rickshaws boats, taxis, buses, minibuses — vehicles on land and river routes — did not work.

Most of the offices were closed. Even many offices there were no men to unlock the door. Some offices, opened forcefully, showed only empty chairs. Schools, colleges, universities, markets, shops, etc., did not open. Most of the universities postponed examination scheduled for 10th January. CPI(M) leaders became more ferocious in the face of this picture. They unleashed musclemen and police on SUCI activists. Party offices were destroyed in Midnapore town, Cooch Behar town and Dinhata town. Police arrested SUCI organizers even from party offices. SUCI workers identified by CPI(M) leaders were mercilessly beaten up by police and musclemen. Even children and women were not spared. Police arrested 1581 comrades and instituted false criminal cases and even attempted to murder cases against our workers. Where police was reluctant to arrest, CPI(M) leaders compelled them to do so.

These made people so agitated that masses gheraoed many police stations demanding the release of the arrested. In some places police were compelled to release the arrested activists.

The media, controlled by big industrialists and business houses opposed bandh from the very beginning, and tried to confuse people against bandh. It said that SUCI with only 2 MLAs would fail to make the bandh successful. It said ‘‘Bandh will fail’’, again it opined ‘‘Bandh will happen because people want to enjoy a holiday,’’ but again said, ‘‘bandh will be successful but not for SUCI, but for the moral support of the TMC.’’

Media tried to foil bandh. But also kept prepared so that in case of success it could say it was due to holiday mood or the moral support of the TMC. But people rejected the tricks and laughed it away.

But after the successful bandh, some newspapers said the bandh was "partially successful’’, response to bandh was ‘‘lukewarm’’, etc.

False press propaganda against successful bandh evoked so much anger among people that some newspapers, after a few days passed since bandh, were compelled to sing a different tune. Press belatedly had to report though in a limited way that it was a successful people's bandh.

Truly on 10th January it was witnessed that every man in West Bengal was a fighter. West Bengal gave the verdict in one voice — we want struggle against anti-people policies of both the state and central governments. We want SUCI to lead the struggles. We want to further develop and strengthen SUCI, the party of the oppressed.

Only one-month comrades worked and people responded and worked. Just one month changed the whole of West Bengal. Everywhere at home and outside people were discussing bandh and SUCI. People received and are embracing comrades as if they are from a victorious battle. People at large are showing eagerness to join SUCI. Ranks of the CPI(M), too, are showing the same eagerness, countless volunteers are enrolling. Hundreds of people's committees are being formed. With manifold energy and enthusiasm comrades have jumped into work again.

Congratulating the struggling people Comrade Provash Ghosh made the following appeal :

‘‘I congratulate the people for making the bandh successful against the anti-people policies of the central and state governments facing police brutality and terrorisation by CPM muscle men. In the past, great renaissance and humanist personalities inspired the entire country. Today the capitalist class and power greedy parties are taking such steps to drown the youth in perversion, self-centeredness, conspiring to make them forget the great men so that the youth cannot rise up against exploitation. But this bandh showed that the exploiters could not have destroyed humanity altogether. This has been possible because of the thoughts of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, the great Marxist thinker following which mass movements are growing on the basis of proletarian revolutionary ideology and culture in continuation with the glorious renaissance and the uncompromising current of the freedom movement.

Panic-stricken CPM deployed its musclemen to foil 10th January bandh and it got BJP by its side to oppose and propagate against bandh. Despite false propaganda, threats, orders to central and state governments employees, joint attacks by police and CPM storm troopers on bandh day, attempts to forcibly open shops, forcibly running passengerless government buses-trains at the cost of a few crores (millions) of rupees, attacks on SUCI activists and arresting 1581 of them – yet CPM could not break the bandh. It happened because the poor and middle class people of the entire state stood with determination in favour of this bandh.

Honest and struggling workers of CPM and other parties helped this bandh for which they deserve congratulations. This bandh once again showed, if people rise up under the leadership of a revolutionary party then that people's unity and struggling spirit become much more invincible than the total strength of the exploiting class, the government and the ruling parties.

Anti-bandh propagandists ridiculed that none would respond to the bandh call of SUCI which has only 2 MLAs. People gave a fitting reply to it, as they did on 3 September 1990 and 3 February 1998 by observing successful bandh at SUCI's call. It is clear that people do not consider joining mass movement on MLA or ministerial strength rather they consider whether the demands are just, whether movements are in people's interest and the party leading movements is dependable. SUCI acquired the trust of people through innumerable difficult struggles, bloodshed and supreme sacrifice under the leadership of our General Secretary Comrade Nihar Mukherjee on the basis of the revolutionary Marxism-Leninism-Shibdas Ghosh Thoughts.

CPM, BJP, Congress, TMC – they may either become rulers backed by money power of the domestic and foreign capitals or while in opposition may scramble for power – but it is not at all easy to win people's love. SUCI got a place in people's heart through revolutionary ideology, higher ethics and difficult struggles. So people respond to SUCI's call, protect it with love and care. You surely have noticed, what a total bandh it was, yet not a single bomb exploded, no bus or tram damaged despite CPM musclemen's torture and police repression on our activists. They behave in a disciplined manner. All these happened alone owning to revolutionary politics and higher ethics of the party. It is a teaching of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh that ‘‘the kernel of revolutionary politics lies in its higher culture and ethics’’.

You have seen most of the newspaper reports despite such a successful bandh as bandh had almost no impact. It is because the ruling class, ruling and power greedy parties and the corporate house owned newspapers fear democratic mass movement, feel the only friend of the exploited class – the SUCI. These very newspapers during freedom movement did not publish the news of the revolutionaries like Kshudiram, Surya Sen, Bhagat Singh, Netaji. Those papers only propagated the views of the rightists, the compromising force. Today, too, they are playing the same role.

Ponder, why do power tariff, hospital charges, and prices of petrol, diesel, Kerosene, fertilizer etc. have been soaring steadily? The governments are doing away with the subsidies on the plea of financial crunch. But they are suppressing its real cause. The central and the state governments are giving tax reliefs in crores to the domestic and foreign capitalists who also are dozing taxes of many more crores of rupees at the indulgence of the government. The governments are spending crores and crores of rupees on police and military and for luxuries, salaries, and allowances of the ministers and bureaucrats. What remains even after the ministers and leaders of the ruling parties plunder that?

Deficit is due to all this, and people are burdened with the deficit. On the other hand, governments are handing over education health and such other fields of activity to the businessmen for profit. So the state and the central governments would not accept these demands easily. Though the government proposes token reduction in hospital charges and the Goenka-owned CESC is now talking about discussion with the consumers on observing strong public support for bandh, the main demands remained unfulfilled. So the movement is to be continued. In the past our party compelled the government reintroduce English at the primary level by the protracted 19-year long struggle. This time to movement is to be conducted for a long period. This bandh is an important step in the course of that movement.

Formation of people's committees or struggle committees and formation of volunteer corps with honest and brave students and youths are necessary for sustained movement. Remember, more severe attacks are in the offing. We will also have to fight against those attacks. So as weapons of movement, people's committees and volunteer corps are essential. It is to be remembered, however oppressive and autocratic a government may be, only a conscious, organised and democratic movement endowed with higher ethics led by a revolutionary ideology can defeat it.’’