Author: Rabi Banerjee
Publication: The Telegraph
Date: December 8, 2007
URL: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071208/asp/bengal/story_8644383.asp
The CPM in Nadia has described Iskcon (International
Society for Krishna Consciousness) as a "major threat" to communists.
A document published on the occasion of the
recent district party conference says Iskcon helps "communal forces"
like "the RSS and the BJP".
The Congress has been accused of "hobnobbing"
with the religious group headquartered in Nabadwip, 100km from Calcutta, for
support.
"Organisations like the RSS and some
NGOs are fanning communal passions in the district," says the document
drafted by CPM district secretary Ashu Ghosh.
"Our local leaders have been campaigning
against Iskcon activities for years. We have compiled information on Iskcon
on the basis of reports from our local leaders and sent it to higher authorities
in the party," Ghosh told The Telegraph.
In the chapter "Birodhi Shaktir Biruddhe
Larai (Fight against opposition forces)", the document says: "Iskcon-er
bhumika kromosho bipajjanak hoye uthchhey (The role of Iskcon is gradually
becoming dangerous)."
Ramesh Das, the Iskcon publicity manager,
wondered "why the CPM has branded us like this after ruling the state
for 30-odd years".
He said several communist leaders like politburo
member Sitaram Yechury and Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar have not only
visited its temples but also stayed over. "We were delighted to host
them."
Das added: "We want to convey for their
(the CPM's) information that we have devotees from all walks of life and from
all over the world."
The CPM denied the claim about its leaders
staying there. "I've never heard of it," said veteran leader Benoy
Konar.
The Nadia CPM had earlier accused Iskcon of
acquiring around 500 acres in Mayapur in the name of small NGOs to bypass
the land ceiling law. Acting on its report, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked
his land minister to conduct a probe.
Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah came to Nadia
for the inquiry, following which the government shot down the proposal for
a Rs 500-crore vedic village planned by Iskcon devotee and Henry Ford's grandson
Alfred Ford.
The latest document, distributed among senior
leaders of the district during the November 30-December 2 conference, says
Iskcon has become an "agent of the Congress, Trinamul Congress and the
BJP".
"It has established itself as a major
force against communists here."
Party sources said the conference discussed
the issue in the presence of state secretary Biman Bose and industries minister
Nirupam Sen.
