कामरेड हरबंस सिंह का यूँ असमय चले जाना

                                                                                                        

कामरेड हरबंस सिंह भरोवाल के शरीर का सफर अगस्त १०,१९५८ पंजाब के एक गाँव से शुरू होकर सितम्बर २८, २०२६ को कनाडा के शहर ब्राम्पटन में अपने आखिरी पड़ाव पर पहुंचा। जीवन और मृत्यु एक ही सिक्के के दो पहलु हैं और इसे सहजता से स्वीकार किया जाना चाहिए , प्रश्न यह उठता है कि जो व्यक्ति गुजर गया आखिर वह किन मूल्यों के लिए जिया और जाते वक्त पीछे विरासत क्या छोड़ कर गया ? 

हरबंस सिंह  से मेरा सम्बन्ध ठीक वैसा था जैसा मेरा जुड़ाव  जनता के किसी भी ज्वलंत प्रश्न और उस पर होने वाले  जनपक्षीय हस्तक्षेप से। जब भी जनता से जुड़े चाहे राजनैतिक प्रश्न हो अथवा सामाजिक , हरबंस जी वहां अवतरित होते - कभी वक्ता के रूप में तो कभी पत्रकार और कुछ भी नहीं तो एक जागरूक नागरिक की हैसियत में।  उनकी धड़कनों में हिन्दुस्तान गूंजता रहता, धधकता रहता। पंजाब की क्रांतिकारी प्रगतिशील राजनैतिक धारा के एक अनुशासित सिपाही की तरह वह हमेशा सजग और मुस्तैद रहते हुए  अपना काम ऐसी दुर्गम परिस्थितियों में करते, जब २०१४ के बाद मोदी लहर में पत्रकारिता के बड़े-बड़े सतून  दुनियाभर में ढह गए। उन्होंने अपने सरोकारों से कभी समझौता नहीं किया , डटे रहे और कलम को हथियार बना कर लड़ते रहे । उनका अखबार जिसके वह मुख्य संपादक थे 'सरोकारों दि आवाज़ ' अपने नाम की अनुसार ही काम करता।  दुनियाभर में तमाम उन ख़बरों पर उनकी नज़र रहती जिससे मानवजाति की प्रगतिशीलता में उन्नति हो, हर उस मानवविरोधी घटना पर उनका अखबार आइना बनता जिसे बताना- दिखाना एक प्रज्ञ पत्रकार के लिए आवश्यक हो। 

उनका अखबार मेरे नुक़्तेनज़र से  वाहिद  ऐसा अख़बार था जिसमें पंजाबी (गुरमुखी), अंग्रेजी और हिंदी - तीनों लीपियों को जगह मिल जाती थी।  कई बार उन्होंने मेरे लेख या रिपोर्ट अपने अखबार में छापे - हिंदी और अंग्रेजी में। उन्हें खबरों के महत्व से मतलब था - भाषा से नहीं, ये बहुत बड़ी बात है। मेरे अपने पत्रकारिता जीवन में यह पहला और अनूठा अनुभव था। 

किसी व्यक्ति विशेष के जाने के बाद आखिर हम जाने वाले शख्स को याद क्यों करते हैं ? परिवार की परिधि के उस पार  जाने वाले पर अगर कोई गैर परिजन  टेसू बहाये या उसे याद करे, इसका मतलब साफ़ है कि जाने वाला व्यक्ति परिवार की निजी सीमाओं को लांघ कर जिया है।  उसके कुछ ऐसे जरूर आदर्श हुए  हुए होंगे कि उसे अपना परिवार गौण और समाज प्रमुख लगा होगा। बिल्कुल इसी तरह का जीवन था हरबंस सिंह का, और यह विस्तार  उन्हें  कभी एक सजग राजनैतिक कार्यकर्ता की तरह हमें प्रतीत होता तो कभी एक कद्दावर  जिम्मेदार कलम के  सिपाही की तरह हमारे सामने पेश करता।   हिंदी जगत में , उनके पेशे से जुड़े अगर किसी व्यक्ति से मैं उनकी तुलना करूँ तो गणेश शंकर विद्यार्थी का नाम मेरे ज़हन में आता है। कमोबेश वह आज के समय में , कनाडा की धरती पर वही संघर्ष कर रहे थे जो गणेश शंकर विद्यार्थी अपने समय में कर रहे थे।  मसलन  जम्मू में आसिफा काण्ड का मसला हो या 'गुजरात प्रोफाइल' की लेखिका राना अय्यूब का कनाडा आना और उनका सम्मान करना, किसान आंदोलन हो या पनसारे, गौरी लंकेश, कुलबर्गी हत्याकांड - ये शख्स इन तमाम मुद्दों पर अपनी मुट्ठी में बंद गुस्सा, लफ़्ज़ों के माध्यम से अपने अखबार में बिखेर देता था।  जलसे - जुलूस करता था और उन तमाम आग में  बुझे लफ़्ज़ों को मंच से बोलता भी था , इन तमाम हरकतों का मैं साक्षी हूँ और उनके इन भगीरथी प्रयासों में कभी-कभी सहभागी भी रहा हूँ।  

लिखने को बहुत कुछ है, एक सिरा पकड़ूँ तो दूसरा छोर नहीं मिलता की कहाँ खत्म करूँ।  हरबंस सिंह अपने नाम के अर्थ के मुताबिक यानि सच की वाणी ही थे, सच कितना भी कडुवा और क्रूर क्यों न हो उसे कहने , लिखे हुए को जगह देने का साहस उनमें था और यही परिपाटी आज वह अपने पीछे छोड़ कर गए हैं , उन तमाम लोगों के लिए जिन्हे अभी और लिखना है , बोलना है और विमर्श करना है। ऐसे व्यक्तित्व अपना शरीर पूरा करते हैं, कभी मरते नहीं - ऐसे लोग आप में (पाठक )और मुझमें (लेखक) हमेशा जियेंगे,  और यह सिलसिला अनवरत है और रहेगा।      

Canadian Labor Day is a Farce

 

Why we Canadians still celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September every year after 1894? Well, the related legislation was passed on July 23 by then Conservative Prime minister Sir John Thompson.

Let’s dig into this issue, 1870s were pretty tumultuous years in Canadian history in terms of working-class unrest. They were working like animals without having any concept of hours or holidays, so working 9 hours a day was the whispering demand of working class in Toronto in that ear, it was voiced by TTU (Toronto Typographical Union) and they walk out from the work on March 25,1872. It’s interesting to know against who? It was technically against George Brown (1818-1891), publisher and editor of Toronto Globe newspaper and he was leader of Liberal Party and achieved a status of Father of Confederation till then but was deadly against his workers demands of 9 hours work a day. The Govt was headed by Conservatives Sir John MacDonald (1878-1891) at that time.

April 15,1872 was significant day in terms of workers movement of Canada as the workers start getting good support from the society and more than 10,000 workers and their sympathizers marched through the streets of Toronto to Queen Park

 George Brown became infurious and got 24 workers leaders arrested since it was still a crime to walk away from the work. George Brown wrote in his editorials on March 22, 1872 Toronto Globe, that the publishers are ‘determined to be the masters of their own offices’ tells everything about the mindset of then ruling class, ironically represented by Liberals. Sir John Macdonald, then prime minister of Canada jumped on his political rivals Geroge Brown who was on the other shore of the history and tried to salvage Canadian working class by introducing Trade Union Bill in the parliament on June 14, 1872 which provided legal status to trade unions and now protected by the law. Conservative MacDonald became the spokes person of working class and freed 24 working class leaders.

Now, lets have a glace on the history of May Day. This fire was ignited 529 miles away from Toronto. Haymarket Chicago became the churning point of working-class movement participated by more than 300,000 workers in North America by the series of strikes from May 1, 1886 (after 14 years of Canadian working-class unrest) and its violent character left impeachable impact of the working-class history worldwide. Their demand 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, 8 hours of entertainment achieved the appeal from round the corners of the globe. This slogan became the slogan of the working class of the world.

Haymarket Movement of Chicago left incredible impact on international working class, in 1889 Paris Resolution was adopted by International Federation of Socialist and Labor Parties and called upon to Make May 1^st a day dedicated to working class and their struggle. In 1904, a decree was passed by Second International calling upon all the workers union to demonstrate in full strength on May 1^st every year since then, May 1^st is the day which is known for the working class and their struggle worldwide.

So, why Canadian Working Class is not the part of working-class struggle of the world? Did working class of the world derived any inspiration from Canadians events of 1870s? I don’t see a single country following Canadian workers day. Let us examine this fact with open mind and decide if Canadian workers should participate in the historic movement of May 1^st or continue to be alienated from working class movement by deceiving themselves on first Monday of September? Keeping aways from the revolutionary traditions of May 1^st is infact in favor of opportunist Unions as well as the ruling class. It’s just a day off for an average Canadian worker who doesn’t have any world view as I heard one of my manager saying to his co-worker before going for a long weekend; ‘Enjoy your weekend, watch porn, drink beer, have fun’! That’s the only achievement they got since 1867.

खामनेई का जनाजा जलूस: वाहियात बौनापन

 जब जब ईरान की मुल्ला हकूमत का अस्तित्व खतरे में हुआ, इसराइल -अमेरिका ने ईरान पर हमले कर उसे और मज़बूत किया।  जनवरी २०२६ में मुल्ला हकूमत के खिलाफ हुए हिंसक आंदोलन को खामनेई हकूमत ने निर्दयता के साथ कुचल दिया था , खामनेई के पोस्टर फाडे गए उसके मुर्दाबाद के नारे पूरे ईरान में लगे , हजारों लाशें खामनेई ने ईरान की सडकों पर बिछा दी।  ८६ साल के इस बूढ़े ने ३६ साल की अपनी नापाक हकूमत में हजारों ईरानियों को क़त्ल कराया , फांसियां दिलवा दी लेकिन फरवरी २८ के इसराइल - अमरीका हमले में ये खुद मारा गया और पूरे मुल्क का कबाड़ा करवाया वह अलग। 

दुनिया में यह पहला ऐसा अंतिम संस्कार है जो मरने के चार महीनों के बाद किया जा रहा है -जाहिर है ईरान की मौजूदा हकूमत अपने देश की पंद्रहवीं सदी के सफ़विद शासको की परिपाटी को दोहरा रही है जिसने मातम के जलूस  और ताजिया बाज़ी की शुरुआत की। 

वर्तमान ईरान की मुल्ला हकूमत अली -हसन हुसैन की हलाकत के बाद अब खामनेई के  मातम -मर्सिये और ताजिये आने वाले दिनों में जोड़ दे तो कोई आश्चर्य नहीं होगा। 

खामनेई का  सरकारी जलूस सात आठ दिन की गर्दिश करेगा, मुझे पूरा यकीन है भारत की मोदी हकूमत भी आने वाले कल में यही करेगी।  मरने दो मोदी को - उसकी अर्थी का जलूस भी पूरे देश में धार्मिक अंधभक्ति को पूरे उरूज पर लाने के लिए यही सब करेगी जो आज ईरान कर रहा है। 

इस्लाम की तारीख में अपनी मौत मरने वाले विरले ही थे , वर्ना सब के (चार में से तीन खलीफाओं की हत्याएं हुई ) साथ यही हुआ यानि क़त्ल हुए।  लेकिन खामनेई का मुहर्रम जलूस वाकई सबसे दीगर है , सबसे वाहियात है , सत्ता कैसे अपने वर्चस्व को चिरस्थायी करने के लिए लाशों का इस्तेमाल करती है - संघियों से बेहतर आज ईरानी मुल्ला हकूमत कर रही है।  मैं  इस दो कौड़ी की सोच और विचारधारा का पक्षधर नहीं कि जो भी अमेरिका से लड़ेगा वह क्रांतिकारी है। 

अगर यह सही है तो तालेबान के भी जिंदाबाद के नारे लगाओ ठीक वैसे ही जैसे इन काले कपडे वाले ईरानियों के लगा रहे हो। 

जैसा मैंने पहले कहा था , फिर दोहरा रहा हूँ - अमरीका -ईरान - इसराइल ये तीनो मानव विरोधी काली ताकतें हैं।  इनका नाश हो - नाश हो।

Hatred kills the reason, vision and causes division

 

I see hate filled posts here and there on Facebook, some of them I know personally but used to ignore them for their cute ignorance as they are dutifully ignorant to history, economics and politics. What is there driving force? Its deep rooted hatred against immigrants. The irony is they themselves are protégées of violent intruders, invasions-ners and illegal occupiers who became the owner of this country (Canada) through the treaties they forced upon ‘bow and arrow’ borne natives, in the shadow of guns and organized military power.  Sadly, this is the section of Canadian society which is most vocal against immigrants, most of them are on ‘Social welfare’.

Let me put some facts if it can help them to understand how hollow and shallow are their mindless, stupid arguments against immigrants:

Population of Ontario is 16.26 million 39% of the nation (41.5 million of Canada) has a work force of around 8.9 million (Largest in Canada) of which immigrants constitute 2.8 to 3.1 million (30 -35%) and this workforce produce the GDP of Ontario C$1.2 to C$1.3 trillion and that’s 39% of Canada’s GDP, therefore immigrants’ contribution to Ontario’s GDP is in between C$350 to C$450 billion. Ontario has the biggest contribution (39%) to Canada’s economy; its total GDP is C$3.1 trillion. Second is Quebec 19%, third is  Alberta 16% and then BC 13%.

Ontario is the main economic hub of Canada therefore, 43 to 44% of landed immigrants stays in Ontario and majority of them prefers GTA, that’s the reason we see more immigrants in Ontario (30%) is higher than the national average of 23% who are foreign born Canadians.

Let’s talk about, how much Ontario is spending on social welfare? Ontario’s social budget spending in 2025 is C$20.4 billion and how much immigrants are contributing to Ontario’s GDP is C$350- C$450 billions, so WACTH your f***g fingers before your point them on immigrants.

Yes, we do have illegal immigrants, to some estimate over 500,000 residents are here without documents, 40 to 50% of this illegals residents resides in GTA, this is stigma of course but this is integral part of  the problem of Canadian kind of Capitalism. Capitalism can’t survive without some of its basic, permanent flaws like drugs, crime, sex, unequal distribution of wealth, ailing infrastructure, poor roads, deteriorating health system, diminishing pensions, hunger, homelessness and illegal immigrants.

Politically, intellectually and educationally bankrupt’s first target is always an immigrant because they are defenseless, unorganized and submissive working class but these so-called social lunatics and self -styled drunkard crusaders will always try to point out their English, accent and sometimes odor, however they are contributing more to economy than these parasites. Most people sitting on their ass and screwing Govt in the name of social welfare, living in subsidized  home will always attack on ‘Socialism’. They don’t have the guts to ask why Canadians govt need 88 F35 A jets while we have most secured border of the world and spend C$19 billion, why Canadians tax payers were asked to bleed C$20 billions in Afghan war, C$ 4 billions Syria-Iraq war, C$25 billions in Ukraine , C$450 millions in  Libya so on so forth.

Yes; Targeting immigrants, who are especially different color of your white skin is the easiest way to show new form of cowardice. You are blessed for your ignorance that you hardly know the role of immigrants in the development of human civilization. From ancient  Pyramids, numerous Forts, Taj Mahal to the modern New York and the latest Dubai, can’t be built without the labor  of immigrants. Attack on them is the total rejection of working class, its labor and contribution to the human civilization and that’s the neo norm dedicated and proliferated by Rednecks, Fascist, Racists, Trumptists and brain dead conservatives.

I refuse to accept an argument, a note, music, piece of art and a rant which divides mankind in the name of religion, color, caste and country. I had been doing so since I attain adulthood and will continue to do so wherever I am. I know, I have to pay the price, I paid it before and willing to pay more. F**k the Hatred!!! F**K the Hate mongers!!!

Far Right cry: Freedom to Die

 

A section of Truckers, claiming to defend Freedom passed through Greater Toronto Are (GTA) today while they were enroute to Ottawa to lodge their protest against Govt’s VAX policy.

Yes, its their legitimate RIGHT not to get a jab or believe in any stupid idea which takes them to reject the existence of COVID and see the whole pandemic issue nothing but as a HOAX. I haven’t seen not a single Educated person to oppose COVID phenomenon who study science or virology to express opinion on this issue. We have to accept that we have large segment of population in western democracies who doesn’t believe WHO or their GOVT’s act to counter COVID pandemic, for example, more than 5 million people didn’t get their jabs in Britain.

Ironically, ANTI-VAX people are distinctively represented by Right reactionaries or Conservative forces world over. Be it Bolsonaro in Brazil, Trump in US, Far right in many European countries hitting the streets to oppose Covid Mandate etc.

As a matter of fact, only Communist Govt were able to minimize the loss of lives world-wide. China did an outstanding examplenary service to mankind by saving lives of the millions while citadels of   so-called champions of democracy, freedom and human right literally became slaughter house and millions of peoples were perished. Its pertinent to tell the world why US lost 875k, UK 155k, Germany 117k, Russia 321k , India 492k, France 127k and Canada 32,601 lives till date? Why we are not debating which system worked best to save human lives and what were those who crumbled to the situation?  

Let this be over, soon we will come to know who made tons of money out of this crisis and which section of the society found itself on receiving end.

Anyways, precaution is the best provision to protect life, I had by third booster today, I know some illiterate, uneducated and misguided Truckers are moving toward Ottawa with almost $3millions in their kitty, collected by GOFUND from all over the country. Yes, we need a system which efficiently protect the lives of human being, I don’t give a damn even if its Communism and I don’t give a damn for any sort of democracy which makes people irrational, stupid and lumpen.  To hell with Truckers who are nothing but a waste of everything.

Photo Credit: Google

Brampton May Day Committee celebrates MAY DAY in Brampton

 "We are on the same crossroads as we were 125 years before as far as issues related to working class and their problems" said Baljinder Sekhon(North American Rationalist Society) while narrating the historic event of Hay Market, Chicago in 1886. Arif Raza, from Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadian emphasized the need to get organized while putting up a united fight against the onslaught of Capital. Kulwinder Khehra (Kalma da Kafila) explained the pathetic working conditions of immigrant labor in Canada, equating farm workers situation of Canadian Farm workers with Punjab's farm workers. Chandra Rai from Progressive Nepalese in America also gave accounts of his country and the dismal conditions of working class.Dr Hardeep Singh explained the impact of austerity measures implied to Health sector and its implication on the working class. Surjit Sahota (Indo-Canadian Workers Association) gave detailed account of role of the left parties in Indian subcontinent and their role in freedom struggle. Balraj Shokar, newly elected convener of North American Rational Society said in his keynote speech that its high time to demand complete separation of religion from State, he outrightly rejected the rise of RSS in Indian polity and called upon all left and democratic forces to dislodge Modi Govt at soonest. Dave McKee, Leader of Communist Party of Canada Ontario also explained the implications of ongoing treaty called TPP. He also condemn the Liberal policies in Middle East, sale of Canadian Arms to Saudi regime.

Comrade Harinder Hundal made a compassionate appeal for the fund to the public and people gave a generous donation of $350.00

On the cultural part, senior poet, playwright, theater activist Harjit Bedi recited his poems, Arooj Aarooj read her sensitive Nazm on the condition of child labor, Baljit Dhaliwal recited ghazal written by his husband Balraj Dhaliwal

Baljit Bains, Sumeet Bains brothers sang a revolutionary song of revolutionary poet Jaimal Singh Padda who was shot down by terrorist in Punjab.

Brampton May Day Committee which represents more than eight grass root organizations successfully celebrated May Day consecutively second year. More than fifty people attended the three and half hour long program. Ex MLA Sukhdev Singh from Punjabi Sabhyachar Mach also came to the dais. Wilfred Szczesny (Organizer of GTA West Club CPC) conducted the event in a professional way. Content wise,It was rich program and successful in terms of turn out. Many entertainer could not show up since they were busy in other programs in Toronto, Brampton May Day Committee will take a note of it for future and ensure there is no clash of the dates for participants. Senior trade unionist leader Baldev Padam came to the podium to say Word of Thanks.

North American Rationalist Society celebrates IWD day in Brampton

Attended a program to mark 106th International Women's Day organized by North American Tarksheel Society and listened superb presentation of Ms Kulwinder Gill ex Professor Guelph University who clearly defined gender inequalities in Canadian society. Working women folks are working 40 to 45 hours extra in baby care and household cores while her counterparts does 20 to 25 hours only. Wage inequalities is 68% in comparison to men shows the studies. Surinder Shokar presentation was unique in her own ways and defined the problem in historical context and connected it to the problems of modern capitalism where women folks along with working class is a victim of low wages and no social security etc. Early age marriages are really major challenge before women in developing countries of Asia and Africa. 50,000 women dies due to pregnancy complications followed by Nigeria where 40,000 women dies annually.
North American Rationalist Society is undoubtedly doing a great job in raising these issues as they see political and religious systems are working hand in hand to main status quo to repress women folks. One speaker rightly pointed out that when we marry our sons we try to find most beautiful bride but beauty is gone once bride spends few months in Canada.
Credit goes to the Sikh community which has a space to deliberate on social issues with a rational approach while we see a complete black out in our Indian communities who are not fighting cultural backwardness per se. Muslims,Hindus and others should also strive to pave ways for a rational approach in daily day today life without that they are cursed to live backward and marginalized politically, socially and of course economically for sure. Harjit Bedi was amongst senior most poet who recited his poetry apart from others who sang some songs. Let's hope for the best..we have a long way to go ahead. Dr Baljinder Sekhon also spoke briefly and and Nachhater Singh Badesha conducted the proceedings of the event.