JIH Launches Nationwide Campaign against Anti-Capitalist Imperialism
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind launched a nationwide campaign against Anti-Capitalist Imperialism from December 11-20. The campaign with an impressive slogan “Save the country from Slavery and Poverty” unveiled the perils of capitalist imperialist and related policies in India and presented a viable alternative from Islamic perspective.
The Jamaat is of the view that the current policies of the central and state Governments in the country have led to a situation of neo-slavery which has adversely affected the day to day life of common people. India has been moving away from its basic values of justice, freedom, equity, compassion and non-aligned foreign policy. The impact of post-globalisation neo-liberal capitalist era has severely affected the Aam aadmi of the country, reducing him to an exploited being.
The Jamaat finds that in the capitalist system the capital is the focus and human beings as well as ethical values are ignored. The capitalist system emphasises creation of wealth and not just distribution. Lopsided development policies, speculative ventures, wanton consumerism, cultural devastation, environmental crisis, imperialism, military invasions, economic crisis are the necessary consequences of the capitalist order.
On the contrary Islam advocates a comprehensive view of life. It considers human beings and ethical values as the basic factor while capital is a servant of human beings only. It emphasises distributive equity among all sections of society and highlights distinction between greed and needs, and seeks to control the huge gap between the haves and have-nots.
Through this campaign, the Jamaat presented Islamic guidance as the only viable alternative to the imperialist model of economy and social order.
Seminars, symposia, rallies, cultural programmes, competitions, documentary shows, TV programmes, exhibitions, family meetings and other activities were conducted in the cities, towns and villages across the country as part of the campaign.
JIH submitted a memorandum to the concerned authorities at the various State Capitals and district headquarters. The memorandum runs as follows:
The JIH believes in the universal worldview based on belief in one Almighty God. The JIH invites the whole mankind to the Divine Guidance given to humanity by Almighty Creator through His Messengers. The JIH is convinced that the problems faced by humanity can best be solved by following sincerely the Divine Guidance and awakening the sense of accountability before God.
On the present occasion, JIH underlines the ill effects of Capitalist Imperialism and policies influenced by it which have led to poverty and slavery in the country. To rectify the situation, the JIH demands the following:
- Government of India should adopt an independent foreign policy based on equity and justice and should actively promote a just world order.
- Financial dependence on International Monetary fund, World Bank and other capitalist arrangements should be phased out in well planned steps, for a just economic order.
Regional groupings on economic issues are effective checks on the Capitalist Imperialistic designs. India should play more effective roles in strengthening groups like SAARC and ASEAN and ensure that these entities become force like EU, ensuring regional growth and international checks and balances. Further, India should defeat the designs of world powers through WTO so that our industrial produces and home industry is effectively protected from their onslaughts. - Foreign Direct Investment in Forward/Futures trading and service sector like legal services and insurance should be discouraged, if not prohibited.
- Speculation in the economy needs to be checked. Our country should study carefully the causes of recent global financial meltdown and desist from the zero-sum game of speculation. The policy of opening up Futures Trading in commodities and currencies is disastrous and it is advisable to reverse the policy at the earliest.
- The scope of interest-free and equity based economy and finance should be widened gradually including giving permission of Interest free Banking and providing interest free loans in social sector and in the transactions between the Centre and State governments.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) should not be permitted to enslave independence of the country. - Corporate sector including Multi National Companies (MNCs) should conform to labour laws and should proportionately spend on social sector. The concept of Social Audit of the corporate sector should be introduced.
- Adequate amount should be spent in social sector. In particular 6% and 3% of GDP should be spent on Education and Health Sectors. Commercialisation of social sector including education and health should be checked.
- We urge you to consider these issues seriously so that humanity may be saved from the impending disaster.