Such determination by the sections of the working class comes in direct opposition to the reckless privatisation drive that the Vajpayee government is undertaking. By now, it is abundantly clear that the Vajpayee government has embarked on the road of total destruction of India's self-reliant economic basis. Having taken recourse to the slogan of `Swadeshi' to garner votes during the elections, it has shamelessly capitulated to the policies of "Videshi" liberalisation. In a series of measures from the privatisation of the insurance sector to the massive privatisation of the public sector, this Vajpayee-led government is handing over the economic wealth and resources of the Indian people to imperialism and multinational corporations.

The cost of this subservience to imperialist interests by mortgaging the Indian economy is sought to be met by increasing the burdens on the vast majority of the working people. Over and above the unprecedented 40 per cent hike in diesel prices, the Vajpayee government is repeatedly warning the people to be prepared to `tighten their belts'. Clearly, the coming days will witness further attacks on people's livelihood. The forthcoming budget will be an instrument of doling out tax concessions for the rich while increasing the burdens on the vast majority of Indians.

The genuine and legitimate protest against such imposition of additional burdens is clearly going to be met by authoritarian repression. The majority of the Indian people will have to brace themselves to face such brazen attacks on their democratic right to protest.