CC Communique

July 26, 2017

July 26, 2017
Press Communique

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met at New Delhi on July 24-26, 2017. It has issued the following statement:

All-Round Attack on People

The country is seeing an all-round attack on the livelihood of the vast majority of our people by the BJP-led government. The four-pronged attacks – neo-liberal economic policies imposing greater miseries on the vast majority of our people; the sharpening of communal polarization marked by a sharp rise in the attacks on dalits and minorities by the private armies like the gau rakshaks etc; further authoritarian attacks on democratic rights of the people and undermining of parliamentary institutions; and the further cementing of India as a junior strategic ally of US imperialism and the consequent shift in our foreign policy orientation – are very apparent.

Growing Intolerance: The BJP has been able to consolidate its position mainly through the massive sharpening of communal polarization across the country. Every institution of parliamentary democracy is being penetrated and sought to be communalized. Education and research bodies including agencies like the Archeological Survey of India are being penetrated with RSS personnel in order to sharpen communal polarization and to rewrite history. There is a frenzied effort to communalise all public spaces. There are cries from the RSS calling for `sanitising’ NCERT textbooks removing references to Tagore, Ghalib, Dinkar, Avtar Singh Pash, Urdu words, praise of Mughal Empire etc. Censor Board has refused permission for screening a documentary film on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen demanding deletion of words like `cow’, `Gujarat’, `Hindutva’ etc. An atmosphere of intolerance is sharply rising in the country.

The CPI(M) has demanded that there should be a central ban on all such private armies particularly gau rakshak samitis.

The notification of a ban on cattle trade has now been stayed by the Supreme Court following the stay order issued by the Madras High Court. The BJP government has informed the Supreme Court that it will modify its notification and come back. There is no need or any scope for any modification. This notification has to be withdrawn lock, stock and barrel.

Agrarian Crisis: During this period, the agrarian distress has intensified. Spontaneous and organised protests by the farmers have erupted in various parts of the country. The growing distress suicides by the farmers triggered many of such protests. The firing at Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh against protesting farmers and the general strike declared by farmers in Maharashtra around the same time brought the issue of agrarian distress to national attention.

The Modi government has betrayed on its electoral promise of ensuring a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce that would be one and half times more than the production costs which shall be estimated by a government agency like the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

Given these three years of betrayal we have demanded that a law be enacted in parliament that gives the right to the kisans to sell at the MSP at the rate as above. This means that when the kisan brings his produce, according to the law the government will have no option but to procure the produce by paying them the legal entitlement of the MSP.

Growing Unemployment: With demonetisation having completely crippled the economy’s informal sector, the huge mass of people that survived on daily or weekly employment have been virtually thrown on the streets. Even in the organised sector there is a very sharp drop in employment. The new data that has emerged since the last CC meeting by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) shows that between January-April 2016 and January-April 2017 formal employment declined from 93 million to 86 million i.e. 70 lakh people who were employed earlier are now unemployed. The cut in the MNREGA funds continues which means a further decline in rural employment. In the services sector, reports indicate that there are no new jobs that are emerging in rural India.

The Modi government had promised to create two crore jobs annually once they form the government. Instead what we have today is a large-scale decline in the employment. With nearly 1.5 crore of youth joining the employment market every year, this is generating unrest among the youth.

Privatisation of PSUs: At the recommendation of the Niti Aayog, this BJP government is bracing itself for a large-scale privatisation of the public sector. The Niti Aayog has been completely hijacked by the corporate sector and all its proposals are in tune with the demands made by the neo-liberal economic reform trajectory of international finance capital and domestic big corporate houses. This latest attack on the public sector is in tune with its aggressive pursuance of the neo-liberal economic reforms which include the handing over of prime public assets to foreign and domestic private capital ‘for a song’.

Major privatization of defence production centres is underway. Apart from providing a bonanza for foreign defence equipment producing corporates, this poses a serious threat to India’s security. The process of privatization of Air India has begun. The Indian railways which is the lifeline that unites our country and people is now sought to be privatized. Various services connected with the railways are being now given away to private operators. This will impose very severe burdens on crores of Indian people for whom the railways is the only lifeline for travel, livelihood and communication.

In the financial sector the new FRDI legislation that the government has proposed completely removes the banks and financial institutions from any degree of public scrutiny and social control.

Aadhar and the Right to Privacy: A Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court is currently seized with the issue of privacy being a fundamental right of an individual. This BJP government says that there should be reasonable restrictions on this right and the government must have in specific conditions and for clearly defined reasons, access to such private information of individuals contained in the biometric data taken for Aadhar.

The issue here is not the question of breaching privacy of an individual by the government say for cases of fighting terrorism and internal security. The issue is that in today’s world the personal data of individuals is accessed by big global corporates and Indian corporates who use this information in various ways to bolster their profits and also harass individuals. There is a need to protect every individual from such mercenary corporate activity. We are therefore demanding that the government must enact a new law for protection of privacy of individuals and clearly stipulate the penal provision for any violation as seen in the latest breach of Aadhar information on websites by the Jio.

Kerala

Since the LDF government came into being in Kerala, thirteen comrades have been killed in attacks by the RSS. More than 200 Party members and sympathisers have been injured and hospitalized. Over 150 houses and around 50 Party offices have also been attacked, set on fire or vandalized.

During the five years of the UDF government, 27 of our comrades were killed by RSS hoodlums. Such attacks are continuing even now. At the same time, unfounded allegations are levelled about the CPI(M)’s ‘atrocities’ in order to cover up their acts of murder and violence.

Tripura

The RSS-BJP are making an all-out effort to try and destabilize Left Front government in the run-up to the forthcoming Assembly election in Tripura. They are intensifying efforts to create a polarization in the state between tribal and non-tribal people. The Central Committee noted with satisfaction the manner in which the Tripura CPI(M) and the state government handled the recent blockade of the highway in Tripura by the IPFT.

The Central Committee heard the report of the Tripura State Committee on the preparations to meet this concerted offensive by the BJP and the preparations for the elections. The Central Committee is confident that the peace-loving people of Tripura will rise to foil all such conspiracies being hatched by the BJP and their record to violence and re-affirm their faith in the Left Front and re-elect the Left Front candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The latest data of the Government of India shows that of all the states in the country, two states in India with the best health and education indicators are Kerala and Tripura. As far as Tripura is concerned with literacy of 96 per cent, the life expectancy (men: 71, women: 73 years), the two indicators of public education and health, it stands at the top of all states in the country. It is these pro-people progressive policies that the CPI(M) and the Left governments implement that are also being targeted for attack by the BJP.

West Bengal Rajya Sabha Election

The Central Committee rejected the proposal of the West Bengal State Committee to propose Sitaram Yechury for the third term in the Rajya Sabha. The Central Committee is of the opinion that an acceptable independent candidate by the opposition parties in West Bengal may be fielded, failing which the West Bengal Left Front Committee will consider contesting.

Kashmir

The Central Committee expressed its deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Jammu & Kashmir.

This BJP government has reneged both on its assurance that it gave to the people of Kashmir, the Indian parliament and the country after the visit of an all-party parliamentary delegation led by the Home Minister. It was announced by the government that they will undertake immediate confidence building measures like not using the pellet guns; immediate measures to increase employment opportunities for Kashmiri youth etc. Simultaneously it promised to initiate a political dialogue with all stakeholders. Not a single forward movement has happened on both these promises for over six months now. This has contributed in a big way for the further alienation of the Kashmiri people.

The Central Committee decided to continue with the CPI(M)’s efforts to try and bring together a wide spectrum of political forces and people’s movement demanding the initiation of political process by the Central Government of a dialogue with all stakeholders.

Party Congress

The Central Committee decided to convene the 22nd Party Congress at Hyderabad, Telangana in April 2018.

CC Call

The Central Committee decided on the following programmes for the Party in the coming period:

1. Protest Movements must be initiated by all units of the CPI(M) across the country from August 15 to 31, 2017 demanding :

a) Immediate loan waivers for the kisans who are being pushed into committing distress suicides due to debt burden.

b) Immediate implementation of the BJP’s electoral promise of a Minimum Support Price that is one and a half times the production costs.

The CPI(M) demands an immediate central legislation giving the right to the kisans to sell at such a declared MSP.

c) Implement BJP’s electoral promise of creating two crore jobs every year.

d) Stop this large-scale privatization of public sector and public services.

e) Immediately legislate the Women’s Reservation Bill as promised by the BJP in 2014 elections.

2. All Party units must observe the world peace and anti-imperialist day on September 1, 2017 highlighting the surrender of the Modi government to US imperialism and India being reduced as a junior strategic ally of US imperialism. The Prime Minister’s recent visit to Israel and the BJP government’s desire to have a global US-Israel-India axis must be highlighted as being against the interests of India and our people.

3. The Party must take the initiative at all levels to mobilize all secular and democratic forces and conduct anti-communalism programmes all over the country during the month of September.

4. Strongly protesting against the growing attacks on dalits and Muslim minorities, the Party at all levels must mobilize the people during the month of September demanding a Central law banning the gau rakshak samitis and RSS-sponsored private armies in the name of moral policing etc.

C.C. Communique

August 9, 2009

Press Communique

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi from August 26 to 28, 2002. It has issued the following statement:

Unmitigated Corruption

The BJP-led government is bogged down in a number of corruption scandals. After the Tehelka exposure, the institutionalised racket in the allotment of petrol pumps, which has benefitted family members of a large number of BJP and RSS leaders, has shocked the country. The whole system of dealership selection boards was subverted and petrol pumps and gas agencies given out on the recommendations of BJP leaders and some of their NDA allies. The BJP has sought to brazen itself out of the shocking nepotism. The Prime Minister announced the cancellation of all allotments since February 2000 though it was well-known that the cancellation of allotments would not stand legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court has now nullified the cancellation. There is no doubt that there was large-scale corruption in the allotments. It is necessary to cancel all such allotments by going through the proper procedures. Further, there should be a high level enquiry into how the allotments were made. It is typical of this government that the Petroleum Minister, Ram Naik, refuses to take responsibility for this scandal. He must resign.

The allotment of prime plots of lands to BJP-RSS leaders and their outfits in Delhi and the BJP President Venkaiah Naidu’s acquisition of land meant for the SC/ST through fraudulent means when he was an MLA in Andhra Pradesh show how deep the rot has set in at all levels of the BJP-RSS combine.

Gujarat Events

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) appreciated the decision of the Election Commission not to hold early elections in Gujarat. The Commission has indicated its intention to hold elections early next year, within six months of the dissolution of the state assembly. The Commission has arrived at this decision based on the situation in the state where no free and fair elections are possible at present especially when a substantial section of the minorities are in no position to exercise their franchise. The Central Committee of the CPI(M) noted that the Presidential reference on the Election Commission Order is a further move to undermine the Commission’s authority.

In this connection, the Central Committee denounced Narendra Modi’s vicious attack on the Chief Election Commissioner questioning his integrity by citing his religious identity. The same Narendra Modi is set to take out a `gaurav rath yatra’ which will further aggravate the situation in Gujarat. Even after five months after the violence, a large number of people are unable to return to their homes or resume their normal life. It is essential that Narendra Modi government be dismissed and elections be held under President’s Rule.

Counter Communal Forces

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) noted that the BJP’s decision to go in for early elections in Gujarat is part of the aggressive push to the communal agenda in the recent period by the BJP-RSS combine. The Cabinet reshuffle, the reorganisation in the BJP leadership and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s going back on its commitment to abide by the court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute are all part of this new thrust stemming from fear of its steadily eroding electoral base. Neither this communal agenda nor its economic policies will be able to restore the credibility of the party or muster it popular support.

The Central Committee felt that the unprecedented communal offensive in Gujarat which spells danger for the country’s unity must be firmly countered. In the elections, the BJP must be resoundingly defeated. All secular and democratic forces must unitedly meet this challenge.

Jammu & Kashmir Elections

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) condemned the decision of the BJP-RSS who have raised the demand for the separation of Jammu from the composite state of Jammu & Kashmir. The trifurcation proposed by the RSS conforms to the designs of the United States which wants the partition of Jammu & Kashmir, so that the Kashmir Valley can be detached and given an independent status. The Central Committee urged the people to see through the disruptive stand taken by the RSS and the dubious role of the BJP which is now seeking an electoral understanding with the RSS front advocating a separate state.

The Central Committee stressed the importance of holding the Jammu & Kashmir elections in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere where a maximum number of people can participate. It is incumbent upon the Central government and State machinery to ensure conditions for a free and fair poll and prevent rigging. The game of the Pakistan-based extremists to create violence and disrupt the polls must be firmly checked.

Severe drought situation

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) expressed its deep concern at the severe drought conditions affecting most parts of the country. The scanty or delayed rains have already damaged the kharif crops with bajra, oilseeds, pulses and paddy being badly affected. There is no fodder for cattle and there is an acute shortage of drinking water. Most of the peasants, particularly the poorer sections who are in debt, are facing ruination. The shrinkage of employment opportunities will badly affect agricultural workers and migrant labour who will lose their livelihood.

The Central government’s policies, which led to the public distribution system being dismantled and food for work programmes redundant, is making the provision for quick relief to the affected people more difficult. The Central government’s response so far has been totally inadequate. It is also incumbent on the state government to organise relief in an effective manner. Direct relief through the provision of free foodgrains in the drought-affected areas, supply of fodder, drinking water, writing off of loans of the small farmers, waiving payment of instalments of interest and massive food for work programmes — all have to be taken up immediately and in a comprehensive manner. The Central Committee demands that the huge stocks of foodgrains lying in the FCI godowns be immediately put to use for the drought-affected work.

Tripura

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) strongly condemned the heinous attacks by the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and other extremist groups in Tripura. The most serious incident recently was the killing of 20 jawans of Tripura State Rifles in an ambush. The NLFT is making concerted efforts to kill the tribal leaders and members belonging to the CPI(M). This is part of the diabolical plan of the NLFT to vitiate the atmosphere and disturb the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled to be held early next year.

In this connection, the Central Committee expressed its strong opposition to the alliance forged by the Indian National Congress with the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) which is nothing but a front for the banned NLFT. The President of the INPT, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, has made a speech recently in Geneva virtually endorsing the secessionist stand of the NLFT and justifying its terrorist activities.

The Congress leadership at the national level must realise that such an alliance is detrimental for the people of Tripura where the unity of the tribal and non-tribal people is vital. It is also harmful for national unity. Political opposition to the CPI(M) should not condone such opportunist alliances with dangerous extremist forces. The Central Committee of the CPI(M) resolved that such an opportunist alliance should be resolutely fought and its role exposed before the country.

West Bengal

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) noted that certain groups like the People’s War Group (PWG) and the Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation (KLO) are conducting activities in West Bengal which cannot, by any definition be called as political activities. They are resorting to individual killings using sophisticated weapons. The prime target being the leading cadres of the CPI(M). The PWG has killed seven CPI(M) members and activists in Midnapore area since the assembly elections. The KLO has recently massacred five CPI(M) cadres including a district committee member of Jalpaiguri after attacking its zonal Party office in Dhupguri. The West Bengal state government has no other way but to take firm administrative and police measures to put down such violent activities.

The CPI(M) will also combat these disruptive activities by politically mobilising the people against them.

US threat of war on Iraq

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) came out strongly against the US plans to wage war against Iraq and topple the government there. The post-September 2001 period has seen the US adopt the dangerous doctrine of using military force wherever it serves its interests. The war on Iraq will be a blatant violation of international laws and the national sovereignty of the country.

Iraq is a friendly country with whom India has close ties. The war in the gulf region will harm India’s interests and lead to an exodus of Indians from the region. The foreign policy of the Vajpayee government is completely within the orbit of the US strategic interests. This is clearly illustrated by its low-profile stance on the threat of US aggression on Iraq. The Central Committee demands that the Vajpayee take a categorical position opposing the US plans. The Prime Minister must send a strong message to the Bush administration that India is opposed to any military attack on Iraq.

Call for September Movement

The Central Committee of the CPI(M), taking stock of the overall situation in the country and the policies of the BJP-led government, decided to launch a countrywide campaign and movement on six major issues affecting the people and the country:

1. Investigate corruption cases concerning the BJP-led government and prosecute all those guilty.

2. Immediate relief measures for the drought-affected areas by the Central government.

3. Dismiss Narendra Modi government and put Gujarat under President’s rule.

4. Protect Jammu & Kashmir state’s composite character and oppose demand for trifurcation by RSS. Hold free and fair elections in the state.

5. Provide adequate security forces to Tripura by the Centre to combat terrorist outfits. Unmask the opportunist alliance of the Congress and the INPT.

6. Oppose the US plans to militarily attack Iraq. The Vajpayee government must come out firmly against the war plans.

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) has called upon all Party units to launch a campaign and movement from September 20 to 30 on these issues. On September 20, all over the country, the Party will observe "Drought Relief" day in the form of demonstrations outside Central government offices and FCI godowns. On the last day, September 30, the Party will observe "Tripura solidarity day" through public meetings and demonstrations. During the rest of the period, campaign on the other issues will be conducted through public meetings, marches and other forms of mass campaigns and mobilisation.