The student-youth protests at Jantar Mantar will impact the elections. These protests clearly demonstrate that various sections of society—particularly the youth—are overcoming fear to take a stand.
CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby made these remarks during a press conference at A.K. Gopalan Bhawan in New Delhi on Sunday, September 6. He addressed the media following a two-day meeting of the Politburo. Baby stated that the BJP could be defeated if all sections of society—including students, the youth, women, workers, and farmers—take to the streets.
In response to a question, Baby stated that the CPI(M) would strive to ensure the BJP’s defeat. The party will adopt this stance in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, where assembly elections are imminent, because the BJP is steered by the RSS, an organization exhibiting fascist traits.
A statement issued by the Polit Bureau today also commended the various struggles waged against the BJP government at the Centre. It highlighted the massive response to the ‘Jail Bharo’ (fill the jails) campaign held on August 10, which was called by farmers’ and agricultural workers’ organizations as well as trade unions.
Regarding the Jantar Mantar protest, it has further been stated that students across various parts of the country are launching movements over issues concerning their educational institutions. They are also protesting against the closure of government schools.
The Politburo has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Dimagi Naxal’ (intellectual Naxal) remark. The statement describes this phrase as a dangerous weapon used to blur the distinction between armed Maoists and those who express dissent through democratic and peaceful means. This statement is not intended for security purposes; rather, its aim is to cast political opponents beyond the pale, delegitimize criticism, and suppress dissenting voices.At the same time, a strategy of creating ideological enemies has been adopted to divert attention from failures regarding public welfare, education, or employment.
The Polit Bureau has also criticized the manner in which the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh obstructed CPI activists from attending the rally in Delhi.
The statement notes that these incidents demonstrate that democratic institutions and the constitutional framework are under attack. The Polit Bureau has called upon the public to resist this assault in order to safeguard their rights.
Regarding the census and caste-based data collection, the Politburo has stated that this exercise is taking place after nearly 16 years—a period during which numerous questions have arisen concerning citizenship, voting rights, and political representation. The methodology for data collection is not entirely scientific. There are serious concerns regarding the linking of census data with other government databases. There are valid grounds for apprehension regarding the collection of personal information during the census, the marking of names in electoral rolls, and the integration of data across various systems amidst the ongoing debate over citizenship.
The delimitation process will take place following the census. This will impact the representation of various states in Parliament. Alongside noting this, the Politburo has stated that the methodology for the caste enumeration is flawed. While Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can specify their castes from an existing list, no such list exists for others; instead, entries will be recorded based on the respondents’ own statements.
The Politburo has expressed outrage over an incident of caste-based discrimination. The IIT Mandi authorities have glorified the caste system through posters—an act that is unconstitutional—and the Politburo has demanded punishment for those responsible. The CPI(M) has also strongly criticized the incident in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where the venue was washed down following a speech by Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
The Politburo has stated that attacks on Dalits, Adivasis, and other backward sections have been on the rise since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014.
In response to a question, Baby also explained the campaign to rectify errors. She stated that three aspects are being considered. First, whether we are becoming bogged down—at all levels of the party—by a tendency towards parliamentary-centrism; whether we believe that parliament alone will solve every problem; and whether we are becoming keen to secure parliamentary positions for ourselves. Second, whether we are effectively implementing the concept of collective leadership and what role we are playing in that regard. Third, whether we are playing a role in effectively implementing the mass line.Am I exchanging views with people in the intervals between organizational meetings or programs? Am I listening to what the public has to say and reflecting that within the organization?
Baby stated that the campaign to rectify errors has been initiated by the Politburo. Politburo members have outlined their respective roles in this regard. (See also: Corporate greed responsible for natural disasters; Politburo expresses grief over the Nepal tragedy)
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