Vol. XLI No. 41 October 08, 2017
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PB Hails Struggles of Various Sections of People

CPI(M)  Polit Bureau met on October 2, 2017 and has issued the following statement

THE Polit Bureau hails the struggles of the kisans in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh which is now spreading to various other parts of the country. The Modi government must immediately implement its election promise of announcing a minimum support price of one and a half times the production cost as also a loan waiver. The CPI(M) also demands that a special central legislation be enacted where the government shall compulsorily buy the produce of the kisans at the minimum support price.

 

Various sections of the people are preparing for big struggles against the disastrous economic policies and fast deteriorating livelihood conditions of our people. The trade unions and the kisan sabhas and the youth have independently given calls for struggles and big mobilisations. A joint platform Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Aandolan has been formed of various Left mass organisations and people’s movements. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon the people who are suffering due to the devastating effects of the economic policies of this Modi government to join these protests in a big way.

WITHDRAW FUEL PRICE HIKE

This Modi government has yet again hiked fuel prices when the international oil prices are showing a remarkable decline. The international prices fell to the tune of 85 per cent during the last year. But instead of passing the benefits of lower prices to the Indian people, this Modi government has hiked excise duty to the tune of 125 per cent, thereby making a bonanza in terms of revenue collection. This is happening at the expense of the vast majority of the Indian people who will suffer from the cascading inflationary impact of rise in fuel prices.

RSS TARGETTING LEFT

The Vijayadashami speech of RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, had directly attacked the Left strongholds of Kerala and Bengal and has gone to the extent of accusing the Kerala LDF government of allowing the jihadi activities in the state to grow. Apart from being a sheer fabrication, this is meant to target the CPI(M) and the Left.

ATTACKS ON MEDIA PERSONNEL

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the continued attacks on progressive intellectuals and journalists. Following the brutal murder of Gauri Lankesh, a young TV journalist in Tripura, Shantanu Bhowmick was murdered by the BJP-backed IPFT. The PB of the CPI(M) strongly deplores the threats being given to journalists by various RSS affiliated Hindutva outfits and calls upon the concerned governments to ensure that freedom of expression and the rights of the media are not curtailed. Popular protests against such intimidation and murderous attacks must intensify.

ATTACK ON BHU GIRL STUDENTS

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the unprovoked police attack on girl students of Banaras Hindu University who were protesting against sexual harassment. Instead of redressing their grievances, the vice chancellor ordered the police to act against the students. Men police personnel beat up girl students. This is part of the attacks on institutions of higher learning all over the country by the RSS/BJP governments.

The Polit Bureau demands the immediate removal of the vice chancellor. The complaints of the protesting students must be addressed forthwith.

PARTY CONGRESS PREPARATIONS

The Polit Bureau discussed the outline of the Draft Political Resolution for the 22nd Party Congress. This will now be taken to the Central Committee at its meeting from October 14-16, 2017.