KOLKATA witnessed a massive rally in defence of communal harmony and democracy on December 6, at the call of CPI(M). Thousands of people merged in Sahid Minar Maidan, two large processions from two ends of the city also marched towards the rally. While recollecting the barbaric incident of 1992, the rally called upon the people to unite against communal polarisation and authoritarian attacks of both centre and state governments.  

Alleging that undeclared financial emergency has been imposed on the people, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury termed demonetisation as an act of assault on democracy. He said, the prime minister has taken this decision without consulting the cabinet too. But after that he avoided parliament, as he was not ready to answer questions.  Yechury said, for last two and half years we have seen attacks on Muslims, dalits and tribals through the campaign on love jihad, ghar wapsi, cow protection etc. Now mass of our people are financially attacked. Thousands have lost jobs, economic activities have come to a halt. On the other hand, new avenues of making black money white have been opened.

Yechury said, in today’s India prime minister is intended to decide what to wear, what to eat, what to hear, whether one can use one’s hard earned money or not. These are nothing but authoritarian methods.  These attacks along with communal polarisation have to be fought squarely. Only the Left, who have moral integrity, can fight this courageously.  

CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Mishra alleged a phony tussle between Modi and Mamata Banerjee while both of them are attacking the democratic rights of people. While Modi is now preaching a card-based economy, Banerjee’s party was accused of enjoying chit fund money. No one can forget that they rallied in Kolkata streets with a festoon ‘We are all thieves”.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Md Salim said, Mamata Banerjee is the twelfth person in the Modi-Amit Shah squad. She appears in the field when necessary. In the TMC regime, communal forces are on the rise just as in Modi’s regime. As Modi never answers questions, she too is beyond questions. Mamata Banerjee remains selectively silent like in the Rohith Vemula suicide case.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Biman Basu, presiding over the meeting, said, Bengal has fought against communal forces for long. People have resisted these forces unitedly. But in the absence of democracy, this fight becomes weaker.  Therefore the struggle against communalism is intrinsically linked with the struggle to restore democracy.

Professor Ram Punyani was invited to the rally. He addressed the rally and said, RSS never participated in India’s freedom struggle.  Prime Minister’s route to power has come through spreading hatred against the minorities. It is time for progressive forces to unitedly resist this onslaught on our democracy and secularism.