INSTEAD of fulfilling the demands of farmers for implementing loan waiver and minimum support price of cost of crop plus 50 per cent, which have been promised by the BJP in its election manifesto, the state government led by the BJP in Madhya Pradesh shoots the farmers. Then the chief minister goes on a fast. Can there be any more shameful mockery of democracy, asked CPI(M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury. He was speaking at “Save Constitution Deshpremi Convention” organised by CPI(M) Karnataka state committee in Mysore on June 11. He also cited the role of people, writers, intellectuals of Mysore in the freedom struggle and in articulating values enshrined in the constitution and defending them.

Yechury narrated in detail how the constitutional values – liberty, equality, fraternity, social justice – are facing dangers. He also described with many examples how the current government at the centre is undermining all the democratic institutions, attacking federal structure and trying to build Hindu Rashtra in its place. Hence, he called upon all patriots to unite and save the constitution and the secular democratic republic.

Earlier, an impressive procession of over eight thousand people with a predominance of red sari clad women marched through the streets of Mysore painting the city red, with music and slogans. A Kannada book titled “Nationalism, Hindutva and Democracy” (translation of six articles of Prof Prabhat Patnaik on the subject) was released.  Karnataka CPI(M) secretary GV Sreeramareddy, secretariat member GN Nagaraj, CPI(M) Mysore district secretary K Basavaraj also spoke.

BEML workers struggling against the privatisation moves, submitted a memorandum to Yechury to take up their case in the parliament.