CPI(M) Polit Bureau met in New Delhi from January 11-12, 2020. It has issued the following statement on January 12

MOVEMENT AGAINST CAA-NPR-NRC
The Polit Bureau hailed the countrywide protests against the Citizenship  Amendment Act (CAA) and the growing movement to protect the constitution and secularism. The CAA undermines the secular concept of citizenship enshrined in the constitution by introducing a religious criteria.

The mass movement against the CAA-NPR-NRC consists of students, youth and ordinary citizens who are able to clearly see the threat posed to the constitution and its democratic-secular values.  For the past one month, protests had taken place every day in all parts of the country.

The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the brutal repression unleashed on the peaceful protests and the police atrocities inside the Jamia Millia and Aligarh Muslim University campuses.  The government must withdraw all the false cases foisted on people and release all those arrested and in jail.

The most brutal repression has been unleashed in Uttar Pradesh against peaceful protestors, in particular those belonging to the Muslim community.  20 people have died due to police firing, hundreds of homes ransacked and fines imposed.  All this is being done at the direct instigation of chief minister Adityanath.

The CAA and the NRC are to be seen in tandem.  As per the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules 2003, a National Population Register (NPR) is to be compiled which will be the basis for the NRC. The government had notified that the NPR process will take place from April 1 to September 30, 2020.  The NPR-NRC process will affect millions of poor people and those belonging to marginalised communities and target the minority community. The Polit Bureau reiterates its call for the withdrawal of the CAA. It demands that the Modi government not proceed with the NPR as notified.

The Polit Bureau appeals to all the chief ministers who have announced that they will not accept the NRC to put on hold the NPR process in their states.  It is by doing so that they can stop the implementation of the NRC.

The Polit Bureau meeting discussed the ways and means for sustaining and advancing the peaceful protest movement against the CAA-NPR-NRC all over the country.  It called for the unity of all secular and democratic forces to carry forward the movement.

REMOVE CURBS IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
Five months after the abrogation of Article 370 and the dismantling of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, the people of Kashmir continue to be deprived of various rights and liberties.  Hundreds of leaders and activists are under detention, right to assemble denied and internet shutdown.

The Polit Bureau demands that the government restore internet service in keeping with the spirit of the Supreme Court judgment.  All other curbs should be lifted and detention of political leaders revoked.

ATTACK ON JNU
The Polit Bureau condemned the violence unleashed by the ABVP-RSS goons in JNU campus on January 5 which injured 29 students and teachers including the JNUSU president, Aishe Ghosh.  It was a shocking spectacle to see the Delhi police standing by, allowing the goons to run riot and later facilitating their exit from the campus.

The Delhi police investigations are biased and mostly targeting the student activists belonging to the Students Union and not the actual culprits.  The HRD ministry should intervene to see that the steep fee hikes are rescinded. The vice chancellor who is responsible for destroying the character of the university must be removed.

JANUARY 8 STRIKE
The Polit Bureau congratulated the working class, employees, peasants, agricultural workers, students and other sections of the working people who made the general strike call on January 8 a big success.  The strike took place across industries, public sector enterprises, financial and unorganised sectors.  Across the country, tens of thousands of peasants and agricultural workers participated in the road and rail rokos.  School, college and university teachers participated widely.  The strike was a warning to the Modi government not to pursue anti-working class and anti-people policies.

HALT PRICE RISE
The Polit Bureau expressed serious concern at rising inflation rate and the price rise of food items and essential commodities.  This is compounded by the increase in the price of petrol and diesel.  The government should take immediate steps to check the price rise and reduce the excise duties on petrol and diesel.

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST KERALA
The central government is adopting a discriminatory and negative attitude to Kerala’s fiscal requirements. Kerala is entitled to Rs 24,915 crores as public borrowing for the year 2019-20.  This has been unilaterally reduced by the centre to Rs 16,602 crores in the name of neutralising the alleged increase in public account debt in 2016-17.

The GST compensation of Rs 1,600 crore due in December has not been paid.  The arrears on account of MGNREGS is Rs 1,215 crore and for payment for paddy procurement is Rs 1,035 crore.  Kerala has been denied any allocation for natural calamity relief despite submitting a claim for Rs 2,100 crore.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands an end to this discriminatory approach by the centre.  The Kerala government should get the funds due under the various accounts.  The central government should also provide allocation under the natural calamity relief fund to the state which had suffered from serious floods in 2019.

KILLING OF IRANIAN GENERAL
The Polit Bureau reiterated its strong condemnation of the assassination of the Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, by the United States in Baghdad.  This was an act of impunity and in violation of all international norms.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Polit Bureau discussed the draft report on political developments to be placed before the forthcoming meeting of the Central Committee to be held at Thiruvananthapuram between January 17-19, 2020.