Following the call of the Left parties to launch united and concerted nationwide struggles against price rise and unemployment, between May 25-31, various forms of protests were held across the country. Below we publish some of the reports received as we go to press.
Tamil Nadu: THE CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state committee held protests across the state from May 25 to 31 against the Modi-led Union government, as per the call given by the Left parties. Fraternal political parties like CPI, CPI(ML) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) joined the protests on May 26 and 27.
The state committee distributed pamphlets on the atrocities committed by the Modi government during the last eight years. The pamphlet highlighted the demands of the people in view of the unrelenting attacks by the union government. Reduction of fuel prices, abolition of cess and surcharge on petroleum products, and distribution of all essential foodgrains through ration shops were some of the public demands highlighted in the pamphlet.
A monthly subsidy of Rs 7,500 to every non-income taxpaying family, an increase in funds to MNREGS to maintain the number of working days and an extension of the scheme to urban areas were also demanded. Demands for monthly allowance to the unemployed youth, filling of all vacant posts, and new job opportunities were also made.
The other demands mentioned in the pamphlet include a ban on cotton yarn export, measures to control the prices of raw materials essential for the textile industry and stopping the privatisation of public enterprises.
The CPI(M) Party committees met people across the state with the above pamphlet highlighting the demands of the Left parties. A programme was held at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, on May 26, wherein Polit Bureau member, G Ramakrishnan, led the demonstration and highlighted the miseries heaped upon the people by the eight-year Modi rule. Similar programmes were held across the state on May 26 and 27.
On May 27, a massive gathering was held at Valluvar Kottam, Chennai, wherein a demonstration was held against ever-increasing prices and the severe unemployment crisis brewing under the Modi rule.
CPI(M) state secretary K Balakrishnan called upon the people to participate massively in the protest action launched by the Left and democratic parties in Tamil Nadu. He said that we are now witnessing massive protests by the people of Sri Lanka against the misdeeds of the Rajapaksa government and considering the miseries people are experiencing during the last eight years and the danger of a deep crisis looming over India, the people should be alert and reverse the trend through their united action against the Modi government.
CPI state secretary Mutharasan called upon the people to raise their united voice against Modi to quit India and put an end to the dictatorial rule of the BJP. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said that Modi and Amit Shah are the blue-eyed boys of Indian corporates who only consider Ambani and Adani as the poor people of India. He said that Modi’s visit to other countries is only to create bright chances for the Indian corporates and not for the people of this country. To sidestep their misdeeds, they are diverting the attention of the people by dividing them in the name of religion and caste, he said.
CPI(ML) state secretary Natarajan said that the union government had never bothered about the miseries of Indians who are suffering due to the neo-liberal policies, which resulted in price rises and unprecedented levels of unemployment, but they are concerned about facilitating the steep growth of corporates.
(V B Ganesan)
ANDHRA PRADESH
People protested against price rise at many places throughout Andhra Pradesh on May 30 at the call of ten Left parties. In response to the call of five Left parties from the all India centre, the ten Left parties in the state – CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML-Liberation), RSP, AIFB, CPI(ML), CPI(ML-New democracy), SUCI(C), MCPI(U) and CPI(ML-New Democracy) met and decided to take up united campaign. They decided to publish pamphlets and to distribute them at the petrol bunks on May 25-26 and to explain the policies of the Modi government that increased taxes and cess on petroleum products and of the state government that succumbed to the pressures of centre and enhanced electricity, RTC bus charges etc., burdening the people. Accordingly, the united campaign went on in villages and wards of cities and towns.
On May 30, dharnas and protest meetings were conducted in front of the collectors’ offices and in some towns and mandal headquarters. Leaders of the Left parties exposed the deeds of Modi government that mainly caused the price rise. They explained how the central government has been increasing excise duty and cess on petroleum products that caused price rise and about the cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities. They also explained about the YSRCP government’s policies of succumbing to the centre’s conditionality and levied the garbage tax, increased property tax etc. They appealed the people to continue the protests in some way or the other till the prices are rolled back.
(B Tulasidas)
Assam : Protest demonstrations against skyrocketing prices of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG were held throughout the state today. Additionally, the recurring problems of floods and erosion in Assam have also created havoc in the State The CPI(M)Assam State Committee demands urgent and adequate relief, rehabilitation and compensation to the affected people.
West Bengal: AIDWA and other Left women associations unitedly organised a torch march against price rise, unemployment, massive corruption and lawlessness under the TMC regime. Comrade Kaninika Bose Ghosh and others were present.
Telangana: Protests were organised throughout the state against hike in petrol-diesel prices, unemployment and anti people policies of the Govt.
Demonstration at Nagpur at the call of left parties. JDS and Republican Party activists also joined this program.
