Senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat criticised the Modi government’s silence over US imperialist aggression against the Latin American nation
NEW DELHI — Political leaders of different hues have unequivocally denounced US ‘aggression’ in Venezuela, terming it a gross breach of the UN Charter and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. They warned that attempts to destabilise governments or abduct elected leaders set a dangerous global precedent. The leaders also slammed the Narendra Modi government’s muted response to the US aggression and urged it to take a principled stand.
A broad-based public meeting in solidarity with Venezuela at the Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhavan here on Monday brought together leaders and Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum. The speakers included CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (ML) Liberation Polit Bureau member Ravi Rai, AIFB General Secretary G. Devarajan, RSP Central Secretariat member R S Dagar, DMK Rajya Sabha leader Tiruchi Siva, VCK national president Thol. Thirumavalavan, Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan, RJD MP Manoj Jha and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sandeep Pathak.
Addressing the gathering, they strongly condemned US attack on Venezuela as US imperialist aggression against the Latin American nation and an alleged conspiracy to abduct the country’s democratically elected President and the First Lady, calling it a grave violation of international law and national sovereignty.
The meeting was chaired by senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat. In his presidential address, Karat said that at a time when “might is being placed above right”, democratic and progressive forces must speak out firmly. Slamming the Modi government’s silence over the US aggression, he recalled India’s long tradition of opposing imperialism and defending the sovereignty of nations, and said this legacy must guide the country’s foreign policy today.
A resolution adopted unanimously at the meeting condemned US aggression and expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela. It called upon the Government of India to pursue an independent and principled foreign policy, urging it to openly stand with the peoples of Venezuela, Cuba and Palestine, and to condemn imperialist interventions.
The meeting also appealed to the people of India to raise their voices against imperialist aggression and to stand united in defence of peace, sovereignty and international
A resolution adopted at the meeting strongly condemned the “transgression of the rights of the sovereign countries of Latin America.” It expressed “unwavering solidarity” with the people of Venezuela and also with Cuba, which it said has been subjected to “the most inhuman blockade by the United States and are now threatened with direct military aggression”. It also expressed solidarity with Palestine as well as all other countries “resisting the aggression of the US and its allies, including Israel”.
The resolution further added that people of India cherish their freedom and sovereignty and wish the same for the people of all countries.
The parties are part of the INDIA bloc, but Congress, the largest opposition party, was however not a part of the meeting.
