NEW DELHI — The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has raised alarm over what it calls a “systematic erosion” of constitutional principles, democratic rights, and federal autonomy under the BJP-led central government. At the conclusion of its Polit Bureau meeting on July 18, the CPI(M) issued a statement on Saturday announcing a nationwide protest on August 8 to oppose a range of policies it believes are pushing India toward authoritarian rule.
Electoral Roll Revision: ‘Backdoor NRC’
The CPI(M) expressed strong concern over the Election Commission’s move to extend the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — initiated in Bihar — to the entire country. While the EC maintains that the SIR is intended to improve the accuracy of voter rolls, the CPI(M) described it as a “blatant overreach” and a veiled attempt to implement a “backdoor NRC” (National Register of Citizens).
“Under the false pretext of removing ‘foreigners,’ vast sections of minorities and targeted communities are being disenfranchised,” the party said, warning that verifying citizenship falls outside the EC’s constitutional mandate. The CPI(M) also noted that even NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has voiced concern over the exercise.
Maharashtra Security Law: ‘Tool to Silence Dissent’
The party criticised the newly passed Maharashtra Public Security Act, which targets so-called “extreme left-wing threats.” The CPI(M) argued that the law’s vague language allows it to be used against anyone expressing dissent, posing a serious threat to freedom of speech and assembly.
“In practice, anyone who expresses dissent could be labeled a threat to public safety,” the CPI(M) said, calling the law a direct threat to freedom of speech and assembly. The party demanded the immediate repeal of the legislation, cautioning that it could be replicated in other BJP-ruled states.
Kashmir Policies and Historical Revisionism
In Jammu and Kashmir, the CPI(M) blamed the Union government and Home Ministry for a recent security lapse in Pahalgam, where a terror attack occurred despite intelligence warnings. The party also condemned the cancellation of the annual holiday commemorating the 1931 martyrs — Kashmiris killed under the Dogra monarchy — and its replacement with a holiday marking the birth anniversary of the same ruler.
“This is not just a distortion of history, it is an insult to the people’s liberation struggle,” the CPI(M) said, reiterating its demand for the restoration of full statehood and democratic governance in the region.
Targeting of Bengali-Speaking Citizens
The CPI(M) accused BJP-ruled states — including Delhi, Odisha, Assam, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana — of targeting Bengali-speaking individuals by labeling them “illegal Bangladeshis,” detaining them without due process, and in some cases forcibly deporting them.
“These actions are not just unconstitutional — they’re inhuman,” the CPI(M) said. It called on civil society and opposition parties to speak out against these violations of basic rights.
Evictions in Assam: ‘Land Grab in Disguise’
The party criticised ongoing eviction drives in Assam, claiming they serve corporate interests under the guise of removing encroachments. The CPI(M) accused the Assam government of using communal narratives to justify the displacement of marginalised communities and facilitate access to mineral-rich lands.
“This is land-grabbing disguised as governance,” the statement read, cautioning that such actions risk destabilising the ethnically sensitive Northeast, which borders Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Governor’s Role in Kerala Under Fire
In Kerala, the CPI(M) accused the state’s Governor of acting as a “Hindutva frontman” by promoting imagery such as the Akhand Bharat map and Bharat Mata at official events — symbols the party says are not sanctioned by the Constitution.
“This is a deliberate provocation against the secular values upheld by the Kerala government,” the party said, claiming that the Centre is interfering with state autonomy through the Governor’s office.
It also condemned the Centre’s refusal to allow Kerala to withdraw petitions from the Supreme Court regarding gubernatorial overreach, calling it a move to sabotage the state’s higher education system.
Economic Sovereignty and ‘Corporate Capture’
Looking ahead to the monsoon session of Parliament, the CPI(M) warned of government plans to push through critical legislation — including amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Atomic Energy Act, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. These, the party said, would hand over key strategic sectors to private and foreign corporations, threatening India’s economic sovereignty.
“These are anti-people bills designed to serve corporate interests,” the party said, also opposing ongoing efforts to finalise Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United States and European Union, which it warned could harm Indian agriculture, dairy, and pharmaceuticals.
Support for Workers’ Movements
The party raised red flags over the government’s push for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United States and European Union, arguing that Indian agriculture, dairy, and pharmaceutical sectors would bear the brunt.
The CPI(M) congratulated workers and farmers for the successful nationwide strike on July 9, organised by central trade unions and peasant organisations. The party reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening labour and farmers’ movements and called for united resistance against what it described as the government’s anti-democratic and anti-people agenda.
The next meeting of the Polit Bureau will be held from September 13 to 15 in New Delhi to finalise its strategy for upcoming elections, including in Bihar.
