The Modi-led government is promoting a corporate-backed Hindutva agenda and attacking the democratic rights
Team Clarion
MADURAI — Prakash Karat, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], has emphasised the necessity for a robust and continuous political and ideological struggle against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He asserted that mere electoral alliances are insufficient to counter the influence of these organisations.
In his inaugural address at the ongoing 24th congress of the party here on Wednesday, Karat said: ” It is only the Left which can lead the fight against imperialist designs on the country.
Karat is also the coordinator of the party congress, according to the party’s website.
The prominent Left leader also highlighted the emergence of a “new form of fascism,” distinct from classical fascism, characterised by prejudice and discrimination against minorities and immigrants. He identified the Narendra Modi-led government as exhibiting these neo-fascist tendencies, promoting a corporate-backed Hindutva agenda and attacking democratic rights.
“The Modi government, in its third term, is going ahead with the RSS-driven Hindutva agenda, aggressive neo-liberal policies and is reinforcing authoritarianism. In this process, it is displaying neo-fascist characteristics. Implementing the fascistic agenda of the RSS entails a constant targeting of the Muslim minority,” Karat said.
Muslims are marked for persecution through communal violence perpetrated by the Hindutva outfits, aided and abetted by the State machinery in the BJP-ruled states, he said, adding that the state of perennial violence and intimidation directed against the Muslim community is part of the drive to create a permanent communal divide and to create a ‘pan-Hindutva’ consolidation.
The Modi government has become a byword for crony capitalism. It seeks to privatise new sectors and provide new areas for profit maximisation for the big monopolies, Karat said.
Karat further said, “The fact that the BJP lost its majority in the Lok Sabha and that the NDA does not command a two-thirds majority in either House of Parliament, has not stopped the Modi government’s authoritarian efforts to re-shape the Indian State and the Constitution.”
Karat credited resistance from Left and democratic forces for the BJP’s electoral setbacks in the last Lok Sabha elections, which temporarily stalled its attempts to amend the Constitution.
The constitutional amendment bill to bring about simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is a direct assault on federalism and states’ rights; steps to curtail Parliament, weaken the higher judiciary and erode the independent status of the Election Commission are still ongoing, he said.
Showing his concern over the plight of innocent Palestinians in the wake of Gaza’s destruction by Israel, the Marxist leader said, ” From the platform of this congress, we express our full support and total solidarity with the Palestinian people who are facing genocide in Gaza for the past 17 months perpetrated by the brutal Zionist regime of Israel. We condemn the shameful betrayal of the Palestinian cause by the Modi government and its blind support to Israel.”
This is the time to strengthen Left unity and expand Left political intervention, he said. The Left is the only consistent force against neo-liberal capitalism and firmly defends the interests of the working people. “It is the Left which has the ideological wherewithal and convictions to fight and counter Hindutva neo-fascism. It is only the Left which can lead the fight against imperialist designs on our country,” emphasised Karat.
