Refer SC Verdict on Reservation for EWS to Full Bench: CPI

8th November 2022 at 4:13 PM

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued the following statement today (on November 8, 2022):

New Delhi: 8th November 2022: (M S Bhatia//The Comrade Screen)::

The Supreme Court judgment upholding 10 per cent reservation for EWS category by a five-member bench with three upholding and two expressing dissent has raised several questions regarding the very policy of reservations. Pertinent questions about the judgment’s impact on reservation for SC/ST/OBC, in the absence of caste census, non-availability of data and criteria to determine the economically weaker sections of forward castes, etc. have come to the fore.

The judgment has created apprehensions with several political parties and social movements demanding that the judgment be referred to a larger constitution bench of the Supreme Court for clarification and constitutional merit of the judgment. CPI demands that a full bench of Supreme Court review the present judgment.

CPI is relentlessly fighting for a casteless and classless society. The CPI stands for equality, social justice and annihilation of caste.

The legislative intent behind reservation was not poverty alleviation but affirmative action for historically discriminated and deprived sections of our society.

At a time when privatization is being aggressively pursued by the present government, our fight for reservation in private sector must continue with even greater strength.

Patriotism, Religion and RSS Ideology//Ram Puniyani

Thursday: 7th January 7, 2021 at 3:52 PM

Its major ideologue Golwalkar was forthright in praising the Nazis

New Delhi: 7th January 2021: (Ram Puniyani//The Comrade Screen)::

Word ‘anti-National’ has been more in vogue form last few years. Simply put all those who are criticizing the RSS and its progeny are labeled as anti-National. As fountainhead of Hindu Nationalism RSS is becoming stronger, it has been trying to link patriotism and religion. While hailing Hindus for their loyalty to this nation, the subtle hints are being circulated about Muslims in particular that they are more loyal to Pakistan. In cleverly worded articulation, (HT Jan 02, 2020) the chief of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat said that Hindus are patriotic by nature due to their religion.  He also twists a sentence of Gandhi to state that Gandhi’s patriotism had its origin in Hindu religion, “All Indians worship motherland. But Gandhi said my patriotism comes from my religion. So if you are a Hindu then you will be an automatic patriot. You may be an unconscious Hindu, you may need awakening, but a Hindu will never be anti-India.”

Before analyzing the subtle hints hidden in this formulation let’s understand that when RSS began, its major ideologue M.S. Golwalkar was forthright in praising the Nazis and recommended the treatment for Muslims and Christians (Foreign religions, according to RSS) on the lines which were used by Nazis for Jews. Now from last few decades as RSS is becoming more powerful through it multiple organizations like BJP, VHP, ABVP, Vanvasis Kalyan Ashram, and through its infiltration into different wings of state, media and education, it is using more subtle language, while communicating the same  Hindu nationalist ideology. The meaning and content remains the same, which Golwalkar had outlined in ‘We or Our Nationhood Defined’, but the presentation is well decorated, subtle to the extent of confusing many in the society.

As far as Gandhi is concerned, for him religion was a personal matter. He did call himself as sanatani Hindu, but his Hinduism was liberal and inclusive. His religion had more to do with moral values. He derived his spiritual strength from all the religions, "I consider myself as good a Muslim as I am a Hindu and for that matter, I regard myself as equally good a Christian or a Parsi". (Harijan, May 25 197, page 164). There is respect and inclusivity for people of other religions in his practice of Hinduism. This is in total contrast to exclusivist, narrow understanding and practice of Hinduism of RSS, which is continuously raking up issues to frighten and intimidate people of other religions. As Gandhi’s practice of his religion was liberal and inclusive he could lead the people of different religions in the struggle against British rule.

He also did not connect up religion and nationality or for that matter to patriotism. In that sense patriotism, love for one’s country and countrymen, is not rooted in the religion but in the ‘Nationhood’ which is not an outcome of religion for that matter. His use of word religion has two levels. One is the popular notion of customs, identity, faith etc. and second the morality inherent in the teachings of religion. Though he is very clear that morality is the core of religions, the likes of RSS or for that matter even the Muslim communalists (Muslim League etc.) take his use of the word purely at the level of rituals, holy places etc. only.

The ideologues, who are a part of Hindu nationalist outlook, close to RSS mindset, are burning the midnight oil to dig fragments of sentences, not only from Gandhi and other national icons to present as if the values of these makers of ‘India as a nation’ had ideas similar to that of RSS. In the process they retain the RSS ideology while trying to get more legitimacy by showing their similarity to the great icons of India’s freedom movement and the process of ‘India as a nation in the making’.

So now the formulation is that Hindus are naturally patriots, they can’t be anti national. The other side of this is that the nationalism and patriotism of those belonging to other religions is suspect, subject to certification by those who have a monopoly of being patriots and nationalists, those claiming to represent Hindus.

This totally bypasses the great contributions of Muslims and Christians in making of modern India. Where do you place the millions of Muslims who followed Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who stood not only against British rule but also against the concept of partition of India? Where do you place the likes of Shibli Nomani, Hasrat Mohani, and Ashfaqullah Khan? How do you value the contribution of Allahbaksh who was instrumental in organizing the conference of Muslims to oppose the resolution for separate Pakistan by Mohammad Ali Jinnah? There were innumerable organizations formed by Muslims who rubbed shoulders with participants in the struggle for freedom movement.

Unite to Protect India’s Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity

20th June 2020 at 3:04 PM

 Comrade D. Raja participated in the All-Party meeting 

New Delhi: 20th June 2020: (The Comrade Screen Bureau)::

Communist Party of India General Secretary D. Raja participated in the All-Party meeting convened by the Prime Minister on June 19^, 2020 after being repeatedly demanded by CPI and other opposition parties.

Party General Secretary made the following points:

1.*  CPI appreciates the government for convening the All-Party Meeting even though it is late.

* Our Party salutes the martyred Soldiers and Officers who sacrificed their precious lives on June 15^th.

* Every Indian is proud of our Defence Forces for their valour and dedication in defending the security and borders of our country. They are Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The whole country stands behind them.

2. Security and foreign policy positions of our country are evolved on the basis of national consensus. The government should take political parties, Parliament and people into confidence on all these matters.

3. India China Stand-off

§  Coming to the current stand-off between India and China, our Party is of the view that no compromise on sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country should be made.

§  Status quo at the Line of Actual Control should be respected and restored as it was till April 2020.

§  India and China are Asian countries which claimed to stand for Asian Century.

§  Right now the relations between our country and the neighbouring countries, Pakistan and Nepal, remain hostile. We have problems with Sri Lanka also.

§  In such a situation, the US tries to drag India into a kind of military alliance to establish its own influence in our region. The Government must be cautious about this.

§  India having good neighbourhood relations becomes crucial for national stability and well-being. It means India should evolve a proper South Asian Policy.

§  The immediate task is to intensify negotiations at the highest level to resolve the boundary disputes between India and China. It will ensure peace and stability. Both the countries should respect “the importance of respecting each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations” as outlined in the Joint Statement issued after the first Summit between Indian Prime Minister and Chinese Leader.

§  The political parties in India should stand together in defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. The whole country should stand as one.

§  CPI stands for such unity.

Reactions: Punjab CPI Condemn Pro-Khalistani Statements

9th June 2020 at 5:12 PM

 Statements were given by Akal Takhat and the SGPC chiefs 

Chandigarh: 9th June 2020: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

Com. Bant Singh Brar, Secretary Punjab State Council of CPI, reacting on the statements given by Giani Harpreet Singh Working Jathedar of Akal Takhat, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and S. Gobind Singh Longowal, the President of Sharomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the elected body of the Sikhs to run the vast number of Gurdwaras, condemned the Pro-Khalistani tone and message given by them and strongly criticised the silence kept by Akali Dal leaders, including S. Parkash Singh Badal, former many times Chief Minister of Punjab, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the President of Sharomani Akali Dal and Harsimarat Kaur Badal, the Cabinet Minister in Modi Govt.

Com. Brar said that the extremist elements, who were lying in sleep, used the occasion to raise their demand through the above said religious leaders, as their earlier attempts to incite the Sikhs in name of Referendum 2020 had been rejected by Punjabi people. Now again they used the anniversary date of Indian Army attack on Sikh Shrine in 1984 and the above mentioned both leaders who are appointed by ruling Akali Dal of Sh. Badal with their commanding majority in Sikh institutions, played with fire by supporting extremist demands. 

Com. Brar said the attack on Golden Temple was very unfortunate incident which could have been averted if the Central Govt at that time (led by Smt. Indira Gandhi) had acted wisely keeping in view the strong resentment it could cause in Sikh masses. He said that neither Sharomani Akali Dal and SGPC and nor the extremist elements who had captured the  Gurdwara and killed thousands of innocent people can escape from the responsibility of  tragic happenings.

Com. Brar said that the statements of Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and SAD President S. Longowal have said that there is no objection on raising slogans of Khalistan, that every Sikh wants Khalistan, that if central Govt gives Khalistan we will welcome it, etc. He said that Punjabis had won peace in Punjab after thousands of sacrifices including communists and that they will not let the nefarious designs extremists of succeed. 

Com. Brar strongly condemned the silence of Modi Govt which is always ready to enforce ‘antinational’ and ‘Rashtra-dhroh’ charges on struggling masses and leaders.

Com. Brar appealed to Punjabis not to fall prey to these inciting statements and maintain peace and harmony in the state. 

AIKF discussed the problems faced by the farmers

Sunday: 5th January 2020 at 1:11 PM

AIKF supported the All India strike on 8th January

Ludhiana//Doraha:4th January 2020: (*Zora Singh//The Comrade Screen)::

The state executive committee of All India Kisan Fedration (AIKF) met here  at  K K Kaushal memorial Bhawan Doraha presided over Sukhdev singh. In the beginning state committee mourned the sudden death of com. Surinder Singh Shinda, former Sarpanch of village Shehzad.

The meeting discussed the problems faced by the farmers, addressed by All India President of A I K F Prem Singh Bhangu, Kuldip Singh, State Secretary, Zora Singh, among others Iqbal Singh Mandoli, Pawan Kumar Sogalpur, Pawan Kumar Kaushal and Hardev Singh Kheri also participated in the meeting and gave their views.

The meeting supported the All India strike on January 8,called  by trade unions and farmers. The meeting strongly opposed the increase in the rates of electricity and Bus fares by Punjab Government and increase in Rail-fares and L P G by BJP led central Government, describing it New Year’s gift to the people of India and a burden on the poor people which will result in the further increase in the prices of essential commodities.

The meeting expressed its serious concern over stray cattle in Punjab and urged the state Government to control the menace of stray cattle who are destroying the crops and loss of lives of people causing fatal accidents.

The meeting deadly opposed the forcible acquisition of village common land to be handed over to Corporate houses, that will result into finishing the income of Panchayats , hence reducing  the income of Panchayats and stopping development works.

Meeting has taken serious note of Citizens Amendment Act-2019, describing it as discriminating , divisive and subversive and asked the central Government to withdraw it.

*Comrade Zora Singh is the State Secretary of AIKF and his mobile number is: +919876044562

Attack on CPI office at Bangalore condemned

Thursday: 26th December 2019 at 4:22 PM

Fascist Face of RSS–BJP Exposed

Photo from CPI Sources

Ludhiana: 26th December 2019: (M S Bhatia//The Comrade Screen Bureau)::

The district Ludhiana unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has condemned in strong words attack on the office of the CPI at Bangalore. Goons had attacked the CPI office at night at 1.40am damaging the party hall and motorcycles. Party leaders Comrade D P Maur-Distt. Secretary, Dr Arun Mitra, Chamkaur Singh, M S Bhatia, Ramesh Rattan and Gurnam Sidhu said that this has exposed the fascist designs of the RSS and its political output the BJP. First they attacked the minorities, now the communists and after this they will go for other political parties and anyone questioning them. They appealed to the people to thwart their fascist designs and save secular democratic constitution of the country.