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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Five Left parties appeal to PM Modi to stop ‘extra-judicial killings' in Chhattisgarh
In a joint appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, five Left parties urged him to put an immediate halt to the 'extra-judicial' killings in the region around Chhattisgarh under Operation Kagar. The General Secretaries of the five Left parties- CPI's D. Raja, CPI(M)'s M.A. Baby, CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader Manoj Bhattacharya and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) leader G. Devarajan, in the letter, said there are reports that several senior Maoist leaders are currently in the custody of the security forces. 'We demand that they should all be produced in court and dealt with as per the rule of law,' they said. Also read: Seeking truth and reconciliation in Chhattisgarh Issue of militarisation The Adivasis in the region have long been complaining about the militarisation of the region. 'The Adivasi rights enshrined in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution are being systematically violated and the forests and minerals of Chhattisgarh are being subjected to indiscriminate corporate exploitation with disastrous implications for environmental stability and livelihood of the local people. We urge upon you to stop this militaristic approach that treats the Adivasis with unmitigated hostility,' the joint appeal said. The leaders underlined that the government has been refusing to hand over the bodies to the families, denying them their right to give a dignified farewell to their family members. The repeated appeal from the Maoists for dialogue has also been ignored. 'The statements made by the Union Home Minister, reiterating the deadline and the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's assertion that there is no need for talks, reflect a mindset unwilling to resolve issues through dialogue. The government should not be intransigent and celebrate the taking of human lives against the spirit of the law of the land and principles of democratic governance,' the leaders said. The Left parties urged the government to respond to the Maoist declaration of unilateral ceasefire and initiate a dialogue to resolve all issues. 'We reiterate the appeal and urge upon you to stop the extra-judicial killings and violence with immediate effect and order an impartial judicial enquiry,' they said.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
LDF will return to power in Kerala, says D. Raja
Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D. Raja has expressed confidence that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) will retain power in Kerala in the upcoming Assembly elections, stating that the people of the State will once again stand by progressive and secular governance. He was addressing the valedictory session of the CPI's birth centenary celebrations in Thrissur on Friday. Challenging the ideological foundation of the ruling BJP and its parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mr. Raja said: 'I dare the RSS to show evidence of its role in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Those who had no part in India's Independence are now ruling the country. Just as India once rose in unison to defeat British Raj, it should now unite to resist the authoritarianism of the RSS and the Modi Raj.' Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Mr. Raja noted that the CPI was among the first to condemn the incident. 'Yet while the sovereignty of our nation is under threat, the Prime Minister remains silent, even as the U.S. President claims credit for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Mr. Modi is silent, obsessed only with winning elections and holding on to power, even if it means dismantling the very foundations of the Republic,' Mr. Raja alleged. He praised Kerala for setting an example to the rest of India by defending democracy and federalism. 'It was the communist movement in Kerala that broke the monopoly of single-party rule in India. At a time when communal and fascist forces are trying to divide the country, it is the youth who must rise with the spirit of 'Inquilab Zindabad' to defend the Constitution,' he said. Before delivering his speech, Mr. Raja was greeted by a parade of over a hundred youth volunteers from the Red Volunteers Army. The event was presided over by Revenue Minister K. Rajan. Many CPI leaders took part.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI demands independent judicial probe into killing of Maoists
The CPI on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) demanded an independent judicial probe into the killing of 27 Maoists, including top Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao. Taking to X, Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D. Raja quoted Home Minister Amit Shah's post where he said security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists. Among them was Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist. CPI strongly condemns the cold-blooded killing of a senior Maoist leader along with several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh. It is yet another instance of extrajudicial action carried out under the guise of counterinsurgency operations. The repeated use of lethal force instead of… — D. Raja (@ComradeDRaja) May 21, 2025 Mr. Raja said the killing of the Maoist leader "instead of lawfully arresting him" raises serious concerns about the State's commitment to democratic norms. "CPI strongly condemns the cold-blooded killing of senior Maoist leader along with several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh. It is yet another instance of extrajudicial action carried out under the guise of counterinsurgency operations," Mr. Raja alleged. "If the authorities had credible intelligence about the whereabouts of the leader, why was a legal arrest not pursued? Why was due process guaranteed by the Constitution so blatantly ignored," he said. The CPI demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the incident and the entire Operation Kagar. "The people of Chhattisgarh and India at large deserve to know the truth. A democratic society cannot allow the State to become the judge, jury, and executioner," he said and urged "all democratic and progressive forces to raise their voices against this injustice". CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the topmost leader and backbone of the Maoist movement, was among the 27 dreaded Maoists killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, Mr. Shah announced. He also said this is for the first time in three decades of India's battle against Maoism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by the security forces.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI expresses concern over inflammatory, misleading content aired on news channels
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D. Raja in a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed concern over the 'inflammatory and misleading content' being aired by several television news channels following Operation Sindoor. Also read: Operation Sindoor updates on May 9, 2025 'While the nation stands united against terrorism, we are witnessing a dangerous trend where certain channels are communalising the issue, spreading unverified claims, and promoting war hysteria, without any official confirmation from the government or armed forces,' Mr. Raja wrote. Such coverage, he said, poses direct threat to national cohesion. 'Warmongering and targeting of communities erode trust, create fear among citizens, and play into the hands of those who seek to destabilise the country. Public anxiety is being inflamed, not addressed,' Mr. Raja said. He also criticised that the public broadcasters are also using similar 'irresponsible tone,' failing the basic duty of informing the people with 'accuracy and dignity.' At the same time, Mr. Raja said that news portals like has been blocked. 'The CPI has consistently supported a united and determined stand against terrorism – guided by constitutional values, democratic principles and secularism. But we reject attempts to turn the tragedy of Pahalgam into a spectacle of hate and division,' he said.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Massive protest in Kalaburagi echoes national outcry against Waqf Amendment Act, 2025
In a powerful show of unity and dissent, tens of thousands of people, predominantly from the Muslim community, gathered peacefully at Peer Bangali Ground in Kalaburagi on May 4 evening to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, a law widely criticised for undermining the autonomy of Waqf institutions and enabling increased state control over Waqf properties. Organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the rally witnessed the participation of a diverse coalition — political leaders, civil society groups, Dalit organisations, and religious heads from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Buddhism marking a rare instance of interfaith unity in defence of minority rights. The six-hour event, which began around 7 p.m., ended past midnight. It featured fiery speeches, appeals, and solemn moments, including a tribute to victims of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. CPI General Secretary D. Raja, a key petitioner challenging the amendment in the Supreme Court, condemned the Act as 'unconstitutional and anti-minority'. 'Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was pressured to make India a theocratic state, but he stood firm on secularism. Today, that secularism is under grave threat. This Act violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Under the current regime, India faces a critical period. To save India and the Constitution, we must remove this BJP government lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' he said. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat described the amendment as the first step toward large-scale land dispossession, not only of Muslims but also of farmers, Adivasis, and the poor. 'The government's move is not just about Waqf properties. It is a conspiracy to strip land from millions, like Adivasis, who don't have proper titles. If Waqf lands can be questioned for lacking 3,000-year-old records, what hope is left for the landless poor? We all need to stand united to oppose the Union Government's designs,' she said while demanding immediate repeal of the Act, calling it a violation of Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The gathering stood in silence for two minutes to honour victims of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the audience stood in silence when the national anthem was played. The event was presided over by Hafiz Syed Muhammad Ali Al Hussaini, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Khwaja Bandanawaz and Chairman of the Karnataka State Waqf Board. Among the prominent leaders who participated were Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, Rajya Sabha Member Syed Naseer Hussain, and Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima. Also present were Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani, member of the AIMPLB; Guru Mahant swamiji, head of the Chittaragi Sansthan Mutt in Ilkal; Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi, Vice-Principal of Jamia Nizamia and founder-director of the Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Centre; Mujtaba Farooq, National Vice-President of the Welfare Party of India; Gurmit Singh Saluja, a Sikh community leader; and Abdul Basith, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League. The gathering also saw the participation of Shantaveera Swami, Head of the Khasa Matha in Gurmitkal; Abdul Majeed, Karnataka State President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI); Bhante Varajyoti Thero from the Anadoor Buddha Vihara in Bidar; and Mohammad Saad Belagami, Karnataka State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim, former KUDA chairman Dr. Mohammad Asghar Chulbul, and the Sajjada Nashins of several dargahs were also in attendance.
