CPI Announces 10-Day Nationwide Political Campaign to Defend Constitution

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday announced a nationwide political campaign from August 6 to August 15, seeking to mobilise people against what the party described as threats to the Constitution, democracy and the federal structure.

Addressing a press conference, CPI general secretary D Raja said the campaign would include marches, rallies, conventions and public meetings across villages, semi-urban areas and cities to highlight issues including unemployment, inflation, rural distress, federalism, education and electoral reforms.

"This is a very challenging, very disturbing situation. The country is in multiple crises – economic crisis, political crisis, social and cultural crisis," Raja said.

"It is imperative that we reach out to the people, mobilise them and motivate them for defending the nation, republic, Constitution and democracy."

The CPI leader launched a broad attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that its policies had deepened economic distress. He said prices of essential commodities were rising while people's purchasing power was declining.

"Despite tall claims made by Mr Modi, the Prime Minister, economy is in bad shape," Raja said, adding that unemployment and underemployment had become major concerns, particularly for young people.

He also targeted the Centre over rural employment, alleging that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had been weakened.

He said that while there was a demand for an urban employment guarantee scheme, the existing rural employment programme itself was being undermined.

"This government has withdrawn the MGNREGA. Even if some state governments implement it, they have to bear the burden and the Union government is washing its hands," he alleged.

On federalism, Raja accused the Modi government of weakening the powers of states and said the Centre's claims of cooperative and competitive federalism were no longer reflected in practice.

"Now there is neither cooperation nor federalism," he said, alleging that states were demanding their due share from tax collections controlled by the Union government.

Raja reiterated the CPI's demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and also referred to demands for statehood from Puducherry and Delhi.

On education, the CPI general secretary criticised the Centre over recent examination-related controversies and alleged that education, which is in the Concurrent List, was increasingly being taken over by the Union government.

"Examinations must be decentralised. States should have the right to decide," he said.

Raja also questioned the government's push for a Uniform Civil Code, saying there was no national consensus on the issue. "Even after Ambedkar referred to it, there is no national consensus," he said.

Speaking on foreign policy issues, Raja criticised US President Donald Trump's remarks on India's oil imports from Russia, saying that such comments raised questions about India's sovereignty.

"He may be the president of America. We are a sovereign nation. But he dictates, and our prime minister doesn't open his mouth to protest," Raja said.

The CPI leader said the party chose August 6, the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, to begin the campaign to underline its call for peace amid ongoing global conflicts.

"The world is facing a horrific situation. If the Iran war continues, if the genocide of Palestinian people continues, what will happen? People are worried. This is the time we should raise the demand for peace," he said.

Raja also raised issues concerning Dalits, Adivasis and women, alleging that atrocities against marginalised communities were increasing and questioning the future of reservation amid privatisation.

On electoral reforms, the CPI general secreatary questioned the functioning of the Election Commission and raised concerns over the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs). He demanded comprehensive electoral reforms, including state funding of elections.

The CPI also announced a major rally in Delhi on September 1, with Raja saying that party cadres and supporters would gather in the national capital with red flags.

"The national capital is the national capital. It does not belong to some parties," he said, adding that the rally would highlight the party's positions on social justice, equality, liberty, fraternity and secular democracy.

The party also released a poster campaign as part of the programme and said that CPI's state units would add regional issues to the campaign.