Thrissur: The caste oppression is preventing the economic growth of the poor in India, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said. He was speaking at the inaugural function of two-day EMS Smriti 2016 organised by the party in Thrissur on Monday.
“For the poor, social oppression and economic exploitation are the two major impediments before them, and we need to address both,” Mr Yechury said. He also said "fascist" agenda was to create division among the people but for the development of all sections of the society, the country should stand united. CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy said, like in Nazi Germany, it was the agenda of the fascists to oppress the minorities.
“So we should not leave nationalism to right-wing elements,” he said. He said the BJP-led government was bringing to the fore anti-Nehruvian thoughts by focusing on Sardar Vallabhai Patel. “Though Mr Patel was a great leader, he was anti-liberal and had a right wing inclination,” Mr Reddy said.
Environmentalist Medha Patkar said projects in the state like Athirappilly hydel power, Vizhinjam international seaport and the express highway should be implemented first by consulting the people affected by the projects and after conducting an environmental impact study. Marxist economist Prabhat Patnaik, poet Satchidanandan and JNU professor Gopal Guru attended the event.
