CPI holds Delhi rally, accuses Centre of pro-corporate tilt

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday concluded its nationwide padyatras with a public meeting at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, using the platform to attack the Narendra Modi government and call for political change. The march, held under the slogan "Badlaav zaroori hai" (change is essential), ran from August 6 to 15.

Addressing the gathering, CPI general secretary D. Raja accused the Centre of running a "fascist regime" and of systematically depriving poor citizens of their fundamental rights. He alleged that public sector undertakings were being corporatised and that the education system had been "demolished" by government policies.

Mr. Raja also criticised the dilution of the rural employment guarantee programme and the commercialisation of education and healthcare, saying these measures primarily benefited "crony capitalists" while ordinary citizens faced mounting economic and social pressures. He described the country's social, political and economic conditions as undergoing an "alarming deterioration."

Drawing a parallel with the freedom struggle against British rule, Mr. Raja urged the country to unite to "defeat the RSS-BJP Raj of division, inequality and authoritarianism." He stressed that people needed jobs, minimum support prices, social security, dignity, justice and democracy, rather than "propaganda, hatred and division."

CPI national secretary Amarjeet Kaur said the BJP and the RSS had always treated Left parties as their primary political opponents. She recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting of the BJP's top leadership three years ago, had termed communists dangerous and said they must be finished. "Today, we have come to tell you that we will finish you," she said at the rally.