Communist parties from Greece, Britain, Turkey and Bangladesh have expressed solidarity with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the mass protests against the government of Narendra Modi, following the police crackdown in New Delhi and other parts of India on October 10.
Hundreds of protesters, including CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby, senior communist officials, students and youth activists, were detained as demonstrations challenged the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CPI(M) has condemned the repression and called for nationwide protests demanding an end to the electoral-roll revision and the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement under the unequivocal slogan “Hands off the Indian Communists!”, denouncing the intimidation, violence and arrests targeting CPI(M) cadres and members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India.
The International Relations Section of the KKE Central Committee condemned what it described as the Modi government's campaign of repression against those struggling for popular rights. Referring specifically to the detention of M. A. Baby and other leading communists, the KKE demanded the immediate release of all arrested protesters and expressed its solidarity with the Indian people and youth resisting the government's anti-people policies.
The Communist Party of Britain (CPB) likewise condemned the police crackdown, accusing the BJP government of undermining democratic freedoms and the integrity of India's electoral system. The British communists denounced the alleged mass exclusion of eligible voters through the SIR process, particularly among Muslims and other minorities, and expressed firm solidarity with the struggle for free and fair elections.
The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) directly challenged the Indian government over the arrests, declaring that it bears political responsibility for the police violence against communist leaders and demonstrators. In a message addressed to the Indian authorities, the TKP demanded an immediate end to the persecution of communists and the release of all detained protesters.
Solidarity also came from the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), which expressed its support for the ongoing mass movement in India and condemned the repression of those defending voting rights and democratic freedoms. The Bangladeshi communists stressed the importance of protecting the people's right to political participation and peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau reported that detainees had been subjected to physical mistreatment, with some injured and others denied access to food, water, essential medication and basic facilities while in police custody.
The Party has called on all its organizations throughout India to mobilize against the repression, demand accountability from the Election Commission and defend the voting rights of citizens allegedly excluded from electoral rolls.
The international statements reflect a common position among the communist parties concerned: opposition to the police crackdown, solidarity with the Indian communists and support for the democratic rights of protesters confronting the Modi government.
As the CPI(M) prepares countrywide mobilizations, the demand for an end to repression and the defense of democratic rights has become a rallying point for communist solidarity beyond India's borders.
From In Defense of Communism via This RSS Feed.
