By unleashing an attack on democracy the Trinamool Congress Government has contributed to the rise of fundamentalist forces in West Bengal said CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat. He was speaking at a meeting on 6th September, 2014 organized by West Bengal State Committee of the Party to commemorate the birth centenary of legendary Communist leader M. Basavapunnaiah. He said the party which was termed by Jyoti Basu as barbaric after the demolition of Babri Masjid, is now at the helm of affairs in the country. In West Bengal, another barbaric party, the TMC, is running the Government for the past three years. He further said that the threat of communalism was present in West Bengal before and after independence. But due to the sustained campaign of the Left, communal forces were kept at bay. However, lately there has been a shift with many eminent people also being carried away by the communal agenda. He called for a multidimensional fight by the Left forces to combat this danger. This, he said, does not merely mean beating the BJP in elections but a political and ideological battle has to be waged to defeat communalism.
Speaking on the occasion, State Secretary Biman Basu, dwelt on the contributions of M. Basavapunnaiah. A booklet on life and contributions of M. Basavapunnaiah was also released on the occasion.
Earlier on September 5, participating in a meeting organsied by the Bardhaman District Committee to commemorate the birth centenary of four immortal Party leaders – Jyoti Basu, Harekrishna Konar, Subodh Chaudhury and Bijoy Pal, Prakash said that the people of Bengal have to face the dual threat of the BJP and the TMC. The undemocratic and reactionary character of TMC has helped the communal forces to gain strength, he said.
Prakash Karat recalled the contributions made by these leaders in the fight against British imperialism. After independence, he said they continued the fight against the policies being pursued by the ruling classes.
He also said that though the BJP had criticised the then Congress Government for the rise in prices, it has not put in any measures to control it after coming to power. While the government continues to provide huge relief to the industrial houses, sufferings and burdens of the common people are increasing. The government is also proposing to change labour laws for the benefit of the capitalists. While new sectors are being opened to FDI, public sector is being disinvested he said.
He pointed out that the RSS has increased its communal activities since the formation of BJP Government at the Centre. There is a build up of communal tension in different parts of the country and the communalization of education is on the cards. Criticising the circular of Minstry of HRD compelling students to listen to Modi’s lecture on teachers’ day, Prakash Karat said that this is unprecedented.