The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Varanasi Attack Condemned
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the terrorist act of a bomb blast at the Shitla Ghat in Varanasi. The blast has killed a one year-old child and caused injuries, some of them severe, to 35 people. The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt sympathy to all those who have suffered due to this attack.
The claim made by the so-called Indian Mujahideen for the blast shows that extremist elements are still attempting to disturb the social fabric and communal amity by such senseless acts of violence. In the recent period, investigations have shown how extremist elements belonging to the Muslim or Hindu communities have taken to terrorist activities. It is essential to firmly combat such groups indulging in terrorism. At the same time, it is necessary to isolate the communal forces that have become the breeding ground for extremist violence.