The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the communal targeting of India’s largest religious minority – the Muslims – that is increasingly taking place during the current battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. Nasty abuses, social media postings dutifully relayed by the trolls of the ruling party supporters is simply not acceptable. They violate basic constitutional provisions. Such crimes must be proceeded against and punished in accordance with law.
This communal hate campaign under the patronage of the ruling party at the Centre is putting the livelihood of millions of Indians, working and living abroad, at risk. Last year, 2019 alone, about 3 lakh Indians joined lakhs of others in the Gulf countries and West Asia, from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Indian-origin persons make up the largest group of migrants in the world today, about 17.5 million.
The central government must immediately invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management Act and take action against people, including political leaders and others holding high offices, who disrupt the united fight of all Indians against the pandemic by spreading venomous communal hatred. The BJP central government must ensure that the fundamental right to life and liberty of all Indians irrespective of their religion, caste, gender or disability cannot and must not be allowed to be violated.
Instead of acting against such people, the law seems to be targeting the minorities and proceeding against them. Journalists and activists, speaking against such hatred are being harassed, penalized and punished, while some lapdog media houses continue parroting such hate-filled campaigns. This is unacceptable.
The law must be invoked to stringently punish such criminals.