The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Stop Infringement of Rights of MPs
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the Central government’s decision denying political clearance to Dr V Sivadasan, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) to attend the Parliamentarian’s Forum Against Fascism, being held in Caracas, Venezuela. This is an attempt to stifle any voice that does not conform with the ruling party’s views.
The CPI(M) received an invitation from the National Assembly of Venezuela to nominate its parliament members to participate in the Parliamentarian’s Forum Against Fascism, organised by it. The Party nominated Dr V Sivadasan to represent it and participate in this Forum, where parliamentarians from many countries are going to be present.
It is highly deplorable that in spite of getting the FCRA clearance, the Ministry of External Affairs denied political clearance to Sivadasan, thus infringing his rights as a Member of Parliament. The government is following a policy of political discrimination, where differing voices are prevented from expressing their views. This should be a matter of concern for all opposition parties and their members of Parliament.