Amritsar: Communist leaders slam Modi govt's policies

A convention of the Anti-Fascist Front Punjab was held at Company Bagh, where concerns were expressed over the growing threat to democracy in the country. The convention, attended by left-wing communist workers, saw prominent leaders addressing the gathering and highlighting the alleged attempts by the Modi-led government to silence opposition voices.

CPI Punjab Secretary Bant Singh Brar said the government is continuously locking up opponents and eliminating those who raise voice to protect water, forest and land through fake police encounters. “The Modi government is trying to suppress the voices of those who are fighting for their rights and the rights of the marginalized,” he said.

CPM Liberation Secretary Gurmeet Singh Bakhtupur strongly condemned the Election Commission’s alleged actions in Bihar, where a large number of votes were being removed in the name of revision of voter lists. “This is a clear attempt to disenfranchise certain sections of society and undermine the democratic process,” he said.

Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, president of Jamhuri Kisan Sabha Punjab, appealed to participants to join the rally to be organised by the Sanyukat Kisan Morcha on September 24 at Samrala, against the Punjab Government’s forcible acquisition of farm lands. “The government needs to understand that farmers’ lands are their lifeline, and they will not give up their rights without a fight,” he said.

Jatinder Singh Chhina, state vice-president of Kirti Kisan Union, strongly condemned the Punjab government’s ‘‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’’, saying that while there is a lot of propaganda about the policy, its implementation is lacking.

The convention was attended by several prominent leaders, including Amarjit Singh Asal, Lakhbir Singh Nizampur, Rattan Singh Randhawa, Jagtar Singh Karmapura, Balbir Singh Mudhal, Vijay Kapoor and Satnam Singh Jhander, among others.