CPI-M warns of democratic backslide in IIOJK, harassment of Bengali Muslims
New Delhi: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has sounded an alarm over what it calls a “deepening assault” on democracy and secularism under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Indian government.
In this regard, it cited repression in Jammu and Kashmir, targeted harassment of Bengali-speaking Muslims, and a broader erosion of citizens’ rights across the country. The party also condemned RSS chief’s attempts to incite communal passions in the country.
Issuing a detailed statement after its Central Committee met in New Delhi from September 13–15, the CPI-M accused the government of combining authoritarian governance, communal polarisation, and pro-corporate economic policies in ways that are “tearing at the fabric of the republic.”
The party said the occupied Jammu and Kashmir remained a vivid example of the shrinking democratic space. According to the communique, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration has been “systematically undermining” the functioning of the elected state government, putting hurdles to discharge of its mandate.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has been directly ruled from New Delhi, with elected representatives sidelined and civic freedoms curtailed, the party said.
The communique expressed alarm over “targeted attacks on Bengali-speaking people, particularly Bengali Muslims,” in the wake of “Operation Sindoor” launched against Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack.
The CPI-M said that police and local administrations in several BJP-governed states were branding Bengalis as “Bangladeshis” without due verification of their documents.
“Many are being detained, tortured, or even forcibly pushed back across the border, including Indian citizens,” it said, calling the drive “a direct outcome of the Indian government’s xenophobic politics.”
