From Gaza to Kashmir: CPI(M) Blasts Modi Govt’s Foreign Policy, Security Failures, and Economic Inequality

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist), at its first Central Committee meeting after the 24th Party Congress, launched a scathing critique of the Modi government, accusing it of exploiting national tragedies for political gain, stoking communal divisions, surrendering economic sovereignty, and eroding democratic institutions. The three-day meeting, held from June 3 to 5 at HKS Surjeet Bhavan in New Delhi, concluded with a strongly worded communique that touched on a wide range of pressing political and social issues.

The CPI(M) condemned what it described as the “continuing Israeli genocide” in Gaza, characterising it as an attempt to annihilate and annex the Palestinian territory. It called on the Indian government to immediately halt arms exports to Israel, sever military and security ties, and return to India's longstanding position in support of a two-state solution. The party declared full solidarity with the Palestinian people and announced nationwide protests against Israeli actions.

The party expressed deep concern over the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, praising the unity and protests by the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the violence. However, it accused the BJP and affiliated Hindutva forces of using the tragedy to further a divisive hate campaign against Muslims and Kashmiris. CPI(M) slammed the Modi government for politicising Operation Sindoor, alleging that the Prime Minister's speeches in Bihar and West Bengal used the military action for electoral mileage. The party criticised the government's claims of normalcy in Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation, stating that the continuing attacks revealed deep security lapses. It demanded accountability for the failure to apprehend the perpetrators and called for an approach that combines security with political and diplomatic measures to tackle terrorism.

The party also questioned the government's silence on U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Washington brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. CPI(M) rejected any form of foreign intervention in bilateral matters and viewed this as a threat to India’s sovereignty. It condemned the government for refusing to convene a special session of Parliament to debate the terror attack and its aftermath, accusing the Prime Minister of choosing jingoistic public appearances over democratic debate.

The Central Committee criticised the BJP/RSS for intensifying communal polarisation, particularly targeting Muslims and Bengali-speaking migrant workers under the guise of identifying “illegal immigrants.” It denounced hate campaigns, especially those targeting the families of victims, military spokespersons, and diplomats, and accused the government of tacitly endorsing this by remaining silent. The communique also slammed sections of the mainstream media for spreading “jingoistic, communal venom,” and said state agencies were being weaponized to silence dissenting voices, warning that such moves reflect the government’s “neo-fascistic” character.

On the economic front, the CPI(M) accused the Modi government of concealing the stark inequalities in the Indian economy by trumpeting its projected rise to the world’s fourth-largest economy. The party highlighted the gap in per capita income compared to countries like Japan and pointed to worsening conditions for workers, farmers, and small enterprises. It attacked the privatisation of key sectors like defence, nuclear power, and mining, calling them threats to national sovereignty. The party also criticised moves to allow foreign players in nuclear energy and arms manufacturing, and raised concerns over Elon Musk’s Starlink project, citing potential national security implications.

The CPI(M) warned that upcoming trade deals, including the Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States and the Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom, were being negotiated in secrecy and without regard for the interests of Indian farmers, workers, MSMEs, and the pharmaceutical sector. The party reiterated its opposition to all such agreements and demanded transparency and public consultation.

The party also addressed the delay in conducting the general and caste censuses, now scheduled for 2027, and demanded that the government convene an all-party meeting to ensure transparency in the process. It criticised the central government for challenging a recent Supreme Court judgement on governors’ powers and saw it as an attack on federalism.

Asserting its position ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections in October, CPI(M) announced that it had begun consultations with other Left and secular opposition parties to defeat the BJP and its allies. The Central Committee expressed full support for the nationwide general strike called by trade unions on July 9, alongside protests by farmers and agricultural workers. It urged its units to mobilise in large numbers for the strike.

The CPI(M) also raised alarm over the unseasonal floods in the Northeast, which have killed more than 36 people and displaced over 500,000. It demanded urgent intervention and comprehensive relief measures from the central government.

As part of its future plans, the party announced a week-long nationwide campaign in June against terrorism, war mongering, and communal hatred, using the Pahalgam incident as a focal point. A high-level party delegation led by General Secretary M.A. Baby will visit Kashmir on June 10 and 11 to assess the situation and express solidarity with the people. The CPI(M) will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency with a campaign to defend democracy and expose the role of the RSS during that period.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of the new Central Secretariat comprising M.A. Baby, B.V. Raghavulu, Muralidharan, Rajendra Sharma, K. Hemalata, Vikram Singh, and K.N. Umesh. The CPI(M) has signalled that it will continue to challenge the government on multiple fronts, from foreign policy and federalism to economic justice and civil liberties.