Speech by Dipankar Bhattacharya at CPI(M) 24th Party Congress
Comrades, Friends, and Fellow Fighters for Democracy and Justice,
We gather here at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. The dream of an egalitarian India—where democracy is not just a ritual, but a lived experience—is under siege. The forces of fascism, backed by corporate power, are dismantling our democratic institutions, suppressing dissent, and waging war on the rights of the people.
The Assault on Indigenous Communities and Political Opponents
As we assemble here today, an undeclared war is being waged against the Adivasi people and democratic activists. Since the BJP’s return to power in 2023, hundreds have been targeted, including more than 100 women, in brutal state operations. This is not just an attack on Maoism or Naxalism, but a full-fledged ideological assault on anyone who dares to resist this regime.
The government is using extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests to silence voices of opposition. The same pattern of state repression will be repeated across India unless we rise to challenge it. We demand an immediate halt to these killings, the unconditional release of all political prisoners, and an end to the systematic criminalization of dissent.
The Rise of Islamophobia and the Threat to Secularism
Islamophobia has become an undeclared core principle of governance in India today. The state, under the guise of the Uniform Civil Code and other discriminatory policies, is systematically targeting the Muslim community. At the same time, state-sponsored private militias and mobs are attacking mosques, demolishing Muslim homes, and erasing historical and cultural symbols.
This has escalated from mob lynching to bulldozer justice, where the state itself orchestrates and celebrates violence. We must recognize that this is not just about one community—it is an attack on the very fabric of India’s secular and democratic foundations. The so-called Uniform Civil Code is not about uniformity; it is a tool to dismantle pluralism and constitutional freedoms.
Defending Social Justice and Constitutional Rights
Our battle today is not only for democracy but for social justice. The demand for caste-based reservations, the implementation of a caste census, and the empowerment of women must be at the center of our struggle. Electoral equality is meaningless without social and economic equality. We must resist every attempt to dilute the rights of Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized communities.
At the same time, we must confront the growing attacks on individual freedoms. The state is trying to control personal choices—who we love, how we live, what we eat. This is not just authoritarianism; it is a calculated effort to destroy the very essence of a democratic society.
The Call for a United Resistance
This is not a time for fragmented struggles. The Left, progressive forces, democratic institutions, and mass movements must come together in an unyielding resistance against fascism. We must mobilize for education, employment, healthcare, and land rights. We must reclaim the economy from corporate plunder and put it back in the hands of the people.
This Party Congress must serve as a rallying cry for all those who refuse to be silenced. We must forge a people’s movement that is self-reliant, bold, and unafraid to challenge the fascist order.
Comrades, the time is now. We will not be mere spectators to the destruction of our democracy. We will fight, we will resist, and we will reclaim our Republic!
Lal Salaam! Forward to Victory!
