Babri Demolition Anniversary: Left Parties March, Emphasise Need to Save Constitution

As the BJP drives the Ram Mandir agenda, and communal tension continues to grip the country, on 26th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, Left parties led a symbolic march in the national capital to assert their commitment to the values inscribed in the Indian Constitution.

The march that commenced from Mandi House in central Delhi was led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), joined by CPI, CPI (ML) Liberation, All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP). As they marched, holding each others’ hands, the women chanted, ‘Gai Gobar ki rajneeti nahi chalegi’ – referring to the politics over cow slaughter and mob lynchings.

Speaking to Newsclick, Brinda Karat, politburo member of the CPI(M) said, “This day is extremely symbolic. Besides it being the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, it is also the death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. So, today is the day to reflect on our commitment to the values of the constitution.”

She added, “The biggest threat to India currently is not coming from anywhere else, but from its own central government. India can be saved only when the BJP is out of power.”

Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the CPI(M), said, “The BJP has been using religion as a political plank for decades now. Once their jumlas (false promises) stand exposed, they are evoking religious sentiments.”

Speaking about the Bulandshahr incident, Yechury said, “Ye BJP ki gandi rajneeti ka udaharan hai, ye UP main khud ke police officer ko nahi bachapaye. (This is an example of the crude politics of the BJP; they (BJP) could not save its own police officer from the mob.”

As the nation gears up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the leaders asserted that the secular fabric of the India is in the need of conscious safeguarding from the communal forces.

Mariam Dhawale of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) said, “We have gathered here to assert our commitment to save our nation from the communal forces. They (BJP) are dismantling all institutions; they have not adhered to the orders of the Supreme Court, they are challenging and diluting independent institutions, and are thriving on the politics of hate by creating a polarisation among the people of the country and viciating the atmosphere in hopes of capitalising their own vote banks.”

Every year, on the anniversary of the demolition of the mosque, the Left parties and progressive groups observe a black day. Speaking to Newsclick, senior journalist cum activist John Dayal, said, “The agitation is not new, but it is more relevant than ever before, given the political crisis in India. A strong opposition to it will only come from the unity of the common people of this country.”  

KM Tewari, Delhi Secretary of CPI (M), said, “Left parties ki taraf se poora zor lagraha hai communal aur fascist takaton ko rokne ke liye, jis tarah se ye log samvidhaan ko tod-marod rahe hai woh nahi chalega, hum appeal karna chahte hain iss desh ke logon se ki woh iss sarkaar ko rokein.” (The left parties are attempting their best to stop the communal and fascist forces from thriving; the BJP government is arm twisting the constitution and this must be stopped. We appeal to the people of this country to stop this government.)”