Demands immediate withdrawal of false cases against Sitaram Yechuri, other intellectuals
CPI (M) activists held protest demonstrations across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday against the charge sheet filed against the party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and other leaders by Delhi police, ongoing restrictions on 4G mobile internet and other issues. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the anti-people and repressive policies of the BJP government.
As part of nationwide protests against obnoxious action by the Delhi Police, CPI (M) activists protested at Press Colony in Srinagar. Similar protest was held outside Divisional Commissioners’ office in Jammu, at Anantnag, Kulgam and other parts of J&K against naming Sitaram Yechury, renowned economist Jayati Ghosh, Delhi University professor Apoorvanand, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav and documentary filmmaker Rahul Roy in the supplementary charge sheet in the Delhi riots case by Delhi police.
This is in line with the growing pattern of the most blatant abuse of the Police and other central agencies like CBI, NIA and ED to frame prominent opponents and demonise them. The pattern includes slapping of provisions of draconian NSA, UAPA and Sedition Act to harass and incarcerate those who vigorously oppose blatant misuse of powers by the government contrary to that as ordained by the Constitution.
The protesters condemned the false charges against prominent political leadership, academics, cultural personalities and activists and demanded that their names should be withdrawn from the charge sheet immediately. No condemnation is strong enough for this act of crude partisanship and vengeance.
The CPI (M) activists rued that it was unfortunate that people of Jammu and Kashmir were being deprived of 4G mobile internet services and demanded the ban should be immediately lifted.
The CPI (M) also strongly demanded unconditional release of all political prisoners who are incarcerating in cases under trumped up charges since August 5 last year. The administration must desist from harassing the youth unnecessarily and stop indiscriminate arrests.
The protesters also demanded that the government should provide cash transfer of Rs. 7500/- to all artisans and non-income tax paying households including unorganized labour (registered or unregistered).
The Centre should stop “the loot of national assets, privatisation of the public sector and the scrapping of labour laws.”
There is also need for introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) as it can save the fruit growers and agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities, they demanded.(KNS)