CPI(ML) Organises Tricolour March Against Attacks on Freedom and the Constitution

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Indian Republic on January 26, CPI(ML) organised Tricolour March across the country to resist ongoing attacks on the Constitution and the values of freedom, equality, and social justice. The march saw the participation of thousands of party workers and citizens, with collective recitations of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution taking place at all event locations. This march was part of the larger ‘Save Constitution’ campaign that has been running for the past two months, where plaques bearing the Preamble of the Constitution have been installed across various parts of the state. The campaign aims to raise awareness about preserving the Constitution's core values and protecting democracy and social justice.

Bihar

In Darbhanga (Bihar), CPI(ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya, Politburo member Dhirendra Jha, Legislative Council member Shashi Yadav, National General Secretary of RYA Neeraj Kumar, CPIML MLA from Agiaon Shivprakash Ranjan, Insaaf Manch leader Neyaz Ahmed, and AISA leader Prasanjeet led the Tricolour March.

Speaking at the event, Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya emphasised that Republic Day serves as a reminder to recommit to defending the Constitution, freedom, equality, fraternity, and socialist values. He criticised the current government for attempting to remove secular and socialist principles from the Constitution’s Preamble, accusing the Modi administration of eroding the Constitution bit by bit. "These attacks on the Constitution must be resisted, and young people must step forward to safeguard our democracy and Constitution," Comrade Dipankar said.

In the state capital, Patna, CPI(ML) state secretary Comrade Kunal and senior leader Comrade KD Yadav unfurled the national flag at the party's state and legislative offices, where the Preamble was also read out. This programme was replicated at nearly all party offices and legislators' residences.

A special event was also organised at the Fasiya Martyrs’ Memorial in Patna City, where hundreds of people gathered for a Tricolour March from the GPO Golambar. Participants, carrying the national flag and images of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, included many party leaders, workers, and ordinary citizens.

In addition to Patna, several districts such as Gaya, Jehanabad, Arwal, Pali Ganj, and Fatuha also witnessed the installation of Preamble plaques. Tricolour marches were organised in districts like Buxar, Bhojpur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Nawada, East Champaran, West Champaran, Khagaria, Rohtas, Siwan, and Saharsa, among others.

In the Ghosi area, CPI(ML) MLA Ram Bli Singh Yadav led the installation of plaques bearing the Preamble in 37 government schools.

At Belhadiya Mor in Tikari, a plaque was installed with the support of local villagers, who enthusiastically participated in the event. Similarly, in Arwal, MLA Mahanand Singh and the party committee unveiled a large plaque at the block premises, while announcing plans for a park in memory of freedom fighters.

In Pali Ganj's Balipankad, local MLA Sandeep Saurabh led the installation of a plaque at Shabari Bhawan. In Fatuha, MLA Gopal Ravidas inaugurated a plaque at Adhpa village, while MLA Shivprakash Ranjan unveiled another at Khedi village.
CPI(ML) has declared that the ‘Save Constitution’ campaign will continue across the state. The party has stressed that the need for a strong people’s movement to protect the fundamental principles of the Constitution has never been more urgent.

Uttar Pradesh

Tricolour Marches were organised across Uttar Pradesh on January 26 as part of the Save Constitution Campaign. The campaign, which began on 26th November (Constitution Day), saw party workers and citizens reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the Indian Constitution. The march was accompanied by flag-hoisting ceremonies, rallies, and collective readings of the Preamble of the Constitution.

In Lucknow's BKT region, a public gathering at the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Chatura Bagh marked the occasion. The event featured the collective recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution, with CPI(ML) state secretary Comrade Sudhakar Yadav condemning the attacks on the Constitution and democracy under the Modi government. Comrade Sudhakar pointed out how Prime Minister Modi had handed over India’s resources to corporate allies like Adani and Ambani, and how opposition leaders were being labelled as traitors and jailed for protesting against government policies. He further accused the government of trying to replace Dr. Ambedkar's Constitution with the Manusmriti and condemned Home Minister Amit Shah for his derogatory remarks about Ambedkar.

In Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, another ceremony was held at the statue of Chandra Shekhar Azad, where party leaders and workers celebrated Republic Day and pledged their commitment to safeguarding the Constitution. The event also featured a cultural programme, including dance, songs, and poetry competitions by children in Rani Pur.

In Allahabad, AISA (All India Students Association) organized a ‘Reclaim the Republic’ march on the eve of Republic Day. The march began from the student union building at Allahabad University and culminated at Chandra Shekhar Azad Park. The protesters raised slogans against attacks on the Constitution, communalism, capitalism, feudalism, casteism, and patriarchy. AISA state president Manish Kumar spoke about how the BJP government was systematically undermining the Constitution, leading to increasing unemployment, rising inequality, and the commercialization of education. Student leaders emphasized the need to protect education rights, including the fight against the privatization of education under the new National Education Policy.

The march also highlighted the growing attacks on Dalits and marginalized communities. In Gorkhpur, CPI(ML) district secretary Comrade Rakesh Singh led a Tricolour March in Narai Chhappar, while in Maharajganj, the party held flag-hoisting ceremonies and pledge-taking events in Sonbarsa and two other villages.

In Azamgarh, a march and meeting were organized, led by Comrade Jayprakash Narayan (Kisan Mahasabha) and Comrade Vinod Singh. They condemned the RSS's long-standing disdain for the Indian Constitution, emphasizing that the party was actively working to replace it with the Manusmriti.

In Ballia, a 4-kilometre Tricolour March was led by state committee member Omprakash Singh and district committee member Lachhman Yadav. Similar marches and events were held across districts, including Rajgarh, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra.

The party also organised a march in Jalaun's Urai, where Comrade Rajiv Kushwaha (district secretary, CPI(ML)) led the flag-hoisting event, and a solidarity event in the domestic workers’ colony in Varanasi, led by AIPWA state secretary Comrade Kusum Verma.

Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur, a gathering was organised where the Preamble of the Constitution was read aloud, reaffirming the party’s commitment to defending democracy and the Constitution.

District Secretary Lalit Matyali spoke about the importance of the Constitution’s Preamble, explaining that it lays the foundation for establishing a better democracy. He reminded the attendees that on this day, 26th January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution and declared the establishment of democracy in India. He emphasized that the principles enshrined in the Preamble guide us toward a more equitable democracy. As the country celebrates its 76th Republic Day, he called for a commitment to protect the Constitution rather than simply celebrating it, as the current government is systematically undermining democratic institutions. He criticized the Modi government for attempting to remove key words like 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble, advocating instead for a capitalist, one-religion state. Such a move, he warned, would be catastrophic for the country’s working class, Dalits, women, and minorities.

Rudrapur unit secretary Advocate Amandeep Kaur emphasized the responsibility of every citizen to understand and spread the meaning of the words in the Constitution’s Preamble. She cautioned that the current government's agenda poses significant threats to the freedoms and rights afforded by the Constitution. Referencing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s foresight, Amandeep Kaur noted that the Constitution guarantees equal rights to people of all religions, castes, genders, and regions, which is under threat by the government's actions.

Jharkhand

At the Mahendra Singh Bhavan in Ranchi a flag hoisting ceremony was organised on the Republic day taking firm pledge to resist the growing threats to the Constitution and democracy in the country, especially the rising influence of the Manuvadi mindset. The ceremony was conducted by Comrade Anita Devi, State President of the Rasoiya Sangh and member of the Party’s State Committee. The event included the reading of the Constitution's Preamble, and tributes were paid to all the freedom fighters and political and social revolutionaries who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

The event was attended by CPI(ML) State Secretary Manoj Bhakt, Central Committee member Shuvendu Sen, State Committee members R.N. Singh, Ravindra Bhuiyan, Mohan Dutta, Nandita Bhattacharya, Shanti Sen, Aiti Sen, and many other leaders and party workers. In Dhanbad, a Save Constitution Pledge Day was organised under the ongoing Johar Jharkhand Sankalp Abhiyan. Led by District Secretary Comrade Binda Paswan, a march was held starting from Randhir Verma Chowk, proceeding towards Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chowk and the DRM Office. The marchers first paid tribute to the towering statue of Dr. Ambedkar by offering garlands and flowers, and then proceeded with the collective reading of the Constitution’s Preamble.

Addressing the gathering, CPI(ML) State Committee Member Comrade Hari Prasad Pappu and District Secretary Comrade Binda Paswan condemned the anti-constitutional and anti-people policies of the central government. They highlighted that only through public mobilization and resistance can we halt the attacks on the Constitution. The speakers also pointed out the privatization of national enterprises, which is being done to benefit a few capitalist cronies, with the government’s assistance. To divert attention from these issues, the government has been stirring communal tensions and making derogatory remarks against Dr. Ambedkar to keep their looting empire unchallenged.

West Bengal

At the North 24 Parganas district office in West Bengal, the 75th Republic Day was celebrated with a poignant reading of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, accompanied by a brief cultural programme and flag-hoisting ceremony. Senior CPI(ML) leader, Comrade Jayanti Dasgupta, hoisted the national flag, addressing the assembly with a powerful message about the importance of preserving India’s secular and democratic values in the face of growing challenges.

"The Constitution guarantees freedom, equality, and fraternity for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, caste, or gender," said Comrade Jayanti. She further added that Constitution is not just a document; it is a living promise that belongs to the people. It is our duty to ensure that its values are upheld, especially when those in power try to undermine them.

The gathering took a firm pledge to resist the growing threats to the Constitution and democracy in the country, especially the rising influence of the Manuvadi mindset.

As part of the Save Constitution campaign, rallies and preamble reading events were also organised in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka and Rajasthan among others. The participants committed to intensifying the struggle for the ideals enshrined in the Preamble of India’s Constitution, which envisions a socialist, secular, democratic republic and upholds economic, social, and political equality.