CPIML Campaign against Increasing Oppression Under Yogi-Raj in UP

The CPIML Uttar Pradesh unit carried out a campaign from 14 to 20 July 2020 against the increasing oppression against dalits and adivasis, repression against activists, and escalating crime under the Yogi government, and for the protection of democracy and justice. During the campaign 19 July was dedicated to the demand for release of Dr Kafeel Khan incarcerated in Mathura Jail under NSA.

The Kanpur killing of 8 police personnel including a DSP is proof of the shattered law and order situation as well as the criminal-political nexus under the Yogi government. The criminals protected by the government are bursting with confidence. They are killing and assaulting adivasis, dalits, women and weaker sections of society without fear of punishment. Either no FIR is registered or if it is, no action is taken. The sexual assault on dalit CPIML leader Jeera Bharti in Mirzapur is proof of this. This government protects criminals and targets activists, especially anti-CAA activists and CPIML leaders.

Some of the main demands of the campaign are: end oppression of dalits, adivasis and women and render justice in these cases; stop police repression against protesters and activists and withdraw false cases against them; end Jungle Raj and restore democracy; rations, employment and Rs 10000 Lockdown Allowance per month for all families outside the income tax ambit. State Secretary Sudhakar Yadav said that any government should step down unless it can ensure fulfillment of the above demands.

The campaign reached hundreds of villages in dozens of Districts. In Azamgarh a protest at the Collectorate against the capture of a public road by dominant forces was also held during the campaign. Activists campaigned on foot and bicycles and discussed the people’s issues. They found that along with a sense of hopelessness there is also great anger against the government.

In Ghazipur a dharna was held at Tulsi Sagar Lanka and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park. A farmers’ rally was organized to protest against the forcible land acquisition for the mau-Tadighat Rail project.

A dharna and meeting were held in Sonbhadra District to observe the anniversary of the Umbha massacre of adivasis. The people of the District evinced anger at the open protection and patronization given by the government to the mining mafia.

In Chakiya Block Chandauli protests were held to demand the inclusion of Panchayat member Mahendra Rao’s name in the FIR registered for parading and beating women at Gayaghat. A march was organized to the Mughalserai Collectorate and a memorandum was submitted.

The campaign was also carried out at Ballia, Maharajganj, Mau, Devariya, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Allahabad, Lucknow, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheeri, Pilibhit, Jalaun, Mathura and other Districts. Leading the campaign across the State were State Secretary Sudhakar Yadav, Ram Pyare Ram, Ishwari Prasad Kushwaha, Shashikant Kushwaha, Anil Paswan, Shriram Chaudhury and others.