Report

Excerpts from the speech of Dipankar Bhattacharya at the protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill organized by AIMPLB at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on March 17, 2025.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has been unilaterally brought in by the BJP government to further target the collective identity and dignity of the Muslims in the country. Despite dissent note sent by all opposition members, the Joint Parliamentary Committee has recently adopted the bill. Just like today’s Bulldozer Raj, the Waqf Amendment Bill is being bulldozed on us.

The law and order situation in Bihar has completely collapsed. Criminals operate with impunity, mobs lynch innocents, and the government remains a mute spectator. CPI(ML) Bihar State Secretary Kunal has stated that the state government has entirely failed to maintain governance. The BJP’s politics of hate is fuelling riots and violence across the state.

The CPI(ML) organised a statewide protest in Uttar Pradesh on 21 March against violent casteist and communal attacks that took place on the day of Holi (14 March 2025). The protests were marked by demonstrations across multiple districts, condemning the atrocities and demanding justice for the victims.

At the all-party meeting convened by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on the question of the proposed delimitation, CPIML emphasised on retaining the existing political representation of the states to strengthen federalism and democracy.

The decadal census due in the year 2021 was deferred by the BJP government citing reasons of COVID and the consequent lockdown. Now, the union government has proposed a census by 2026 and subsequent delimitation of constituencies based on the population of each state.

On 21 March, a Palestine solidarity protest was organised at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding an immediate end to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza. The protest saw participation from CPI(ML), CPI(M), other left parties, student organisations, and progressive groups, all expressing their steadfast solidarity with the people of Gaza and the Palestinian struggle for liberation.

In a shocking display of lawlessness, Bihar witnessed a surge in brutal feudal violence against Dalits, backward castes, and women during the Holi festival. CPI(ML) State Secretary Kunal has condemned the widespread attacks, stating that the government has completely abdicated its responsibility to ensure law and order. While crime rates have generally escalated, the most vulnerable sections of society have been disproportionately targeted.

After a five-year hiatus, student council elections finally returned to Delhi based Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) marking a pivotal moment in the revival of student democracy. Yet, what should have been a celebration of participatory governance was marred by severe administrative irregularities, arbitrary rule changes, and blatant violations of electoral norms. The AUD Student Union Elections were held on February 27.

A delegation of CPI(ML) legislators met with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Legislative Council on 6th March 2025 —, presenting a five-point memorandum of demands The memorandum primarily demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement reached during the Mahagathbandhan government in August 2023, which promised an increase in ASHA workers' honorarium to Rs. 2,500. Additional demands included raising the honorarium of mid-day meal cooks, increasing old age and widow pensions to Rs.

During the discussion on the Manipur budget in Lok Sabha, CPIML Member of Parliament Raja Ram Singh strongly denounced the Prime Minister’s silence on the violence and suffering of people in Manipur. He said that that policies that divide people based on region or language for political gain might be temporarily beneficial for power but are ultimately detrimental to national unity, integrity, and constitutional states. The ruling party and its government must reflect on this.

Under the collective banner of the INDIA Alliance Student Organisation, AISA and other prominent student groups including NSUI, SFI, AISF, MSF, Samajwadi Chhatrasabha, and CRJD convened a joint press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi on 8th March 2025. The conference served as a powerful denunciation of the Modi government’s relentless assault on the education system and the future of India's youth.