People Must Unite to Safeguard the Country’s Federal Structure: Comrade Bant Brar
-Modi Government Must Abandon Pro-Corporate Policies and Immediately Resolve Punjab’s Fundamental Issues: Hardev Arshi
-Vigorous Protest March Against Central and State Governments Follows Successful CPI District-Level Convention in Faridkot…
Faridkot, May 31 (Alexander D’Souza): “The manner in which the Modi-led Central Government is tampering with the country’s Constitution-and establishing an authoritarian regime by misusing the ED, CBI, other investigative agencies, and the Election Commission of India-poses a monumental challenge for all citizens.”
These remarks were made today by Comrade Bant Singh Brar, a National Council Member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and its former State Secretary, while addressing the party’s district-level convention at the local ‘Shaheed Comrade Amolak Singh Aulakh Bhawan.’
‘Attempt to Divert Attention by Spreading Communal Poison’:
Addressing the convention specifically, Comrade Hardev Arshi-a National Council Member and former MLA-stated that, acting under pressure from the corporate sector, the Modi government has driven unemployment and inflation to record-high levels during its 12-year tenure. Consequently, earning a livelihood has become an arduous task for laborers and small traders.
He alleged that “communal poison” is being injected into the country to divert public attention away from the growing unrest among the people; he cited the restrictions imposed on the Muslim community in BJP-ruled states during Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) as a prime example of this trend.
Centre Must Resolve Punjab’s Fundamental Issues:
Comrade Arshi asserted that the Central Government is making desperate attempts to dismantle the country’s federal structure. He demanded that the Modi government immediately resolve Punjab’s fundamental issues, which include:
Safeguarding Punjab’s water resources.
Collecting payment for the water currently being supplied to other states.
Immediately handing over the capital city, Chandigarh, to Punjab. Restoration of Punjab’s share in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which had been curtailed.
Speaking on this occasion, District Executive Secretary Prem Chawla stated that the rights secured by the country’s working class through prolonged struggles are now being dismantled at the behest of corporate interests.
Key Resolutions and Demands Passed at the Convention:
During the convention, several significant resolutions were passed against both the Central and Punjab governments:
Workers’ Wages: A demand was raised to the Punjab government to increase the minimum wage for workers to ₹30,000 per month.
Pensions and Allowances: The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) must be restored immediately. Furthermore, in compliance with the orders of the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, employees and pensioners should be granted a 60% Dearness Allowance (DA) on par with Central Government employees, and the practice of misleading the Court must cease.
MGNREGA and Inflation: Demands were made to the Central Government to restore the original MGNREGA scheme, curb inflation, and immediately roll back the hiked prices of petrol and diesel.
Family of the Late Comrade Smitter Singh Brar Honored
During the convention, the memory of the late Comrade Smitter Singh Brar from Lande village was evoked. His family members—pensioner leader Pradeep Singh Brar and Principal Gurdeep Kaur Brar-were specially honored.
35th Martyrdom Anniversary to be Observed on June 7th:
Communist leaders announced that, as is the tradition every year, the 35th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Comrade Amolak Singh Aulakh and his six comrades will be observed with full revolutionary fervor on June 7th in Aulakh village, by paying tribute to their sacrifice.
Slogans Resound Amidst Red Flags; March Concludes at Bhai Ghanaiya Chowk:
Following the conclusion of the convention, a massive protest march was organized against the anti-poor policies of the ruling powers and against inflation. Holding red flags aloft, activists raised spirited slogans. This march proceeded through various markets of the city and concluded upon reaching Bhai Ghanaiya Chowk.
The following prominent leaders were present:
The convention was addressed by Comrade Gurnam Singh Mani Singh Wala (District President, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha), Sukhjinder Singh Tumbarbhan (District President, All India Kisan Sabha), Comrade Veer Singh Kamiana (NREGA Union), Gora Singh Pipli, pensioner leader Harpal Singh Machaki, Kulwant Singh Chani, Gurcharan Singh Mann, outsourced employees’ leader Balkar Singh Sahota, and NREGA leader Lovepreet Kaur Pipli.
Present on this occasion-alongside a large number of NREGA workers and agricultural laborers from various villages-were former Sarpanch Jagtar Singh Bhana, Mukhtiar Singh Bhana, Gurdeep Singh Deep Singh Wala, Bohad Singh Aulakh, Resham Singh Jatana, Jaswant Singh Nikka Aulakh, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Jagtar Singh Pappi Rajo Wala, Harvinder Sharma, Som Nath Arora, Nahar Singh Gill, Sukhdev Singh Malli, Shivinder Pal Singh Sandhu, farmer leader Jatinder Singh, Major Singh Johal, Iqbal Singh Ran Singh Wala, Amarjit Singh Kaler, Jaswinder Singh Deep Singh Wala, and Satnam Singh Sirsari.
News: 31-2
Photo: Images of the convention and protest march.
