People's Democracy
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
No. 31
August 01, 2004
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|
Vol.
XXVIII
No. 31 August 01, 2004 |
CPI(M)
Protests Mumbai
The
Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following
statement on July 24, 2004.
THE
Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its strong
disagreement with the Mumbai High Court verdict ordering two political parties
to pay compensation for a bandh they had called. The right to dissent and to
organise voluntary protest actions are inherent and inalienable rights of the
people in a democratic polity, which are enshrined in the Indian constitution.
If
such rights are curbed and are stifled, either by courts or by executive
intervention, it will only encourage the forces that stand for autocratic rule
of violence. In case of violation of existing laws, action can be taken against
the perpetrators as per the provisions.
The
Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) urges upon the central government to pass necessary
legislation to protect the rights of the people. The right to organise strikes,
bandhs or hartals were enjoyed by the Indian people even during British rule.
