CPI(Maoist) condemns the persecution of Muslims in Karnataka
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has published a statement condemning the decision of the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party; People’s Party of India] Karnataka state government led by Chief Minister Bommai to increase the religious persecution of Muslims in the state of Karnataka, southwest India. With elections coming up, the Bommai government recently made a decision to move Muslims from the category “Other backward classes – OCB” to the “Economically weaker section – EWS” category. In India, these categories affect for example quotas in education and government jobs. In this case, the quota was given to the Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes. Therefore, this decision will weaken the possibilities of the Muslim population to for example access education in the benefit of the Lingayats and Vokkaligas. CPI (Maoist) states that it is clear that this decision is to target Muslims specifically and means to make them second class citizens.
“In Karnataka BJP is facing innumerable corruption charges that is fuming people’s anger against the BJP government in the state. Also, the Modi’s anti people, anti- farmer and pro Adani and Ambani [Indian billionaires] policies has alienated the people from their life. To cover all its failures, BJP in Karnataka is hiding behind the bush of communalism and appeasement of Lingayats and Vokkaligas castes by allotting them quota of 2 percent reservation each. But, the people of Karnataka are not going to be deceived by this Neo divide and rule policy of the BJP and majority of the people even from the Lingayats and Vokkaligas are opposing this ill desired act of the Bommai government.”
The election for the State Assembly is coming up in Karnataka. The hindu-nationalist BJP has never been able to win majority there, and is now desperate for votes.
“CC of CPI (Maoist) party gave call to all democratic and mass organizations, women’s, workers, peasants, students, intellectuals, Dalits and minorities organizations in Karnataka and all over India to Protest against the BJP decision to remove Muslims from the OBC reservation in Karnataka. Today they have done in Karnataka and tomorrow they are going to do in all the states of India. Comrades and friends, we should remember that future lies in the present and our silence will lead to our own grave. In order to overcome such situation it is pertinent that we should build a militant a mass movement.”
