Kerala

Mobilise secular forces, says Karat

KOTTAYAM: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat has called for mobilising secular, anti-imperialist forces to fight communalism and neo-colonialism.

Speaking on the occasion of bestowing the first T.K. Memorial Prize on historian K.N. Panikkar here on Saturday, the CPI(M) leader stressed the need for a new platform to present an alternative pro-people economic policy framework and pursue truly secular policies.

Taking a critical look at the policies of the United Progressive Alliance government, he said that as long as the Left supported the government, it could block moves to open up the banking and insurance sectors.

Soon after the confidence vote, the UPA government released the Rs.2,40,000-crore Provident Fund to share market, he said. This proved that the Left could block such actions earlier.

UPA constituents believe that the nation could develop by collaborating with colonial forces. However, the fight against colonialism and secularism goes hand in hand. Any party which compromises on its fight against colonialism would not be able to oppose communalism, he said.

According to Mr. Karat, the policies being pursued by the UPA will only help to increase discontent in society and make things easier for communal forces.

This was evident from the election results in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Karnataka, he said.

Referring to India-U.S. strategic cooperation, Mr. Karat said many pro-imperialists believed that national sovereignty had no relevance and that “it was a 19th century concept.”

The policy initiatives followed by the UPA government would erode national sovereignty — which also meant the loss of capacity for independent decision-making in economic matters.

K.T. Thomas, former Supreme Court judge, presided over the function. Minister for Public Works Mons Joseph, Ninan Koshy, social activist, and Mr. Panikkar spoke.

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