Communist Party of India (Marxist) presides anti-imperialist march

The Left Front and its allied leftist parties called for an anti-war march on the occasion of Anti-War Day. 

The march started from the Lenin statue in Dharmatala and ended at Mahajati Sadan. The leftist leadership spoke at Dharmatala before the march began. The meeting was presided over by CPI(M) Kolkata District Secretary Kallol Majumdar.

At the meeting, CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Selim said, 'This disaster has been going on for the last few days. Even so, people have come. Those who are against war have united today. Day after day, America is committing genocide in West Asia. Somewhere, Israel and Saudi Arabia are helping the United States.'

He said, 'Since the time of independence, our country has been against imperialism and in favour of the liberation movement. They divide people in the name of religion. Many people ask why this solidarity marches. When the British opened fire at Jallianwala Bagh, Rabindranath Tagore held a march in Kolkata. It is our tradition to show solidarity with the struggle for the people's movement.'

Salim said, 'War is not a solution, it increases the problem. I would rather not increase our problem. There is a war in Iran and our fuel prices are increasing. The Modi government is currently opening our agricultural market to America. Those who are fighting against this imperialism are our friends. In the past, we have seen that our country favoured Palestine. Now Modi has moved away from that position. So, the message we are giving is that what Modi is saying is not our foreign policy.' 

Targeting the current BJP government, Salim said, 'Putting the world before your name does not make you a world guru. You have to work for the peace and welfare of the world. That peace has to be established in your country, your neighbours, and the world. Our country is in favour of the Panchashil principle. It has taught the message of peace of Gautam Buddha.'

CPI's state secretary Swapan Banerjee said, 'Innumerable people are losing their lives due to imperialist aggression. The US imperialist power is expanding across Asia. They want to plunder natural resources.' RSP general secretary Manoj Chakraborty said, 'Today is a special day. The Modi government is ending the country's foreign policy and supporting imperialist powers.'

Forward Bloc leader Sajib Chatterjee, CPI(M-L) Liberation leader Kartik Pal, SUCI State Secretary Chandidas Bhattacharya have also spoken at the meeting.