D. Raja calls for the strengthening of the communist movement in India

CPI National General Secretary D. Raja at the Ernakulam Town Hall on Monday during the birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister PK Vasudevan Nair. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

The country is going through a difficult period where right-wing communal forces are trying to redefine Indian nationhood. Such fascist forces pose a serious threat to the Indian constitution, D. Raja, national general secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), said here on Monday.

People must fight such forces unitedly and take a cue from the recent youth protest that led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, he said while inaugurating the birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister PK Vasudevan Nair at the Ernakulam Town Hall.

CPI National General Secretary D Raja, CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan, CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam and CPI National Executive Committee member KP Rajendran before the inauguration of PK Vasudevan Nair’s birth anniversary celebrations at the Ernakulam Town Hall on Monday. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

The situation is that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) dictates what the government should do, including the content of textbooks. So there is a need to strengthen the communist movement in India by reaching out to the people. CPI will organize a nationwide campaign in August to hear directly about people’s needs. A rally in New Delhi to free the country from the BJP-RSS combine will follow in September, Mr. Raja said, while expressing his belief that the organizations that fought together to drive the British out of India could also end the “BJP raj.”

Recalling his memories of Vasudevan Nair, fondly called PKV, Mr. Raja said he was one of the greatest leaders of the Indian Communist movement. “I first met him when I was the AIYF Tamil Nadu state secretary in 1978. He had great political and ideological commitment. So much so that his party was more important to him than position and power. He also sought Left/Communist unity,” he said.

Binoy Vishwam, CPI state secretary, presiding over the event, highlighted the role played by tens of thousands of students whose protests led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister. “Until recently, there was an impression that the government led by Narendra Modi was invincible. The students proved it differently and this is a lesson for all of us. The youth who rallied mainly under the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were disciplined, determined and also focused on what they were fighting for. They also showed that cockroach is no longer a unique word that others can remember. The ability to survive even a nuclear war,” he said.

In PKV, Mr. Vishwam said that he stood for communist ideals. He was always willing to make amends, he said, referring to PKV who championed the environmental cause of the controversial Silent Valley hydroelectric project. CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan delivered the PKV memorial speech.

Published – 27 Jul 2026 22:21 IST