The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has announced a mass rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on March 24, signaling a major escalation in its opposition to the BJP-led Union government. Following a crucial Polit Bureau meeting on Friday, the party also gave a call for nationwide mobilization, characterizing current federal policies as a systematic assault on the country’s working class, peasantry, and national sovereignty.
In a detailed communique, the CPI(M) outlined a broad range of grievances, specifically targeting the notification of new Labour Codes, proposed amendments to electricity laws, and a controversial new seed bill. The party also voiced sharp opposition to an interim trade agreement with the United States, which it claims sacrifices domestic interests. “The BJP-led Union government is carrying out a multi-pronged attack on the people of our country,” the Polit Bureau stated, further accusing the Centre of “surrendering the interests of the people of our country before the US and foreign capital.”
To build momentum for the Delhi rally, the party will launch “Jan Akrosh Jathas” across North Indian states. These protest marches, featuring senior Polit Bureau and Central Committee members, are designed to organize workers, peasants, and youth against what the party describes as “unequal” trade deals. The CPI(M) alleged that the government has “succumbed to US dictates” regarding oil imports and trade tariffs, noting that while even close American allies have paused certain engagements, the Indian government has “shown no willingness to withdraw.”
The party’s critique extended deeply into foreign policy, where it condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic outreach to Israel. According to the CPI(M), this move signifies a “complete alignment of Indian foreign policy interests with Israel and the United States,” which they argue abandons India’s historical support for the Palestinian cause. The communique urged the government to instead stand firmly with nations like Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran against what it termed “US aggression.”
The announcement came at a pivotal moment as assembly elections are approaching in several states. In Kerala, the CPI(M) is campaigning on the “exceptional track record” of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, citing achievements in public health, education, and poverty elimination. Conversely, in West Bengal, the party has called for a dual defeat of both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, alleging that both parties have fostered an environment of authoritarianism and communal polarization.
The Polit Bureau also raised alarms over social issues, citing a rise in attacks on minorities, Dalits, and women in BJP-ruled states. It specifically criticized a recent move by the Gujarat government to mandate parental consent for certain marriages, labeling it a “retrograde step and an attack on the rights of women.”
Regarding the 2026-27 Union Budget, the CPI(M) alleged that the fiscal plan prioritizes corporate interests over the working class and centralizes resources away from state governments. The party highlighted the February 12 general strike and ongoing farmers’ protests as evidence of a “growing tide of resistance” that they intend to consolidate at the Ramlila Maidan next month. “The Polit Bureau will mobilise people against these policies,” the statement concluded, framing the March 24 rally as a decisive show of strength against the current administration.