Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Dec 7: The policies of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] will serve as a lesson against divisive tactics, said CPM state committee member Yadav Shetty during the party’s 8th Udupi district conference held in Kundapur on Monday.
Addressing the public meeting, Shetty said the CPM is leading nationwide protests against unemployment, the new labour codes, and the three controversial farm laws. “The CPM will counter these issues by uniting people from all religions and promoting harmony. The BJP-led Sangh Parivar is using communalism as a tool to divert attention from real issues, turning Hindu youth into criminals by exploiting religious sentiments,” he alleged.
Dr Prakash K, another CPM state committee member and keynote speaker, criticized the BJP's dual stance on the Kasturirangan report, accusing it of misleading people. He urged BJP representatives to protest against the central government if they truly cared about the forest-dwelling communities. “While the state government has rejected the report, the central government is pushing for its implementation to benefit corporate interests rather than protect forests,” he claimed. He further said the CPM opposes the displacement of tribal and other forest-dwelling communities and advocates for reducing the documentation period required to claim land rights.
Criticizing the state Congress government, Prakash alleged that it has implemented central BJP’s rules on BPL ration cards, causing hardship to people. “The BJP and Congress are colluding to exploit the common man,” he added.
Several resolutions were passed during the conference, including a demand for the re-evaluation of the Kasturirangan report, legal approval for red stone quarrying in safe zones, addressing drinking water issues in villages, preventing atrocities against Dalits, promoting communal harmony, opposing the power line from Heggunje to Kundapur, curbing harassment of women by microfinance institutions, ensuring all express trains stop at Senapura station, and upgrading the Byndoor community health center to a government hospital. The conference also demanded the construction of a bridge connecting Kundapur and Gangolli.
A new district committee with 16 members was elected during the event. Suresh Kallagar was appointed as the district secretary, while H Narasimha, Rajeev Padukone, Nagaratna Nada, and Shashidhar Golla were named committee members. Balakrishna Shetty presided over the meeting.
Earlier, thousands of workers and laborers participated in a grand procession from Nada Padukone to Nada Guddiyangadi. The parade featured traditional Koraga drum and chende teams, adding vibrancy to the event. Reception committee president Philip D'Silva welcomed the gathering. Sridhar Nada anchored the programme, while Chandrashekhar V proposed the vote of thanks.