NEW DELHI: The CPM on Thursday become the first political party to intervene in the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on whether seeking votes in the name of religion or caste amounted to “corrupt practices” under the Representation of the People’s Act.
The CPM filed an application for intervention, through its general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, saying the party was committed to waging an “uncompromising struggle” for the consistent implementation of the principles of secularism.
“While defending the right of every religious community as well as those who have no faith in any religion to believe in and practise any religion or none at all, the party should fight against all forms of intrusion of religion in the economic, political and administrative life of the nation and uphold secular and democratic values in culture, education and society,” the plea said.
The petition further “the threat to the secular foundations has become menacing with the rise of the communal and fascistic RSS-led combine and its assuming power at the Centre. Systematic efforts are on to communalise the institutions of the state, the administration, the educational system and the media.” The growth of majority communalism will strengthen the forces of minority communalism and endanger national unity and is fraught with serious consequenses for democracy and secularism, it added. Activist Teesta Setalvad had sought to intervene, seeking a direction to delink religion from politics.