On October 8, 2024, CPIML Liberation held state-wide protests in the Uttar Pradesh against police repression, demanding the revocation of the Zilabadar order (banishment from District/ Externment Order) issued by District Magistrate against Comrade Arjun Lal, a CPIML District Council member from Sitapur. The protest also called for the release of Ramdaras, a farmer leader from Lakhimpur Kheri.
In Lucknow, a protest march from Parivartan Chowk to the District Magistrate’s office was led by CPIML State Secretary Sudhakar Yadav. A memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was handed over to the City Magistrate, demanding an end to the ongoing state repression against activists.
Speaking at the protest, Comrade Sudhakar Yadav condemned the rising attacks on Dalits, Muslims, and women under the Yogi Adityanath- BJP government. "Despite claims of zero tolerance, the reality on the ground is that criminals are being openly protected by the police. This has emboldened criminals across the state, leading to heinous acts like the gang rape of a BHU student, whose perpetrators were garlanded as heroes," he said. He also pointed towards the case of a Dalit teacher's wife being harassed in Rae Bareli. In the Raebareli case, the entire family, including children, were brutally murdered by criminal Chandan Verma. Comrade Sudhakar said that clearly the local administration is protecting the culprits.
He also condemned the Nazarbandi order issued against CPIML leader Arjun Lal, who had spearheaded various movements of Dalits and marginalised communities in Sitapur. The police action against Comrade Arjun Lal is an act of reprisal by the feudal elements backed by the police administration in an attempt to silence the growing voices and movements for rights of marginalised communities. The BJP government cannot tolerate his rising influence. Last year, he was falsely accused and jailed, and now the administration is trying to suppress him further through a fabricated 'Goonda Act' case. Comrade Sudhakar emphasised that the fight against this oppression would only intensify.
In Lakhimpur Kheri, a protest march led by AIPWA State President Krishna Adhikari culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the Additional District Magistrate, demanding the release of farmer leader Ramdaras, who has been jailed on trumped-up charges since September 19, 2024. Comrade Ramdaras, a veteran CPI(ML) and AIKM leader was amidst the farmers conference campaign when he was picked up by the police.
In Sitapur, a massive rally was held at the district headquarters. Hundreds of rural poor, led by CPI(ML) Central Committee member Shriram Chaudhary and AIKM State Secretary Rajesh Sahni, marched from Shaheed Park to the Vikas Bhawan, chanting slogans against the government’s anti-people policies.
Similar protest marches were held in Prayagraj, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Maharajganj, Azamgarh, Mau, Varanasi, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, and several other districts, with leaders pledging to intensify the struggle against state repression.
Comrade Sudhakar added that on October 24, a mass protest will be organised under the banner of AIPWA against increasing violence against women in the state. He added that this protest will attract thousands of women from across the state demanding liberty and justice for women.
CPIML Bihar MLA Visits Sitapur
On October 7, 2024, a CPI(ML) delegation led by Bihar MLA and AIARLA President Satyadev Ram met with the Sitapur District Magistrate to protest the harassment of Arjun Lal. Condemning the Zilabandi order against Arjun Lal, Comrade Satyadev Ram said that he is facing persecution from the administration for his opposition to the ruling BJP and for standing with the marginalised sections of the society in their struggle for rights and dignity. The delegation in their memorandum to DM demanded an end to the repression.
