CPI-M urges youth to draw inspiration from Basheerbagh martyrs

V. Srinivasa Rao, secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, called on the youth to draw courage from the Basheerbagh martyrs and participate in popular movements to protect public rights and oppose policies detrimental to ordinary citizens. Addressing a gathering organized by leftist parties in Vijayawada to mark the 27th anniversary of the 2000 Basheerbagh police firing, Rao paid respects to the three activists — Ramakrishna, Vishnuvardhan Reddy and Balaswamy — who were killed by police during the struggle.

He recalled that the agitation against the Telugu Desam Party government's electricity reforms, tariff increases, and privatization policies was widespread across Andhra Pradesh. The protests led to the Chalo Assembly program at Basheerbagh on August 28, 2000, when police opened fire, killing three protesters and wounding many others.

Rao emphasized that the Basheerbagh struggle's spirit still motivates movements against privatization and policies that prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. He challenged the youth to tackle issues like soaring prices, agricultural hardship, drought, unemployment, and the inadequacy of fair returns for crops. Rao also criticized the ongoing privatization of public resources and services.

"The fate of the nation rests on the battles being fought by the younger generation," he asserted, urging them to strive for equality, democracy, and the welfare of the public.