BJP regime similar to Hitler's fascist model: Yechury

Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said the present regime at the Centre would resemble “Hitler’s fascism model” if a parallel is drawn with history, even as he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of manufacturing the debate on nationalism to serve their agenda of “Hindu” rashtra.

“An aggressive nationalism debate has been manufactured by the BJP and RSS so that they can force their agenda on the nation. They want to convert a democratic, republic and a secular country into a Hindu rashtra,” he said.

The senior Left leader alleged that nationalistic feelings of people are being misused.

“If a parallel were to be drawn of the present government with history, the present regime resembles (Adolf) Hitler’s fascism model,” he said.

Yechury said the patriotism debate was manufactured for specific reasons as “the government is unable to handle the massive expectations people had. Also, people are grappling with financial stress of which the government can do nothing about”.

He alleged the government intends to let private banks take over their public sector counterparts who, as per conservative estimates, have lost around Rs 6 lakh crore due to non-payment of loans.

“There has been a 26 per cent rise in farmers’ suicides during two years of Modi’s rule. (Crude) oil rates have fallen drastically but consumers have not benefited. There is frustration among people. The government is scared that all this does not transform into an agitation and thus this nationalism debate is created,” he said.

Replying to a query, he said if Jawaharlal Nehru University is compared with its peers, “its contribution in IAS, IFS, IPS is large and people’s money is being used properly”.

“You will find a JNU product everywhere. So, there is no wastage of taxpayers’ money. JNU students are also soldiers who are fighting for a better India,” he said referring to the criticism of the university and its students by the right-wing parties.

Meanwhile, CPI leader D Raja who was also present at the press conference, said that like the British era, the BJP’s era too will end.

“India is a secular democratic republic. Those who are saying this is a Hindu rashtra are saying anti-unconstitutional (things). As British raj had ended, BJP’s Raj (rule) will also end. I have visited the borders. Officers from Dalit community are guarding them and here you are troubling Dalits,” he alleged.

“The JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is the final product of ‘Make in India’ campaign and there are thousands of such Kanhaiyas’ in the making,” Raja added.