Left parties slam US for killing Indian seafarers
Five major Left parties on Monday issued a scathing joint statement strongly condemning the US Navy for a “dastardly attack” on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. Terming it the third such assault on vessels operating with Indian crew members, the political outfits announced nationwide protests against American imperialist aggression and hit out at the Centre for its “meek response.”
The joint declaration was issued by CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI(ML)-Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AlFB General Secretary G Devarajan, and RSP General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya.
The Left leaders alleged that the US administration is acting like a “gangster trying to impose its hegemony over the entire world,” violating the United Nations Charter and fracturing the core principles of free navigation in international waters. They expressed deep concern over Washington’s threats to continue blockading and targeting civilian maritime traffic in the region.
Training their guns on the ruling dispensation at the Centre, the Left parties claimed that the BJP-led Union Government has abjectly failed in its primary duty by reneging on an independent foreign policy to become a “junior partner to the US.”
“The meek response of the Government and its failure to force an apology from the US is the latest example. This is an affront to India’s sovereignty and self-respect,” the joint statement noted.
The opposition parties further highlighted that American military interventions in Iran and West Asia have severely disrupted the global economy, triggering spiralling energy costs and acute scarcities of fertilisers and other essential commodities. They urged New Delhi to shed its submissive posture, condemn the aggression, and lead the Global South against US actions.
Demanding immediate accountability, the Left units have asked the Union Government to secure proper financial compensation for the families of the deceased seafarers and deploy all diplomatic channels to punish those responsible for the deaths. Mass demonstrations will be organised across all State units to mobilise public opinion against the blockade.
