Centre must build on Kashmiri unity, avoid demolitions: CPI(M) on Pahalgam attack

New Delhi: Finding significance in the way Kashmiris protested against the “horrific” Pahalgam attack, the CPI(M) on Sunday asked the Modi government to build on the sentiment to “isolate” terror elements in Jammu and Kashmir while urging not to take that actions like demolition of houses of terrorists that “affects innocent families and alienates people”.

In a communique after the first meeting of the newly-elected Polit Bureau, the party said the April 22 attack has “united” the whole country and demanded that all efforts must be made to “track down” the killers and “punish” them.

However, it asked the government to seriously weigh whether a military response will serve the purpose of curbing cross-border terrorism and act as a deterrent. The party insisted that priority should be to identify the perpetrators and handlers of the attackers and prepare a dossier to be placed before the international community.

It also wanted the government to fix responsibility for the “major security lapse” that led to the attack, even as it noted that the “most significant event” is the way the people of Kashmir have come out in protest and condemnation of this attack.

“The valley witnessed a shutdown. It is this popular sentiment which must be built upon to isolate the terrorist elements in Jammu and Kashmir. No measures should be taken, such as the demolition of houses of terrorists, which affects innocent families and alienates people,” it said.

The party said the hate campaign against Muslims and Kashmiris by “bigoted” elements following the terror attack was only aiding the terrorists’ aim of dividing people.

The CPI(M) accused the BJP of using the new Waqf law to polarise the people on religious lines and attack minorities. It said there were attacks on minorities in several places after the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025.

“Some of the BJP leaders have stated that after the Waqf Bill, attention should be turned towards the properties owned by the Church. This exposes their real intention, to capture the properties of all the minority communities and deprive them of the constitutionally guaranteed rights and protections. Muslim extremist organisations are trying to take advantage of the situation and are playing into the hands of the Hindutva communal forces,” it said.

On the Caste Census, the party asked the government to immediately declare the schedule for the conduct of the general census, which was long overdue.

Referring to the Supreme Court judgement setting a deadline for the President and Governors to decide on Bills passed by Assemblies, it said the government’s plans to challenge the order should be resisted.

It also found fault with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and a section of BJP leaders' comments on the issue, saying it was a "direct challenge" to the judicial authority of the courts and should be condemned.

The party also claimed that the 'Operation Kagar' launched by the union government to eliminate Maoists in the region around Chhattisgarh is "creating terror" in the lives of adivasis.

"The Maoists have proposed a dialogue with the government. The government has to ensure that the lives of innocent adivasis are not lost in the crossfire between the government forces and Maoists. The government should accept the offer of peace talks as the issue cannot be resolved only through the use of arms," it said.

The party alleged that India, unlike other countries, did not react to the imposition of tariffs by the US and instead is trying to appease American President Donald Trump by voluntarily reducing tariffs.

On trade negotiations with the US, it said the American government wants India to open its market for agricultural products from the US and also bring changes to patent laws. India should resist all such efforts which are going to harm the interests of our farmers and the country.