India: Peace Coalition Presses For Ceasefire In Government’s Internal War On Its Own Citizens

As India returned from the brink of war with its neighbor, concerned citizens from across states gathered at New Delhi, last week, to form ‘Coordination Committee for Peace’ — a civil society coalition raising the call for immediate ceasefire in the security forces’ unabated internal war in Schedule V areas of the mainland. Amidst reports of the suspension of a major military engagement launched on April 21, in the Karregutta range of hills near Chhattisgarh’s border with Telangana, Adivasi bodies continue to pile up from Bastar to Jharkhand, accompanied with horrifying tales of government brutality. Media reports suggest that at least 25 people (Maoists/civilians) were recently killed by paramilitary forces in the Karregutta hills area. This takes the toll of the government’s war in Bastar closer to 500, since Operation Kagaar, the most aggressive offensive after Salwa Judum, was launched last January. While CPI (Maoist) unilaterally declared ceasefire a month ago, and has repeatedly been calling for peace talks, ever since, the Government continues the military offensive with a blind eye towards the political questions of Adivasi rights.

More than 300 civil society organizations, people’s movements, and concerned individuals from across India had appealed to both the Government and the CPI (Maoist) in early April for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and peace talks. They also wrote to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister. On 8-9 May, 19 organizations and several notable individuals, who are part of this collective civil society effort, came together and formed the Coordinating Committee for Peace to continue their advocacy for the ceasefire and peace talks. It is expected that more democratic organizations will join the committee in the days to come.

Prominent members of the Coordination Committee for Peace addressed a press conference on Friday, May 9, at Press Club of India, New Delhi, throwing light on various aspects of the ceasefire demand. CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary, Dipankar Bhattacharya also addressed the conference. Speakers at the presser included former Andhra Pradesh High Court judge, Justice B Chandra Kumar; retired Hyderabad Central University Professor G Haragopal; writer Meena Kandasamy; Delhi University Sociology Professor Nandini Sundar; Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasbha representative Dinesh Murmu; People’s Union for Civil Liberties National President Kavita Srivastava; Coordination of Democratic Rights Organization Co-Convenor Kranthi Chaitanya; and Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization Convenor Ehtmam.

The committee members articulated their firm collective opinion that the public offer of restraint by the CPI (Maoist) leadership called for a matching government response rooted in constitutional responsibility and political foresight. While the Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma has often held out the fig leaf of “unconditional” talks with the Maoist combatants, albeit with the presumption of a willingness on their part to lay down arms, the simultaneous escalation of extensive military operations has sent a deeply contradictory message. The continuing ban in Chhattisgarh, since November, on Moolvasi Bachao Manch, a democratic association comprising unarmed Adivasi youth; the arrest and denial of bail to scores of its young activists, with UAPA invoked against Raghu Midiyami, Sunita Pottam, and others, have further eroded the confidence of people.

A month into the public advocacy for immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the demand now echoes across the country. Protests and public events have been organised in parts of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Delhi, since March, to raise the banner of internal ceasefire and peace talks. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President and MP Dr Thirumavalavan wrote about the matter to Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah. The CPI, CPI (M) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have also pledged support. Former Telanagana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao addressed a public meeting at Warangal where he called upon the ruling regime to declare the ceasefire, while current CM A Revanth Reddy also expressed support. CPI (ML) Liberation and CPI (ML) New Democracy have hit the streets with the demand across states.

Coordination Committee for Peace delegations also met Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha) and Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge (LoP, Rajya Sabha) on 9-10 May, urging them to lend political support to the demand for ceasefire and peace talks between the Maoist party leadership, on the one hand, and the central and state government representatives, on the other. The delegations further asked them to mobilize other INDIA parties on this issue. They also met CPI National Secretary D Raja, and CPI (M) General Secretary MA Baby.

At this juncture, according to the peace coalition, an unconditional ceasefire by the Government is a constitutional imperative deriving from Article 21. It is the only viable way to halt the violence, rebuild trust among Adivasi communities, and reaffirm the state’s commitment to justice, peace, and democratic values. The Coordination Committee for Peace reiterates its demands here below, and appeals to all citizens and democratic and political forces to support this process and make the state deliver its constitutional obligations:

1. The government should stop the offensive in Adivasi areas, initiating and implementing a credible ceasefire in all fairness.

2. The CPI (Maoist), having unilaterally declared a ceasefire, should stick to their assurance.

3. Dialogue must begin between the Government and CPI (Maoist), at the earliest. All Adivasi groups and leaders working for the democratic rights of people should be a part of the dialogue.

4. Free access to all the conflict areas should be provided to the independent civil organizations and the media.

5. People’s livelihood needs and constitutional rights must be addressed urgently.

6. The state should immediately release Adivasis and other activists jailed for asserting their democratic rights and make them an equal stakeholder in this dialogue. (For example, the activists of Moolvasi Bachao Manch).

Press statement, 12 May 2025

Peace Coalition Presses for Ceasefire in Government’s Internal War on Its Own Citizens

source: Red Spark

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