The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised Jan Aakrosh Rally marked a major show of strength in the national capital on Tuesday, March 24, as tens of thousands of workers, farmers, and supporters gathered at Ramlila Maidan to protest against the anti-people and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government.

Participants from several northern states had been arriving in Delhi over the preceding two days as part of coordinated mobilisation efforts. The rally culminated in a large public meeting chaired by Polit Bureau member Amra Ram. CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby, along with several senior leaders, addressed the gathering.

The rally foregrounded a series of demands, including the withdrawal of the four labour codes, repeal of the VBGRAMG Act—alleged by the party to weaken the rural employment guarantee framework—rollback of proposed amendments to electricity and seed laws, and a call to withdraw from the India-US trade agreement.

Speakers also highlighted rising prices of essential commodities and fuel, shortage of LPG cylinders, inflation, and the distress faced by small and medium enterprises.

In his address, M.A. Baby countered claims that Left politics had weakened in the country.

“Narendra Modi and Amit Shah keep saying the Red Flag is finished in India, I ask Modi, Shah, and Mohan Bhagwat to come and see the sea of Red Flags today at Ramlila Maidan,” Baby said.

CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby, along with Vijoo Krishnan (right) and other leaders, on the stage. (Photo: The Crossbill)

Polit Bureau member Tapan Sen emphasised the need for sustained resistance, urging cadres to take the campaign against labour codes, the VBGRAMG Act, and trade agreements to every part of the country.

“The struggle was directed against policies favouring big corporate interests and aligned with the ideological agenda of the RSS,” he said.

Polit Bureau member Dr. Ashok Dhawale launched a sharp attack on the central government, alleging that it had capitulated to powerful corporate interests, right-wing organisations, and global forces.

He accused the leadership of compromising national interests and surrendering to external pressures.

“Narendra Modi govt has bowed down to 3 powers: 1. big capitalists and landlords, 2. RSS and Hindu Mahasabha who didn't participate in India's independence struggle, 3. Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. Narendra Modi has completely surrendered in front of these powers,” he said.

Central Committee member Vikram Singh said the rally was a collective assertion against what he termed an attempt to erode hard-won rights. He stressed that the party would resist any move to dilute schemes like MGNREGA and accused the government of fostering divisions along caste and religious lines.

“We are here to challenge the 'thug government' of Narendra Modi. We will not let the BJP government snatch away the rights Indian people won by long struggles. We will not let the government snatch away the Right to Work given under MNREGA. The Modi govt is trying to divide people based on caste and religion, but we will not let them divide our country,” he said.

Polit Bureau member Mariam Dhawale focused on the economic hardships faced by women, pointing to rising LPG prices and growing indebtedness due to microfinance loans.

“The Modi government increased the cooking gas prices, revealing its anti-women character. Like farmers, women are struggling with debts to micro-finance companies,” she said.

She criticised what she described as preferential treatment to big corporates while ordinary citizens struggled with inflation and shrinking incomes, and warned that international trade deals could further undermine workers and farmers.

“Many have been forced to commit suicide. While the government gives loan waivers worth crores and crores to big capitalists. US-India deal is snatching away the rights of Indian workers and farmers,” he added.

Polit Bureau member Vijoo Krishnan said the scale of participation in the rally reflected growing public discontent and signalled resistance against policies affecting common people.

“Jan Akrosh Rally is a clear signal that this anti-people regime will be out of power. Rights of workers, farmers, women, transgenders, agriculture labourers, and students are under attack today,” Krishnan said.

He also contrasted the Centre’s policies with those of Left-led state governments, particularly in Kerala, which he said were oriented towards public welfare.

CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami speaks at the rally. (Photo: The Crossbill)

Central Committee member Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami described the rally as a reaffirmation of the continuing struggle of workers and farmers. He said the movement would persist beyond a single protest and recalled the farmers’ agitation that led to the repeal of the three farm laws as an example of sustained resistance.

“Our struggle is not just a one-day event. We will continue to fight for our rights and won't let anyone stop our struggle. Silently accepting the imperialist war is not India's history. Trump has crossed all lines of humanity but the Indian govt is silent on the aggression on Iran. As a citizen, I am ashamed of this government,” Tarigami said.

Other leaders, including Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, Sudip Datta, Prem Chand, and Lalan Chaudhary, also addressed the rally, echoing similar concerns over economic policies, labour rights, and social justice.

The Jan Aakrosh Rally followed a series of mobilisation efforts, including the Jan Aakrosh Yatra conducted across northern states, which saw participation from over 150,000 people. The CPI(M) leadership said the turnout in Delhi reflected growing anger among the masses and marked a renewed phase of political mobilisation against the Centre’s policies.