The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee declared the Month of Solidarity with the Indian people in the fight against the fascist Operation Kagaar and the Modi regime’s terrorism. This is in response to the call of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in May for mass actions and support against the operation. The solidarity moth will run from June 20 to July 20.

Operation Kagaar is a military operation being implemented by the reactionary central and state governments of India. It was launched in January in Central India to suppress the armed struggle led by the Communist Party of India (Maoist). This is part of the broader counter-insurgency operation known as Operation SAMADHAN-Prahar, initiated in 2017.

From January to May this year, at least 130 civilians and revolutionaries were extrajudicially killed under this operation.

In direct translation, the word kagaar means “final.” The Indian state said it aims to strategically end the armed revolutionary movement of the Indian people. The operation focused on Abujhmaad (Maad), a mountainous and forested region in the south of Chhattisgarh state, said to be a “Maoist stronghold.” It is openly supported and encouraged by monopoly capitalist companies and imperialist powers.

“The Central Committee calls upon all revolutionary forces and the Filipino people to express in various ways their support for the Indian people’s struggle against the heightening brutal war of suppression and counterinsurgency campaign of the reactionary Indian state,” the CPP leadership stated.

In Operation Kagaar’s initial salvo in January, the Indian government mobilized a 10,000-strong paramilitary force, 3,000 of which were poured in from other states into Maad. These forces were stationed in six paramilitary camps in the area, outnumbering local residents by a ratio of three to seven.

As in the Philippines, Operation Kagaar is characterized by intensified use of mass bombing and targeting of civilian communities. Militarization in the Maad allows the entry of large mining operations, destructive dams and foreign corporations.

“The fascist regimes of Modi and Marcos are in collusion with each other,” the Central Committee said. Only on April 19, the first batch of BrahMos missile weapon systems arrived in the Philippines from India costing $375 million or ₱18.9 billion, all paid with public funds. The taxes of the Filipino people are used to satiate the big capitalist arms producers in India and to support the regime that oppresses the Indian people.

“In the face of fascist suppression, the struggle of the Indian people and the Filipino people continues. Both exemplify courage in fighting terrorism and oppression, even when it is fraught with difficulties and sacrifice. Although thousands of miles apart, the struggle of the Indian masses and the Filipino masses serves as an inspiration to one other,” the Central Committee said.

According to the Party leadership, it is imperative that the people of India and the Filipino people unite in the midst of a world shaken by wars ignited, instigated or supported by imperialists to advance their struggle for national freedom and democracy. “The liberation of their countries from imperialist oppression and domination would serve as an invaluable contribution to the global struggle against imperialism and for freedom and socialism,” concluded the Central Committee.