K. Prakash Babu, a Central Secretariat member of the Communist Party of India (CPI), on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of cowardice for blocking the X account of a digital satire collective named “Cockroach Janata Party.” The collective had emerged online to protest remarks likening unemployed youth in the country to “cockroaches.”

By shutting down the account, Mr. Modi has “proved himself to be a coward,” Mr. Prakash Babu said. He was speaking while inaugurating the 90th anniversary celebrations of a May Day rally and the observance of S.A. Dange Day, held in the run-up to the national general council meeting of the All India Trade Union Congress, scheduled in Thrissur from June 1 to 3.

Prakash Babu alleged that Modi, preoccupied with serving “American imperialist interests,” has forgotten millions of poor workers in India. He accused the Prime Minister of surrendering India’s sovereignty to the United States and waiting for approval from the American President even while formulating development policies for the country.

“India’s dignity is being mortgaged before the global community. The country is being pushed towards an unprecedented economic slowdown, while fascist tools are being used to strengthen capitalism,” he said. He further claimed that the government is attempting to weaken organised labour and trade union movements.

‘Insulted the people’

Referring to the incident involving a Norwegian journalist, Prakash Babu criticised Modi for walking away without answering a question on why journalists in India are not given opportunities to ask questions. “By doing so, he insulted not just the journalist, but the people of India,” he said.

He also alleged that India has been turned into an “electoral autocracy” under Modi. Raising concerns over citizenship policies, Prakash Babu claimed that more Indians have been excluded through administrative processes than through the Citizenship Amendment Act, and warned that only a united public response could counter such developments.

The meeting was presided over by CPI Thrissur district secretary K. G. Sivanandan. Veteran trade union leaders from the district associated with AITUC were honoured on the occasion.