In Tamil Nadu, among radical political circles, the common talk that goes around is this: “when the red fades, it is saffron.
Champions of secularism, vanguards in the struggle against communalism, vehement crusaders (note: no jihadis) fighting America’s nuclear deal, uncompromising patriots – this is the self image that the CPI(M) often projects about itself in its political rhetoric. But, in spite of such proclamations, when it comes to core issues of democracy, the party has time and again proved itself that its policy and practice does not differ much from the Hindutva brigade, perhaps even worse.
Saffron Sickle
The recent verdict of the Kerala High Court upholding the state government’s order providing reservation for financially backward students of forward communities for UG and PG courses in government educational institutions has brought to light once again the CPM’s policy towards reservation. The significant point here is that, the CPM has proved it has the guts to pursue what even the Congress or the BJP would hesitate and pursue carefully by creating a consensus through propaganda and persuasion.
One might contend that the CPM’s policy towards reservation is its Achilles heel, and does not at all compromise the party’s struggle against the Hindutva brigade, which is of extreme significance. But two seemingly unconnected ‘minor incidents’ suggest otherwise.
The first one: the recent amendment to the West Bengal Special Marriage Act and West Bengal Hindu Marriage Act made by the Left Front government headed by the CPM in its bastion. The law would make it mandatory that couples’ parents or legal guardians be informed before the marriages are solemnized. From now on, couples who fall in love and wish to marry on their own will have to submit their recent photographs, documents verifying residential address, names and other details of parents or legal guardians!
Contrast this with the Hindutva brigade’s tirade against lovers and Valentine Day celebrations in Bangalore, Mumbai and other cities. The Hindutva hooligans’ violence was directed against such couples forcing them to tie the knot at the spot. To put it in simple terms even the Hindutva brigade is not against love marriages (the brigade might refer to “kandharva vivaha” from the epics). They did not coerce the couples to get their parent’s permission. But the “red brigade” makes it mandatory by law!
The second one relates to another ‘minor mishap’ that happened down south, in Kerala. Paul Zacharia, Kerala’s most noted contemporary short story writer and novelist was beaten up by a six member-gang belonging to Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the CPI (M)’s youth wing on the streets on January 9.
The gang’s attack was provoked by a speech the author had made a day before, criticizing the government led by the CPM in relation to a ‘sex scandal’. The incident relates to the CPM cadres’ moral policing action, moving bluntly into the house of a woman at midnight over camera, with whom a Congress leader was found in an ‘objectionable state’. The same “red brigade” which condemned the “saffron brigade” vociferously, for its attack on the renowned artist MF Husain, in the north, is in the forefront in the south, leading an attack on a renowned author, just for his critical remarks.
Some might wonder what sort of paradox is this. But, here down south in Tamil Nadu, among radical political circles, the common talk that goes around is this: “when the red fades, it is saffron”.
Tags: Add new tag, BJP, Caste, communalism, Congress, CPM, DYFI, Hindutva, Kerala, Left Front, MF Husain, Paul Zacharia, Reservation, secularism, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
10 Comments
Interesting! Communism fell quite some time back. Human tendency to strive and not-be-equal will never make communism succeed – in its current form.
We need a balance between pure capitalism & pure communism. Life is never perfect, and politics – NEVER. Being the age of economy, I am not sure anyone will think of it, unless we are deeply hurt by it like the collapse of american banks etc.
Valarmathi,
Excellent article, Could agree any more to it.
>> But, in spite of such proclamations, when it comes to core issues of democracy, the party has time and again proved itself that its policy and practice does not differ much from the Hindutva brigade, perhaps even worse.
BJP is openly casteist party and Congress is implicitly so. CPM and its leaders are openly casteist but using Marxism as an apology and internationalism as an excuse for internal brahminical repression.
You can also add how their no difference between BJP/Congress/CPM when it comes Kashmir, North East, Punjab or Srilanka.
Valar
Well written
Expose these people from this part of India who pretend to be communists who misused their position at New delhi in shaping Indian foreign policy to favour China . The best example China getting foothold in Lanka. These people are traiters and have to be exposed about their hollow philosophies and policies.
malar
Many holy cows have fallen in India..Am glad the myth of idealistic communists have also fallen..Not just in India but across the globe..When you speak to Eastern Europeans under communist law for long, their leaders remind you of cruel men with feudal mindset..
I have seen many of them to be lazy(they just sign govt offices in morning and leave) and cheap bargainers and thugs for power. It is our fortune that they never rose to any significant power..
Thanks to all … i do agree that more issues in which these parties converge on hypocritically need to be exposed. Will certainly write on such things at the right time and contexts.
Here is Paul Zacharia’s interview on the incident:
http://news.rediff.com/interview/2010/jan/20/there-is-a-lot-of-sex-starvation-in-kerala.htm
But is nice that someone can openly talk like this in Kerala. They call it god’s own country, may be that explains the amazing contradictions in Kerala..
Thanks Ronin … perhaps its time to do a similar opening up with the tamil nadu milieu …
I totally agree that the time is ripe for similar breakthrough ideas and writing in TN also..
Valarmathi ! In recent times I never read such your LOOSE/idiotic article…I think you are in other mood.Your article showed that you have no minimum truth in your pen and mind..Your comment are worst than the BJP/RSS comments on left parties.I pity for you..your article have nothing but hatred…vimalavidya@gmail.com
Valarmathi,,,,,!!!!!!!
It means in Tamil…. growing moon or growing sense…..
After I read your article I find no sense in you. Only a mind filled with anti communist tendency drives you to write such articles…
It is better to think with broader sense on issues on social relations and behviour. I have seen almost all anti communist personalities will loose their sense some times forget themselves in their anti communist propagonda.
I request you to read again your own article and find sensible logic of your allegations….
Dont allegate any one for the sake of allegation. That will deminish your own cherishma.
Let common sense prevail apon you to have sensible application of mind.
with greetings,
MS