In search of the greener, fertile Plains
Is traditional communism an outdated Idea in India? Yes as well as no. Yes - in the case of a post modern Kerala and No - in the case of wanting plains of northern India. In Kerala, Communism has shown it's full blown brilliance like a shooting star reaching its optimum utility, yet if allowed to continue in its present form and stand, would fade into insignificance and oblivion.
The alloy on which communism has hitherto rested or taken for granted in Kerala, is on the verge of losing its proportion, texture and sheen. The once powerful lunki clad labourers who asserted their rights with the strength of the sickle and hammer flag is increasingly replaced by trouser clad hindi/bengali/odia speakers from the north, thus eroding a powerful malayalam speaking cadre that formed the pith and substance of the communist movement. Secondly, with the mushrooming of professional colleges and an increasing penchant for professional studies, most of the youth population are less aware of the political ecosystem as compared to their older generation- the onslaught of this being relatively harsher on SFI.
In jest or in concern, some would say that end of poverty and inequality would mean end of the raison d'etre of the existence of the communist. If that holds true, then why would doctors cure maladies, sweepers sweep the roads, Governments educate the public and so on! When small pox was eradicated, did it mean that doctors would have to sit idle and unemployed? On the other hand, there were other emerging monsters in the form of cancer, tuberculosis and a totally different variety of diseases associated with lifestyle. Here comes the call for a professional and mental revolution to brave the circumstantial challenges to make their presence inevitable for mankind. What has been some of the biggest impediments for the acceptance of communist ideology are their refusal to accept the reality, intolerance and irrational blanket rejection of ideas. Their policies and agendas seem like as if they have understood and interpreted Marx in the most limited way possible!
In post modern Kerala, poverty and empowerment are not something the vast majority can identify with. That does not mean Kerala bears zero poverty and absolute equality. However, a lot of the poverty owing it's existence to colonial and pre colonial feudalism are systematically done away with visionary policies. So, time has come to substitute these buzzwords of yesterday with emerging challenges of today by simultaneously identifying these problem with the marginalised and giving it an earthen touch.
Further, the plains of northern India are still reeling under the legacy left out of a devastating colonial rule that collaborated with native vassals, money lenders and, feudal lords like zamindars and awadh taluqdhars to perpetuate an eternal system of sheer exploitation and marginalisation. There is poverty, but the poverty of knowledge or information has been laying ugly inroads to keep the marginalised in darkness for eternity. Then there is religion after fulfilling it's utility is meandering it's course to usurp politics within itself. Caste system, in its pristine glory, is still deciding the future of generations here in the 21st century. In fact, all the elements in right proportion for an alloy that would spur a communist movement is readily available in the land where it held its first meeting in 1925.
Communism, is a philosophy rather than a practical reality that needs it's own time to get absorbed. It should not be implemented abruptly on the majority without their consent. Of course, one would think how? What would you do if you need to control the population of this country as well as to ensure equality? Any conventional policy of our land would go for either a high handed method of sterilisation or a passive incentive policy of small family happy family. But, a simple cue from the west would show a dissimilar path. There, if you need a child you need to build an extra room or shift to a flat with an extra room exclusively for the child within six months of its birth. If you don't abide by it, bid adieu to your kid as it would become eligible for state custody. Here, the message is simple! If you can't afford a child, then don't bear it. The state uses simple policies and rules to control population and to ensure equality to some extent. There is no coercion, only certain 'ifs' and 'buts' for which would people hardly find their freedom restricted.
The new movement if it incorporates such modern ideas with an underlying philosophy of humanism would definitely be revolutionary!
In jest or in concern, some would say that end of poverty and inequality would mean end of the raison d'etre of the existence of the communist. If that holds true, then why would doctors cure maladies, sweepers sweep the roads, Governments educate the public and so on! When small pox was eradicated, did it mean that doctors would have to sit idle and unemployed? On the other hand, there were other emerging monsters in the form of cancer, tuberculosis and a totally different variety of diseases associated with lifestyle. Here comes the call for a professional and mental revolution to brave the circumstantial challenges to make their presence inevitable for mankind. What has been some of the biggest impediments for the acceptance of communist ideology are their refusal to accept the reality, intolerance and irrational blanket rejection of ideas. Their policies and agendas seem like as if they have understood and interpreted Marx in the most limited way possible!
In post modern Kerala, poverty and empowerment are not something the vast majority can identify with. That does not mean Kerala bears zero poverty and absolute equality. However, a lot of the poverty owing it's existence to colonial and pre colonial feudalism are systematically done away with visionary policies. So, time has come to substitute these buzzwords of yesterday with emerging challenges of today by simultaneously identifying these problem with the marginalised and giving it an earthen touch.
Further, the plains of northern India are still reeling under the legacy left out of a devastating colonial rule that collaborated with native vassals, money lenders and, feudal lords like zamindars and awadh taluqdhars to perpetuate an eternal system of sheer exploitation and marginalisation. There is poverty, but the poverty of knowledge or information has been laying ugly inroads to keep the marginalised in darkness for eternity. Then there is religion after fulfilling it's utility is meandering it's course to usurp politics within itself. Caste system, in its pristine glory, is still deciding the future of generations here in the 21st century. In fact, all the elements in right proportion for an alloy that would spur a communist movement is readily available in the land where it held its first meeting in 1925.
Communism, is a philosophy rather than a practical reality that needs it's own time to get absorbed. It should not be implemented abruptly on the majority without their consent. Of course, one would think how? What would you do if you need to control the population of this country as well as to ensure equality? Any conventional policy of our land would go for either a high handed method of sterilisation or a passive incentive policy of small family happy family. But, a simple cue from the west would show a dissimilar path. There, if you need a child you need to build an extra room or shift to a flat with an extra room exclusively for the child within six months of its birth. If you don't abide by it, bid adieu to your kid as it would become eligible for state custody. Here, the message is simple! If you can't afford a child, then don't bear it. The state uses simple policies and rules to control population and to ensure equality to some extent. There is no coercion, only certain 'ifs' and 'buts' for which would people hardly find their freedom restricted.
The new movement if it incorporates such modern ideas with an underlying philosophy of humanism would definitely be revolutionary!
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