Indian Communists in Search of an Identity

 The General Secretary, Communist party of India (Marxist), criticized the Chinese communist party for abandoning communist ideals and embracing Market economy. This is the first time the party is taking courage to criticize them. The party chose a deafening silence when China attacked India some 50 years ago, and more recently when it made incursions on Indian borders and claimed ownership of Arunachal Pradesh. The party was also silent about China's expansionist policies in Tibet. They never found it as an imperialist tendency.

 It appears strange that the Indian Communist Party's only grouse against China is that it deviated from the communist ideologies to bring in economic reforms which, according to the Indian communists resulted in creating bigger gap between the rich and poor there and also made way for widespread corruption. The party sees them as symptoms of Capitalism

 It is a pity that While straying in to India's territories is of no concern to the party, the communists in India becomes concerned and sorry at China's so called incursions into capitalistic territories.

When the communist Governments in Russia and Eastern Europe fell one by one upon mass protests, the Indian communists’ only solace was China and the party reckoned it as a close ally though Chinese mostly ignored them.

 While the wind against Communism was blowing across nations, China was closely watching the scenario. One thing it noted was that if the people of a country en masse come against its Government it can not hold on for long and sooner or later the Government would fall. Then it took note that people's upsurge is rooted in discontentment which by and large stems from poverty and so wealth and prosperity are more important to manage a nation than feeding people with outdated ideals.

 Thereupon, China wasted no time to carry out financial reforms and it found that prosperity kept people engaged in share Markets or in business ventures who otherwise would have revolted against Government  for democracy or done some other mischieves. Whatever the real motive of Chinese Government at that time, it was a rare wise move communists round the Globe never thought to experiment. China, by choosing such an uncharted course was, in effect, giving primary importance to the welfare of the people and nation than to some vague impractical theories. It should be noted that China had no qualms to give up long preached and practiced ideals for the good of the party and nation.

A diametrically opposite view holds true  for its counter parts in India

The Communists in India are text-book communists and those who follow them have no idea how it is to live under a hard-core communist regime like that in Cuba. The communists never came to power in India nationally other than in a couple of states where they did not show any spectacular performance either, for example, the communists were in power in the West Bengal State for over 35 years and when they handed over power after election defeat it was one of the most backward States in India.

On financial reforms the oft-repeated complaint of socialists and communists is that it makes the gap between rich and poor bigger. Yes, it sure does. Unlike in a restricted economy, economic liberalisation motivates people to work hard which in turn help earn them money and the smarter ones earn more wealth. Since abilities of people differ some may get richer than the rest. Variations in the distribution of wealth is inevitable in such a set up and to stand against it is to embrace poverty for the sole reason of preventing some people from prospering and it is a negative idea.  

   Even  the most indolent person would benefit something in a regime of liberated economy. In India after the opening up of economy, the gap is wide yet the number of persons in the below poverty line is markedly decreasing. In Kerala even the beggars have mobile phones, a situation unthinkable unless the economy was liberated. The communists too know this but they have to fight against reforms and resultant rejuvenation of economy to prevent more people getting rich as once rich,  most people desert communist ideals.

Perhaps it answers the reason for the difference in attitudes of Indian and Chinese communists. In china there are no other political parties except the Communists. So, if the reforms brought in prosperity the goodwill of the people goes to them alone. In India since communist party is one among many parties supporting reforms turns suicidal for them. The welfare of the nation comes only next.

  Sri. Prakash Karat, also said that the party is going to focus on and be friendly with communist movements in Latin American countries. In Latin America notable countries have democratically elected Governments like  Brazil, Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, etc  which can change any time including their policies and unlike the Indian communists Latin American countries  have become prosperity-conscious in recent past.  Sri Karat  has every chance to get disappointed again on his Latin American interest.

 The Time has, therefore arrived for communists in India for a self introspection and to chart a new path tailored in tune with the aspirations of modern India.




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