The Fading Echo of Indian Communism
Communism in India once stood as a powerful voice in the nation's political landscape. Today, it struggles with deep-seated incoherence and a loss of direction. Over the past several decades, the movement has failed to produce any significant literature or political theses. This intellectual stagnation marks a sharp decline from its revolutionary beginnings a century ago.
Shallow Focus and Lost Ground
Since the 1990s, communist parties have fixated narrowly on the RSS-BJP, often in a superficial manner. They have not crafted compelling alternatives to neoliberalism, foreign direct investment, or privatization. On these critical economic issues, RSS affiliates like the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh now lead the discourse. The BMS, in particular, dominates the trade union movement, overshadowing communist influence among workers and peasants.
Internal Conflicts and Identity Crisis
Indian communists grapple with a persistent identity crisis, unlike their European counterparts. Early splits emerged over ideological nationality, as seen with Satyabhakta, a CPI founder who advocated for an indigenous approach. His vision was suppressed by pro-Soviet factions loyal to the Comintern. Later, the Indo-China war further divided the CPI, with some refusing to label China an aggressor, highlighting ongoing loyalty dilemmas.
The leadership often comes from non-proletarian backgrounds, creating a gap between elite cadres and the people they aim to represent. This disconnect has hindered their ability to inspire trust or become integral to parliamentary politics.
Outdated Ideals and Organizational Failures
Communist cadres continue to study Stalinist and Maoist texts, leaving them stuck between revolutionary ideals and democratic participation. They have not resolved this contradiction, leading to organizational weakness. In states like Bihar, caste-based parties have absorbed their leaders and members, eroding their support base.
Moreover, communists have neglected cultural spaces, focusing excessively on debating Hindu communalism rather than proletarian issues. They cling to outdated dreams, lacking the courage to adapt to new realities.
A Legacy of Dependence
Despite securing around 20% of the vote share in general elections until 1967, socialist ideas have lost their appeal due to unworthiness. Today, communist parties exist more due to the generosity of allies than their own strength or conviction. Once described as a Trojan horse, they now fail to play even that minimal role in Indian politics.
To revive, the new generation must engage with oral testimonies of ideological forefathers, available in archives like the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library. Without such introspection, the movement risks fading into irrelevance, a far cry from its ambitious revolutionary origins.
