New Ray of Hope

The contribution of Indian left organizations since the days of freedom struggle has been prolific and unmatched. Post the first world war, whether they were influenced by the success of Russian Revolution or they they sought shelter into Mao's philosophy, their contribution has been second to none. Post India's independence, the communist movement of India took a completely different shape and still carried on with good work. They acted as a constructive opposition to the system's 'anti-proletariat' moves whenever required.

The biggest contribution of the Left Movement of India came in the shape of the great Trade Union movement when they were able to mobilize the great Indian working class, especially the workers in the manufacturing sector. It continued for a very long time. But today it seems to have lost the glory and is derailed by with the help of an organized propaganda under which the elite capitalists and the bourgeoisie have worked overnight to destabilize the whole of the movement. Closure of manual manufacturing units and the advent of mechanized processes further weakened this movement and the complacency of our Marxist leaders towards this fast changing scenario added fuel to the fire. The rightest forces in India worked overtime to stop any noticeable progress in organized trade union movements and workers agitation.

But I think the Left has woken up from its long sleep. The period of silence seems to be coming to an end. The parties here may have come to realize that without mobilizing the masses, the peasants and the working class it is impossible to create a conducive environment for a people's government. But it doesn't necessarily mean opposing the modernization and industrialization. What Buddhadeb Bhattacharya (the current chief minister of West Bengal where the left government has been in power for past 30 years) is doing is exactly the same which the Marxists should be doing to keep pace with the change. What Russia did with liberalization is no example but what China did is certainly a good example to follow.

Very recently I was reading an article published in an Indian News Weekly called 'The Week' published by the Malyalaya Manorama group. The article was about some definite signs of revival of the trade union spirit of the Indian Left Parties. In a meeting of all left parties held a few weeks ago, it was decided to reopen the closed books of the trade union movement. It was about organizing the 140,000 odd unorganized private security guards in India and the case in point of the abnormal exploitation of them as a laborers.

Here I have a very agonizing personal experience to narrate. My car met with a small accident and it required repair. I went to one of the largest service centers of Suzuki in my area. While I was waiting for the service engineer to attend my complaint, I came across a very touching scene. An old man, who was positioned as a security guard, was continuously crying and despite relentless efforts from his fellowmen he didn't stop. As a humanitarian, I was a little touched and was anxious to know what was the reason behind his agony. I was told by another security guard that the old fellow lost his brother a day before. The reason for his pain was more than justified. In India, specially in the rural parts, we still believe in the concept of joint (extended) families where generations live together as a single group. He went on talking to some of his relatives over phone and then started convincing them that the last rituals should take place in a proper way. He was still crying very badly. It made me really very emotional. Being a native of Madhya Pradesh (a state quite far from the National Capital Region NCR), the old man showed his inability to reach before a day later. But the most cruel aspect is yet to come. The so called managers (who are fit to be called bourgeoisie in today's conditions) were completely apathetic towards the old man's sorrow. I wanted to help this man but was waiting for the right occasion. The managers ruthlessly ignored him and probably sanctioned his leave with a lot of reluctance in their eyes. He was a security guard - a non-existent person for the Suzuki Service Center and part of the unorganized labor labeled as 'private security guards' who are hired on temporary contracts with no certainty of their jobs the next morning. This is the cruel face of contemporary capitalist society and the ruthlessness that rules our minds as humans. So, if the new trade union movement starts with this breed, its a good sign of revival.

As an extension to it, the communist parties of India should also take into stride the largest of all such unorganized workers - the ones who work as temporary farmers. They are the biggest force to be mobilized and taken into the mainstream. I think what Nepalese communists did was a perfect example to be followed here as well. The most downtrodden ones should the the first set of people taken into confidence and without attacking their primary beliefs and sentiments they should be taken as the primary cadre of the left parties.

This will not only help the left movement to proliferate beyond the traditional territories like West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura but also help mobilize the masses in an organized way.