40 years after Emergency

I am writing to thank you for the important article entitled `40th anniversary of declaration of National Emergency’ published in the June 16-30, 2015 issue of MEL that also carries the byline `Renewal of democracy and the republic is the demand of the times!’   This article is written from the point of view of dialectical materialism.  It analyses the dynamics underlying the pol

I am writing to thank you for the important article entitled `40th anniversary of declaration of National Emergency’ published in the June 16-30, 2015 issue of MEL that also carries the byline `Renewal of democracy and the republic is the demand of the times!’   This article is written from the point of view of dialectical materialism.  It analyses the dynamics underlying the political phenomenon and eventually casts the issue in terms of the class character of the bourgeoisie, rather than in some subjective terms about choices of this or that political party or leader of that time. 

The study of specific historical phenomena therefore allows the working class to sharpen its tools and to take forward the task of revolution.  In the present context, it is the analysis of the prevailing economic and political climate of the 1970’s that witnessed turmoil as well as ascendancy of working class consciousness and the consequent crushing of their aspirations by fascist rule.  It was also a time when communists, aided by their theory, could have taken a principled stand, but the splintering of the movement that had taken place earlier proved that it they could not rise to the challenge. 

That said, it is now important that communists take stock of the present and aid the flow the revolution.  Communists must state clearly that the `democracy’ that was `restored’ after the end of emergency is also one of brutal dictatorship of the bourgeoisie that has sharpened its tools.   Communists must emphasize that the democracy that prevails in India today is the precise opposite of what democracy is supposed to be.  Numerous examples abound in the negation of rights of the people, of workers and peasants and of the nations that constitute India.  Let communists today lead the debate on what the future democracy of India is and blaze the path.

Let us join this historical mission with renewed hope and courage as we mark the 40th anniversary of the fascist emergency.

Sincerely,

A. Narayan, Bengaluru

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