Skip to main content

Suffering classes further pushed to danger as Left is struggling for its existence

By Harasankar Adhikari 

'Marxism has a future because humankind has no future without it.' It is experimentally and evidently true. This social and economic theory tells us to empower the struggling classes of every society. It also guides them to rescue them from the exploitation of the so-called capitalists. These struggling classes are always the vital section of every civilised society, to whom every civilization is owed. Democracy always strengthens the power of the deprived for their equity and justice. When a democratic government does not follow the principles of Marxism, it is never a people’s government. The policy for the welfare of the struggling classes is only for vote gaining purposes, and it does not work for equal rights for the deprived section of society.
Indian democracy is an example of the above. This democracy is under the rule of the right wing. It is for the benefit of capitalists. The struggling classes are only being treated as beneficial groups for some doles. The rights of Indian democracy are not so concerned with the betterment of the most suffering sections of society. The left wing is weak in terms of representation in the upper houses of this democracy. But during the last few decades, it worked hard for the struggling classes with its big voices in both houses and a few representatives. It was significantly successful to bring new policies and programmes, like the guarantee of 100 days of work under MGNEGRA, to the major suffering section. On the other hand, it protested the anti-people policy of the government. But gradually, left-wing strength has been becoming thin and weak in Indian democracy. In the last two general elections, it was too weak, and the Indian people are facing the consequences of the anti-people policy of the government. Weak representation of the left has significantly promoted the growth of a communal party (right wing).
Till now, it has been very unfortunate that the left is struggling for its existence. So, the future of struggling as well as suffering classes may be pushed into danger. There are several reasons behind it. Left has failed to make people educated because of weak organisational structure and activities that are not enough to bring people under its umbrella. Further, rights have been suppressed and used to dominate through power and authority. There are fewer campaigns against rights because rights are enriching the capitalists. Most of the programmes and policies of the government, ruled by rights, are in favour of the elite. Rights have been targeted to be abolished forever for their own benefits. And they could be taken as policy without any protest from the left.
Then, what would be the future of the major? Will they only vote for some doles? Will it be on the agenda of a would-be developed country? But if the struggling classes are not saved and protected, the democracy of India would be put under threat. A wrong platform may never be a proper and effective policy for the major suffering sections of the country.

Comments

TRENDING

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Where’s the urgency for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?

By Shankar Sharma*  A recent news article has raised credible concerns about the techno-economic clearance granted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for a large Pumped Storage Project (PSP) located within a protected area in the dense Western Ghats of Karnataka. The article , titled "Where is the hurry for the 2,000 MW Sharavati PSP in Western Ghats?", questions the rationale behind this fast-tracked approval for such a massive project in an ecologically sensitive zone.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad*  The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Structural retrogression? Steady rise in share of self-employment in agriculture 2017-18 to 2023-24

By Ishwar Awasthi, Puneet Kumar Shrivastav*  The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017 to provide timely labour force data. The 2023-24 edition, released on 23rd September 2024, is the 7th round of the series and the fastest survey conducted, with data collected between July 2023 and June 2024. Key labour market indicators analysed include the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR), which highlight trends crucial to understanding labour market sustainability and economic growth. 

Venugopal's book 'explores' genesis, evolution of Andhra Naxalism

By Harsh Thakor*  N. Venugopal has been one of the most vocal critics of the neo-fascist forces of Hindutva and Brahmanism, as well as the encroachment of globalization and liberalization over the last few decades. With sharp insight, Venugopal has produced comprehensive writings on social movements, drawing from his experience as a participant in student, literary, and broader social movements. 

Authorities' shrewd caveat? NREGA payment 'subject to funds availability': Barmer women protest

By Bharat Dogra*  India is among very few developing countries to have a rural employment guarantee scheme. Apart from providing employment during the lean farm work season, this scheme can make a big contribution to important needs like water and soil conservation. Workers can get employment within or very near to their village on the kind of work which improves the sustainable development prospects of their village.

'Failing to grasp' his immense pain, would GN Saibaba's death haunt judiciary?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The death of Prof. G.N. Saibaba in Hyderabad should haunt our judiciary, which failed to grasp the immense pain he endured. A person with 90% disability, yet steadfast in his convictions, he was unjustly labeled as one of India’s most ‘wanted’ individuals by the state, a characterization upheld by the judiciary. In a democracy, diverse opinions should be respected, and as long as we uphold constitutional values and democratic dissent, these differences can strengthen us.

94.1% of households in mineral rich Keonjhar live below poverty line, 58.4% reside in mud houses

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  Keonjhar district in Odisha, rich in mineral resources, plays a significant role in the state's revenue generation. The region boasts extensive reserves of iron ore, chromite, limestone, dolomite, nickel, and granite. According to District Mineral Foundation (DMF) reports, Keonjhar contains an estimated 2,555 million tonnes of iron ore. At the current extraction rate of 55 million tonnes annually, these reserves could last 60 years. However, if the extraction increases to 140 million tonnes per year, they could be depleted within just 23 years.