People's Democracy

Thinking Together

When Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its members do not (are not expected to) believe in religion or casteism, why it is supporting caste-based reservation system in India?  Is it not a double stand?

-- K.V. Panicker, Delhi

THE opposition to casteism and the struggle to eliminate caste-based oppression and discrimination implicitly recognises the fact that such caste-based oppression and discrimination exists.  Particularly in the case of the dalits, such oppression has been going on for centuries.   Reservations in jobs and entry to educational institutions is a small measure to elevate such caste-based discrimination. 

Further, given the fact that these sections have been denied the fundamental right of equal opportunity for centuries together, it is the responsibility of the society to provide certain support to bring these sections on par with the more privileged sections.  The CPI(M) supports the  reservation for the dalits on the basis of this understanding of the Indian reality.

As far as the reservation for OBCs are concerned, while supporting reservations, the CPI(M) had always maintained that the benefit of the reservations should accrue to the needy among these sections and, hence, a certain  economic criteria should be evolved.  No other political party in the country had taken such a principled position.  The CPI(M)'s position was finally endorsed by the Supreme Court in its famous judgement on the "creamy layer".

The CPI(M) is also clear that the reservations by themselves will not resolve the basic problems of caste  oppression and discrimination in India.  While they provide some much-needed relief and opportunity, the true emancipation and integration of the oppressed castes can only be achieved through a thorough-going economic empowerment of these sections.  Even the Mandal Commission, in its report, recommending reservations for OBCs observed that such measures, unless accompanied by thorough-going land reforms, will not be able to achieve the objective of eliminating caste discrimination. 

While supporting reservations, the CPI(M) works for this fundamental social change to empower the oppressed castes which, in the ultimate analysis, is the only surest way to end caste discrimination and social oppression.

Samajwadi Party headed by Shri Mulayam Singhji and Bahujan Samajwadi Party headed by Shri Kanshi Ram and Sushri Mayawati, both are caste-based organisations.  Casteism is as harmful as communalism.  The BSP had from the very beginning spread hatred for "Sawarna", "Tilak Taraju Talwar. In ko maro jute char".  Then how the Party joins hands with such organisations?

-- H.N. Sharma, Jhansi

TO set the record straight, we need to mention that the CPI(M) has not only no truck with the BSP in Uttar Pradesh but is in the midst of various struggles against the policies of the Mayawati government.

The CPI(M) consistently opposes caste discrimination and works for overall social change  aimed at eliminating such discrimination and oppression. Likewise, the CPI(M) is not only opposed to but also combatled all efforts being made to deepen the caste divide by political parties that pit one caste against the other for narrow political gains. Caste-based political mobilisation only deepens casteist feelings and discriminatory practices.

In the given Indian political context, the CPI(M) considers the urgency to keep the BJP-led communal forces away from controlling State power as the immediate task for both, the country's future  and the advance of the Left and democratic movement.  In order to achieve this objective, the CPI(M) will have an understanding with all secular forces who are consistently  been opposing BJP's communal politics.  The CPI(M) further seeks to create a non-Congress political alternative to the communal forces. Such an alternative, however, will have to be built through common people's struggles both against communalism and the disastrous impact of the economic policies pursued by this government. 

While this process is on, in the interim, whenever occasions arise like elections in some parts of the country, then the CPI(M) is clear that its priority would be  the defeat of the BJP-led communal forces.  To achieve this, understanding with parties like Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, or, Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar will be forged.

At the same time, the CPI(M) continues its struggle against caste discrimination and oppression as well as caste-based political mobilisation. 

The CPI(M) is of the considered opinion that in the  Indian reality today, caste-based social oppression and economic exploitation constitute two aspects of class exploitation.  The sharpening of the class struggle can only be possible when the struggle against both these aspects are jointly conducted.  And, the CPI(M) works towards integrating the struggles against economic exploitation with the struggles against social oppression.  This is the only way to strengthen the people's movement to achieve social transformation in India.