WHAT MADE KERALA TO ADOPT COMMUNIST PARTY

(A still from  KPAC drama 

 "Ningalenne Communist Aakki". Image courtesy, The New Indian Express)

Karl Marx was born in Trier, Germany on 5 May 1818. His books Das Kapital and Communist Manifesto laid the foundation for Communism in the world. The world's first constitutionally formed Communist state was in Russia in 1917. With the amalgamation of other  territories of the empire the former Soviet Union was formed in 1922. Altogether Communists could rule 42 countries in the world. Only Cuba, Laos and Vietnam are presently ruled by the Communists. Though North Korea is said to be a Communist country, what is prevailing there is Dictatorship. Political parties have no role to play there. Similarly China is also treated as a Communist country by some. Though they call it People's Republic of China, since people have no role to play there, it is a sheer Monarchy type government in China. Since over 70% of their GDP belongs to private sector and share market is well encouraged there China is certainly ruled by Capitalist principles. According to latest available reports China has 698 billionaires which  is slightly less than that of 724 of US.

Coming back to India, Communist Party of India was formed on 26 December 1925 in Cawnpore (Kanpur). S V Ghate was the first General Secretary of the party. During the long period of about 100 years the party could form governments only in three states namely Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. At present only Kerala in its custody. While over 90% of the Communists ruled countries in the world have collapsed and they have left the Marxian theory, highly literate state Kerala having come to know all about it, what made the Malayalees to maintain the tie with the party?  It is neither the Communist Manifesto nor the economic theory of the party nor the international political assessment that made the people to adopt this party but the emotional attachment they have with the party. Communism was not grown here from any Communist theories or by the teaching of any eminent Communist leaders but most of the people became Communists overnight. One of the most popular dramas of KPAC that significantly contributed the growth of Communism in Kerala was "Ningalenne Communist Aakki". This drama that portrayed against the feudalism, inequalities and exploitation that prevailed in the state. The song in it, "Ponnarival Ambiliyile ..." sung by G Devarajan and lyrics by ONV Kurup was one of the most popular songs of the Malayalees. Such many dramas were played by KPAC from 1951 for about three decades. These dramas, their singers and lyricists were the people who nurtured a Communist generation in Kerala.  Subsequently this low literate generation taught their offspring to dip into mythical dreams. And some of them are still dreaming. Others, while remaining under the cover of the red flag, are looking for ways and means for amassing wealth.

Practically we have experienced Communism in Kerala, seen the outcome of it. We have learnt that Communism do not offer comfort in life, provide ways and means to acquire wealth. Whoever has accumulated wealth in the party are not with sickle and hammer but through criminal methods. There are umpteen examples available across the state. It may be taught by each one to himself that politics is not a place for human development for the poor and the downtrodden. What Communism did in West Bengal in 35 years is that the poor people are now forced to flee into other states upto far away Kerala to feed themselves and other members of their family. The symptoms of the same is now getting visible in Kerala. Now, it is the people of Kerala, especially the educated youth to decide what is to accept and what is to reject.

K V George