Is the Left still anti-communal?

— Pranjit SaikiaThe recent developments regarding the Indo-US nuclear-deal have converted the Indian politics into a theater of opportunism. The Left parties which who fervently opposed the deal have ultimately stood along the BJP which once which was communal in their eyes. Some may say that it is the ideological stance of the Left, who have been opposing the deal from beginning. But where their ideology stands in so far as communalism is concerned? In the last Lok Sabha election, Indian people had given mandate against communal forces. People were fed up with the BJP-kind of “Signing India”. This had given a chance to all secular forces to come together and form a secular government. But four years down the line, what made the comrades to join hand with the communal BJP to oppose a government deal is baffling. But more astonishing is that, when CPI (M) politburo member M.K. Pandhe, who heads the CPI (M)-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), warned Samajwadi Party, that it would lose Muslim vote for supporting the deal. This statement had faced opposition from different quarters, which made Karat to quickly downplay his colleague’s remark. But it is very unfortunate to give a communal colour to the issue. Now the question is should Muslims oppose the deal as it involves the US as a party? Again should Hindus and Christians support the deal as it may be opposed by Muslims? This has really put the Left in a very ridiculous situation as opposing to communalism has long been their ideological stance. But Pandhe’s remark is very dangerously poised as it attempts to communalise the Indian foreign policy. No political parties should not think that, if they support the deal they will be dumped by the Muslim community. Equally, no one should support the deal as it is a Pan-Islamic in nature, as it involves United States, who is the enemy number one for the Muslim world. The support or opposition to the deal should be on the basis of the national interest. If we look at our foreign policy, it is not bent to any community or religion. To serve the national interest it is very essential to come above those wobbly perceptions. Since long back India has been maintaining cordial relations with the Arab world. As no body from any political quarter had opposed India’s gas pipeline project involving two Muslim countries – Iran and Pakistan, there should be any question of opposing the nuclear deal involving United States, if it serves the national interest. Again for a long time some political classes have been opposing to establish full diplomatic relation with Israel in fear of losing Muslim support. But one should remember that our foreign policy is never determined by religious consideration. Because of Israel’s Pan-Islamic nature of its foreign policy, we can not restraint ourselves to have a strong foreign relation with Israel. Equally, Arab world is also not at all supportive towards Israel. Because of that should we cease to have cordial relation with Arab countries? No foreign policy can be so selective. In the era of expertise, one has to rely on others irrespective of their nature of foreign policy. In case of foreign policy, only determinant is to fulfil country’s national interest. The recent statement of the Left leader is essentially communal in nature. The party which claims to be the custodian of secularism in India has ultimately tried to bang on “minority votes” by motivating them on religious line as a preparation for upcoming Lok Sabha election. Again, they have entangled with the communal BJP to oppose the government’s move. Dose it mean Left’s affirmation of communal politics? How do we believe that the Left is anti-communal?The recent developments have diminished Left’s credibility on its long standing secular stance. The Left have faced opposition for their moves from within. Senior Left leader Jyoti Basu time and again cautioned that the BJP is more dangerous than George W. Bush. He urged the top chunk of Left leaders to reconsider their decision to go with the BJP in trust vote against the government. It is high time to de-communalise the foreign as well as the domestic policies. All policies are going to affect us irrespective of our caste, race and religion. Rather opposing policies on the basis of caste, class and religion, we should oppose anti-people policies. The opportunity provided by the people to fight against the communal forces should not be lost out to fulfil one’s narrow political interest. Again the Left’s a narrowly politicised stance on the issue forced the Congress leadership to rope in the SP for their survival at the Centre, which presents the extreme form opportunism in Indian politics. The party, which was once “enemy number one” for the Congress, has now become the soul-mate in the changing political scenario. But this form of opportunism does not represent a good sign for future of Indian politics. It is true that, in politics no one has permanent friends and foes. But even in politics too, some amount of ethics and morals should prevail upon in choosing friends and foes. In earlier incidents ethics and morals were lacking, but in the recent incidents these two noble human qualities have completely withered away. But still time is not yet over. Among all political classes there is need of “new thinking” and change of perception towards policy formulation. It is high time to cease politics of opportunism. Because politics is not only about mega deals, a web of strong words, revenge and vandalism; it must also be about ethics, about ideas, about passion, about vision for society, about a struggle for justice, about a struggle for downtrodden class. Otherwise the parliamentary system in India will remain a mockery.(The writer teaches Political Science at Biswanath College) source: assam tribune