A Centennial Obituary

At its centenary, Indian communism appears ideologically exhausted, culturally disconnected and politically irrelevant, weighed down by historical betrayals and an inability to renew itself

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Indian communism's ideological contradictions and historical choices continue to define its decline

leading Indian commentator, —moving away from his habitual area of foreign policy and diplomacy, has argued that at 100, Indian communism has an unfinished business and that it is too early to write its obituary. Such false perspectives emerge when one migrates from one's field of expertise and tries to loiter in areas which are beyond ones scope of study. The Communist Party of India (CP1)’s obituary has already been written; it awaits publication.

‘The CPI has nothing more to offer to India; it has no narrative, no vision, no roadmap, no alternative thought. It is completely out of sync with the spirit and essence of a new India. India’s civilisational rise remains beyond its comprehension and grasp. It has been unable and unwilling to connect to Bharat' s civilisational roots, and has failed to usher in a generational change and renewal in its ranks. Its advocacy remains of a failed system - both political and cultural.

Indian communism continues to be driven by the Bolshevik mindset ~ which saw no sacredness in traditionality. Author Lesley Chamberlain describes this mindset when she writes that “Bolsheviks were changing the streets, the institutions, the university, the language. They didn't understand the sacredness of traditional life” Indian communism aped the Bolsheviks in trying to destroy and poison the sacred roots of civilisational India. Recall their intense opposition to the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and then their rejection of the invite for its “Prana-Pratishtha” and the manner in which it insulted the emotions of the majority of Indians. It showed how disconnected Indian communism continues to remain from the Indian mainstream psyche.