From Socialism To Barbarism? By Akhila Raman 04 April, 2007Countercurrents.org
Be it Right or Left, it is becoming increasingly clear that Governments across the world are eager to get in bed with the corporations. The message is clear in West Bengal: Economic development will be pursued at any human cost. Protesters will be brutally dealt with and killed if required. Critics will be vilified. Facts will be fudged to justify brutal actions. The Ugly Might of the State has descended in an unholy manner on the farmers in Singur and Nandigram. How can CPIM reconcile its conflicting history of admirable land reforms in West Bengal with the recent brutal repression of farmers in its desperate bid of industrialization?
"The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is the revolutionary vanguard of the working class of India. Its aim is socialism and communism through the establishment of the state of dictatorship of the proletariat. In all its activities the Party is guided by the philosophy and principles of Marxism-Leninism which shows to the toiling masses the correct way to the ending of exploitation of man by man, their complete emancipation. " -CPIM website. Thus reads the website of Communist Party of India-Marxist(CPIM). Its stated aim and ideals are lofty. Practice is becoming increasingly shameful. The CPIM led Left Front came to power in West Bengal in 1977 with the promise of achieving socialism and has continued to win every election ever since, largely due to the land reforms through the 80's, which did benefit large sections of the toiling masses. Lately though, the Party is increasingly becoming indistinguishable from the Right.
