Commentary/E M S Namboodiripad

Communism is gaining strength in backward countries

In the context of the recent change of government in Nepal, let us discuss the condition of the Communist movement this week.

As in India, the Nepalese government too is supported by the Communist party. Earlier, the Communists had ruled Nepal with support from other parties. Now, Communism is on the rise there just as it is in India.

When the socialist movement suffered a setback in the undivided Soviet Union, the anti-Communists propagated that Communism and Leninism had failed. Subsequent developments, however, have proved them wrong.

Today, Communists have staged a comeback in many countries. A strong movement is now on against the regime in Albania. And socialism is certainly gaining strength in Asia, Africa, China, Vietnam, Korea, Cuba and the Latin American countries.

The recent political developments in India and Nepal is sufficient indication of the growing strength of Communism in eastern countries. Communism, which was more or less confined to the West, is now spreading.

The first-ever socialist revolution took place in Russia. Later it spread to other European countries. While In India and China, Communism started as part of the struggle against feudalism, in the east European countries it was part of the national liberation struggle.

The majority of ministers in the Nepal government belong to the Communist party. In India, while the Marxists support the government from outside, the Communist Party of India is part of the government and has two Cabinet ministers.

The rise of the Communist movement in eastern countries has forced critics to change their opinion about the global socialist movement. It is heartening to note the movement gaining strength in India and Nepal as well as other backward Asian and Latin American countries.

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