Acknowledging changing social and political tides, the CPM has decided to participate in a month-long recital and lecture events across the state based on Hindu epic Ramayana.
According to a Times of India report, starting from this year, the CPM has decided to be associated with the Samskritha Sangham, when it organises Ramayana lectures and recitals all across the state. The report claims that Samskritha Sangham is an organisation created an year ago by Sanskrit loving academicians and historians.
Incidentally dabbling in Hinduism is nothing new for the CPM, and it had in 2015 celebrated its own form of Janmashtami, which apart from having kids dressed up as Krishnas, contained placards carrying images of various leftist leaders.
This celebrating of the Ramayana month would take place from 17 July to 15 August this year, mainly during the month of Karkkadakam. During this month, Hindu households in the state recite Ramayana daily, with a belief that it will purify their surroundings and ward off deprivation and ailments.
The report has quoted CPM State Committee member V Sivadasan saying that though there is no change in the party’s stance, many of its members will cooperate in the activities of the Samskritha Sangham. He, however, clarified that the Samskritha Sangham is in no way related to the CPM.
As per a Mathrubhumi report, critics claim that the decision is an attempt by the CPM to integrate into the changing social situation. It further claimed that the CPM would be conducting programs across the state to mark the occasion, which includes organising seminars and lectures to explain the “social background of Ramayana”.
The report also claimed that the CPM does not want the BJP to take control of temple undertakings, and thus has decided to hold a meeting with temple committee members.
In recent times political parties like the Congress have started asserting their ‘Hindu’ face.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi was seen temple hopping before Gujarat and Karnataka elections. Congress had even gone ahead and claimed Rahul Gandhi is a ‘Janeudhari Hindu’.
