A Positive Programme for Indian Revolution
First Published : 1974
Publisher : C. G. Shah Memorial Trust
Transcription/HTML : Mike B. and Salil Sen for MIA, April, 2008
Public Domain : Marxists Internet Archive (2008). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit "Marxists Internet Archive" as your source.
The present booklet consists of three articles reproduced from "The Call" — the monthly organ of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of India (printed: 780, Ballimaran, Delhi — 6). These articles deal with a theme which was so dear to Late C. G. Shah, the well-known Marxist, in whose memory the C. G. Shah Memorial Trust has been created. It is the second publication under the auspices of the " Trust".
The Indian Marxists are seriously debating over the nature of Revolution that has to be organized in India for establishing socialism in the country. Four distinct positions have evolved and shape the strategy and tactic of Left Movements. The first three approaches adopted by — C.P.I., C.P.L (M) and C.P.I. (ML) — though differing among themselves, take up the position that Revolution in India will have to pass through two stages. The first stage will be either "National Democratic" or "People’s Democratic" or "New Democratic" Revolution. The second stage will commence afterwards and will take the form of Socialist Revolution. The fourth approach adopted by Revolutionary Socialist Party and few other groups (all taking the Trotskist position) take up the stand that Indian Revolution will be the Socialist Revolution.
In the Journal "The Call", a series of articles (Volumes XXV, 1, 2, 3, 4, Sept., Oct., Nov. & Dec, 1973) appeared attempting to critically assess the "Two-Stage Theory of Revolution" and highlighting the necessity of realizing that the positive programme of Revolution should be based on the clear understanding that the nature of Revolution in India is a "Socialist Revolution". After Indian Bourgeoisie secured power, C. G. Shah devoted his energy to criticize the "Two-Stage" theory of Revolution and emphasised the need to evolve strategy and tactic of Revolution, on the clear assumption that "Socialist Revolution" is the order of the day.
The group of articles embodied in this booklet provides a stimulating discussion on this important issue.
The history of the split of the original undivided Communist Party of India, which was the representative of the Pro-Soviet Stalinist Communists in the Country, first splitting into C.P.I. and C.P.I.(M) in 1964 and the C.P.I. (M) further splitting into C.P.I.(M) and C.P.I.(ML) in about 1969, is now well-known to all serious political workers.
The first article "Programme Examined" by Anikendra Nath Sen, deals solely with the programmes of the Three Communist Parties, Pro-Soviet C.P.I., C.P.I.(Marxist) and C.P.I.(Marxist-Leninist). The article tries to formulate and evaluate the programme of the three parties operating in India and makes an interesting comparative study of the respective ideological and political stands of these parties.
The second article reproduced from "The Call" provides the necessary reasons for clearly realizing the need of evolving the strategy and tactic of Indian Revolution on the basis of the recognition that the Chinese Wall between two-stages of Revolution is mechanical, faulty and dangerous and that character of Revolution should be considered "Socialist".
The third article attempts to point out the grave consequences of following the line based on "two-stage theory" of Revolution.
I hope the group of articles will help to clarify the confusions prevailing among Marxists and a large number of genuine sensitive dedicated groups who are striving to establish Socialism in India.
I am thankful to the editor of "The Call" for permitting me to reproduce the articles in the present form.
A. R. DESAI
Dated: 15th February, 1974