True Blue Mayhem:

April 09/2012: Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains. That was the clarion call of the original leftists or socialists. When the industrial revolution (1750-1850) took place in Europe, sidestepping agriculture, the rich landlords, seafarers and traders began to emerge as the new industrial entrepreneurs. The age-old conflict between feudal lords and peasants reemerged in post-industrialization period as a conflict of interest between industrialists and workers in factories which had extremely poor working conditions, low wages and virtually no human rights. This changed socio-economic situation gave rise to a new stream of consciousness that was labelled socialism. No other principle or philosophy had been strong enough to counter the perpetually growing influence of imperialism at that period.

A new world order was slowly emerging after Industrial revolution when workers were growing restive in Europe. The masses, who were oppressed for several centuries, did not wish to be governed any longer by the tyrannical few rich individuals and families. The culmination of monarchy through the French Revolution during the trying times of 1789-99 altered the course of history of the world. The architects of the Revolution, however, moved away from the commoners who were beginning to see frailties of the leaders and the 'nouveau' rulers of the time. Soon, they too were perceived as improper.However, the revolution had to be seen in the light of the good that it delivered to humanity at large.The three basic factors that shaped the future course for a 'free' world - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity - and turned out to be the guiding fundamental principles of what we see as Democratic ideology today emanated from that uprising. Although still imperfect in practise and implementation, the democratic governance process, set in motion through adult franchise, is considered the most evolved system the developed world has attained till now.

Disconnected but interesting is to take note of the fate of several saints and gurus, over the centuries, who have attracted millions of people and inspired them with their philosophies and visions during their life times. These spiritual leaders could reach a large number of people through simple teachings and clear understandings of life's complexities. But, soon after the demise of many of these 'Gurus', their religious assets, trusts, sale of their properties, books and scriptures' royalties and, of course, hefty donations from the devout have inevitably degenerated into matters of 'grave controversy'. Some of the disciples continued to fight concerted battles (sometimes with swords and at other times in Courts of law) years after the passing away of the spiritual leaders. These conflicts, many a times, sent messages that material gains preceded over spiritual growth after a particular guru shed his physical embodiment.

Often, the philosophy or enlightened path shown by a spiritual leader was shrouded in mystery or vague terminology that some could call 'mysticism'. The disciples, however, might have ended up bickering over petty materialistic benefits but the world at large distilled the essence from each such spiritual personality and enriched itself with greater magnificence. This tells us that it should not necessarily be construed that a philosophy was faulty or that the ideology was influenced by a guru's personal life just because of the eventual failings of certain disciples and followers.Another great example is of the world squarely blaming Adolf Hitler for being responsible for triggering the World War II and the consequent horrible Holocaust. The course of history post-World War II would have been different had the Axis powers led by Germany's Hitler and comprising Italy of Mussolini and Japan of Hideki Tojo won the war. In that situation, the names of Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo would have figured in golden letters of history books the world over.

Churchill, Roosevelt, and de Gaulle would have become the most hated personalities in the annals of modern history. The situation was totally reversed because the Allied forces won the War. Hitler and his associates remain despised by the world at large even today. However, interestingly, Hitler was captivated by modern sciences such as atomic research, rocket technology and automobile engineering. Today, for example, we equate arduous or difficult things with 'rocket science'. That very technology was conceived by Hitler, when he created the infamous V1 and V2 rockets, which is till now among the marvels of modern science. However, the entire world still remembers Hitler for his merciless massacre of millions of Jews in the gas chambers during the wars.

In the back ground of these few historic illustrations, we can, probably, better understand many recent happenings. For instance the recent utterances by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that she intends to obliterate facts about Karl Marx and Frederick Engels from the school textbooks of her state as part of educational reforms. Deliberations have started over reports that an academic panel has been appointed to look into the issue. Critics have expressed concern that CM Mamata Banerjee's malice has got wrongly directed against a great thought process that has evolved after many centuries of human despair. We must remember that the philosophies of Marx and Engels have given us two ideas- equitable distribution of wealth and proper land reforms.

Liberalization, privatization and globalization, in brief, 'free economy' has, in the 21st century, provided parenthood to Capitalism. These concepts have, per force, turned out as opponents to the basic tenets of liberty, equality and fraternity. Like the spiritual leaders being viewed through the perverted eyes of their disciples or the failed revolutionaries being judged through the colored glasses of couched intellectuals much later than their times, Mamata is also, most probably, viewing Marx and Engels through the disfigured spectacles of her political opponents such as Buddhadeb, Asim, Brinda or Prakash Karat types. She, and most of us for that matter,  must never forget the fact that Leftist theory is more relevant in the poverty stricken India of today than ever before.

The genuine concern for the under privileged, downtrodden, landless and the have-nots should never be marred by nightmares caused by these puny little fellows controlling diminishing auras of the left political parties of India. Just as Stalin, Brezhnev or the Glasnost of a freak Gorbatschow or even the fall of the USSR would never be able to hold a candle to Vladimir Illyich Lenin. In today's India, all political parties and social leaderships have to beware and keep this in mind if they wish to retain this nation as a civilized, peaceful and unified territory. Alternatively, it wont take long for India to turn into an Central African or South American country with thousands of marauding armed gangs of poor youth prepared to grab any and everything they can lay their hands on. That would be true blue mayhem.