Driven by misinformation, media manipulation, and widespread political ignorance, many among these sections may not yet fully grasp what is unfolding. They may realise its consequences only when they themselves begin to suffer. History, however, will testify that it was the communists who profoundly shaped Indian politics both before and after Independence through sustained mass struggles, intellectual engagement, advocacy, and mobilisation around people’s issues.

Communists have always stood for national development and for the uplift of the oppressed and marginalised. If that voice weakens, it will mark a tragic chapter in the nation’s democratic journey.

Sections of the media and right-wing ideologues repeatedly proclaim that communism has become irrelevant and that Marxist thought has reached its end. What they fail to understand is that as long as capitalism exists, the struggle of the working class will continue in one form or another. Marxism, rooted in the realities of exploitation and inequality, cannot simply disappear.

At the same time, it is essential for communist parties — which have historically spearheaded the struggles of the toiling masses — to rethink and replenish their strategies in the face of changing circumstances and difficult political realities.

These are hard times. Like a skilled surgeon confronting a critical operation, we must act with calmness, clarity, and urgency — carefully planning each step while responding swiftly to unfolding challenges.

History bears witness to changing social and political conditions. At one stage, communists played a glorious role in the freedom movement and later in securing socio-economic gains for marginalised communities. But the aspirations of those who benefited have evolved with time, and ironically, we have often failed to understand these transformations and adapt ourselves accordingly.

It is also true that bourgeois parties possess enormous financial resources, which they deploy aggressively during electoral battles and presently the main ruling party has total control of the dominant media through its corporate friends. Under such circumstances, communists must present a credible alternative economic vision and an alternative model of development. These ideas must be propagated across the country through sustained and patient grassroots work.

People’s issues — healthcare, education, unemployment, workers’ rights, peasants’ struggles, and the rights of women, minorities, and other vulnerable communities — must be raised systematically and consistently. The communist movement is fundamentally rooted in class struggle. This means the exploitation of man by man through the power of capital has to be ended.

Every society has its own complexities, and those engaged in class struggle must learn to navigate them intelligently. The bourgeoisie will continue to employ multiple methods to tarnish the image of communists, despite the evident failures of capitalism in addressing people’s problems. On the contrary, scientific socialism continues to offer a path toward the emancipation of the toiling masses. Yet relentless efforts are made to weaken communist movements across the world.

One such development has been the rise of NGO culture. Many non-governmental organisations, while working on important issues, have gradually drifted away from the concept of class struggle. In several cases, they have become merely instruments of subsistence for their organisers. The flow of funding often pushes them away from the path of scientific socialism and confines them to fragmented, piecemeal interventions rather than transformative social change.

In recent decades, identity politics has also expanded significantly. This has often weakened class-based mobilisation and ultimately served the interests of the capitalist ruling class. In India, we have witnessed how religious, caste-based, ethnic, and even Dalit identity politics have, in many cases, led to the consolidation of capitalist power. Leaderships emerging from such movements frequently secured their own interests while structural exploitation remained intact.

This does not mean that the rights of oppressed castes, minorities, or other marginalised communities should be ignored. On the contrary, communists have a historic responsibility to defend and uplift all oppressed sections of society. In countries like India, the rights of so-called lower castes and minorities must be firmly protected. However, these struggles must be integrated into the broader framework of class struggle rather than replacing it with fragmented identity-based politics.

Communist parties must also strengthen and streamline their organisations on Leninist principles while creating greater space for deserving and emerging younger cadres. Across the world, those occupying hierarchical positions are often reluctant to pass leadership to younger generations. This weakens the movement’s connection with the masses, especially with youth, and gradually erodes organisational vitality.

The working class will continue to struggle, though at times such struggles may become directionless and with no desired results. Communists have historically shown the path toward disciplined, purposeful, and transformative struggle.

This is therefore not the time for despair. It is the time to rethink, reorganise, and re-plan strategies and tactics for the struggles ahead. (IPA Service)