‘CPM doesn’t bar believers,only rituals’

Karat has said that the party does not ask its members to abandon faith. The members have the responsibility to take stand against social evils related to religious rituals,but the CPM does not prevent believers from joining the party. Even as they continue to practice their own faith,they should uphold secular values and prevent religion from creeping into the matters of the government.

Karat’s explanation is seen as an attempt to address fears expressed by a section of the party that the “stay away from religion” theory will alienate believers and drive away minorities at a time when the party is gearing up to face Assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal next year.

In an article in the forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece People’s Democracy,while admitting the role played by religion in India,Karat said while the CPM upholds the “materialist outlook” it does not bar people having religious faith from joining the party. “In the present India conditions,the CPM is not fighting religion but communalism based on religious identity,” he said. “Marxists are atheists. But Marxists understand the origin of religion and the role it plays in society,” he added. Going a step further,he said the CPM has no hesitation in “joining hands with believers” and those religious leaders who are pro-poor.