This refers to the report “Ice broken, BMS rejoins INTUC, Left” by Saubhadra Chatterji (June 10).
Karl Marx wrote in The Communist Manifesto, “Workingmen of all countries, unite!” It is noteworthy that he addresses labourers around the world and not in a particular country, thus discounting nationalism.
The Leftist ideology does not get along with nationalist sentiments. A communist or leftist devalues all the identities – language, religion or caste – of a person. In contrast, a nationalist’s discourse begins with ethnic identity. So, it is going to be interesting to see how the association between the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) – a Sangh Parivar affiliate – and the Left unions turns out.
The BJP has a lot to gain from this association since labourers form a sizeable vote bank. But the leftists would be left out if they stick to their non-nationalist and anti-consumerism agenda for too long.
Raghu Seshadri, Chennai
