Academician Vibhuti Patel releases Mandakini Narayanan’s book in Kozhikode on October 25 Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Poet K. Satchidanandan said that communist parties in India should strive to strengthen democracy, but not as a strategy “until the advent of real revolution”. He was delivering a recorded speech here on Saturday (October 25) at an event to mark the birth centenary of former Naxalite leader Mandakini Narayanan.
Mr. Satchidanandan said that one important reason for the declining influence of Indian Marxism was its refusal to seriously discuss caste. He pointed out that democracy would be effective here only if dissenting voices against the hegemony maintained by caste, class, patriarchy, gender, race, color and language were stronger. “For this, communists must truly believe in democracy, not as a strategy until the arrival of ‘revolution’… We must teach the current generation real history. It should also be ensured that our liberal institutions are not manipulated by the ruling establishment,” he added.
Academician and feminist Vibhuti Patel inaugurated the event. Mandakini Narayanan, a collection of articles edited by her daughter K. Ajitha, and Kunnikkal Narayanan: Oru Communistinte Viplavachinthakal, edited by journalist RK Bijuraj, were released on the occasion. Later in the evening, feminist and activist Gita Ramaswamy gave a lecture.
Published – 25 Oct 2025 20:24 IST
