CPI(M) which was earlier rooting for Uniform Civil Code has made a volte-face by opposing it now
The Muslim League has got a much-needed morale-boosting certificate from the CPI(M), the world’s biggest revolutionary outfit. The Marxists who had shunned the Muslim League in the recent past labelling it as a communal party have issued an “A” Grade to the party by describing it as a secular party. M V Govindan, the Kerala State Secretary, who wields big influence all over India declared the other day at Thiruvananthapuram that the CPI(M) would oppose tooth and nail all moves by the “communal” BJP to bring in the Uniform Civil Code in the country. Those who remember the antecedents of the CPI(M) were not at all surprised by Govindan’s volte-face on the issue. Way back in 1980, the CPI(M) had allied with a faction of the Muslim League and that facilitated the coronation of E K Nayanar as chief minister of Kerala for the first time. Though the then government led by Nayanar fell by the wayside in 1982 as the Congress led by A K Antony pulled out from the Marxist front, the latter’s liaison with the Muslim League faction continued till 1986. But the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case and the subsequent Constitution amendment by the Rajiv Gandhi Government at the Centre made EMS Namboodirippadu, the then national secretary of the CPI(M) to declare “Uniform Civil Code at any cost”.
“There is an urgent need to rectify the Sharia,” Namboodirippdu said in his speeches and writings. But this scared away the Muslim League faction from the CPI(M)-led front. The 1987 assembly election in Kerala was fought on two lines by the CPI(M); Uniform Civil Code and pension against Mullahs and Mukris. The League faction with the CPI(M) called off the marriage of convenience immediately after the declaration by Namboodirippadu. The Kerala Congress owing allegiance to the Church also dissociated themselves from the CPI(M) led front and this helped the LDF to consolidate the Hindu votes. It was not the proletarian ideology of the Marxists but the Hindu votes that helped them to form a Government in Thiruvananthapuram sans the Muslim and Christian political parties. K Karunakaran, the monarch of the Congress in Kerala saw an opportunity and mobilized the Muslim community by promising them that his party would not do anything that offend their religious sentiments. What has happened now is that the Marxists have understood the truth that the Hindus would not vote for them en masse as there are new challengers in the form of the BJP clamouring for the Hindu votes. The issue right now is not whether we need UCC or not. The CPI(M) making a sudden U-turn from their previous stance seems to appease the Muslim community who are turning to the party in large numbers following the ban on the Popular Front of India and the arrest of their leaders by the NIA. The former PFI activists masquerade as Marxists during day time and discharge their responsibilities to the mother organization during night hours. Nothing abnormal in it as it too is part of guerrilla strategy. May India stay united and strong!