Political intoxication can apparently lead men to the most dire straits as other forms of conventional intoxication. When their gods fail, there is no knowing what men of outraged conscience do. They need not necessarily become votaries of the devil but the most curious things happen.
In this land of rather mixed- up political values, it is not unusual to find amusing evidence of intoxication gone awry. A few disgruntled politicians gathered in the political of the country the other day and decided to call themselves a ‘non-political, non-communal organisation’ and in the same breadth, gave themselves the task of investigating the subversive activities of the Communist Party of India!
The aim of this body, it is said, is to wean away members of the Communist Party and educate the masses about the anti-national activities of the party.
Now, if anyone interprets this to be a political activity. It only shows that a lot of people are ignoring of what “true socialism under the banner of Marx and Engels” is. Incidentally, this is another goal that the ‘Nationalist Marxist Association’ has set for itself- to lead India to true socialism’ under the said banner. But there are grave obstacles.
Ordinary mortals cannot hope to become members of the Association even if they believe in ‘true socialism’. In order to become a member, one has first to become a Communist and then an ex-Communist- and ex-Communists of North India ‘only’ to boot.
Rather an exclusive society, to say the least. The idea is faintly reminiscent of an international association of which one can become a member only after reaching the state of permanent and perilous indulgence and then summoning up enough courage to forswear it.
Only that this is recognized as an association of sick men whereas the gentlemen who gathered in Delhi are perfectly healthy. Or are they? Perhaps, psychologists may be able to throw some light on the situation.
February 17, 1961
