CPM develops love for dalit icons

Kochi: The CPM leadership in the state has finally decided to appropriate B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Ayyankali to its iconography. Banners and other publicity materials displayed in connection with the first state conference of the Pattikajati Kshema Samiti to be held in Thrissur on August 22 and 23 are a clear indication of the newfound enthusiasm of the CPM for the dalit icons. Even the venue of the meeting  is named as Ambedkar Nagar.

Dalit intellectuals such as Sunny M. Kapikkad and K.K. Kochu have been castigating the CPM for deliberately trying to downplay the role played by Ayyankali in the emancipation of dalits in Kerala. A book written by E.M.S. Namboodiripad on the history of social changes in Kerala had even failed to mention the name of Ayyankali, said Mr Sunny in a recent article.

The dalit intellectuals have also pointed out how land reforms, initiated by communists in Kerala, had denied land ownership to dalits by reducing them to the status of agriculture workers.      

PKS president and former speaker of Kerala Assembly K. Radhakrishnan, however, brushed aside the criticism and said that the CPM was trying to make a conscious attempt to highlight the contributions made by leaders such as Ambedkar and Ayyankali. The key demand of the conference, to be attended by 100,000 persons, would  be reservation in private sector for dalits and advasis, he said.

The CPM had floated the PKS in 2012 to counter the emergence of independent dalit movements in the state questioning the claims made by the Communists on matters connected with dalit emancipation. Top leaders of the CPM are scheduled to address the two-day events.