'Continuous rule' remark: CPM leaders reach out to Satchidanandan

THRISSUR: Following criticism on Facebook over his remark that “continuous rule by the same party is not good for democracy”, poet and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Chairman K. Satchidanandan was visited at his home by CPM Thrissur District Secretary K.V. Abdul Khader and Sahitya Akademi Vice President Ashokan Cheruvil. They met him to discuss the controversy. Abdul Khader later said that Satchidanandan clarified that his remarks were not aimed at the upcoming Kerala elections and that he is someone who understands the values of the Left in Kerala.

“Satchidanandan is not a member of the party. He has every right to voice his criticism. The discussion was cordial and friendly. He is a respected teacher, and the district leadership of the party can meet him at any time. He clarified that his remarks were not meant in the way they were portrayed. With this explanation, we consider the issue closed,” Abdul Khader said.

Earlier in the day, Satchidanandan had responded on Facebook to criticism from social media users. He said that cyber groups had not properly understood the ideas of Marxist philosopher Jacques Rancière, who wrote about the decline of democracy. He said he had only shared those ideas with the media.

He wrote that Marxism should stand for making the invisible visible and giving a voice to those who are unheard. Instead, he said, the poor are becoming poorer and marginalised people are being pushed further aside. Pleasing the upper middle class, he added, is not true Marxism. He also described the cyber world as a “virtual fool’s paradise” where only verbal battles take place.

Satchidanandan is always a Left sympathiser, says Binoy Viswam

Meanwhile, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said Satchidanandan’s comments would be taken seriously. Speaking at a press conference in Kollam, he said there is no conflict between Satchidanandan and the LDF. He said the poet would not be seen as an enemy and described him as a Left sympathiser who has always believed in Left ideals. Responding to questions about Satchidanandan’s remark that it is better for two fronts to rule Kerala alternately, Binoy Viswam said Left supporters are not expected to praise the LDF in every matter. If they have criticism, they are free to express it, and the Left will not ignore such views.