Faith no bar to join CPM: Karat

In a bid to address the confusion created by resignation of a former MP in Kerala, the CPM general secretary Prakash Karat explained on Thursday that faith is not a bar in joining the party.

In a bid to address the confusion created by resignation of a former MP in Kerala, the CPM general secretary Prakash Karat explained on Thursday that faith is not a bar in joining the party.

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Karat’s comments came in response to the debate sparked by the resignation of KS Manoj, a devout Catholic, protesting a directive under the rectification drive. Manoj said it was against members participating in religious ceremonies.

“The party does not bar persons who have religious faith from joining the Party. While they may practice their faith, they are expected to also uphold secularism and oppose the intrusion of religion into the affairs of the State,” Karat said.

Explaining the Marxist outlook about the religion, Karat said, “Marxists are atheists, they believe in no religion. But Marxists understand the origin of religion and the role it plays in society… Hence, Marxism does not attack religion per se.”

What CPI-M opposed was not religion but communalism that was sustaining on religious identities, Karat said.

“They should not organise religious ceremonies, or, conduct rituals. They may have to participate in social functions with religious ceremonies organised by others. Communist Party leaders cannot profess something in public and do something else in their personal life,” Karat said.