Voice of a hounding shadow - Breath from the Burial
Breath from the Burial
Chapter 1
After Midnight, in a sudden moment , Arunachalam slided into sleep. The slumber gently approaching him, shrouded him completely. Narayanan was talking on the phone.
He got up and yawned. The spooky sound of his chair screeching on the floor penetrated the layers of Arunachalam’s slumber. The office was sounding steadily as dayful of jumbled sounds settled down. Movie songs from auditorium made a mild impact on his abdomen. Ambrose peeking out from the door “ Comade, Theerthamalai from Madras, on his way”
“When?” asked Arunachalam. He was unable to think clearly due to the enshrouded sleep layer.
“ He is here. He has already arrived,”
Arunchanalam in an effort to arrange him, shook himself out from sleep. He realised there was no plan for him to arrive such early. He was supposed to arrive tomorrow, even as a visitor.
By wearing a beaming face, Theerthamalai entered and greeted Arunachalam warmly. His dusk face consisted of idiosyncratic stubble beard, careless haido and the thick glass right at the edge of his nose.
“Hey, has squirrel caught your face?. I am Theertham”
“Of course. I know, Come in Comrade. I am surprised by your early arrival without pre-intimation”
“I believe that should not prevent you from welcoming me. Anyway I am here as I need to be. What Narayanan, your pot-belly is gaining shape, take care of it”
“Have a seat, Comrade. Would you like a cup of tea?
“Never mind. Just now I had tea in the bus stand. What brand is this Beedi?”
“Gaja Beedi”
“Oh my Devil. Straight gate-pass to the burial ground. Don't you have any better brand”
“Do you mind Chokkalal brand, Comrade?” asked Ambrose. Theerthamalai picked one out from that bundle, lit it out. Reposing over the chair, comfortably closing his eyes, he “Oh.. my dear...Hmm” enjoyed the puff. “How's the conference work ,making progress?”
“No complaints, Comrade,” Said Narayanan.
“Well. This guy is a formidable apostle for you. This demon of a guy, could even move mountains for you. As if Stalin was there for Lenin. “ he laughed loudly, suddenly stopping and then “ As you know, It was not meant to be otherwise”.
“We have rooms in the lodge, Comrade,” said Nayaranan.
“Let it be. How's the oldie doing ?”
“He is not in sound health”
Theerthamalai had a meaningful glance at the workers. They vacated the place one after another and the room was closed.
“I mainly came here in his regard. The state committee has sent me in advance for that purpose”
“What for?” Narayanan asked attentively, looking at Arunachalam sharply.
“There was turmoil over him. A tug of war between the higher level authorities till the last moment. I believe there is an election scheduled..“
Arunachalam felt a prickly feeling in his mind “ Go ahead”
“The higher authorities prefer election this time. After all we should go by democtratic way right?”
“Election means?” asked Narayanan.
“Higher authorities wish that Arunchalam should contest for the post. ”
Arunachalam's face appeared firm.
“Indeed a good decision,” said Narayanan. “ We the workers are expecting the contest for a long while”
“Change is always unchangeable rite?”
“Would KKM accept this?”
“Would he oppose any contest?”
“No” Said Arunachalam “ But it is not easy to force him resign from the union post”
“Who is he to resign? This is a union of workers. They should decide that”
“No one dared to separate KKM from union, so far”
“What sort of thinking is this? If no one ever did it, It does not mean no one should think about it. Union is not personal property of an individual. Individuals may come and go. Union is here to stay beyond time. ”
“Workers should accept..”
“I am here just for that. There are 150 branch secretaries with voting rights. District secretaries are totally 9. I am going to meet all of them in person. I have a secret persuasive letter from the center. They would not have any choice”
“These are all the very same people enlisted into union only in the name of KKM”
“ So what?”
Arunachalam had no words.
“Leon Trotsky is the one commissoned the red army from nothing. When he opposed the revolution, the very same red army deposed him. “
Arunachalam in angry tone. “Let us speak plausible things, Comrade. It is impossible. The sacrifices that KKM made for union is immeasurable. No loyal worker will forget his contributions.
Theerthamalai picked the next beedi and lit it. “Ok. As you wish, let us talk standing from the ground. Out of all, how many do you think, will stand with us in case of any sort of conflict ?”
“Somewhere around 80” said Narayanan.
“How many votes?”
“In total, approximately 167. Including eight primary branches and Government Gardens.
“Fine then. We got our majority for win”
“Winning is not an issue,” said Arunachalam.
“Let me come to that point. In the case of the protesting split of KKM, how many would definitely resign after him?”
“At Least Sixty”
“Ha.. Ha. What a joke. My guess is Thirty or at most Forty members” said Theerthamalai. “ Don’t forget, I was part of the executive members of this very union”
“You are underestimating KKM’s influence”
“In case we dismiss him, there may be hundred out of hundred and eighty eight would feel bad for his deposal. But they will calm down eventually, if we win. Because we have the power. They would be in the state of indecision. There is a chance of maximum of forty members would make a definite decision”
“How can we predict that?” asked Narayanan.
“Yes we can. Having a post in union is an identity. Every member of the union savours that feeling . When some unknown worker salutes you, you feel important and proud. Speak by your heart, can you deny that?”
Narayanan Smiled.
“No one would be in a position to relinquish that feeling. Giving opinions about right or wrong is a simple matter. To go to the extent of losing something, in order to stand firm on what you believe right is altogether a different issue. “
“I agree. Even in that case, KKM would capture a minimum of 40 branches. By any calculation, we will lose 20 percents of the members. You knew the state of our union. Ours is the largest one. Yet we managed to enroll mere 30 percent of workers. Attrition of a single member itself is a blow for us. If any member manages to break away one more along with him, the calculation will totally change”
“How can a member dissociate him and join there?” asked Narayanan wonderingly.
“It is natural. Every discontented member would go straight and join the opposite union. The mentality is to get attached to power. They will never join the co-aligned union. Major chunk of the members would go and join there because of brainwashing. The case of dispute is a strong field for brainwash. It would be a daunting task to bring them back to the union”
“So what about the principles they stood? Their religiosity etc. “ asked Narayanan.
“What principle does a worker have? It has been eight years of union work. If I can not decipher the preference of workers. It is pitiful. “
“Yes, You exactly arrived at the point, Camrade. Every member needs the rooted security that the union gives. Additionally, the economic benefits the union could gives after putting up some fight. Workers would be ready to join any union gives the above. “
“Principle is totally different from loyalty. Workers are loyally attached to KKM”.
“Again oscillating like a pendum. Stick firmly on a stand, Camrade”.
“In fact, their own members may not strictly adhere to the decision of their branch secretaries”
“Look here Camrade. The story of split is totally different. If we conduct the election to make decision whether to keep KKM in post or release him, everyone would vote for him. There may be may break away following him. Yet Workers need to heed to many other attachments”
“Yet, KKM’s voice is a huge crowd rouser. None of us have that power. If he stands firm and speak the workers eyes would get moisten.”
“Indeed it is true. But think about this aspect. During the expansion plan for the garden, when KKM’s proposed guidelines like, allow the opportunity to pick the new-workers, put a bar on over-time of existing workers etc? How many of these workers agreed to this?”
“Yes, that's the truth”
“This is the era of agreements. The struggle between Workers and the owners is waning. Both the parties are trying to be in term after bargain. As you know, Cannabis are in the gardens. There is excessive logging beyond the guidelines. Who cares about these? In exchange to that, workers are allowed to take a half-pail of rubber at the end of their day's work. Each get a load of share in the logging. Owners are not heeding to this. There is no job here without a bribe. Till this day, No worker ever stood against corruption. KKM does not know this. He is a believer of stage rhetoric. “
“Yet..”
“There are no more yets and buts. There will be a proposal in the conference. The expansion of the garden will be allowed, in the condition of providing over-time work with wages for the existing workers. Only after that, new workers will be included. KKM will surely oppose this decision. At once, Some of our supporters will stand up and oppose KKM. Even after passing the decision with a majority, he will be sternly opposing. At some point, KKM will cross the limit. In that heated moment, If we announce the election, KKM will cave in. Yes, some of his supporters will split along with him. But we can pursue them after some time and bring them back. “
“What is the need of his deposal? His health condition is already worsening.” The thought sparked in between those lines caused bitterness in Arunachalam.
“You never know. Communists live longer”
Arunchalam converted his bitterness as anger towards Theerthamalai.
“You don’t worry, Camrade. Party has an alternate plan for KKM. They decided to appoint KKM as the head of the State advisory committee. There will be a felicitate function organised.
“Till his last breath, KKM would never relieved himself from the Rubber woker’s union”
“We cannot allow him to continue. State committee is firm on that decision. In his elderly age, we are providing an opportunity to relieve himself with dignity. KKM is a legendary leader. No one will ever forget that.”
“KKM will never agree that”
“You never know. The oldie may not put up a fight till the end. He would not have the vitality in heart as well as in health. If we manage to make an amendment with his pride and ego, he may be in accord. You know the case of M.R.K”
“KKM is not a calculative politician. His approach would be brute force. He yet to have grasp on contemporary politics”
“There is no other choice”
“Would there be a split in the union?”
“No, there won’t be. That's where the weakness of KKM lays. He can neither join nor seek help from any other unions. While he waits for reconciliation, the entourage would eventually dissipate.”
Arunachalam felt a relief from the chagrin and appeared self-possessed.
When he realised the weight of the events about to unfold, he felt perturbed.
“I am planning to start the meeting with each district secretary today, so that I can finish the discussion with them before the conference. Why don’t you convey this directly to KKM in person? “
Arunachalam felt a jolt and asked “ Me?”
“Yes. Oldie likes direct dealings. If we involve a third person, he may be puzzled. Try to have an open conversation in this regard. Be generous in adding flattery words in your talk. Also do not forget to intermittently praise Stalin. No one other than you can communicate in such a way with him. Let us try this approach”
Arunachalam let out a huge sigh.
Chapter 2
The cold breeze pulled Arunachalam back to present. He returned back letting out a sigh. He waited hesitantly when he noticed the lights were still on in KKM’s room. After few mins, he sallied forth in the staircase steadily. Yet his heart beated rapidly. The radio inside the room sounded clamourously. Suddenly in a confused noise, in some random language a commanding statement, followed by a piece of a music, a bit of noise in some unknown language, a single word in English, the radio sounded as if a mind of an insane person. Arunachalam pushed the door inside.
KKM craning his neck looked at him. At first, he was not able to grasp Arunachalam’s entry. Bright light caused nebulous vision to Arunacham. “Vanakkam Camrade, Have you not slept?”
“Hey you Arunachalam. Come in. How could I sleep such early?”
KKM got up and wore his eye glasses.
“How is your health?”
“Nothing much changed. I managed to shut my eyes for a while in the noon. No sleep what so ever. I have been trying to find some good song in radio, no luck”
“It is early morning 2 am. I don’t think any radio station would be opened”
“No you are wrong. Have a look at this. This is an old German model radio. It runs whole day and nights too. In our midnights, when our stations are closed, there are so many other countries stations are up and running to connect. In 1953, I heard the speech of Stalin in this very same radio. Sometimes in mid-night you can hear some good music”
“Those won’t be our music right?”
“I am fond of all kind of music. All musics are same. Last month I happened to catch a random song in this radio. The song was efferversing like a wave, I felt like as if the swelling of water in our Tirparappu falls during the rainy season. As if a huge mass of red uniformed militants coalesing forming like a single flag, matching ahead with the glittering rifles and emblazoned medals. On that moment, I looked outside. The entire world was in a slumber. I felt like shout my guts out ‘Hey, You all fools!! Look over here, the Red Army marching towards us’ and I weeped Arunachalam” . KKM calmed himself in few minutes. “ I had a glorious dream of Red Army crossing the Khyper pass and We all join that mass shouting the slogans ecstatically”
Arunachalam recalled the memory of his transistor which relayed the news of Soviet Russia’s collapse. On those days, every time he cast his glance over that device, his heart would beat bleakly. Yet he was not able to hold him back from hearing that news. If the news bulletin ends in one language, he would tune the transistor to hear the same news in a different language. In nights, when all the news bulletins were shut down, the transistor would emit a caustic ears piering noice. His empty mind would be in dissonance with that sound in some outer space relieving from the reality. Arunachalam felt that the noise in this valve transistor sounded better than his own transistor. It actually sounded like a chugging noise of a mechanical device. A noise from an unproductive yet insistently running contraption.
KKM was conversing something unrelately. Some dead old recollections. What else he holds in his memory? He had an impromptu urge to hurt him. Yes this is the moment to disclose. This is the moment to rout his perceived convictions.
“Arunachalam, I am going to bring an important issue in this Conference” said KKM.
“What is that camrade?”
“I must register my thoughts on the issue of labour’s discipline. I have been thinking in this regard for a long time. In order to claim our right of asking the wage rise, we must do our duty with integrity. Only then our voice is justified. It gives the base power to our voice. Why are you silent? ”
“Your proceed ahead, Comrade.”
“Our worker class has been toiling through all possible types of exploitation. Ours belogings have been plundered for a long time. Yes, we must fight against this injustice. But first, every worker must vouch for their discipline, only then they can claim their fighting as hand narrow. Only then there will be true soul in our “Inqulab Zindabad” slogan.”
“Yes Indeed, Comrade.”
“Do you follow me? Some among us are asking, what is wrong in looting back from the masters. Our fight against them is to get back what they owe us. Which is very much our right. Instead if we decide to plifer from them, it would be an indication of our acceptance, that all those are their earned properties. It would turn as an ugly game of thieves. There would be no more class struggle. He will plifer back from us as a revenge, we will do again in a cycle as an attempt to get it back. Finally who ever does it more stealthly would succeed in that competition. Eventually they will go on capture the power at somepoint. Even if the working class wins the final battle, there will be a rule of a different type of thieves, isnt it? Even bigger, clever thieves with authority. Do you think that is communism? You, the one well versed in ideological debates, would you say that as socialism?”
By clamping down the insistent anger, Arunachalam uttered “You have given the title of thieves to the entire working class altogether. Comrade”
“If you commit a fraud in your work, what else we can say other than thief? How many moral workers are there among us, who do perform their duty within legal terms?”
“Workers have given no slavery conscription to anyone”
“No I did not say that. Yet we have signed the agreement with owners. A document states that I work for so and so hours and as a compensation I receive such and such wage. We always have the right to fix and demand for our wage that we deserve. But labours do not have the right to cheat any one”
Arunachalam filled with hatred did not retort.
“What we do as a union in reality? Speak by your heart, are we educating the workers on their duty? Are we mobilising them for the class struggle? Most of the time, we stand side by side in the defence of bogus workers demands. Do you dare to say no”
“All these may be true, Comrade. You are not understanding the contemporary system. We have eight large unions in our industry. If our union does not meet the demands of a labour, the labour will break away and join the opponent union. We are not in a position to train him. Every union is forced to adjust to the member labour’s demands. We are not in position to command him”
“Then, what is the purpose our union?”
“If there is no leftist union, there won’t any sort of communist force in this society. Without our safeguards, the sycophants of owners would swindle all the common assets. The sweat and blood the legendary Comrades like you spilled, would be betrayed”
“We neither envisioned nor fought for such type of union”
“I understand your angst. In order to contend with the contemporary times, we ought to do some compromises. At the moment, no big head of Rubber industry would dare to pass any decision without consulting our union. There is still a feel of pride associated with the labours. If we are not adaptable, the union will lose its strength. It is a loss for labours.
“Yet. Labours must decide their own fate. Must nt they ?”
“Camrade, If there are no unions, no parties”
“Are these parties not for labours? It is the duty of party to educate and mobilise the labours, isnt it? The parties should not be a waging tail of the labours”
“What you say is possible only in a distant future and after a step by step progressive moves ”
KKM was in silence for few minutes. “Arunachalam, do you get the difference between your thought and mine?”
“Proceed ahead, Camrade”
“You talk like some employee whose career depends on the salary provided by the labour class. I am here talking about politically carry the labour class forward and enlight them”
Arunachalam felt a gush of blood rushing to his head. He managed to hush this anger.
“The raison d'etre of union is not bargain with or play around the need of the labours. The motive should be empower them by through education of history and idealogy. “ KKM’s head quevered. His countenance elicited a smile like posture. “ You were worried about break away of a few labours rite. You may not know. In 1950s, on one side, if we could manage meagure of 10 members enroll in our union, on the other side, the owners sponsored Trivancore state rubber estate union would accumulate 100s of members. For those new members they offered attaractive allowences and concessions. On contrary if someone joins our side, their life endangered from that moment. After a 10 month of impassioned effort, we would be managing to pick just 10 members. In the very next day, if we turn back , hoisting our red flag, there would be only four among them remaining. How did we manage to attain such a growth? We had justice in our side. Even our opponents well aware about our truth. Every members of ours were at ready to dedicate their life for the union’s cause. Don’t you know, how many of them sacrificed their life, in the latti charge and bullet shots? How on earth the purpose of union changed to such pathetic state? How the labour’s mind oscillates, to shift to the other union like a chameleon for a hike of 5 rupees. What went wrong? Answer me”
Irritated Arunachalam let out a sigh. “ Whatever may be your opinion, the current members will not support your voice”
“Look here. Arunachalam. You may not understand labours. Right or wrong, their first reaction would be opposing that. In 1963 when we mooted the idea of bonus, the labour junta was the first one to oppose well before owners. We should be patiently convince them on any new ideas”
“The issue you are proposing is unprecendeted”
“The one who is capable of convincingly communicate with the labours, is called the leader. Not the ones who dabs their hand only in the collection of monthly membership fee.”
“It is upto you Camrade. In this matter, thats all I wanted to discuss”
“Fire in the belly, Arunachalam. We should never let it go. You know, if you invest the same effort as an LIC Agent, you can pile up lakhs. As a communist, there should be a flame in our expressions. Flame, the fountainhead of the respect and pride which we get from the labour junta. The very same fire, which we acquired from our legendary leaders. The fire which was in my adam’s apple was the reason behind, fifty thousand labours coelseing together, stood behind me in 1963 labour strike. Eighteen of the them martyred in the gun shoot. Most of them suffered an imprisonment for eight month. Fire in the belly, Arunachalam. Never let it subdue”
“Its already very late. Allow me to take a leave, Camrade”
“Yes. Please. We shall meet in the morning. I have scribed few points. Let us sit together, discuss and elaborate the draft in the morning”
When Arunachalam about to saunter down the staircase, he threw a glance towards Stalin. It occurred to him that with the squinched eyes, Stalin was intently looking back at him. Only when he was in the ground floor, he realised, he never discussed the main matter with KKM.
Theerthamailai was there. “Come here, Camrade! Where had you been? Narayanan was looking for you”
“Upstaires”
“Oh. With KKM.. Have you done?”
“No. He was the one who spoke mostly”
“Did you not discuss?”
“No”
“I dont get it”
“There is no need to talk. He won’t agree”
“Do you want me to..”
“KKM is planning to pass a memorandum in the conference. To instruct Labours not to do any sort of appropriation”
Theerthamalai asked with full of laugh “ You are kidding rite”
“The indirect meaning of the entire conversation was that only. If we oppose unrelentingly, he would fall apart for sure”
“So there is no need to talk to him directly”
“Not necessary. We have a great opportunity that he himself thriving to pass this memorandum. We should wait and watch things unfold. Thats it”
Theerthamalai lit an another beedi. Arunachalam felt fatigued. “ Let me go home and take a bath. I feel very clammy. Please inform Narayanan” Said Arunachalam.
Chapter 3
Upon hearing Arunachalam's moped sound, Nagamma opened the door. With untied wet loose hairs, she appeared to have taken bath just now. Turmeric power applied over her face made it shining. Bunch of hairs covered her ears, appeared in dark brown shade.
“Oh, you are home early? I don’t remember you intimated that”
“Should I need to? Is baby still sleeping?”
“She woke up three times in the night and snivelled incessantly. Only a few mins ago, She managed to slide into sleep”
“What is it with your unusual early morning bath?”
“Periods”
“Ah ok” Said Arunchanachalm unbuttoning his shirt. “I have not prepared wet flour for Dosa. Shall I cook some Upma? ” asked Nagamma.
“No, porridge from yesterday's rice should be ok”
“Porridge is not good for your health. Moreover, you have worked full night awake. Shall I prepare something hot like Rava dosa, with green chilli?“
“As you know, I have a digestion problem with Rava foods”
“Fine then. What about wheat dosa?”
“Whatever you wish. Let me take a bath first. Where is the oil bottle?”
As always, the oil bottle and comb rested over the ‘Dos capital’ book. Arunachalam came back furiously. She was not there. Letting out an angry sigh, he went back to take a bath. He could feel the release of the mental stress, in the refreshing chill water. The smell of Dosa wafted out from Kitchen. Swaddling the Dhoti in the waist, he sat over the Chair. As he was not able to find the reason for his unsettling mind, he picked a random book from the shelf. “Second World War'' General Myskyev. A blazing crimson colour buble was depicted in the front cover page. “The great socialistic war ended with the sacrifse of vast one third population of Soviet Russia. Thousands of towns perished.”
Nagamma returned back with Dosa. “ You said no wet Dosa flour..”
“I borrowed a tumblerfull from the neighbour sister”
“Do not make a habit of frequent borrow from neighbours”
“It is vice-versa, didnt the visit here frequently? Even Yesterday she borrowed a tumbler-full of sugar”
Dosa smelled and tasted deliciously.
“Can’t you hold back reading till finished eating?”
“The treaty signed to release the troop from the Kieves front” annoyed Arunachalam closed the book. Nagamma came back with another Dosa. “ Nagam, I need to talk with you”
“What is it? Is it about oil bottle over the books?”
“Let me speak”
“Go ahead” said She, adjusted the clumpsy hair sprawled in her forehead with the back of the palm. Her whole face appeared clammy with sweat droplets. For a moment, he lost himself in her a vibrant, life palpitating frame and the skin appeared as smooth as a banana shoot. He had an instant urge to embrace her.
“Nagam, I am going to be chief secretary of the union”
“Are you already not the secretary?”
“No, I am a subordinate to secretary. Soon I will be secretary and Narayanan will work under me”
“Dosa is going to burn out. Hold on a minute”. He waited anxiously till her return “ I am done with Dosa. Wait here a second”
“Two dosa? Enough? Are you sure? Is this sufficient till your usual delayed lunch.”
“Nagam, don’t you understand what I am trying to say?”
“Yah, Yah. You are getting promoted as an officer in Union. What is unusual with that. Afterall you invested time and sweat for the union. They ought to promote you. I almost forgot about that dusk fellow. Looks like the Pillaimar kid to me. His name is Kolappan rite. “
“Yes. What about him now?”
“He borrowed a flask from us. Remember him. Red flask with white lid. There may be chance of someone breaking it. Keep an eye on that flask. How good is this Kolappan , is he duteous?”
“What for?”
“There is a different matter. Hold on” She went into Kitchen to prepare another uncomplying Dosa.
“Nagam, I cant wait to discuss something with you” He yanked her arm.
“Oh God. what r u doing? Leave me” releasing herself from his hold. She dabbed her sweat with the hem of her saree.
“Most importantly, I will be replacing KKM“
Perplexed Nagam “Then, what about KKM?” asked.
“They fired him”
“Who?”
“The party”
“He was a prime Party member right?”
“The upper bureau was not happy on him”
“Ah ok, thats why you are replacing him”
“Election yet to commence”
Nagamma was confused. “ Whatever may be, If you are happy, then I am fine” said She.
Arunachalam “ Who said I am happy with all these” said in an angry tone.
“Why are you fussing me out?”
“Do you think I would be happy, If I replace KKM?”
“So you rejected the offer?” asked Nagammai in a tone of relief.
Anrunachalam calming himself “How am I supposed to refuse the order of the party. Party should respect the desire of the workers junta” said. He annoyed with himself when he realised why he was explaining these internal matter with her. Why he is having the guilty feeling in front of her.
“Fine. Then”
“What is fine?”
“You do what you feel ok”
“You are no help with your words. How could I do? How can you say that?”
“Beg you, not to start another morning fight. I just repeated what you said”
“Don’t you have any opinion in this regard?”
“My opinion?”
“Be serious. Didnt you get angry when I said, I am going to replace KKM’s post? Look at my face and tell me the truth. ”
“Why should I get angry on that?”
“So, you did get angry”
“No, I didnt say that”
“You did not say. Yet you got angry.”
“Your union. Your workers. Why should I bother about these decisions. Afterall, you don’t share about all these usually. What is the big deal now”
Arunchalam accepted the validity of that question. What is the big deal now. In the very next second, he felt angry. “Why because, your good for nothing head filled with Dosa, rice and Fish gravies. Get away from my sight” scolded her.
“Ah.. If that way my head made then you are here to lick and suck it”
“Get lost”
“I am leaving. I don’t have give or take with the one roaming with the blazing head. “
“What did you say”
“Your head is a firewoods blazing oven”
He had not words to reply. Although he acknowledged internally that is a most suitable example of this head. He felt fatigued. He got up and started buttoning the shirt.
“I beseech you to wait for few mins. Let me prepare tea for you”
“I don’t want”
“My dear sweet Raja. Don’t punish your stomach on this fight”
“Shut up and get out”
“It was all my fault. Forgive me”
“What was your fault?”
“Yah, All of it. I am a silly and stupid woman. Wait a beat, I will bring the hot tea”
“I am late, I dont want your”
Her eyes moistened.
“For God sake, dont start a delibrate crying drama?”
Remorseful droplets rolled down. He happened to glance her innocent countenance. His heart melted down. He grabbing her waist, gave a tight embrace and wiped her tears. “Leave it. I was angry with something else”
“Dont go without having tea”
“Alright. Bring the tea”
She went in with a smiling face. He felt missed out little something. She returned back with tea. He sipped it looking at her pristine eyes. “You too na, crying like kid.”
“You don’t have any idea about my distress which extends for the whole day everytime you go out angrily”
“Yah I was angry”
“On whom?” She asked with smily face intend to pacify. He felt a jolt in his mind. When she observed the change in his countenance “Never mind. I just asked” said She.
When he was about the kick start the moped, he realised that he did not see the baby.
Chapter 4
Arunachalam observed the conference time table stuck on the wall. All the expected Guests have arrived at the venue. Three different files for categorized entry were ready. He picked a visible note from the table which said ‘ I wish to meet you - Masilamani’. He picked the telephone and dialled to Ganga Lodge. It seemed Masilamani was in a bath. The young man who picked up the call, asked Arunachalam to meet him immediately in the room.
Ganga Lodge known for its spatially ventilated room. Before he was about to knock on that large teakwood door, he took a few seconds to compose himself. The neophyte who opened the door is known as Kadhir. A full time employee of the party. Arunchalam never got a chance to make a rapport with him. He heard that he was a well read fellow. There were very few readers among the younger generation party members.
“Come in, Camrade” invited Kadhir. He appeared gleaming with a clean shaved face, aptly cropped moustache, immaculate dress and shining footwears. “Chief enquired about you twice”
Fuzzy grey hairs all over his pot belly, shirtless Masilamani was reading paper sitting over the sofa. Few dailies and empty cups were scattered on the tepa table. Synthetic windows screen emitted light like a blazing flame. There were two large suitcases over the table. There was an electric shaver getting charged. The fan was running without any noise.
“Come here and Sit down, Camrade” called Masilamani “Coffee or Cigarette?”
“No. Thanks”
Masilamani lit a wills cigarette and puffed it restrainedly. “What's up? Camrade?” asked Masilamani.
“All is good, Camrade”
“So, you are our next Chief Secretary. Congratulations. I heard that there will be a promotion in the party added to that”
For some reason Arunchanlam felt uncomfortable.
“What does KKM say about this?”
“He is not aware about this”
“Will there be a breakaway or faction?”
“There is a remote chance”
“In the worst case, 8 or 10 would resign after him, don't call that a faction.”
“You don’t know about KKM”
“I know very well about the workers. It has been the 28th year running experience in this domain”
Arunchalam was silent.
“How many branch Secretaries belongs to Nair Community?”
Arunachalam felt a shock. “There is never such a perspective existed in this part of our union”
Masilamani smiled “Only we dont have such a view-points”
Arunchalam thought for a few seconds and then “ There may be 18 such branch secreteries”
Masalimani let out a laugh “Catch you. You have the communitywise calculations handy. Do you belong to the Patriarchal or Matricatical Pillai community?
“Patriarchal”
“I see. There might be a problem” Masilamani unlit the cigarette, rubbing it over the table. “Only now, the caste calculations are brought into light. Thus far it was hidden in the dark. In stages, we speak at length about ideology, at the end of day, only a Nambudiri could become the chief, isn't it?”
Flustered, Arunachalam shook his head.
“Do not lose your grip over Narayanan, ever” said Masilamani.
Arunachalam felt an uneasy temperature rise in his body. As if Masilamani perceived that change, let out a meaningful smile. “There is a precariousness of being someone like Narayanan, Camrade. He will manage to turn into an influential figure at some point. None here is unaware about the overly caste attachment of Nadars. Although they may not turn as a singular influential community, the other communities will always look at them askance. Others will not allow one of them to reach the top. One or other will keep them in check to prevent them from reaching the top of power. If you take an example situation in Coimbatore, someone from the Coundar community or Sengundar community would never become a chief. Yours is a safer position. You just need to keep Narayanan under your purview.”
For some reason, Arunchalam felt bitter on hearing that topic.
“Hey Pal Kadhir, Call Mani and ask him to bring Tea for Camrade, also Cigarette”
“Why are we hell-bent on ejecting KKM ?”
“You must have known by now. As you know the future hinges on the co-alliance government. There is a high chance that we actively participate in governance. It may be either inside the cabinet or outside as allied politics. “
“Co-alliance with Congress party?”
“Does not matter. With any party”
“Would Congress be ok with that?”
“Congress or BJP, they won’t get a single majority. They cannot form a government without our support. We should not allow that. Chance of such an opportunity is very rare in Indian political history. Our party should never let this golden chance slip from hour hands”
“In case, if Congress does not accept our support?”
“Foreign influence will become a greater threat than the Religious politics. We may join hands with the lesser evil BJP to save the country from falling” Masilamani laughed loudly.
Arunachal felt hurt with that response “Do not kid with me, Camrade” said.
“I am not kidding. For now two monsters are in our face. One of them is Imperialism, the other one is Religious politics. If we managed to enlarge one of them, we can justify our stand with the other. Did we not join hands with BJP in 1988 to fight against the Imperialist Congress party? All these are political Gambling, Camrade. But we should be conscious about the purpose of this game.”
“What purpose? power?”
“Certainly, Power is the purpose. What else? When V P Singh formed the government in 1988, we retounded upon prime minister with our weekly meeting. There was no history of any cabinet meeting occurred in such a frequent interval. After all, these governments irrespective of any party, runs over the foundation of the industrial owners’s money. We should have never supported any of these governments, if we are one-pointed to our fidelity with the ideology”
“What about Religious politics?”
“Religious politics, phooey. Tell me another one. You know well. I know very well. All these parties are more or less same. When the entire nation was ablaze in Ramjenma Bhoomi issue in 1990s, we were discussing the power sharing sitting along with BJP in same table. Where the hell the Religious politics gone then?”
“What do you mean..”
“Think about it. 20 years back, was there any far fetching chance for us to venture into such a political game?”
Arunachalam acknowledged that.
“Why? Because, we had a glorious dream. The dream was that on one great day, we are going to hoist the communist flag in the Red-fort. Every one of us was ready to toil for that. We were ready to give our life to achieve that glory. Things have changed. At present, you know well and I know it too, that dream will never come to true in India”
“No, not like that. We have the support of millions of labourers”
“Do not think of drawing the snake and add the leg ”
Kadhir had a laugh upon hearing that.
“Fine then. Yet..”
“Each member joins the party over the singular belief that one day the party will ascend to the top of political power. All of them work hard towards that goal. How can we run the party without political dreams? Already our party has diminished to the level of a regional party. Think over it.”
“Very well. I can imagine our future is bright as a side-kick to big parties..”
“Why should we rule out the chance of our party turning into a major party among the co-allianced parties. Why doesn't one of our leaders have a chance to become the prime minister? You know, this is a very plausible dream”.
“Our party does not deserve Prime minister in such a shady manner”
“You know well, the post of Prime minister is just a fulcrum point of so many competing political forces and contradictory factions. Even if we manage to capture the power, we have our share of internal discords to resolve. Tell me”
Arunachalam was overwhelmed with the thoughts. Suddenly, he was bogged down by an acid rush in his stomach. He felt like losing a very important part of himself. He had looked at this wrist watch.
“Co-alliance politics is totally a different ball game, Camrade. We should adapt to that politics sooner or later. This is a watershed moment for all the parties of this country”
“In 1954, When we decided to enter the democratic election politics by dropping the weapons, we faced the same crisis, Camrade” Said Kadhir. The effortless manner in which he slided into this conversation, alluded to Arunachalam all thus far discussion points could be the original words of Kadhir. “Till that point, our party’s image was a protesting opponent party. Our party members underwent military-like training. Within our party, we had various levels of filters and classified sharing of information. Before we decided to enroll a member, there was a monitoring period of three years. Only after that, he will be admitted, that too as an entry level party member. After he establishes his trust in the two years of probation period, the official party member card was conferred. This promotion was a matter of huge proud. No one other than the state committee members has the access to the list of party members. Our party’s bulletin itself was secretly prepared and circulated during that period. When we look back now, we get amusement and surprise at the same moment. What a radical change”
“Yes. This historical change is forced out by the time”
“Absolutely. The current course of changes are also driven by the demand of time. But our party’s functioning still attached to the former secrecy approach. In fact, you and I have the party’s argot names. Secret codes. On the contrary, we are open to include any finicky at ready to give the monthly membership fee. This is called Democracy. What is inside each head does not matter, instead how many total headcount matters. This change paved a way for the intellectuals, conciliatorm, gamblers such as K.R.S to reach the top. Why? Because negotiations and discussions are the base of democracy. The civilisations evolved in the bedrock called Negotiations. Negotiation must be the greatest discovery of humanity.”
Detached Masilamani was looking out the window as if there was no relation between what was happening there. He must have listened to that verbatim more than once.
“So we relegate to compromise instead of protesting”
“The place of Negotiation lies in the exact center of these two. World sees the number of direct wars is plummeting. The technological advancement erased the importance of militant’s count in the battlefield. There is no war in future without total destruction. In such wars, there are no side triumphs over others, in the end. Only the annihilation and destruction becomes vicotrious. Every human and Every society evolved and clearly aware about their main exigency, which is, we the humans are here to live. For that, there is no solution other than Negotiations. In this current era, every departments, every fields and every issue’s torch-bearer is Negotiations. Right now, in this very second, do you know how many millions of the tables are arranged for Negotiation. The state of current world affairs is the resulted balanced point of, millions and millions of the Negotiations occurred. Every institute, in every moment, is in one of the dual states of compromise and protest. The table of negotiations keeps on progressing forward, pulling ahead these two along with it. The movement of these tables is the movement of humanity and its culture. The era which advocated the protest till death, compromise over graveyard is bygone. If there is such a thing called final settlement, it will be the total destruction of humankind.”
“So, there is no place for arms anymore?”
“The arms are always used as an external browbeating tool in the Negotiation table, Comrade. Let me summarise in this way. Every protest ends with a compromise, every compromise is a breathing space for the next protests ' Kadhir lit a cigarette. “This is my favourite image. When you look closely at the world map using a magnifying glass, you will visualise that a map is an amalgamation of thousands and thousands of offset points. Each of these points are a balancing position of innumerous directional tug of Negotiations . This image would be the best example to explain the current state of the world.”
“This is very philosophical”
“Don’t say that word. This bonehead would get high charged” said Masilamani. “Let me go out and get some air”. He went out wearing his shirt.
“Am I blowing hard?” upon watching Masilamani take a leave, Kadhir asked.
“No. Not at all. I am trying to establish a practical reasoning”
“I am about to jump into the practical aspect. We have arrived at the era of Negotiations. It took forty years to drop the weapons and embrace Democracy. We yet to have a grip over democracy. We are still dwelling in the infeasible dream of dictatorship through democracy. Stalin and Mao have impeded us at the threshold of Democracy. We do have the election. But only dictators like the KKM would be elected over and over again. “
“They deserve because of their sacrifices”
“I am not denying that. The time has changed. The previous generations of workers had chosen one among them as a leader. Because they wanted a companion, a replica of them, a son of soil, with someone the workers felt the connection. But now, the workers want only the lawyers, consultants. If I put in blatant words, they desire only the brokers. “
“You are belittling,” said Arunachalam.
“Let us drop our guards and talk frankly'' Said Kadhir. “How many loyal workers are remaining, who would execute the orders of the union to the dot? How many among them have ever read the communist manifesto in their life ? The unions which are receptive to the demands of the workers and accomplishes those with less effort are succeeding. On the other hand, our party has not managed to turn politically influential as we never participated in the past governments. As a result, our union position is deranked to the third from the top. We are now fighting for our place in the co-alliance government. We raise slogans on internationalism and they are holding up Indian-Nationalist jingoism so high, just as a backup of false pride in the brokering job. The rabble rousing and fake fabricating rhetorics are still required in our street-corner stage speeches. The pretense that we are going to achieve something so glorious in future is essential for the union members and the leaders. You must have noticed now. The current set of leaders are not of Kurta-clad, beedi-in-ear-holding, colloquial language confabulating country comrades. They are highly educated either in foreign or in the first class education institutions of this country. Young generation, who speak mannered English fluently. They are capable of dodging the media’s questions. They live in bungalows and travel in personal cars. Every union is accepting the flock of such members. They are not the one who protest standing side by side with the workers, instead they are the representatives of the workers class in the table of Negotiations with the owners class.
“Yes. That may be true. But they are not the root of the party”
“This is an untenable claim. The party is not a tree. This is an institution. We are just re-building some of the cracked down parts. During the huge wave of change, in 1956, hordes of Comrades had resigned. The crucial set of intelligentsia, thinkers were among that group. It comprised the comrades who were like the pillars and base of the institution. Even some of the prominent revolutionary legends parted away. What happened next? Eventually the Party opened the door for new blood and with the new generation of members, it rolled ahead. There was only growth as we expanded with wider mass participation. If we look back, so many important faces quit the scene at some point. Party will live as long as it holds historical significance. It will grow as longw as it performs the historical duty.”
For a few moments, the high-charged conversation was at ease to some extent. Arunachalam was silent. He was not able to refute any word of Kathir. It seemed Kadhir was just transforming the thoughts that Arunachalam had already been toiling with, into a statement form. Yet He wished he had put up a fight with opposing views. As if he wants to retain and nursure some indescribable part of him or rather he craved that Kadhir's valiant words would demolish his consternations.
“Camrade, Don’t you think, in a way you are rejecting Marxism with all your thoughts?”
“Marxism is not a religion. Das Kapital is not a credo. We need not sanctify it. It has been a century since the experiments with Marxism started. The trial period is over. It is foolsome to still believe in the miracles of Marxism. We must critically analyse the impact of Marxism. We must identify and categorise both the outsomes. What worked well and the damage it caused. It is apparent that the Marxist governments turned out to be more despotic than that of previous Imperialist governments. Marxism could neither create a new social structure nor an economic system nor a new cultural set-up. Marxism’s attempt to create these institutions turned out to be a defective, adversive version of the former systems. If someone still believes in the glorious marxist dream, his place is one among the faceless crowd which raises slogans mindlessly. But Marxisms brought innumerable seminal changes to the world. Within a Democratic system, in a liberal Economic set-up, Marxism has a crucial role to play. The problem comes only when it tries to install a new system. Because it does not have the fundamental power. Not only Marxism, no other ideology has the power to install a new system. The Economic, Cultural, Social systems are the result of millions and millions of perceivable and abstract movements. No ideology could absolutely define these systems. If any ideology attempts to define the system, there would be hundreds of dimensions remaining outside of that definition. Marxism must be the greatest ideology that the human mind has ever produced. Among all the ideologies, it is more useful in practical experimentation. In a Negotiation table, Marxism must be the primary defensive force for the downtrodden side. All the benefits that the worker class enjoy at the moment, are achieved by Marxism and Marxism alone. If there is no Marxism, there won't be a place for merciness in the welfare associations in the world. The exploited class of each society can be mobilised only in the label of Marxism. That's where the contribution of Marxism should be. Marxism bestows an indispensable dream, in its name the people can be united. It also provides the philosophical fundamentals, which converts that dream into sensible logics. These converted logics are the biggest trump card for the working class in the Negotiation table. No worker would give his life for Negotiations. He would be ready to die for bigger dreams. Negotiations would be successful only if the worker puts his life into it. This is where the place of Marxism exactly required.
“So, there is no place for class struggle in future?”
“Whatever I was explaining is exactly the class struggle. But the permanent revolution coined by Marx is not possible in future. But it would remain as the single important ambitious goal for the workers. Like horse carrots for the workers.”
Arunachalam let out a sigh loudly. “Let me ask this Camrade. The Negotiation table that you have mentioned is like the Stock market trading industry, isnt it?”
“Thats correct” said Kathir. “The co-operative worker class can be major stockholders in most of the big industries. At least in a philosophical view it is possible. Some people said, it happened in countries like Belgium and Sweden.”
“The worlds stock market trading industry has grown beyond imagination. It attained such a colossal state, over the course of time, naturally without a drop of blood. The result of history kneading, splaying apart the time.”
“Yes”
“To arrive at this so-called Negotiation table, how many crores people have died? How many Crores of men’s blood and sweat spilled and warmed the soil? They died only over the dream of achieving an exploitation free new system. They fought against the injustice system which made their life a torcher chamber, so that their sons and grandsons live peacefully. Today, if we claim that the greatest achievement of Marxism is the Negotiation table, in which we sit along with the same suppressive forces. Is this result any way justifies the souls lost their life? We are in a position to answer every camrade who died for the struggle. Those souls” Arunachalam wondering himself internally, observing himself attaining keyed-up tone and becomes edgy. Once he managed to get a grip on himself “We cannot move pass this phase without justfication”
“You are talking overly emotional. You don’t have philosophy”
That response made Arunachalam infurious. But he had no words to retort back.
“Driven by emotions is fine. It throws the light on the part, the brain usually casts shadow. If the same emotions turn into sentiments, it will make us blind. You are just like our old buddy Comrades. They appear rugged and high-charged in the appearance, if you dig deep they would be a innocent sensitive soul “
“You have not answered me”
“Rergarding the loss of lifes. Think in this angle, Every living human in earth responsible for the countless loss of lifes. In the historical context, to arrive at a set-up called family, to establish a system called Nation, even to pass a innumerious humanity laws, Can you imagine crores and crores of humans lost their life? How many innocent civilians have lost their life in the formation of a single imperial kingdoms such as Rome? Islam has been shedding the human blood for centuries. In order to install and retain the status quo of Christianity, sacrifice of crores and crores of people was needed. Our own Sanadana Dharma has been urging their devoties “Call for war” for three thousand years of history. But all these supreme institutions have a big role to play in humanity. If at all, there are no such religious set-up installed with this much sacrifices, humans would not have been as civilized as now.
“You are talking as if settling some score”
“Like Stalin once said ‘Single death is a tragedy, are million death is a statistics’. If we begin to part out each tragedies from the crores of tragedy, the each one would burst out in the cascaded emotional bangs”
“Yet the life of humans..”
“Yes. The life of innumerous humans. The foundation of Marxism built over the dedication of crores and crores of human lifes. I agree. Has there been any history of Ideology formation devoid human life sacrifices? Every newly transpired ideology, shows the hidden face of cruel war god which demands the sacrifise of humans blood, at once . Crores of people perished in the world wars, which fought over in the labels of humanity, Global love, Eternal peace. At least thousand people would have met their makers for each words made into the each of the holy books, Quran, Bible, Gita . If you compare the tributed lifes of Quarn vs Das Kapital, the later would appear as a wafer-thin paper against a pillow sized book of former. Fortunately, the blood-thirst of Marxism has been quenched. Quran has at least century ahead to extinguish its required life tributes. None of the any religions Holy books are exception to this, including the Merciness personified Buddhha’s Dhumma.
Arunchalacham heaved a sigh. He had a restless quick walk inside the room. His mind appeared as heavy as a metal ball. He has to say something. He felt as if, every unspoken words were stinging each of his skin pores. In silence, he was craving for some word, which could be solace for his restless mind. A temporary alleviating veiling. “When our opponents taunt us by remarking the death of Marxism, a rush of blood would in my brain urge me to disagree and retort them . But when you say the same..”
“Do you really reckon there is a chance of the glorious dream of Marx would be realised? Speak the words of truth direct from your heart”
“It must become true”
“No, Not that. Do you still believe from your deep?”
Arunachalam averted his eyes.
“I don’t believe it in real sense. I am sure, none of the previous generation leaders including KKM is still believe in that dream.
Arunachalam let out a huge sigh, as if tugging his mind out from his heart and fling it away with each breath. Resting his head over his bent hand, he was glancing the ash-tray unrelately. Masilamani appeared into the room. “Have you guys done? Its 8 30 already”
“Let me take a leave, Camrade. We have flag hoisting ceremony around 10.30 PM”
“Has anyone noticed? All these ceremonies are replica of a typical Hindu festival rituals. Flag Hoisting, Chariot Procession and Mass Mantras”
Masimani laughed.
Arunachalam bidding bye, walking down the staircase, reached the street. A gentle breeze passed through his shirt. Manless street sounded rowdy. Let me merge with this virtual lifes throbbing, uneven flickers filled street, without leaving behind any wee little of thoughts. Philosophies menacing me. They were propounded in the square shaped papers inside a square shaped rooms. The cultural lives is pollulating outside these rooms, in the juncture of the infinite sky, shapeless mountains and the ponderous cities. Which side should I choose? Yes. I must choose this clumsy, guttery, dusty, ruckus streets, where humans eternally disputing, vehicles ceaselessly tumulting. Yes, I can be myself only here. Oh, Yes, what a reassuring vent. Inside the square rooms, my confined consciousness constantly in a chase by someone’s heel. Ramming over the walls over and again and it continued the eternal doomy run. Albeit at some slim fortune moment, there is a chane of door opening. Through which, I can escape from there, get united with this gentle air reassuring street. Here, I can shake myself out from all those intimidating thoughts. Arunachalam found his mind slowly getting settled. He walked steadily. Marxism and anti-Marxism both are the ruthless ideologies. It imagined a dueling couple of blind elephants, they try to smock down their opponent with the ferocious foreheads. He decided not to share that image with anyone. Not even with Nagamma. But that image brough him to the truth only he was aware of. Finally, he managed to muster some sort of pleasantness with that. He entered a crowded street and took a seat in a clammy table of a Tea-shop and ordered a cup of tea.
Chapter 5
“Where have you been?” asked Nayarayanan, appearing face to face.
“Why?” asked Arunachalam.
“Thillai is here”
“I went to meet Masilamani in his inn”
“Is his self-boasting acolyte the intelligentia accompanying? what was his name?”
“Kadhir”
Arunchalam smiled. A guy like Narayanan would always fear someone like Kadhir. There is an mutual despise among them. This hatredness filled Kadhir like people would restrain Nayarayan like peoples within some calibrated limit. They will never allow the Narayanan sort of people to attain power. The real power would always be exchanged between Kadhirs. Narayanans would always be manipulated by Kadhirs for implementing their plans and collect the data like headcounts in the fieldword.
“There is a rumour that Kadhir is behind all the speeches of Masilamani” said Narayanan.
“What is wrong with that?”
“He is the real machine residing inside Masilamani”
“Yes Indeed. Masilamani needs Kadhir and Kadhir needs Masilamani. When the party members of Masilamani’s generation were struggling to adapt with new-era’s opportunities, with the support of Kadhir, Masilamani easily by-passed all the hurdles and placed himself above the rest in the power ladder. On the other hand, Kadhir is incapable of mobilize the workers and not in the position to execute the union orders. He is relying on Masilamani''
“Masilamani is the horse here, this guy is riding over him”
“Yes, that's true. But at some point in the future, securing the shoulder of some other big-shot horse, this guy would ramp up. He will become more significant persona. It would not be a surprise, if he happens to climb up to a position where the decisions he makes could control the whole India. “
In the office room, there were a handful of telephone call notes found. Arunachalam picked each of it gingerly and scribed a note in the diary. He called all of the contacts in some random order and passed his greetings and sent his cordial invitation for the conference. Ebenezer entered the room and said “ Greetings, Camrade”.
“What's up Ebi?”
“KKM raised a ruckus”
“On what?”
“When he was having the early morning walk in the backyard, a pile of the firewood caught his notice. As those were rubber woods, he enquired about its details. We said that the firewood load was a donation from Tamilnadu Government Estate workers. He asked about the payment receipts, bill settlements and permission letters. Upon hearing our reply as “those are just the bundle of decomposing twigs”, he turned infurious and began to rail all over us.”
“What did he say?”
“He abused us all as stealers”
“Oh is it”
“We cannot bear those words, Camrade. Most of them felt spurned. He further went on and said, he is going to bring this issue in the conference”
“I see. You can leave now”
“The manner which KKM turning is concerning, Camrade”
“That's Ok. Let us see, '' said Arunachalam. Comrades vacated that place with doubtful faces. After making several other calls through the telephone, Arunachalam walked to the verandah. There was a group of workers standing. The red flag was hoisted on the pole in the platform. The cluster of glittering red-dresses worn by the workers group dazzled him. The wrinkles in those dresses and the dank odor denoted that those were kept unused for a long time and taken out hurriedly. There was an ear-piercing commotion. A car entered into the portico, Masilamani and Kadhir alighted from it. Every head in the crowd craned their neck towards the newly arrived. Almost all of them welcomed them, greeted beamingly.
“Camrade, Where is KKM?” Masilamani asked.
“He is on his way”
The guests arrived one after other. KKM entered with the help of an young worker. His new Jibba shirt and his hair colours seemed to be in the same colour. As if a scattered foams, the left over grey hairs after sharing appeared in the jaw of KKM. His enigmatic countenance appeared intense. When KKM was approaching the flagpole, the surrounded workers gave a way for him. One worker helped him to stand in a correct position.
Arunachalam passing a secret gesture to Narayanaan, moving through the crowd, stood besides KKM. After a few mins, in a loud voice “Revolutionary salutes to Camrades” said Arunachalam. The commotion settled. Attentiveness emerged. “ I welcome one and all to the Tamilnadu Rubber estate worker union’s 43rd state conference.In this glorious day, as a first event, our founder and the general secretary of our state union, respectable Camrade KKM will begin the ceremony by hoisting the flag and delivering the introductory speech. Followed by, Cotton mill worker unions general secretary and the member of political bureau of Indian communist party, Camarade Masilamani will give a ceremonial speech. In the post noon session, the union budget report will be submitted after a debate. After that, union’s past activity and upcoming plans will be discussed. As a final event, the union election will be conducted. ”
“Dear Comrades, behold the red-flower flourished from the spilled bloods in the streets of Chicago. Today there is no corner in the world, without the presence of this beamy flaming-flower. Imperialism, from its dawn, has been dreaming of the withering day of this flower. But this is an absoulte fire-flower. The capitalist junk is its food. The history has returned, Comrades. In Poland, Rumania, even in Russia, the great party of communists has been re-emerging once again. With more Vigor and fresh blood paining the rosy picture, it has re-commensing its century old challenge against the social injustices''
After giving time for claps to get settled, Arunachalam continued “There is no defeat to this Red-Flag. If at all, there is a defeat, it will be the defeat of virtuousness. It is the death of humanity. Words like Love, Justice, Equality, Humanity will lose their real meaning. The morons who rejoice in the loss of the Red-Flag are the Sagunis, Duchadanas. History says, the beguiling of conspiracies may temporarily uncrown the Dharma, but Dharma will ultimately overthrow the injustice and will be victorious. The emerging next generation will slice the chest and drink the blood of the opponents, Comrades''
Before the elongated clap gets settled, Arunachalam continued the speech with the same intensity “ Look you all up here, the hoisting of Red-Flag. Celebrate the sight of our sacrificial-fire raging high. We take a droplet from this rage and place it in the decomposing Capitalist forest. Let the fire drop blaze and destroy that forest. There is no such thing called impurity in this fire, Comrades. This fire has the power to reach the sky by rooting from soil. There is nothing in the universe to defile this fire. I warn the rejoicing moron junta. Do not touch it, It will be annihilate you”
Once the frolicking settled. Arunchalalam shouted in the intense tone “ Fire -Flag, Blood -Flag, Sacrifice -Flag, Valiant Red-Flag, Let it march progressively in our deep inner platform of the heart. It is flying high in the sky. Hail the flag. Let there be a new glorious independent equal society emerge under this umbrella. Inquilab zindabad. Inquilab Zindabad. Inquilab Inquilab Inquilab Zindabad.” unison congregational slogans resonated in the sky.
Shivering KKM paced ahead towards the platform. His tightly closed lips were quivering along with his hands. One of the workers helped him to reach the rope connected to the flag. With his quivering fingers, he pulled those ropes. When the flag reached the top, he looked towards it. His face was trembling. His face glowed as if lit lamb, in the reflection of bright sun rays. Someone said “ Comrade, pull it a little more” . When he shook the rope, the flag unfolded, dispersing a bunch of red-petal flowers. After a few seconds, the flag appeared back to life in the wind. As if possessed, KKM was looking at the flag.
“Please proceed ahead, Camrade,” Arunachalam said.
“Ah?” KKM turned around as if he felt a jolt.
“Your speech.”
“What is that?”
“The Introductory speech , followed by flag hoisting”
“Ah ok. “ KKM appeared to have calmed himself. He adjusted his specs. “Comrade,” he called out in his elderly voice. There was a tinge of Malayalam accent even in that single word. “Today, Right here, we have our conference. Our worker unions State conference. “ his sounded as if a frog in the throat. In the next few moments, he was standing in silence. The crowd was uncomfortably waiting for his next words. Regaining fervour, in a spur of moment, “ There was a tiny little village called Kattupothu. It is located near the Sitaru dam. In 1942, I hoisted the red-flag by climbing over a mound in that village. I reached that village, walking by foot over 60 miles, by hiding that flag, wearing it as a loincloth. I managed to cross eight tightly secured police checkposts. I made a flag pole from the branch of a forest tree. I dedicated my red-salute after hoisting the flag in that makeshift flagpole. I raised the zindabad slogan singleton. There were only a handful of 4 workers that too from the safe distance of a few 100 meters watched that event in disguise. There was a strong wind blowed. The pole was trembling maniacally as if it could break at any second. I was at my wits end, my limbs and mind was too fatigued. After climbing down, , I ordered a tea in the nearby shop. “No sir, Please do not enter. I beg you, spare our life from the masters spear” he was kneeling before me. His wife and kids were holloaring around asked me to leave. I had only 8 ana’s with me, then. The stomach eroding pain in the stomach due to four days of hunger was killing me. I grabbed few indescript raw fruits in the forest and drank the stream water and rested myself in the nearby rock. A Pulaya lady appeared there and shouted ‘Comrade, run fast, save your life. The henchmen of masters searching for you to kill”. In the very same night, I trekked down from the hills. Gundas of masters, broke the flagpole into pieces, flung the red-flag away. They even, smeared the basketful of feces in the very spot where the flag was hoisted. Yet I was filled with an achievement feeling in that night. I believed, that Pulaya lady is the conscience of the hill. The nature is a reflection of her thoughts. That was my experience” KKM paused and gasped irregularly. The crowd was waiting.
“Since then, our union has grown leaps and bounds. But” KKM appeared to be struggling to speak “This the origin of our union. Every time we see this flag, we must remember the sacrifices the previous generations. They bore the blugeneing of masters and died spilling the blood. Some of them were chopped alive and buried. Some others toiled in the jail and died. There were countless hanged and thrown out from the hill top. All of them dedicated their life just to hoist this flag. We should never forget them. If we forget ” KKM was anxiously searching for words. He eventually raising his closed fist high “Inquilab” shouted.
“Zindabad” there were some scattered voices responded.
Narayanan proceeding ahead “ Inquilab Zindabad” shouted his lungs out.
“Inquilab Zindabad” the crowd erupted in unison.
Let it fly high, Let it fly high
The valiant red-flag fly high
Let it fly high, Let it fly high
The brave red-flag fly high
The crow was marching towards the conference hall raising the slogans.
There is a glorious red-fort
Raised above the sky
Look what is flying in the red-fort
Look our crimson red-flag flying high
Comrade, Red-flag will fly high
Comrade, Red-flag will fly high
In the pinnacle of Delhi red-fort
Red-Flag, Red-Flag, Red-Flag
Comrade, Red-flag will fly high
Chapter 6
Arunachalam folding the copy of the resolution note, handed over to one of the assisting worker and asked him to give it back to KKM. KKM has written in least possible practical words, clear and straight. Workers are in the need of first draft of protocols to maintain self-restraint. Union must take responsibility of disciplinary actions towards whoever breaks the passed rules. Union’s primary goal is to fight for the dreams and demands of the workers. At the same time, Union body must also monitor and access the dutiful performance of the workers.
Arunachalam had a look at KKM. It occurred to him that KKM was in chagrin as he was sitting in the same stage with Masilamani. By raising his chin up, in the cross leg position, as if munching something, he was sitting. That rock like pose was the result of his conscious observation of his protocol draft is been circulated in the conference. He was not aware of the subdued cheeky smiles emitted in stage. He must be still in the notion of the old era, when each of his words was hung on by the crowds. He felt pity and guilty at the same time.
Arunchalam stepping down from the stage, went for a walk. The fresh breeze gave him the reassuring feeling. His absence in the debate at any angle sounded as best approach. Few workers are already in the visible suspicious that he is behind something about to unfold. Once the draft put forth for discussion, Narayanan would get up and oppose sternly. He would beseech with tears to take back the idea. He would even say, this is a blasphemy on workers union and slander on workers class. Our opposition unions would use this as a weapon against us. This will eventually pave a way for the faultless workers into the defenseless domination of masters atrocity. KKM would not have chance to oppose that claim. The workers group will be enraged. The passing of the draft as union law will fail eventually. This is the first blow towards knocking KKM down.
In the backyard, the outdoor makeshift ovens were flaming. Pradhaman(a popular pudding), Poli(a kind of sweet) and Vada are being cooked for the lunch. In the preparing process, the Pradhaman was boiling and twitching. The mix of Ghee, Jaggery and Coconut flakes boiling flagrance wafted around. Arunachalam was standing there looking at that.
Ravindran appeared there “ Come in, Comrade” said.
“I am just hanging around, pale”
“Would you like to have Pradhaman”
“Is it prepared?”
“Yah almost. Hey , Give a cup of Pradhaman to Comrade”
Pradhaman was delicous. Arunachalam sat on the bench. “Let me take a leave. I need to go to bazar to buy ten bundles of papad(waffer prepared from lentils, used as crisp)” said Ravindran.
“Yes please. Let me sit here for a while”
“How does the pradhaman taste, Comrade?” the head cook chimed in. With glittering sunken eyes, a tied tuft of hair in his back head, he appeared firm and healthy. The tiny knife in his hand was working as if a machine running in the other side piled up the chopped up green chilly.
“Yah. It is good”
“I am the head cook for all the conference occasions. Gopala krishnan Sir and Arupudam Sir will always book me. People say, if a red-flag flying in a conference, Ayyappan pillai must be in charge for cooking. “
“How long have you been into cooking?”
“It has been forty year. In 1956s I worked as topper in the MG rubber Garden. During the strike, I lost my job. Most of them gone for the coolie work. I ventured into cooking as a helper. My first independent work was for worker’s soup kitchen. Then I have became a full time cook. I have a knack for cooking, Comrade. All of my kids are in this field. No complaints so far “
“Oh, You are also member of the party?”
“What you are saying. I was the foremost, one of the eight member who joined when KKM started the party. Apart from KKM, I am the only other alive. In that time, people say Veerabadra pillai is his right hand, myself as left hand of KKM.”
Arunchalam had a spark in his brain. “What is the name you just said?”
“Veerabadra pillai, B.A graduate. A stoic fellow. But was an unbelievable reader. Alas, he was a clusterfuck”
“Did he write any book?”
“Yes. I remember he wrote something about Palm trees. What does Palm tree do something like that”
“Was he a member of our union?”
“Yes. He was. But it was long time ago. Most of us do not have much memories about him”
Arunachalam quelling his urge “Do you remember, how long he was part of our party?” asked.
“He would had been served at least 10 years. He had a conflict with Comarade, Arumugam. He went on intensively campaigning against Arumugam. After that, he even launched his own party. I dont have any other details aftermath. One day, he came to me and personally invited me to join his party. He claimed that his party is older than Communist party. M. N . Raju’s party. “
“Did he mean M.N.Roy? Radical Humanist party?”
“Yes. Correct. That funkey name only”
“Then?”
“I told him clearly. Look here, Veerapadra pillai, with your knowledge from book, you cannot fight the imposing figure like Arumugam pillai. He has an established connection till C P Ramaswamy Iyer level . Dont you know how monstrously influential C P Ramaswamy Iyer? Even the bushes would tremble with fear if his name uttered. If he beckons his finger, all these huddled up government officials would stop only at Thiruvananthapuram, finishing the hinted tasks. That is the fear he imbibed in the surroundings. Leave that aside. What I said straight and sure was. This fellow’s name is Veerabadra pillai, hey you , come over here. Just beg a word for your forgiveness with Arumugam pillai. I will implore him to include you back in the party. He did not listen. Arrogance. Since that Arrogance was exacerbated to leaps and bounds, he was kicked out from party. Can I say something here? When a human was possessed by this arrogant poison, there is no antidote to cure him back. Only the natural course of time would make him normal? Is that correct?
“What did Veerabadra pillai say?”
“He said there was nothing personal between him and Arumugam pillai”
“Then?”
“Stalin was the reason for their animosity. You may laugh over this. It seemes that Stalin had killed his fellow comrade. He was steadfastly reprimanded this incident. All those were fabricated lie of the capitalist regime. There was never such a fellow comrade killed. This was the claim of Arumugam pillai. That was the start of the fight between them. I was perplexed. I was never aware of neither Stalin nor his fellow comrade. In the ground level, we protest for increase in the wage for the workers. We raise Zindabad in unison, If masters failed to meet out demand. Why to bring the issue of Russia in this matter? As I said, arrogance make puppetry of human.”
“Did he start the party?”
“No. Even if he started the party, who would have join him? After All, no one could decipher his low-tone speeches. Arumugam pillai was a prominent member of various other parties including the Justice party. He was a veteraan scholar in Tamil. He was known for memorising of entire Kambaramayanam. If he stands confidently on the podium and delivers a speech, the entire crowd would go on nuts. Incidentally, he too ended his life in miserable state. That was a different story. Do you think fate will leave the communists alone?”
“Yes” Said Arunachalam.
“Alas, poor Veerpadra pillai. He kicked the bucket in the market path, like an orphan. For days before his death, he collected money from the party members stating that he was going to start the party. Soon, He went on alcoholic spree. If he had two rupees, he went for country liquor. If he had a half a rupee, he would drink reeky acidic spirit. Once he imbibed, he would start his sermon. His wife ran away from him along with his child. Infact, there was no one to ferry his dead body. Some municipality employee did perform the final rituals. I had seen him many times. When I saw the last time, he was down-and-out raggy. He said that don’t you realise it is me, red salutes to you comarade. I acknowledged that. He said, revolution is at our threshold. I said, I was happy to hear that. He begged me one rupee to celebrate that occasion. I gave him the eight anas I had then. He did not look back for a second. He was running straight. I relayed that incident to Arumugam pillai. He said, Look here, Ayyampillai human needs knowledge. But it should not go beyond pale. I said him back, Those are words of wisdom, Comrade. Thats the story.
“Grandma, have you done chopping the pepper?” one young man appeared and asked.
“Who is this?”
“My grand-son. His name is Karthick Kumar”
“How old are you?”
“Guess me?”
“Around seventy?”
“Ha ha Ha” laughed Ayyappan Pillai. His deep tongue was prancing when he opened the toothless mouth. “In the upcoming month of Avani(Fifth month of Tamil year , comes around july/August) I am clocking Ninety years. I am four years older than KKM. Ha ha ha”
“Please check the Salt in this”
Arunachalam bidding a bye started walking in the verandah. He was not able to redirect his excited mind. He felt like having a cup of tea alone in the corner bench of a crowded shop.
Chapter 7
KKM ‘s face turned crimson and his eyes appeared as if poke-eyed. At one moment, Arunachalam was deflated as the feel of guilt withered him down. In the next second, it turned completely as nauseating hatredness. During the spasmic moments of the guilty feeling, it weighed unbearingly. As if he wanted to roll back from his stand one for all. Something urged him to stand up and shout his revocation out and loud. In the very second, for being the root cause of his guilty feeling, for restraining him under his reigns, for being the hard-charged personality slithered completely over him, he had an eruption of hatred feeling towards him. Old haggard, idiotically hanging to the odd place where he is no longer part. Another cycle of guilty feeling soon after that revelation.
Masilamani finished his speech. Crafty speech filled with well calibrated words. On one hand, it was an invitation for revolution. On the other side, he insisted that negotiations and compromises are the primary tools to achieve that. There was a thunderous applause from the crowd. Although his speech was not fully perceivable, yet somehow it was so appealing. It occurred to him that the speech dexterdly covered every one’s self-interests and self-coping.
Theerthamalai stood up for the speech. There was a visible change in the assembly. Their collective body language indicated, they were ready to listen to the new topic about to unfold. “ Dear Comrades!!” started Theerthamalai. He pinned his pen on the shirt packet, he ensured the notes paper were aligned in order and knocked the mike mildly for testing.
“In his speech, our Comrade Masilamani mooted a very important point. This is a democratic era. In this era, the revolutions should be the democratic revolutions. We acknowledged the veracity of his statement with our thunderous response. We are proudly aware the fact that we are the first communists in the world to embrace decomacrac. But have we ever assessed our progressive journey in this new path? In our close examination of the path we travelled, did we notice a visible gap? Are we truly exercising inner-party democracy in our unions? If we believe in the electoral process, we must have already implemented it from the top to bottom, in every hierarchies of our union.”
“Comrades, Till the last era, we looked upon Democratic process in askance. It is not a secret. We were in firm believe that dictatorship governments are the ideal governments. Democracy assumed its temporary position as an inevitable maneuver to this special place. So we never allowed democratic discussion in our inner-party functioning. There was the philosophical intelligentsia and legendary leaders groups were running the party thus far. In every stage, the so-called elections were conducted for mere namesake. Every subordinate organisation and the party members were reflecting the desires of the political bureau members.”
“Comrades, that era has changed. In future, the party will be driven not by leaders instead by every members of this party. Not only the visions and wisdoms of the Leaders, but also the collective instincts of the workers must guide the party’s direction. As a first step towards that realisation, we must conduct open and fair elections. This is the proposed action plan.”
“Comrades, what deterrents do we have for conducting elections? No one from outside could influence in this regard. Our own etiquette is the main hurdle. We venerated our leaders as historical figures and we kept them out of the circle of criticism. That is why we elected them over and over again. Our past elections were just reassuring evidence of our loyalty towards the leaders. In my personal view, the legendary leaders earned and therefore deserve the loyalty of the workers. But the course of time, forcing us to make much needed different decisions. Thus we have reached the watershed moment to conduct fair and open elections”
“In every hierarchy, we are planning to conduct elections. In the places where different schools of thoughts leaders available, they will be pitted against each other. Wherever this is not plausible, the elderly leader will be pitted against another qualified young Comrade. Thus, If we manage to conduct elections fairly, in every hierarchies of the union, we showcase our adaptability to the course of history. “
“If we take our union, our legendary leader, the founder KKM and his primary disciple our Arunachalam who was picked and mentored by KKM himself, both of them together successfully running this union. As I mentioned earlier, the political bureau wish them to compete each other for the post of chief in the Election process. If any other wishes to compete for the post in the election, they can also come forward. Every branch secretary has the right to register in the electrical process”
“Stop there, Theerthamalai” said KKM in a trembling voice. “The so-called election process that you mentioned, whose idea was that?” Who got the authority to implement?”
“Its not something new, Comrade. This was there in the first draft of action plan memorandum. Only now, we got the opportunity to implement this process”
“What is the necessity of this now?”
“Because this is the Democratic era”
“Look here, Do not play with me. Where the douse the Democracy arrived?”
“Comrade, You must try to understand the current reality”
“Do you think, I will sit and listen quietly, as you explain all these? When did you join the union? What the hell is this democracy? Do you think, I will cringe upon hearing your jorgons? You said leaders must realise the aspirations of the votories right? What knowledge does the votary has? Is he educated? Has he any sort of experience? What was the sacrifices he made? Almost all our worker members are illiterates. Some of the guys, were ran away from school, beating up the teachers. There are workers who watch movies daily, have paraotta and meat daily and drunkards who aimlessly wave around. For an every five rupee hike in the wage, they shout hail slogans claiming that as the communinism. We take the burden of educate them on world history after managing them to enroll the party. We must teach them the economics. Who is reponsiblitblity is that? It is the leaders duty. They should train and uplift the workers step by step in the path for the class struggle. That is the right of path. Thats how we got trained. It is the party’s duty to convert a worker to a proletriat rebel. In every hierarchy we should have that much calibered leaders. Now you come here and telling me that, We are in the need of intermediate brokers who ought to work for the demands of the workers” KKM’s body was quivering. He got up in the pace of speech unbeknownst and again sat back.
“Please get a grip on yourself, Comrade. We all are here to listen you” said Masilamani.
“Get grip on myself, am I performing a show here? Hey Theerthamalai, In how many branches of union, are we really teaching the Philosophy, history and politics? Has any of the branch secretary here is capable of delivering a 10 mins speech in the topic of dialectics? Has there any such one here?”
There was a silence in the crowd.
“I am not a book reader. The current district level secretary is not even has the philosophical knowlege that I possess. Then what sort of knowledge level does the worker have? If all such workers are put in the driver seat of the party, how bleak the future of the party would be? He will hail the one who manages to rise the hike of 50 rupees, he will assist some fraudster to attain the highest post. That elected guy will spoil the party. After all these, If our party still has some sort of respect which is just because of the elderly leaders contributions. The sons of soil like us are still in believe in the party’s functioning. Just understand that first. I must ask. This is the so unique about our union and which is not there in the every other unions? If we allow our workers to choose through election, he will choose one among them only. Then why on earth we have the tag called the left-unions?”
“You talk against the wish of the people, Comrade. In this contemporary politics, there is no place for such school of thoughts”
“Who said that? Doctor must treat the ailment of patients. Doctor should not prescribe what patient wish”
“You treat as if people as cowards and idiots”
“Yes indeed. If you take entire history, the people has been the crowd cowards. They never know what is good for themself. The one who coined term the dictatorship of proletariats is not a stupid one. He was well aware the term called democracy of the proletariats. The people together cannot form an ideal government. Everyone would behave well and good as individually. As a crowd, they will turn as a mindles goats. They will be influenced by the any tom who has the knowledge of power. They will change to the direction for every butcher who disguises their knife inside a green leafs. Collective mind of people is not knowledgable. The educated proletariat should drive them. The party should drive the proletraits. The higher leadership should drive the party. They should be driven the philosophy. This is the dream of plato. Communisms is the only philosophy which has practically implemenented this.
“Comrade, You are yet to get grasp over the history”
“I know well and deep Theerthamalai. The bastard Gorbachev in Russia, just like you foul-mouthed in the name of democracy, free speech, released the people junta. Now, you see the great Soviet russian empire has collapsed. It was standing high like a huge banyan tree. Now here, we are just now sprouting in the path of growth. Do not pour acid over it’s root. Thats all I can say” KKM closing his eyes, sat in the chair. His one leg was trembling alone.
Kadhir got up “ Shall I share my opinion in this regard?” asked.
“Please proceed, Comrade” said Arunachalam.
“I have my full attention and respect on the point of view of our elderly Comrade. But I disagree with the thoughts he shared about the people”
“Well. Where from you got the field experience? From pictures that you rummaged in the books?” asked KKM.
“Even Marx and Engels never had any field experience, Comrade. Their knowledge was from the books” said Kadhir.
KKM did not expect such a compact retort. He was gaping at Kadhir.
“Comrade was just mentioned about the patients. If a doctor is not at all enquiring about the ailment of the patient, also he is not caring about curement of the the prescribed medicines, what sort of doctor he would be?”
The assemblage let out a laughter.
“We have not forgotten the contributions of the legendary leaders, we are not disagreeing it either. But we insist them to talk to people directly. The needs of the people, the problems of the people, they should understand only by talking directly with people. On the other side, people should be aware about the minds of the leaders. In between them, party should be like a mediating telephone exchange. At present, there is only a single way communication, orders are transferred from top level to bottom. There is no way to receive back the feedback from bottom to top. This approach must change. The electrical process is the first step towards that goal”
KKM shook his head disagreeingly. But he did not have any answer.
“I don’t want to talk lengthy. Just wanted to point out few issues. Our leader mentioned that Democracy is the reason for the fall of Soviet Russia. There was a communist government ruling the nation. It had world’s biggest intelligence agency. That must be probably biggest party of the world. Why did not they foresee the wave of collapse when they were about to open the doors to give the rights for free speech? We must think over it, Comrade. The party and their prominent members did not heed to what people thought about them. They did not give respect to aspirations of the people. Everything was operated behind the closed windows and doors. Gorbachev opened just one of the them. The eventually blown wind caved in the entire regime. That was the vent out of the 50 years of silent hatredness of the people. Stalin was not aware about this suppressed collective anger. Khrushchev , Brezhnev and Gorbachev were not aware about that. We should never come across such a scenario here. That is the main reason for our proposal for the open and fair elections in democratic way. We cannot turn stagnant. When people change, we should change along with them. Party should change according to course of time. This will invigorate vital vibrant force in the party and unions. “
“Very well. Men of actions would be discarded. The foul-mouthed like you would become leaders by cashing up the votaries. Hitler once said, Democracy is the abode of the blowhards”
“Yes. Indeed. Whoever can communicate with people in a confident and assertive manner, they are the leaders of the Democracy. They need not be man of actions. No leader is a doer. Everything was done through the collective minds of the people. Anyone who has the understanding of this is a capable leader”
“Is your history teach you to share the looted money? Hey”
“Comrade, whatever you spoke thus far, is apparently a conservative view. Whether you agree or not, the Stalinism is dead and buried. Every party and philosophy is for the people and people only. But at some point of time, our leaders turned away their face from this fact. If that is not the case, one communist leader should not have said death of the million people as just a statatistical fact. Dear Comrades, communism is not an unchanged iron like philosophy. It is the wisdom of humanity. We forgot that very basic. The proletarians who were very versed in philosophy and history sent the lakhs and crores of people to the burial ground. We cannot move ahead by forgetting this past. Our Comrade like people, claim the history as a mystical abstract subject can only be deciphered by themselves. People are history. We should understand that first. For you sort of people, the innocent people junta are faceless in the history. You create the history, by diverting the facts. Comrade, you and me, this building and the flora and fauna all are units of the history, all these collectively forms the huge cascade called the history. If you claim you have the historical knowledge, so does a layman labour. You may communicate that in an expressive language. He might not express the effective languate. We cannot change the direction of wind and the course of history by building a castle against it. Communism made that mistake in the last century. We should not do the same. Let us speak directory to the history, the people and try to understand the through people. That is the fundamental of a democracy. Yes peoples are history. “
“Let us stop here. We shall move to the Election process. Comrade KKM, are you competing for the post in elections?” asked Theerthamalai.
“This is my union”
“Well. You are a main candidate then. Arunachalam is the other candidate. Are there anyone else ?”
No one stood up.
“Since there is no other candidate, let us start the election. We will give a paper chit to each of the members. You must write your name, branch’s name, total number of members , number of eligible otes and whom you vote for. Please return back by writing these details”
The chit papers were distributed. Only the paper’s exchanging noise was heard from the crowd. Other than that, there was a heavy silence excercised among the crowd.
Theerthamalai and Subbrajan counted the votes. Once he filed the votes in a register book, he knocked the mic.
Arunchalam felt an uneasy feeling in his belly. He felt as if his bladder is about to crack. KKM was sitting resolutely.
He was expressing confident and indifference in his face. Suddenly, he felt remorse for him, as he was not having a tinge of knowledge about what is happening. In the next few seconds, his life-long dreams is about to collapse.
Theerthamalai “Comrades, We are about to announce the results of the elections. L.M. Garden’s branch secretary Kolappan is the only one voted for the KKM. Except his vote all the others voted for Arunachalam”
There was a sky breaking hooting erupted from the audience. KKM was not able to grasp the happenings. Theerthamalai beckoned the crowd to settle down. “The ballot papers will be documented and saved for a year. Anyone wishes to verify they can access” said. He asked Arunchalam to come “ As a spectator from the central bureau, I officially declare Arunachalam elected as the chief secretary of the Tamilnadu rubber Garden worker’s union”
Hooting and claps erupted once again with same intensity. Arunachalam stood their motionless and devoid of any thoughts. Masilamani urged him “ Please proceed ahead, Comrade”
“Comrade Arunachalam will also be part of the the State Worker’s union’s cooperative committe, National Garden labour union’s committe and National union’s central committe”
Unable to understand the events, with the stunned countenance KKM was standing and watching Theerthamalai from the Stage. He outstretched his arm to say something. But he was not able to rise his voice. He stood up hastily. As his dhoti was about to unfold, he grabbed it and swaddled it back. He walked witheringly. He was about to fall when he was climbing down the stage’s staircase. The members in the stage were silently watching him leave. No one got up to assist him. Kolappan rushed towards KKM and held his shoulder. With his trembling hands, he got hold of the Kolappan’s shoulders. Kolappan was almost lifting, helped KKM pace ahead.
Once KKM went out from stage, there was a silence for few minutes. Raman Kutti stood up “D B L U Zindabad” shouted the slogan. Greetings emerged from the crowd. Arunachalam felt a happiness or remorse some unknown burden filled his chest. To avoid the weight of that burden, he unrestrained his mind to whatever possible corner. When his mind touched the smile of the kid Gowri, he felt blossomed. In the very next moment, he recalled face of Nagamma and soon he felt fear, guilty feeling and he was enraged as his body trembling uncontrollably.
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