(Notes taken from a speech of Comrade Charu Mazumdar at a meting in Jadavpur – Publisher)
On Criticizing Party
Of late, the highest leadership of party gave a call and instruction before the party activities is “Criticize party”. Before criticizing the party, our comrades should follow the following three principle norms to criticize correctly :
1. It must be taken to be granted that all party comrades are honest, sincere and revolutionary. One must be sure that not a single counter revolutionary or reactionary is within CPI(ML). There are two types of criticism : (a) ideological and (b) on style of work.
Criticism within the party centering on ideological and work style should be accepted from a comradely outlook. One who fails to integrate with party comrade can never be able to integrate with workers-peasants and broad masses. Therefore, the precondition of integrating with workers-peasants & toiling masses is to integrate with party comrades.
2. Criticize style of work – Avoid personal criticism, rather concentrate criticism regarding style of work. Before criticizing style of work, one must correctly investigate the work style.
3. Criticism should not be negative. Only those can be termed as criticism which mentions what is to be done. To be precise, criticism and suggestion should come hand in hand.
On integrating with the peasant class
It is imperative to associate with the production system for integrating with the peasant mass. The lessons of Chinese revolution and proletariat revolution is – it is not possible to integrates deeply with the peasant population if one is not attached with the production. In the concrete Indian condition, at present situation, barring a few exception, there is no scope for petty bourgeoisie or working class to associate (or join) with the production system of peasants. Only in liberated zones, these two class can join with the peasant’s production system. So, one should try to integrate with the peasants through the armed peasant struggle and revolutionary party. The process of integrating with the peasants is a long-drown method which can be achieved only through stages.
Difference between the revolutionary role of worker and petty bourgeoisie class in India
In India, the basic difference between the revolutionary role of worker and petty bourgeoisie is – working class has more reliance towards revolution, which means they firmly take the revolution, while, on the other hand, the petty bourgeoisie is less firm towards revolutionary commitment, which means this class is a vacillating class. This is the only basic difference between the two classes in our country.
Difference between a revolutionary & revisionist on style of work
A revisionist always wait for instructions from higher committee and work only according to instructions. Revisionists never take individual initiative. But revolutionaries never depend on instructions from higher committee. They take conscious initiative for the sake of party & revolution. A revolutionary must always be a conscious initiation. One who lacks this initiative is not a revolutionary. This is applicable for an individual revolutionary, as well as, for a revolutionary unit. This is the important basic difference between a revisionist party unit and a revolutionary party unit. Revolutionary unit is never dependent on higher committee. Revolutionary unit is self-sufficient. They responsibility for conscious initiative and organize revolutionary activities. Revolutionary party is organized on the basis of these revolutionary unit.
Only read “Red book & three writings” again and again
Only for the sake of acquiring knowledge. One can read different books and writings of Marxism-Leninism-Mao thought. But to learn Marxism means to acquire knowledge and implement it – Only from this outlook, three writings & Red Book should be read in the present situation. The knowledge which cannot be implemented right now, can be read only, but not grasped. So, one should study those books, the knowledge of which can be and has to be implemented right at this moment. Lack of proper understanding on this question leads one to this conclusion that only after reading and learning by heart all the four volumes of Mao, the activities of mass movement, mass organization and trade union is possible. Failing to understand the difference between reading and realising, some read volumes of books, but cannot write briefly and all divorced from practice. If problem arises, go through the relevant portion of the quotation book again and again and implement it. Read “three writings” again and again, implement it. Come to new realisation.
Other education
(1) When you write, write briefly and in plain, understandable language, (2) Try to speak in plain, simple language, (3) While analysing a person, never arrive to hasty conclusion and decisions. Decision should be taken on the basis of investigation. There is no guarantee for a person to become revolutionary or counter-revolutionary. A man becomes revolutionary or counter-revolutionary only through a process. A person, who seems today as counter-revolutionary, can transform himself into a brave man and even embrace martyrdom. There is no guarantee. So it will be unjust to arrive at hasty conclusion and decision. There is nothing perfect in this world. It is metaphysical idea. There can be correct or mistake on some aspect. However, there can be basic difference between right or wrong.
Arrogance and boastfulness gives rise to excessive self confidence. The most negative vice of a revolutionary is his arrogance and boastfulness. If this cannot be discarded, then it will such a revolutionary, he cannot remain as a revolutionary. He will get isolated from party and people. The best quality of a revolutionary is his confidence and revolutionary initiative, and greatest evil arrogance and boastfulness.
(In the beginning of 1971)
