Faith no bar to join CPI(M): Prakash Karat

CPI(M) has said the party was opposed to communalism, not religion, and faith was no bar for anyone to join the party if he or she was willing to work in accordance with its programme and constitution.

What CPI(M) opposed in the present Indian context was not religion, but communalism, that was sustaining on religious identities, party general secretary Prakash Karat said in an article in the party daily Deshabhimani.

His comments came in response to the debate sparked by resignation of former Lok Sabha member KS Manoj, a devout Catholic, from the CPI(M) in protest against a recent party directive to shun religious rites.

Manoj, a former party member of Parliament, quit last week holding that being a believer, he could not agree with the recent directive that members should shun religious rites and ceremonies. It was issued as part of party's "rectification" process.

"Even when the CPI(M) upholds materialist outlook, it does not prevent believers from joining the party.... The party has no difficulty in joining hands with believers and religious leaders in the struggles for the upliftment of the poorer sections, especially the working class," Karat said.

Manoj's resignation has triggered a debate on faith at a time when the CPI(M) is trying hard to strengthen its support base among minorities.

Significantly, Manoj's resignation came within months of former CPI(M) MP AP Abullakutty, who was also projected as a minority face by the party, quitting it.