The party proposes to cover all households across the state
CPM will seek information from individuals/families about religion, caste, income source, political affiliation, employment status, jobs abroad and use of social media. (Photo: DC/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite criticism from various quarters, the CPM has decided to go ahead with its state-wide house-to-house survey to create a database regarding the socio-economic status of the people.
The party proposes to cover all households across the state (there are over 60 lakh households) as part of the gigantic exercise. Armed with questionnaires containing 30 questions, workers at branch level will go to every house seeking details from respondents.
As part of the survey, the CPM will seek information from individuals/families about religion, caste, income source, political affiliation, employment status, jobs abroad and use of social media.
The attempt is to study in detail the present status of Kerala society and what demographic, social and economic changes it has undergone over the past two decades, especially after liberalisation.
CPM politburo member M.A. Baby defended the survey saying, “the CPM is a serious political party. We want to study the changes in the socio-economic condition of the people with the mind of a social scientist.’’
On the criticism raised by KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, he said, “it speaks about Sudheeran’s immaturity. If he is opposed to our survey, then he should have disagreement with all sorts of surveys, including national sample survey. Looking at the questions, one can easily understand why this data is being collected. If the KPCC president is unable to understand it, that only shows his intellectual calibre,’’ he said.
Taking a dig at the KPCC chief, Mr Baby said,“Sudheeran needs to obey only the high command and, therefore, they don’t have to undertake any serious work. Making such strange statement is highly unbecoming of a person holding that position,’’ he said.
With the party in the process of formulating its political and tactical line besides making it more presentable to the “new generation,” the CPM leaders believe that the database would provide valuable information for initiating radical changes.
The drafts of party documents, including political tactical line and organisational report, which are now being discussed by the politburo, would be placed at the 21st party congress to be held in Visakhapatnam next year.
Meanwhile, KPCC chief V. M. Sudheeran has criticised the CPM’s proposed socio-economic survey terming it as “religious and communal.” He suspected ulterior motives behind the survey, especially with the party seeking details of caste and religion, and said the Marxists were trying to encroach on the privacy of individuals.
Mr Sudheeran alleged that CPM men intended to visit each household and collect caste and religious details throwing away its principles and professed stand on secularism.
“Already the state has a well-prepared data on the socio-economic status of each household. This kind of survey is not suited for a civilised society and hence the attempt of the CPM is suspicious. When democratic secular forces should join hands to thwart the attempts of the BJP and Sangh Parivar from playing communal cards, here we see communalism promoted openly and subtly,” said Mr Sudheeran in a statement.
CPM had issued the survey forms to all the branch committees. The form with about 30 questions earmarked for each individual also has questions like sources of income, monthly income and caste and political links. It also asks whether the person is affiliated to any political party or mass-based organisation and so on.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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