Articles by Ajit Roy

IN the context of the present turmoil in India, it is of the greatest importance to understand the fundamental difference between traditional communalism and Hindutvavad, even the 'aggressive Hindutvavad', of today. Communalism, except for the Muslim League variety on the eve of independence; was hitherto, based on the politics of bargaining within the existing system for a better position and greater benefits. Hindutvavad of today, by contrast, is aiming at the capture of power through some sort of a coup with a view to fundamentally altering the character of the polity, that is, to shift from the present, at least formally participatory, democracy to a form of authoritarian system, in which power will be the relatively exclusive preserve of the upper caste Hindu minority who form the main base of the affluent elite. This segment will possibly later bargain with the elitist elements from other religions, castes and ethnic communities for sharing power with them as subordinate partners within a conservative and authoritarian polity.

Combining Punitive Measures with Ideational Offensive Ajit Roy However desperately and violently may the RSS camp strive to transform this country of great ethnic and religious diversities into a 'Hindu rashtra' of its conception, it will never succeed in that game

WEST BENGAL Competition in Low Politics Ajit Roy The sordid fall-out of the assembly by-election from the Ballygunge constituency in Calcutta brought out in all its luridness the state of West Bengal politics today as it is shaped by the CPI(M) and the Congress, the two leading political parties.

Ajit Roy Whatever their subjective commitment to the socialist goals, whatever their, proclaimed abhorrence of reformist aims and whatever their success in improving the living standards of the working people, Scandinavian social democracy in general and its Swedish contingent in particular have not contributed anything owards a radical restructuring of their respective countries.

Towards a Realignment of Social Forces Ajit Roy It is something of an irony that prospects, however vague, of the resuscitation of a Nehruvian perspective of development have opened up only with the fading away of the dynastic rule of the Nehru family.