Praxis of a Socialist essays – Sitaram Yecgury

At the heart of Sitaram Yechury’s worldview was Marxism as shaped by the Indian Communist movement. This is a Marxism that is not purely theoretical. It seeks to not only understand the Indian reality, but also, through struggles on the ground, to transform this reality in a democratic and progressive direction. It is rooted in centuries of struggles in India to enhance sovereignty not only of the territory but also of the people themselves. Sitaram Yechury’s commitment to a secular and socialist ‘idea of India’ is not driven by a desire to create an alternative to neoliberal Hindutva within the confines of the faltering republic. His entire praxis is shaped by his belief in the need to transcend the grotesque contradictions of neoliberal Hindutva and move to a deeper democratic dispensation that would open the door to socialism. It came out of his deep conviction in socialism and Marxism, and his unshaken commitment to bettering the lives of the Indian working classes. His critique of Hindutva and neoliberalism is not, therefore, from the standpoint of liberalism, but from a Communist perspective. Praxis of a Socialist is an exploration of the Marxism of Sitaram Yechury. It collects his key texts about Marxism, about the struggles in India, and about the necessity for a socialist transformation from the grip of capitalism.