Role of the Leftists in the Awakening of the Masses in West Punjab

Author(s) : Muhammad Waris Awan, Rehana Iqbal, Muhammad Tahir

Abstract:

Punjab possesses unmatchable prowess that it demonstrated throughout its history. The British witnessed a vigorous resistence from the leftists till the collapse of their Raj in 1947. Leftists immensely contributed to the national politics by participating in the political activities at bottom level and prepared the masses to register their protest against exploitation. Human rights and humanity expounded by universal ethics don’t concede laws and moves against the violation of the basic rights. Masses constitute major portion of any society therefore the majority can not be deprived of their basic rights. Leaders of different political parties, Congress, Muslim League, Unionist Party, and other social organizations of the Punjab played significant role in the intellectual fabrication but the contribution of the leftists in spreading prowess and determination among the masses is praiseworthy. They worked hard for pursuit of life and infused the sense of integrity and revolutionary ideas in the west Punjab after 1947. Leftists faced unremitting hurdles as the rightists had dominated in the social especially the political domains. Nevertheless, the committed activists of the left wing organizations made their utmost endeavours to bring a revolutionary change in the social circles of the newly established country. This article deals with the efforts made by the communist and socialist activists for awakening the masses and providing them a platform which could raise voice for their due rights.The modern socialistic philosophy is based on Marx’s review of the capitalistic economy and his own ideas on class struggle and surplus value. It aimed to eradicate the exploiting powers and capitalistic class through a revolution and to ensure a classless society. Several socialist thinkers including Lenin revised his theories after his death keeping new trends in mind.