Kerala, India - "Religion is the opium of the masses," Karl Marx said two centuries back. But the CPI(M) in Kerala says the party's fight was not against religion but its communalisation and political misuse.
The party also says that the famous observation of the great philosopher and founding-father of Communism is often quoted out of context by the "enemies" of the party to propagate that Marxists are anti-religious.
"The party is not opposed to religion. What the party oppose is their misuse for political ends and heinous communalisation to divide the people," CPI(M) state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said in an article on " The Communists and the religious belief" carried by party daily 'Deshabhimani'.
Vijayan's elaboration on the party's approach towards religion assumes significance in the context of the CPI(M)'s efforts to strengthen its support base in Kerala.
The progress made by the party in extending its influence among the Muslims and Christians was one of the topics discussed by CPI(M)'s 18th state conference held in Malappuram last month.
"Class struggle is the basis of Marxism. The conflict between believers and non-believers is not its goal. Mobilising the entire toiling class including the believers and non-believers to carry on the struggle against the exploiters and capitalist is its aim," he said.