Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India and leader of the freedom movement, next only to the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, died on 27th May 1964. Next year, 1914, 50 years will be over after his death. ‘After Nehru, Who?’ was an oft asked question in the early part of the 1960s, because it was felt that nobody can fill up the vaccum. But now, what  after Nehru is known to all and is history.

What happened to the policy of Nehru? That is the relevant question now. The post-independence government had many commitments to the nation and an effort was made  to to honour them. The slogan of ‘socialist pattern of society’ was raised. Starting of Public Sector was a well planned move to bring infrastructure in the country. The Non- Alignment Policy was initiated. Some kind of a good start. Almost after five decades, what is the situation?

The country is still ruled by the first family.  But there is much change, change for the worst. The Non-Alignment Policy has been abandoned. Public sector Units are being disinvested and handed over to corporates for paltry sums. MNCs are given all freedom to exploit the country.  Prices have gone up mountain-high. Corruption has been institutionalised. Valuable natural resources of the country are transferred to MNCs and corporates. Employment in government, both state and Central,  has  come down to 50% of what it was. Rights of the workers and social security measures are denied one after another. Even pension has been attacked. Rich has become richer and poor, poorer.

There is no need to explain more. The ruling classes have started an all round attack on the livelihood of the workers and the common people. The people are now facing the biggest challenge of how to survive and improve their condition.

Are we ready to face the challenge and fight back. It is only through the united struggle of the working class and the common people, that the anti-people policy can be changed. Are we ready?

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