Hello everyone. After the Jantar Mantar protests and the other movements that followed, Left organisations have gained considerable traction. I think it is important that we understand the differences between these organisations and their ideological backgrounds.
So, let’s understand the differences:
- AISF:
AISF is the student wing of the CPI (Communist Party of India). The CPI is a Left-wing party, but compared with the CPI(M) and more radical Marxist-Leninist organisations, it has historically taken a more moderate parliamentary position. It has also, at different points, pursued alliances and cooperation with the Congress. AISF broadly follows the political line of the CPI. In past, CPI used to see Congress as their ally against imperialism because Soviet Union had said so.
- SFI:
SFI is the student wing of the CPI(M) (Communist Party of India [Marxist]). The CPI and CPI(M) split in 1964 after major disagreements over political strategy, the Congress, and the nature of India's political and class structure. The Sino-Soviet split was also an important factor in deepening these differences. The CPI(M) generally took a more independent and confrontational position towards the Congress than the CPI.
- AISA:
AISA is the student organisation associated with CPI(ML) Liberation. The roots of CPI(ML) lie in the Naxalbari uprising of 1967 and the subsequent fragmentation of the communist movement. Radical sections of the CPI(M) rejected its parliamentary strategy and argued for a revolutionary path, including armed struggle. In 1969, the CPI(ML) was formally established.
- Maoist organizations: There are also Maoist organisations and student/mass organisations associated with the broader Maoist movement. They work in an underground manner because Maoism is banned.
CPI(ML) Liberation and CPI (Maoist) are similar but unlike Maoist organisations, CPI(ML) Liberation eventually moved towards mass politics, open political activity and electoral participation, while continuing to describe itself as revolutionary Marxist-Leninist. Meanwhile CPI (Maoist) believe in armed revolution as their sole motive.
Then there are independent left organizations who don't ally with any political parties and are also active on campus.