Redefining socialism in India
Ever since the RSS leader called for removing socialism and secularism from the Constitution’s preamble, left-wing leaders have used this opportunity to grab public attention, legitimize the inclusion of socialism, and thereby signify the importance of the left wing as a whole. What is the literal meaning of socialism? Normally, socialism means social ownership of economic enterprises ranging from small to large, which translates in real life to worker cooperatives and public sector undertakings. What is being signified? The message being given by the left front is that socialism is akin to a welfare state . In their interpretation of socialism, private enterprise is acceptable, but the government's aim should be the welfare of the people. What has the left wing achieved? Left-wing politics has influenced a wide range of policies—especially in social services like education and health—to be provided by the government. Policies targeting poverty reduction, employment gener...