Hassan CPM condemns Nishchalananda Swamy for calling leftists ‘most dangerous’, ‘selfish’

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) district unit in Hassan has vehemently denounced Vishwa Vokkaliga Mutt seer Nishchalananda Swamy for labeling "leftists" as "the most dangerous" and "selfish" individuals, during a college event in the city. CPM district secretary H.R. Naveen Kumar issued a statement urging Swamy to retract his statements and called upon the event organizers to clarify their stance on the seer's remarks.

Swamy delivered these remarks at a World Population Day gathering at the Government First Grade College for Women in Hassan, organized jointly by the college and the Hassan Red Cross Society, on Thursday. The event was inaugurated by Hassan Superintendent of Police Shubhanwita, with the presence of Red Cross Society president Hemmige Mohan and college faculty members.

The seer stated that while many people claim to be leftists, they were, in fact, the "most dangerous" individuals. He claimed to have closely observed eight leftists and formed his conclusion based on this observation. The seer said he had studied psychology, economics, and criminology and held a PhD in economics, which enabled him to analyze people and comprehend their actions.

He alleged that leftists solely focused on their own betterment, while claiming to work for the welfare of everyone. Swamy further stated that leftists rarely contributed positively and were involved in "benki hachchuva kelasa" - inciting unrest and insulting the nation. Condemning the remarks, H.R. Naveen Kumar argued that leftists encompass progressive, secular, and pro-democracy individuals who uphold the Constitution, as well as those advocating for Dalits, farmers, workers, women, and human rights.

He emphasized that leftists were not selfish but had sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the oppressed and fought for justice for the working class, including the struggle against untouchability, casteism, communalism, corruption, and the exploitation of women in India. The CPM also pointed out that the seer, a former Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer, resigned from his government position to become a seer and questioned whether he had ever criticized government policies that harmed the Shudra and working-class communities that the mutt represents.