Row erupts after CPI(M) West Bengal pays homage to Joseph Stalin on death anniversary

A political controversy erupted after the West Bengal unit of CPI(M) paid homage to Joseph Stalin on his death anniversary.

The West Bengal Communist Party of India (Marxist) paid homage to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin on his death anniversary on March 5. The social media post has sparked a controversy, with the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party slamming the gesture.

Taking to Twitter, CPI(M) West Bengal wrote on March 5, "We remember one of the greatest Communist leader and revolutionary, Comrade Joseph Stalin on his death anniversary today. The real homage to Stalin is reiterating our vow to continue in the path of struggle for a world free from injustice, discrimination and inequality".

We remember one of the greatest Communist leader & revolutionary, Comrade Joseph #Stalin on his death anniversary today. The real homage to Stalin is reiterating our vow to continue in the path of struggle for a world free from injustice, discrimination & inequality. pic.twitter.com/gwa76fMWpz

Speaking to India Today, Md Salim, who was recently elected secretary of the West Bengal unit, said, “Those who want to create history, they must remember history. If nation forgets its history, if civilisation forgets the history, there will be no history left. Commemorating is not assessing or reassessing. Past is past. But you have to remember the history.”

He added, “It was the rise of the fascists. 2.5 crore people in Soviet Russia died because of the fascist attack. Stalin led the battle to destroy fascism and defeat Hitler.”