Lenin's unfulfilled Plan for Communism

M.N. Roy, a popular Indian Leader was an active member of Communist International Russia `during 1921-22. He had played a vital role in the proletariat movement of Germany, France and China. He had good relations with Lenin and an Indian friend of his had taken refuge in Russia due to the prevalent political conditions in the then India. He too had good relations with Lenin. In his autobiography what he has stated about Lenin’s faith and interest in Islam is worth seeing: After the regime of Czar when Lenin came to power and established the Communist Government, he called a meeting of his intimate comrades in which he said,"...we have succeeded in establishing our own government but in order to make it stable and function, it is very essential to own a way of life that is in accordance with the human nature. It is because a man needs not only bread for survival but also a religion for spiritual satisfaction. I have studied all the religions minutely and I think that none but one religion has the capacity to support our communist ideology. Therefore, I will give you the name of this religion here only. Don’t hasten to form your own conclusions because this question pertains to the life and death of Communism. Take your time and consider thoughtfully. May be I am wrong but we must think coolly before we take any final decision. I think Islam is the only religion closer to the economic programmed of Communism." On hearing this there arose a noise in the entire gathering but Lenin advised them to consider it cool heartedly and suggested, "exactly after one year from now onwards we will reassemble to decide whether the communists should profess any religion, and if so, which one." When the external affairs ministry of the Great Britain came to know of it they took it as a great danger for the British Empire because if Communism and Islam combined the Russians would enjoy an impregnable power and dignity as compared to Britain. At once they raised an issue: Can Islam accept an atheistic and agnostic view point like Communism? The scholars of Al-Azhar, ignorant of this background, gave such a verdict as the Government of Britain wanted. The verdict was printed and distributed throughout the world so much so that its copies are still available with the Muslims living in the Muslim area of Russia. Obviously Lenin too came to know of this. He got wonderstruck and said "I thought Muslims were wise but it seems they too are rigid and orthodox like other religions." The result was that the whole scheme remained as it was and those who opposed it took a sigh of relief.

These extracts have been taken from the essay of Muhammad Abdullah (Retired I.A.S.) published in Soviet Union (Urdu) Vol. 28, June, 1982.