The Communist parties today have adopted a somewhat different perspective on the national question in the subcontinent from earlier days of the fateful pre-1947 period. After an initial neglect of this crucial question, in the wake of the Pakstian demand by the Muslim League, the CPI began to uphold the right of self- determination of various nationalities including their right to secede within the framework of a united India.

Post-independence the Communist Parties have become staunch upholders of “national integration.” While analyzing these positional changes the introduction by T.G. Jacob throws light on contemporary aspects of the national question, which is in the forefront of political dynamics.

T.G. Jacob is co-founder of South Asia Study Centre (SASC) in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. The Centre has the objective of executing research programmes focusing on national, ethnic, religious and minority questions in South Asia and related issues of caste, gender and the rights of the indigenous peoples.