‘Socialism’ will marry ‘Mamta Banerjee’ on 13th June! What?

Wedding Card of Socialism and Mamta Banerjee that has gone viral

When I came across this news byte on social media – ‘Socialism and Mamta Banerjee will henceforth be inseparable - I was speechless!! What? Can it happen?

Wasn’t it Mamata who routed the Left this time – so much so that they do not have a single MLA in the Assembly? Wasn’t the Left brought down from power after 7 consecutive full terms and around 35 years of uninterrupted rule in Bengal by Mamata’s party?

But when I saw the wedding card – which has gone viral – I had to relent. Yes Socialism and Mamta will be partners henceforth – they will enter a wedlock!

Socialism’s father, A Mohan, 52, is District Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) from Salem. In 2016, Mohan had even contested from the Veerapandi constituency on a People's Welfare Alliance ticket.

When enquired, Mohan said, "My father and grandfather are communists. From the age of 18, I started participating in protests organised by the CPI. Later, I became a full-time worker of the CPI. Due to the Soviet Union breaking up into many countries, many said communism is dead. This made me upset and even before my marriage I decided to name my sons or daughters in a way that reflects the ideology.”

“Three sons were born to me and I named them Communism, Leninism and Socialism respectively. Most of our comrades named their sons Lenin or Marx. But I don't know whether anyone has been named Socialism. When they were in school, my sons experienced some humiliation due to their names and many thought they were Christians. But after they entered college, their names attracted many," he added.

Communism, the eldest among the children is a lawyer by profession. The second son Leninism and third son Socialism are operating a Micro Scale business unit of silver ornaments. All the sons have followed Mohan’s footsteps and they too are full time members of CPI.

This left leaning ideological choice of names have transcended generations in the family, Mohan adds, “Following my decision, my son Leninism also named my grandson Marxism."

If the groom has a history regarding his name, could the bride be far behind. Mamta is the daughter of a close relative but who have allegiance to Congress party. All from the bride’s family, including the bride’s grandfather, father and even mother, are active workers and staunch supporters of Congress. In a gesture to pay tribute to Mamata Banerjee, the bride’s parents had named her after the fiery politician.

Both the families are inundated with congratulatory calls, since the Wedding Card made viral had the numbers. None from the family were involved in posting the card on social media, they claim. CPI state secretary R Mutharasan is also expected to give his blessings to the newly wed.

As a parting shot, Mohan says, “We will die one day. But these names which reflect our ideology will live forever.”