MAN-woman relation is regarded in Marxist classics as a basic constituent of human nature, of the human essence; and as a measure of the level of overall human development. In class society, however, it is distorted by class relations; only with the abolition of classes does it attain full maturity and pure form. And communists strive precisely for that.

Now for women's liberation movement. Gender and class (in the Indian case, also caste) domination arose as parts of one and the same historical process since the break up of class societies which were basically matriarchal and communistic in a primitive sense. Later these were supplemented by national subjugation. Struggles against male domination, class rule, caste oppression and national subjugation are therefore closely interrelated though each has its own features. A communist party actively mobilises women in all these struggles and coordinates and leads these towards a domination-free society. At the same time, of course, it builds up women's organisation specifically for spearheading women's movement.

A socialist country takes quick measures to free women, as far as practicable; from domestic drudgery and worries of child-rearing by setting up community kitchens, creches and hostels etc.; to promote women's full and equal participation in production, socio-cultural activities, political, administrative and scientific responsibilities; to introduce pro-woman reforms in personal laws and so on. All this gives a great boost to the cause of women's liberation. For the complete eradication of male chauvinism and sexual domination, however, a protracted struggle has still to be carried on.

Regarding the institution of marriage we believe that it has evolved through several stages and will continue to do so in the future. Under communism the negative features of present forms of marriage will disappear. With the removal of economic worries for all, marriage will be really free and based on nothing but mutual affection. Dominance of the male partner will become a thing of past, and so will the indissolubitity of marriage. As Frederick Engels explained in his celebrated work The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, only those marriages which are “based on love” and in which “love continues” will be regarded as moral. “... A definite cessation of affection, and its displacement by a new passionate love, makes separation a blessing for both parties as well as for society. People will only be spared ... the useless mire of divorce proceedings.”

What will be the new features of marriage then? “That will be settled after a new generation has grown up : a generation of men who never in all their lives have had occasion to purchase a woman's surrender either with money or with any other means of social power, and of women who have never been obliged to surrender to any man out of any consideration other than real love, or to refrain form giving themselves to their beloved for fear of the economic consequences. Once such people appear, they will not care a rap about what we think they should do. They will establish their own practice. ...”

Finally to come back lo our general approach, we believe that barring those imposed by nature, all differences between man and woman are artificial. If a certain period of historical evolution institutionalised these artificial divisions, we have already entered another period which is to see their gradual dissolution under the impact of progressive movements. Only with that, only when the relation between the sexes becomes natural, frank and friendly, will it be possible for humankind lo regain its undivided self. And the long march towards this goal will not end at, but definitely pass through, a total revolution which inscribes on its banner : Socialism and Women's Liberation.