"In the past, as in the freedom struggle, middle class activism worked as it was linked to the goals of major political parties. This is no longer true and this is why this activism will not last for long," says the Communist Party of India-Marxist's Nilotpal Basu

"It has become quite fashionable to counter middle class activism with the activities of established political parties. This trend has been gaining currency from some time now. And it had reached a crescendo in the wake of horrific terrorist shoot-out and siege in Mumbai. It is worthwhile to examine the concepts which determine the matrix of such a counter position."

"It is obvious that given the nature of a political party, without a certain degree of continuity and consistency to realise its objectives, it is doomed to become irrelevant. As opposed to the notion of sustainability, if not permanency, which one can attribute to a political party, middle class activism is essentially suggestive of an instantaneous character almost like a flash in the pan."

"Middle class activism has in the past made important contributions in the forward movement of human societies. In India, the middle classes which emerged with the establishment of a modern education system and blossomed with the inception and growth of universities played a significant role in our freedom struggle. Though the freedom struggle eventually saw the mobilisation of wide sections of Indian masses including the under-classes like the peasantry and labour, the leaders and activists were essentially drawn from the middle classes. After independence, as well as at different critical junctures of political and social life, fired by a sense of idealism, middle class youth have energised the strivings for change. This was particularly evident in the '60's, in the west, in the protests against the Vietnam War; and in India, against the imposition of the Emergency in the '70s."

"But what is the conspicuous characteristic of such activism of the middle classes is that they were not autonomous in nature. Essentially they were in conjunction with the more sustained and long-term programmes of political formations."

"But the current spate of middle class activism and especially those which are being posed as a counter to the activities of political leaders and parties are at odds with any long term vision of change. Fired by sporadic urge to respond to immediate and doubtlessly negative developments like the abuse of power by the high and mighty or the ineptitude of the system, such activism is driven by a fit of mad and blind rage."

"The inspiration and the forms of such activism are heavily drawn from contemporary cinema based on highly romanticised vision of change. Candle light processions, drawing from the ranks of social elite, condemning everything around ultimately ends up with a sense of frustration and cynicism without a clearly defined vision/programme. Such sporadic and instantaneous actions cannot be sustained, let alone overcome the injustices which the present system breeds."

"The search for a political party which can fire the imagination of these otherwise well-intentioned middle class will have to continue--a political party which can remove the reasons for their agitation. Obviously, such a course will not be benefited by a corporate-driven media limelight."