I strenuously object. Lack of foundation.

I think Paulose contrived a “coming to America” story to match her admittedly breathtaking rise to US Attorney.

1967 precisely, when EMS came back to power briefly again in a 7 party coalition .

They are many reasons: It was the first opposition party (different from Center) in power in India. The reasons usually found in political analysis for Nehru stepping in are: 1) Their total inability to react to Gandhian disobedience (the students and others) in Kerala, 2) caste dynamics (the early supporters of communists in Kerala were lower castes even though EMS Namboodiripad was a Brahmin) even in caste-lite state like Kerala worked against them (therefore, it is unlikely that they would target Christians even though I can understand in late 50s, Christians were very dominant in Kerala, and they might have viewed communist rise in Kerala in 50s with suspicion that was mutual), and 3) Their shakey (support) stance on Chinese invasion in Tibet, and nationalism.

In fact, a lot of people see 1957-59 as a very successful experiment – communist party or not, irrespective, when a local governments (state) could go diametrically opposite to the mainstream (rest of India, and Center – the Federal Government) in terms of political and social statement.

BTW, after 1957-59, it was only in 70s, communist parties in India came back to power. 60s was probably the toughest time for communists in India when Ms. Rachael P. family was supposedly escaping them.

i don’t necesarily disagee with you. i think the objection to RP’s commets is that she seems to imply asylum or refugee status when her grandparent simply left. “fled” sounds too harsh (since they could have simply went to another part of india) but i think she was just trying to convey how bad things got for some roman catholics in kerala at the time, as dharma queen documents.

btw, why did nehru take over?

Both of you on this are full of sh……

First, the communist government in Kerala was only between 1957-59. Sure, there was student and other unrest (which only killed 15 people) but the reasons for Nehru stepping in are very different.

On the other hand, in 60s (when Ms. Rachael’s grandparents immigrated), communism in India was under heavy siege – party splits, and with prominent leaders in jail.

Ms. Dharma Queen, Kerala’s experiment with communism is unique within India, and rest of the world context too – good or bad – take your pick – therefore, Bengal extrapolation is meaningless. This said, every party in India has goons (with no exceptions), and muscle they way through.

she said her grandparents “fled” kerala, not that the were “refugees” or asylum seekers. i would say that “fled” sounds like a strong word, but under the circumstances, its understandable.