The Ruins Of An Idea: Capturing Shades Of The Left Across The Country

Factors like ideological rigidity, failure to adapt to a changing socio-political landscape, the rise of identity politics and Hindu nationalism and organisational weaknesses have led to the Left’s gradual decline in the country. Cramped rooms, high ceiling fans, dusty tables, plastic chairs and piles of files... the party’s offices across different cities now resemble spaces that are stuck in a time warp

Updated on: 15 December 2025 2:17 pm

The Old-world Charm: A CPI(M) comrade working at the party’s office in Kamarpurkar in Hoogly district of West Bengal | Photo: Sandipan Chatterjee

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Existing, Surviving | Photo: Vikram Sharma

Existing, Surviving: The red flag flutters atop the CPI(ML) central office at Charu Bhawan in Laxminagar area of Delhi

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Through the pages | Photo: Yasir Iqbal

CPI member Mohammed Maqbool flips through a file in his party office in Srinagar, Kashmir.

Twenty-five years in, Leftword publishing continues printed dissent - Leftword Publishing

Publishing Left in Right Wing India

BY Lalita Iyer

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Different Cities, Same Vibe: The CPI(M) office at Worli in Mumbai

Different Cities, Same Vibe | Photo: Dinesh Parab

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Different Cities, Same Vibe: The CPI(M) office at Worli in Mumbai

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Silhouettes of history | Photo: Vikram Sharma

A bust of Charu Majumdar, the founder and general secretary of the CPI(ML), at the party’s central office in Delhi.

This photo story appeared as The Ruins Of An Idea in Outlook’s December 21, 2025, issue as 'What's Left of the Left' which explores how the Left finds itself at an interesting and challenging crossroad now the Left needs to adapt. And perhaps it will do so.