1964 split in the Communist Party of India

The 1964 split in the Communist Party of India (CPI) marked a significant ideological and organizational division within the party, stemming from deep-rooted disagreements over the direction and strategy of Indian communism. The rift emerged primarily between the pro-Soviet faction, led by former CPI General Secretary Jyoti Basu, advocating for a parliamentary approach, and the more radical, Maoist-inspired faction led by Charu Majumdar, which argued for armed struggle and revolution. This ideological schism culminated in the formal bifurcation of the CPI, leading to the establishment of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in December 1964. The split had lasting repercussions on the Indian left, shaping political discourse and influencing subsequent leftist movements in the country.