The revolutionary icon was shot dead by CIA-trained troops in a remote village in Bolivia on October 9, 1967

Before he was shot dead by CIA-trained troops in a remote village in Bolivia on October 9, 1967, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, the revolutionary icon of the 20th century, had travelled by motorcycle through Latin American countries ravaged by colonialism, helped overthrow the Batista regime in Cuba, and held important positions in the Fidel Castro government, apart from authoring books on guerrilla warfare.

Half a century after his death, the ‘Commandante’, as he was called by his followers, continues to evoke adulation in Kerala. P.A. Mohammed Riyas, national president, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), says 'Che' would remain a symbol of anti-imperialist struggle for the youth. “CIA henchmen murdered 'Che' when he was only 39. He had left his privileges as a Minister in the Cuban government to lead guerrilla war in the Bolivian jungles.”

BJP sees “an evil foreign influence”

The revolutionary icon has his detractors too. Among them are Kerala BJP leaders, who see in him “an evil foreign influence” on the youth. State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan, while addressing the Janaraksha Yatra recently, attributed the “murder politics practised by the CPI(M)” to the “violent ideology” espoused by 'Che'.

K. Venu, former Naxalite, who has since disowned Marxism, too is critical of 'Che'. “Guevara was a symbol for the youth in the 1960s,” he told The Hindu on Sunday. His Motorcycle Diaries, The Bolivian Diary as well as The Guerilla Warfare were popular here. “We learnt about him from the writings of Regis Debray, his former associate. However, his ideology of capturing power through violence no longer appeals to me.” Mr. Venu said.

'Che' was too undemocratic to be an inspiration in today’s world. The power captured through violence would not last long, he said.

Also, the capitalist propaganda had commodified 'Che', reducing him to a mere brand. “What the corporate companies and the Marxists are doing is one and the same: appropriating 'Che' Guevara as a brand. There was a time when the parliamentary Marxists were told by their leaders here not to read his literature. Now, he has been elevated as a demigod,” Mr. Venu added.

Mr. Riyas begs to differ. “There had been efforts to capitalise on his popularity. But such apolitical campaigns will not diminish the relevance of his ideas that call for struggles against neo-liberal economic policies and corporate agenda of the ruling classes.”

The National Democratic Alliance government was diverting the attention of the youth from issues such as joblessness and jobless growth to communalism. The ‘Anti-imperialist Day’ to be organised by the DYFI to mark 'Che' Guevara’s martryrdom day on October 9, would take up those issues, he said.