Vladimir IIyinc Lenin was born in Russia on the twenty second day of April in the year eighteen seventy. Vladimir lived on this universe for a period of fifty three years and succumbed to death, of stroke, in January nineteen twenty four (1/1/1924). He was a lawyer by profession, and a member of various political parties such as Russian Social Democratic Labor Party and Russia Communist Party. Lenin was an active member of the Russian Orthodox Church, and grew up during an era of revolutionary politics; this greatly influenced him . His elder brother, named Alexander, Ulaynov was a revolutionary politician. It was Alexander who had the most influence on Lenin as he introduced him to the ideologies of Karl Max. However, it is important to note that Cherneyshevsky is the one who had the greatest influence on the young adult by the name Vladimir Lenin. To this end, this paper aims to look at the reasons why Vladimir should be finally laid to rest.
In this perspective, Lenin has been termed as an individual shrouded in controversy. This widespread controversy has been the reason as to why many have opposed the burial of Lenin. His controversy was ignited after Lenin decided to go back to Russia. After his return, in 1917, he executed a coupe de tat successfully; with the aid of Germans. After the coupe, Russia degenerated into three years of civil war. Throughout the entire period of Famine, War and Revolution Vladimir Lenin exhibited a character that showed disregard of his fellow citizens. He allowed his countrymen to suffer and crushed all forms of oppositions mercilessly. This period of upscale turmoil ended up tainting his good record and reputation.
However, despite his various shortcomings, Vladimir Lenin made considerable effort to transform the economy of Russia. He managed to achieve this by allowing some private companies to operate when the socialist economy of Russia had stalled. During his reign, several attempts at his life were made. Despite getting hurt several times, he always managed to get out of the attempts alive. After his death, Vladimir’s body was embalmed and kept in a mausoleum in the Russian capital known as Moscow. However, his body has remained in this state despite the fact that the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) was disbanded. It has always been echoed that to err is only an underlying part of humanity. Thus, despite his shortfalls, his achievements have earned his need tor interment.
With respect to being buried, some leaders in Russia are of the opinion that the remains of Lenin, who was a Bolshevik Revolution leader, should be finally be laid to rest in the ground. The leaders are of the opinion that, upon burial, the grave should then be converted into a museum accessible to the public. The museum will serve to inform people about the Bolshevik Revolution leaders; as was the revolution that took place in Russia. Vladimir Medinsky, who is the new minister of culture, echoes the sentiments that failure to bury the revolutionary veteran amounts to infringement of the rights of an individual. This is because every human being has the right to be buried not because it is a constitutional right, but because it is a practice that has been conducted since the ancient days. During an interview, with one of the radio stations, the minister claimed that Vladimir Lenin should not be judged after his death. He went ahead and said that the Bolshevik Revolution leader deserves to be buried at state ceremony. He is of the opinion that the veteran should receive state commendations; in addition, to be being laid to rest.
Accordingly, the minister for culture argues that the largest library was named after Vladimir Lenin as well as the subway station in the capital city of Russia. As if that is not enough, dozens of statues of the Bolshevik Revolution leader lie in cities and towns across Russia. The minister is of the opinion that this serves as a clear indication that the man is recognized by his country. If the state can erect statues of him, the least that the state can do is to allow for the leader to be accorded some respect in his death. This respect can be accorded by the state ensuring that the embalmed body of the late Vladimir Lenin, which is kept in a glass, is buried in earth; a norm in line with humanity.
However, many people oppose his burial based on the fact that he allowed for the mass execution of fellow Russians. In addition, many more died of hunger on his watch as the leader of USSR. As if that was not enough, during the Bolshevik Revolution, a lot of blood was shed. Evidence of people against the burial of Lenin exists in abundance. An epitome of this is where a group of protestors blew a hole on Lenin’s statue. The disrespect was carried out in 2009. To further compound the issue, the transgression was carried on the rear end of the statue’s whole; perhaps an indication of what people think on him.
On this issue, Vladimir Putin (The Russian President) was approached with the query on whether the body of Vladimir Lenin should be buried. In his response, he reiterated that the people of Russia should be given the opportunity to decide. If people are left to decide and vote on the issue through a democratic process, fairness would at least prevail. The reason for this is that the communist party of Russia is the largest opposition party. Members of the communist party are skewed on the issue. The members of the communist party are of the opinion that no attempts should be made to humiliate Lenin or to rewrite the history of the soviet era. Vladimir Lenin was a staunch member of the Russian Orthodox Church, but the church has decided not to air its views on the matter. The reason could be derived on the fact that Russia holds little respect for the church. Places of prayer can be converted into a warehouse or a factory. Thus, their silence is not a choice, but mainly as a result of fear of the repercussions of airing their views.
In a nutshell, Lenin’s legacy has faced a test by fire. Despite his transgressions, Lenin deserves the respect accorded to human beings. In the present times, there exists enough evidence that he is still beloved in this country. Statues dot the whole country and various plaques commemorate his history. As a basic, unwritten human right, Lenin should be finally laid to rest. However, despite my view of the need of Lenin’s burial, various stakeholders’ opinions should be taken into consideration. This is based on the element that the matter is contentious and might lead to the fragmentation of the Russian community. The consideration of the sentiments of all Russians will serve to prevent causing any tensions that would lead to the destabilization of peace and tranquility in Russia. However, a justification of his achievements does not cover or justify his transgressions, but it also in the nature of humanity to forgive; even if no one forgets.
References
Bonnel, V. (1997). Iconography of Power. Los Angeles: University of Carlifornia Press.
Brovkin, V. (1998). Russia After Lenin. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.
Hill, C. (2007). Lenin & the Russian Revolution. New York: Read books.
Marples, D. (2000). Lenin's Revolution: Russia. New York: Longman.
Philips, S. (2000). Lenin & the Russian Revolution. Heinemann Educational Publishers.
Tumarkin, N. (1983). Lenin Lives. New York: Harvard University Press.
