A most lively and impactful Seminar and conference was organized by 'Krantikari Mazdoor Morcha' (hereinafter referred to as 'Organization') on 2nd October, at the community hall in the labour colony 'Azad Nagar', in Faridabad, with the slogan 'A cure for fascism - end the secret of capital', ' Deepening 'Fascist Darkness and Our Duty ' The seminar and first ever conference of the Revolutionary labour front were completed with great pomp. The premises of the meeting place and the road leading to it bloomed with fluttering red flags and banners with revolutionary slogans. An atmosphere was given of a festival of the masses. A contingent of around 1000 persons participated.
Speakers attacked Hindu communal fascism at it’s strongest point and it’s integration with the stranglehold of global and corporate capital on the working class.Many diverse aspects were covered entangling the aspect of fascism and the labour movement. Democratic revolutionary consciousness shimmered at a helm in the event. Most important was the synthesis of class consciousness with burning issues of the day or economic struggles and how revolutionary workers struggle was an integral part of the anti-fascist struggle.
Many labour leaders, involved in the labour movement, not only from Mazdoor Nagri, Faridabad or the National Capital Region, but also from Mumbai, Kurukshetra, Jind and Meerut thronged in the program. The workers of the organization made assiduous preparations for the program of October 2 since the month of August. For the seminar, the organization had also released its document a month in advance. 'Such a conference of workers has never been held before in Faridabad', this feedback of Dinesh, a colleague of the workers movement for the last 25 years, touched the heart.
The misery in the lives of workers reached such a point that they have to seek work even on weekly holidays to keep their families alive. This is why they rest for a little while in the morning on important holidays like 2nd October and the program could start at 11 o'clock instead of the scheduled time of 10 o'clock.
Proceedings of the seminar
Comrade Naresh, President of the organization, steered the proceedings of the seminar. First of all, the General Secretary of the organization, Comrade Satyaveer Singh, presented before the gathering the theme of the document issued by the organization on the topic 'Deepening Fascist Darkness and Our Duty'. Any democratic-constitutional right ceases to be a 'right', everything is at the will of Hindutva dictates All democratic instruments, have been converted into instruments to construct the fascist designs. Lenin's statement 'Fascism is rotting capitalism' has turned into a reality.Providing employment, reducing inflation, or issues of life and death of people are relegated in the real agenda of the government. The only agenda of the Modi government is to patronise the flow of rotting capitalism and 'corporate secrets' by breaking the unity of the workers and hardworking farmers. Only through the path of unity of the workers and toiling farmers can this anti-human system, this bourgeois system that flourishes by sucking the blood of the poor, be buried.
Comrade Dharmendra Azad, who came from Ghaziabad on behalf of 'Samajwadi Lok Manch', said that 80 crore people are not even left with enough money to earn their living. Mr. Vikas Narayan Rai, a distinguished citizen of Faridabad, retired from the senior most police post like Director of Police Academy, Hyderabad and committed to social causes, who always encourages the workers of the organization, participated in the program despite being unwell.
In his brief address, Rai Saheb said, “I am happy that the character of the workers of the organization is in line with its ideas. It is important to reach out to the most deprived sections of the society. Along with foreign revolutionary thinkers, pictures and statements of our country's revolutionary warriors should also be visible. Besides, the organization should also take the responsibility of education of the workers' children, only then they will be able to understand these revolutionary ideas.”
Comrade Satish Kumar, popular among the workers, editor of the prestigious weekly 'Mazdoor Morcha' and member of the President's Board of the Seminar, most boldly and concretely attacked the RSS, summing up how at the very root it planted poisonous weeds..'It is very good that you fought for water, toilets and labour rights, but it is equally important to describe what the real character of RSS is, how this poisonous vine has divided the society since its birth and whom it has served. It was necessary, but this work did not get that much attention. The result is that this poisonous ideology has taken a large section of the society under its grip. The situation that has arisen today is the result of our failure'.” Satish ji, as always, presented the bitter reality in front of the gathering without any hesitation.
Two senior comrades of CPI (ML) Krantikari Pahal, Umakant and Vimal Trivedi, attended the seminar. The essence of Vimal ji's speech was although supporting the conclusions of the document issued by the organization on fascism; felt there was still scope for intensive discussion. He touched upon importance to form a united front, but the topic had many aspects in which necessary debate was possible in the assembly.
Comrade Rajesh Upadhyay, said that the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad' itself means overthrowing the system. "It is grossly unjust to put journalists, writers and even cartoonists in jail who are questioning the government. This is a naked fascist attack and this injustice can be reversed only by the organized power of the workers.”
Comrade Shubhashish of 'Shramik Sangram Samiti', who came from Noida, in his statement focused on a thorough diagnosis of the reasons due to which the labour movement was weakened and reactionary forces were on the ascendancy. The destructive game being played by the government on the basis of religion and caste could be overpowered only with the resistance of organized power of the workers. The counter-revolutions in Russia and China paved way for the regimes in strengthening the decaying capitalism.
All the workers of the organization were happy to see fellow Anjali Deshpande, co-author of a brilliant document, 'Factory Japanese, Pratisthan Hindustani', a classical study of the Maruti Mazdoor Movement, present in their programme. Referring to the classic poem by German priest, Martin Niemöller, Anjali ji said that the present system manifests hatred. Narrating the origin of fascism, he said that the word 'fasci' means 'axe' in Greek language. It conveyed, whoever refuses to obey should be beheaded with an axe.
Ashwani Kumar, partner of 'Jandhikar Sangharsh Manch', explained that we have to innovate new methods of convincing people. The workers must explain where the source of owners’..A type of virus is being prepared by the Sangh Parivar. Manipur has been thrown into the furnace of fascism. Child Swati stole the hearts of the gathering by reciting Safdar Hashmi's song, 'Learn to read and write, O hard-working people', and boy Sneh won the hearts of the gathering by reciting Nagarjuna's timeless poem, 'Kain Din Tak Chulha Roya Chakki Rahi Udas'.
Lal Bahadur Singh, a prominent artist from his team, resident of Faridabad, not only attended the program but also sang a very beautiful song, 'Sehte-sahte marne se achcha hai lauda hai; 'O Bhai Haath Utha, O Bahana Haath Utha' and Gadri Baba's popular song, 'Mera Rang De Basanti Chola', were adapted and sung and created a revolutionary atmosphere. Partner Lal Bahadur Singh has also taken the responsibility of guiding the cultural team of the organization.
Member of the President's Board, senior leader of 'Jan Sangharsh Manch, Haryana', friend Somnath ji, who came from Kurukshetra, in his address explained how the seeds of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Mahasabha, sown by Vivekananda to create a Hindu nation, bred saffron fascism..He touched upon Fascist organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal capitalising on the failure of the working class, and the monopoly of capital strangulating the workers in its full bloody form. In his view since workers' unity could not be formed, the exploited class could hardly turn revolutionary.
Prakash, the young colleague, emphasised that the language of the speakers should be so simple that the workers could easily understand it. Two poems by eminent litterateur, Gajendra Rawat, 'Ahimsa' and 'Kranti' were given loud applause by the people present. Pal Singh, a senior member of 'Jan Sangharsh Manch Haryana', who came from Jind, gave a brief speech encouraging the workers of the organization.
Rakesh Bhadoria, Delhi state secretary of 'Indian Public Service Employees Federation', sitting on the president's board, summarised fascism in day to day language and said that all forms of coercion is fascism, whether inside the house or outside. The only remedy for this is the planting of class consciousness. All labour activists will have to unite and organize the working class and arm them with class consciousness. To eradicate fascism, capitalism must be overthrown.
Vikram Pratap Singh, partner from Gargi Prakashan Meerut, appeared along with his two colleagues. He had also set up a book stall, but he had to return early for some important work, and this was unable to present his statement. From Ghaziabad itself, colleagues J.P. Narela and Budhesh also joined, but they too had to return early, but still they presented their 9-page written document on fascism, in which, along with the class struggle, the relevance of caste-annihilation movement was touched upon.
The seminar was concluded by Comrade Naresh, President of the organization stating “courage of the organization has been escalated by the brave workers of Azad Nagar. We had no idea that you people would grace our program in such large numbers. We also assure you on behalf of the organization that we will remain in the front row in every struggle of the workers, till our last breath. Will not let your trust waver. We will live up to your expectations, even if we lose our lives” On behalf of the organization, while redressing the workers, he announced the end of the first session of the seminar, and requested everyone to leave only after having lunch.
Conference
The first annual conference could begin only at 5 o'clock. Somnath, a colleague from 'Jan Sangharsh Manch Haryana' and Rakesh Bhadauria, a colleague from IPSAFE, performed function of observers. First of all, Comrade Satyaveer Singh, General Secretary of the organization presented the General Secretary reportHe summarised the notable achievements of the organization last year. With thunderous slogans applause, the members expressed their happiness with the outstanding developments in one year. All the members participated with great vigour in the entire proceedings.For the next two years, a 15-member core committee, including 5 women, was elected, as follows; Chairman, Comrade Naresh; Vice President, Comrade Mukesh Kumar; General Secretary, Comrade Satyaveer Singh; Co-Secretary, Comrade Chandan Kumar; Treasurer, Comrade Ashok Kumar; Member, Comrade Vijay Singh; Member, Comrade Vinod Kumar; Member, Comrade Subhash; Member, Comrade Rajneesh; Member, Comrade Pradeep Kumar; Member, Comrade Rimpi; Member, Comrade Vinu; Member, Comrade Kavita; Member, Comrade Seema; Member, Comrade Rekha.
At the end of the conference these 4 resolutions were also passed –
- Demanding the arrest of his accomplices for the crime of spreading social disharmony and disturbing peace by making statements insulting the entire Muslim community and laughing hysterically at the disgusting nonsense made by a Mawali MP of BJP.. It also calls upon all anti-fascist forces to unite in the struggle to give a mortal blow to the fascist attack and inflict a decisive defeat.
- Lifting of the fascist order of the Haryana Government to cancel the recognition of Belsonica Mazdoor Union. It calls for launching an intense mass movement to oppose this anti-labor step, to organize contract workers and, most importantly, to make the government treat contract workers as human beings.
- The Supreme Court should take utmost steps to subvert the disruptive activities of Hindu fundamentalists, which destroy the unity of the society, and endanger the survival minority Muslim community.
- Supporting the govt. in providing justice to the martyred farmers of Lakhimpur Kheri and arresting the main culprit of the farmer massacre, Union Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra Teni. For the failure, 'Black Day' was observed.
Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who has been in touch with mass movements and organisations all around India
Comments