International Arvind Memorial Seminar explores modern fascism in depth

By Harsh Thakor*

The seventh edition of the International Arvind Memorial Seminar, organized by the Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies, was held from December 28, 2024, to January 2, 2025, at the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Hyderabad. The seminar, titled "Fascism in the Twenty-First Century: Elements of Continuity and Change and the Question of Contemporary Proletarian Strategy," examined various dimensions of modern fascism and strategies for addressing its rise. The event concluded on January 2, 2025.

The seminar reflected on the contributions of late leaders Arvind and Meenakshi, emphasizing their commitment to social change and people’s emancipation. Over five days, speakers and participants from diverse backgrounds analyzed the historical and contemporary aspects of fascism through a Marxist lens.

Day 1: Understanding 21st-Century Fascism

Abhinav Sinha, a Marxist theorist and editor of Mazdoor Bigul, presented a paper titled "Fascism in the Twenty-First Century: Elements of Continuity and Change." He explored the distinctions between 21st-century fascism and the fascist regimes of 20th-century Europe, emphasizing its evolution and relevance to contemporary socio-political contexts. The session included a discussion on India's current political climate, with the Modi-Shah regime characterized as reflecting fascist tendencies.

Day 2: Judicial Trends and Global Neofascism

Supreme Court lawyer Colin Gonsalves delivered the keynote address, discussing the judiciary's diminishing role in safeguarding rights, particularly under the Modi government. Other presentations included PJ James’s analysis of global neofascism and Anand Singh's exploration of the rise of Hindutva ideology in India. Singh's paper traced the historical and institutional entrenchment of fascist tendencies, linking them to broader socio-political dynamics.

Day 3: Marxist Historiography and Postcolonial Perspectives

Shivani Kaul critically reassessed Marxist historiography on fascism, critiquing strategies like the Popular Front for their historical limitations. Another highlight was Nicolai Messerschmidt's paper on postcolonial interpretations of Hindu nationalism, which debated the applicability of Marxist theory in the Indian context. This sparked a lively exchange, with differing views on the role of class struggle in understanding fascism.

Day 4: Anti-Fascist Strategies and Global Parallels

Sunny Singh presented a critical analysis of anti-fascist strategies within the Indian communist movement, emphasizing the need for clarity in diagnosing the phenomenon of fascism. Jiselle Hannah from Australia Asia Worker Links shared insights on combating the rise of far-right movements in Australia, drawing parallels with India. Discussions also included critiques of Indian Marxian economist Prabhat Patnaik’s views and an analysis of fascism’s socio-economic roots.

Day 5: Concluding Debates and Cultural Dimensions

The final day featured debates on characterizing fascism in India, with contributions from international and domestic scholars. Eric Schmidt analyzed the Trump phenomenon in the U.S. as a reaction to capitalist crises, while Katyayani’s paper explored fascism’s monopolization of art and literature. Discussions also addressed the role of rural struggles and the intersection of caste and class in the Indian context.

Critical Reflections

While the seminar successfully stimulated discussions on contemporary fascism, some critiques emerged:

Limited attention was given to the agrarian crisis and its role in resistance movements, including the farmers’ struggles over Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The link between caste oppression and fascism, particularly the role of Brahmanical hierarchies, was underexplored.

The analysis of the Indian bourgeoisie was viewed as overly dismissive of its internal contradictions, such as the presence of progressive and national bourgeois segments.

Conclusion

The seminar offered a platform for diverse perspectives, fostering meaningful discussions on modern fascism. However, gaps in addressing specific socio-economic and caste-related dynamics highlighted areas for future exploration.

---

*Independent journalist, closely associated with the Arvind Memorial Trust

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Overriding India's constitutional sovereignty? Citizens urge PM to reject WHO IHR amendments

By A Representative A group of concerned Indian citizens, including medical professionals and activists, has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reject proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) before the ratification deadline of July 19, 2025.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Search This Blog