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.

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*Independent journalist, closely associated with the Arvind Memorial Trust