Youth convention in Delhi calls for revival of socialist ideals in Indian politics

By A Representative 

The Youth Socialist Initiative (YSI) launched a ten-year roadmap for the Indian Socialist Movement during a two-day Youth Socialist Convention held at Rajendra Bhawan, Delhi, from October 31 to November 1, 2025. The convention, marking the 90th anniversary of India’s socialist movement, was attended by young socialists from across the country as well as activists, academics, trade unionists, and farmers’ leaders. The YSI functions under the mentorship of Dr. Prem Singh, former president of the Socialist Party (India) and ex-faculty of Delhi University.

The event called for building a new generation of intellectual and political leadership committed to socialist principles and the values of India’s freedom struggle. Participants collectively resolved to resist what they described as the “corporate-communal-fascist nexus” in Indian politics and to strengthen socialist and constitutional ideals among the youth. The convention declared that the movement’s goal over the next decade, leading up to the centenary of the socialist movement, would be to educate and mobilize youth through conferences, discussions, and cultural programs.

In his recorded inaugural address, Dr. Abhijit Vaidya, former president of the Socialist Yuvjan Sabha (SYS), emphasized the urgency of eliminating imperialism rather than merely defining it. The convention was presided over by Prof. Anil Mishra, former Delhi University faculty member, and featured speeches from senior socialist leaders and scholars including Prof. G. Satyanarayan, Arun Srivastav, Rajasekaran Nair, and others.

The first day saw three key resolutions adopted — on economic, health, and education policy — presented and discussed from a socialist standpoint. Eminent economist Prof. Arun Kumar, who chaired the economic policy session, highlighted the need to restore India’s economic sovereignty and warned against growing inequality. The health and education policy sessions, chaired by Dr. Sunilam and advocate Rajasekaran Nair respectively, proposed socialist roadmaps for these sectors.

A poetry evening organized by Lohia Vichar Vedi and Sahitya Varta followed, featuring poets including Girdhar Rathi, Mithilesh Srivastav, Rakesh Renu, Rajender Rajan, and several young poets from across India.

On the second day, sessions on employment, development, and cultural policy were held, with resolutions adopted from a socialist and constitutional perspective. Speakers including Arvind Mohan, Dr. Ajit Jha, and Aditya Kumar chaired the sessions. The valedictory session, led by trade union leader Jayanti Bhai Panchal, called upon the youth to bring socialist politics to the streets and to focus on the fundamental concerns of ordinary people.

The convention emphasized the need to address caste and gender inequalities within the framework of socialism and proposed building national and state-level committees with equal representation of women and men. Dr. Prem Singh urged socialists not to wait for electoral power but to take the ideological battle to the grassroots, describing it as a contest “between the idea and the market.” He also called for a socialist media network, stronger social media presence, and revival of student activism under the SYS banner.

Delegates discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where Shaheed Saleem briefed participants on current issues. A resolution calling for peace in Gaza and a two-nation solution was also adopted. The convention concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Shashi Shekhar Singh of Delhi University and a two-minute silence in memory of Dr. G.G. Parikh.