Priyanka Kumari (Reporter)
Important theoretical deliberations on Fascism, delving into the Marxist Historiography on Fascism at the Arvind Memorial Seminar on Day Three
Hyderabad, 31st December, 2024 |
Intellectuals, activists, students, scholars gathered once again on the third day of Arvind Memorial Seminar organised by Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies (by Arvind Memorial Trust). The first hour saw a continuation of the discussions on Anand Singh’s paper, ‘The Rise of Fascism in India’, with several critical comments on rise of communalism in pre-independent India, the need to correctly identify and analyse the production relations and mode of production as Capitalist, which is central to chart out the correct proletarian strategy against fascism. Anand once again reiterated the need to wage a fierce struggle against economism, trade unionism, reformism and anarcho-syndicalism, which blunt and hinder the revolutionary movement.
This was followed by a paper presentation and discussion on ‘Marxist Historiography of Fascism: A Critical Reassessment’ by Shivani Kaul, a political activist and President of Delhi State Aganwadi Workers and Helpers Union. She shed light on the need to correctly theoretically grasp the phenomenon that is Fascism, to scientifically and objectively draw the connections between the existing politico-economic conditions and historical situation to combat it. Her paper identified the fundamental issues in the historiography of fascism, evolution of the Comintern’s understanding on fascism and analysed the arguments made by key Marxist figures like Antonio Gramsci, Palmiro Togliatti, Clara Zetkin, Amadeo Bordiga, Leon Trotsky, Nicos Poulantzas to name a few.
The second half saw the presentation by Nicolai Messerschmidt on “Postcolonial Fascism: An Analysis of Hindu Nationalism through critical and postcolonial theory”. He has critically analysed Horkheimer’s and the Frankfurt School’s analysis of fascism and raises certain pertinent questions on rise of Fascism in India.
In the coming days, about half a dozen other papers on various aspects of fascism would be presented. Activist Sunny Singh, prominent poet and activist Katyayani, and Jiselle Hannah from Australia Asia Worker Links (AAWL) would be presenting. Apart from this, many prominent activists, intellectuals, writers and professors from various states would be attending the program.
The Arvind Memorial Trust organizes the seminars on key questions and issues in the revolutionary movement for social change in memory of Arvind Singh, a brilliant left intellectual and political activist.
Anand Singh
Secretary
(Arvind Memorial Trust)
