'2nd War of Independence to Fight Fascism’: Say Leaders of Left and Secular Parties in Kolkata

Kolkata: “Fight second war of independence to fight fascism,” said Left Leaders while addressing a programme commemorating the nefarious incident of Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992.

The Programme, which was held at Moulali Yuva Kendra in Kolkata, was addressed by the leaders of 16 Left and secular parties of the country, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Communist Party of India (CPI), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI), Forward Block, Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) [CPI(ML)], Marxist Forward Block (MFB), Bolshevik Party, Workers Party, CPB, Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Lok Janashakti Party (LJP), Rashtriya Janata Dal, among others.

Addressing the programme presided over by Left Front chairman Biman Basu, CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Mishra said that currently there is a need for constitution of a broad-based platform. In the pledge taken in the programme, the question of upkeep of the republic, secular and democratic etiquettes of the country and its Constitution was taken up.

In the address of several Left and secular party leaders, the need to fight the “second war of independence” in the country to ward off “fascism” was highlighted. Mishra also elaborated on the similar pre-conditions and situations that are existing at present and existed in the times before the Second World War.

It can be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called August 5, the day when the foundation stone for Ayodhya temple was laid, as the day of Indian Independence. Referring to that statement, Mishra retorted that the need of the hour is to wage a second liberation war to fight fascism in the country.  “Jyoti Basu (late Left leader and West Bengal CM) had mentioned BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) as an ‘uncivil barbarian party’ and we must erase nefarious phases like the Babri demolition,” he said.

He further said, “Lukacs (Georg Lukacs, Marxist theoretician) saw the ingredients of fascist character when parliamentary democracy was hijacked; he said that if a militant struggle can be forged, then even now the class equilibrium of the country can be changed, and only then the people of the country can test  real independence.”

In his speech, CPI(ML) Liberation state secretary Partha Ghosh harped on the unity of the left forces to ward off fascism. RSP general secretary Manoj Bhattacharya stressed on the consolidation of organisations in order to face the onslaught of fascist forces at both state and national level.

Left Front chairman Biman Basu said that the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the Babri Masjid demolition is “only a verdict”, and not a judgment. “An attempt is being made to change constitutional ethics,” he warned in the programme.