Emancipation of Indian Society is
impossible
without finding a solution to the Caste question
Chandigarh,
12 March. The
dicussion involving the various intellectuals and social activists arrived here
from different corners of the country on the subject 'Caste question amd
Marxism' has started in the Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar that has commenced
in Bhakna Bhavan today.
At the very
beginning of the seminar, it was clearly stated that no project of eliminating
exploitation in Indian Society can be put forward without giving due
consideration to the caste question. In this five-day seminar, various
historians, social scientists, writers, social activities from states like
Punjab, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar etc. are participating. In
addition, senior leaders from both the main political parties of Nepal are also
participating along with the intellectuals from the Britain and Germany.
In the
commencing session of the seminar, Satyam from Arvind Institute of Marxist
Studies said that in the seminar, issues like relation between Marxism and
Ambedkarism, political ideas of Dr. Ambedkar, Marxist Understanding of the
caste qusetion, historiographic writing of the caste question, caste question
and dalit literature & aesthetics etc. will be thoroughly debated so that
the obtacles to the social change can be removed. He said that in last few
years the mechanical thinking prevalent in Marxist circles has undergone a
change and in Dalitists also, questions are being raised regarding the ideas of
Dr. Ambedkar.
Satyam also
said that there has been a trend to bring a compromise between the Marxixm
& Ambedkarism, and a trend of subaltern & identity politics. Analysis
of these trends from Marxist perspective is also the need of the hour.
Managing trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust,
Meenakashi said that a national level seminar on the important issues
concerning the communist movement of India is organized every year in the
memory of Com. Arvind. Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies has been founded to
carry out the research and study on the theoretical and practical issues faced
by the communist movement of India.
While welcoming the various guests
reached for the seminar, Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi magazine Pratibadh said
that left movement in Punjab has a distinct history and thecaste question has also always remained here in its peculiar form. It has been a big thing for us that such a seminar is being organized here in Chandigarh.
The commencing
session was presided over by the politbureau member of Unified Communist Party
of Nepal (Maoist) and famous literary critic Ninu Chapagai, senior
tradeunionist from Mumbai Deepati, Trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust Meenakshi,
and editor of Magazine 'Ahwan' Abhinav. The stage was conducted by poetess
Katyayani.
The program
started after paying homage to Comrade Arvind. Then the team from 'Vihaan'
cultural group presented revolutionary songs.
Overall, 14 papers and write-ups
will be presented in the seminar on different aspects of the subject. The base
paper of the seminar 'Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint' is
prepared by the research team of Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies. Other papers include 'Ambedkarism and Dalit
Liberation' by Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi journal Pratibaddh; 'Historiography of Caste' by Abhinav,
editor, Aahvan; 'Class, Caste and Identity Politics' by Shivani, Delhi
University; 'Caste and Politics in West Bengal' by Praskanva Sinharay, CSSS,
Kolkata; 'Caste and Sex in Marxist Traditions' by Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta,
JNU; Marxism and the caste question' by Asit Das, Researcher
and Activist, New Delhi; 'On Identity
Politics' by Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University; On
Conjoint Relevance of Marxism and Ambedkarism by Sukhdev Singh Janagal,
Punjab and on the limitations of caste and identity politics by Jai
Prakash of the 'Jati Virodhi Andolan'.
Eminent historian Prof.
Irfan Habib will send a background note on caste in India, Ninu
Chapagain, Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division
of UCPN (M) will present a write-up on 'The Dalit Question and Aesthetics'
and a paper 'Towards A Programme for Abolition of
Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy' by Dr. Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal
(Democratic), Pune will be presented. Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of
Glasgow will
make a presentation through internet linkup and his paper 'Dr. Ambedkar or Dr.
Marx' will be circulated as a background note.
—
Meenakshy (Managing Trustee), Anand Singh (Secretary)
Arvind
Memorial Trust
For more information, please
contact:
Katyayani –
09936650658, Satyam – 9910462009, Namita (Chandigarh) – 9780724125
Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar started
