DYFI-CUC organised the sixth study circle of this year on 24th February. We started reading the essay: “Shaheed Bhagat Singh an immortal revolutionary”, by Ashok Dhawale (https://www.cpim.org/marxist/200602-Bhagat-singh.pdf). Dhawale is the President of the All India Kisan Sabha. The text traces the ideological and organisational development of the revolutionary movement in the colonial era, focusing on the Ghadar party in Punjab and United Provinces, along with the HSRA. From the text it can be seen that Bhagat Singh and his comrades were shifting towards Marxism, while letting go of romantic nationalist notions.

In the discussion, we analysed the organisational methods of Indian revolutionaries, acknowledging both their successes and failures. We talked about the importance of an ideologically driven organisation for the making of a revolution. We talked about caste and its relationship with class politics. Here, we had some interesting discussions about Periyar.

We discussed the differences between the upsurges during the 19th and 20th centuries, and how the class content of the dominant anti-imperialist struggles had undergone changes.

We also discussed the demand for regional autonomy and analysed it from a class perspective.

Next week, we shall complete this text. We hope to see you there!

Revolutionary greetings,
Central Unit Committee
Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi

DYFI-Central Unit Committee, Delhi, organised the first study circle of 2019 today. This is an update on what was discussed:

Today we read Bhagat Singh’s Letter to Young Political Workers. Because there were many new people, the letter served as a great introduction to the purpose of left organising. Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/bhagat-singh/1931/02/02.htm. 

There was discussion about the nature of the state, mass uprisings, compromise, tactics and strategy. Bhagat Singh also talks of the importance of study circles 🙂 We talked about what the letter meant for organising in India today, with examples of land struggles, peasant struggles and trade unionism. The letter is quite short, please go through it and let us know your thoughts!

Next week we will be reading Emile Burns’ What Is Marxism? This is a short book that takes you through the Marxist worldview, including its analysis of reality, history, capitalism, imperialism, and ideas about socialism. Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/archive/burns-emile/1939/what-is-marxism/index.htm

Revolutionary greetings,

Central Unit Committee

Democratic Youth Federation of India, Delhi