AFTER an absence of nearly three decades, the red flags of the working-class movement returned to the stage of the Southall auditorium in London – a venue historically graced by revolutionary leaders like Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet. It was here that Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s comrades, Pandit Kishori Lal and Shiv Varma, once inspired audiences with tales of India’s glorious freedom struggle. It was also where the late Prime Minister VP Singh vehemently criticised the corruption of an electoral democracy subservient to capital.

On March 15-16, 2025, the 20th conference of the Association of Indian Communists (AIC) – the CPI(M) wing in Britain and Ireland – was held at the same Southall auditorium; the venue was named Sitaram Yechury Nagar. 110 delegates from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland attended the conference. Representing 20 of the 26 branches across the country, these delegates served as a vital link to the masses and made significant contributions to the conference.

The Party’s red flag was hoisted by 93-year-old veteran leader Ajit Singh Dosanjh. The proceedings were conducted by a presidium comprising Rajesh Krishna, Varghese Joy, and Aswathi Asok. Following the condolence resolution and floral tributes to martyrs, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Ashok Dhawale inaugurated the conference.

Ashok recalled the pivotal role of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who inspired and guided the AIC since its formal inception in 1967. He also acknowledged the contributions of successive General Secretaries Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury, as well as former AIC secretaries like Biplab Das Gupta, who later served the Indian working class and was elected to the CPI(M) Central Committee. The recent visits of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala State Secretary MV Govindan Master, and Polit Bureau member MA Baby, have maintained the tradition and close links which have seen the AIC grow in size and stature.

Dealing with the political challenges in the world, in India, and in Britain, Ashok pinpointed the danger of imperialism and Zionism which has been highlighted by the Trump presidency, and by the horrifying genocide in Gaza. Although the people of Britain threw out the 14-year Tory rule in the last general elections, the Labour Party which has come to power is continuing not only the same pro-corporate and anti-worker policies, but is also an integral part of the imperialist conspiracy against the Palestinian people spearheaded by Israel. Underlining the grave danger of the RSS-BJP in India as well as its growing nefarious activities amongst Indians in Britain, he called for re-forging the unity of all secular forces, while at the same time concentrating on greatly enhancing the independent strength of the CPI(M) and the Left forces.

AIC Secretary Harsev Bains then placed the report. 20 delegates, one from each branch, participated in the discussions and enriched the report with their experiences, criticisms, and suggestions. The report was unanimously adopted. Three resolutions – on workers’ rights, on Cuba and on Palestine – were unanimously adopted.     

The Credentials Report, presented by Janesh Nair, revealed a further reduction in the average age of AIC delegates, with 67 per cent under 50 years old. This shift was reflected in the active participation of members from the newly formed and rapidly growing students’ front. The number of women delegates also increased to 15, marking a positive step.

The conference unanimously elected a 19-member Executive Committee (EC), with two women. Four more seats are left vacant to co-opt young comrades, specifically young women. Two delegates to the 24th Party Congress in Madurai were also elected. Janesh Nair was unanimously elected as the new AIC secretary, replacing Harsev Bains, who had completed three terms as secretary.

The conference felicitated Manu Kallikad, a Kerala-born artist based in Britain, whose logo design was selected as the logo for the 24th Party Congress to be held in Madurai.

In his concluding remarks, Ashok Dhawale commended the delegates for a united and succesful conference. Emphasizing the organisational tasks ahead, he highlighted three essential qualities of a good communist, as articulated by Lenin: being a militant agitator, an effective propagandist, and an excellent organiser. These qualities, he stressed, are vital for building the Party and realising the goal of strengthening the AIC as a pan-Indian organisation of the proletariat.