ON November 7 this year, 'November Revolution Day' was observed across the state of Tripura. Party and trade union offices were adorned with red flags, and in the morning, Party and TU leaders raised the red flag amidst the enthusiastic chanting of slogans by Party workers. Floral tributes were paid at the portraits of international socialist leaders in many locations, and Party offices were brightly illuminated with red lights.

To commemorate the occasion, Daily Desher Katha published a special edition featuring articles discussing the significance of the November Revolution and its relevance in contemporary times. Around 10,000 additional copies of the special issue were distributed throughout the day.

In several sub-divisional headquarters, hall meetings were held, with more such meetings planned in the coming days.

On November 7, a hall meeting organised by the state committee was held at the Agartala Town Hall to discuss the significance and contemporary relevance of the November Revolution. The meeting, which saw a packed hall, was presided over by Narayan Kar, Party Central Committee member and was addressed by Polit Bureau member Manik Sarkar and the state secretary, Jitendra Chowdhury.

In his speech, Manik Sarkar outlined the key phases of socialist reconstruction and highlighted the positive aspects of the socialist system in the USSR, particularly its role in the emancipation of the toiling masses. He noted that following the collapse of the socialist system in the USSR in 1991, advocates of capitalism launched a barrage of misinformation aimed at discrediting socialism. However, Sarkar emphasized that the core of the socialist ideal lies in ending the exploitation of man by man, while the survival of the capitalist system depends on the exploitation of millions by a few. As long as capitalism persists, he argued, the relevance of socialism and the November Revolution will never fade.

Sarkar further pointed out that although the Soviet Union was dismantled and reverted to capitalism, many socialist states that emerged after the November Revolution continue to challenge global imperialism. He highlighted that China is now giving a challenge to the USA in both economic and technological spheres, while several Latin American countries are actively resisting US imperialism and pursuing Left alternatives to secure their independence and development.

CURRENT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN INDIA

Referring to the current political landscape in India, Manik Sarkar criticised the RSS-led NDA government at the centre for undermining the Constitution, secular fabric, democratic norms, and the parliamentary system. He pointed out that in the last Lok Sabha election, the entire opposition united under the "INDIA Bloc" banner to challenge the ruling party. Despite a weakened position, the BJP managed to retain power. However, Sarkar highlighted the most alarming aspect of the situation: the BJP’s success in embedding the Hindutva ideology in the minds of a large section of the population, and their ongoing efforts to sustain it in the future.

Sarkar further explained that while the Left parties share the "INDIA Bloc" platform, they remain deeply conscious of the class character of the Bloc's partners, including the Congress. He stated that while the Left supports the continuation of the "INDIA Bloc" alliance, it is equally important to push forward on critical issues such as land reforms, unemployment, trade union rights, fair prices for agricultural products, healthcare, education, and housing. These are fundamental issues that need an alternative policy approach, he asserted.

Sarkar noted that unfortunately other constituents of the "INDIA Bloc" are not showing a serious commitment to addressing these concerns. Therefore, he argued, the Left parties must independently carry forward movements focused on these basic, popular issues, even if other members of the "INDIA Bloc" remain passive or uninterested.

Manik Sarkar stressed that socialism is the only viable alternative to the unsustainable capitalism and called for its vigorous promotion among the masses. Sarkar warned that if we neglect this fundamental issue in pursuit of short-term electoral gains, such as securing one or two seats, then the observance of events like November Revolution Day would become nothing more than a ritual, devoid of real meaning or purpose.

Referring to the situation in Tripura, Manik Sarkar stated that as the main opposition party, the CPI(M) is facing a fierce, semi-fascist assault aimed at crippling the Party physically and ideologically. He stressed that while the Party continues to fight for the restoration of democracy and the protection of the Constitution, it is equally crucial to address pressing local issues. Sarkar emphasized the need to mobilise the masses and launch grassroots movements to tackle these issues effectively.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Explaining the historical significance of the November Revolution, Jitendra Chowdhury stated that the Russian Socialist Revolution was the first to demonstrate to the world that it is possible to establish an alternative socialist system that abolishes the exploitation of man by man. He emphasized that this revolution proved that true equality – whether in economic, social, or religious terms – could be achieved and upheld through a socialist framework.

Elaborating on the ongoing global unrest, including the regional wars in the West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jitendra Chowdhury described both as struggles for imperialist dominance. He argued that these wars not only exploit the people within the imperialist powers themselves, but also seek to install puppet governments in other countries to exploit their populations, interfere unjustly in their internal affairs, and commit crimes against humanity, and cited the recent genocides in Gaza as a stark example.

Chowdhury further highlighted that our planet is rich in natural resources, all of which are extracted through the labour of working people. Yet, countless workers around the world continue to suffer under unfair discrimination by a small minority of capitalists. He pointed out that, in India, the wealth accumulated by the Adani and Ambani families is equivalent to the combined wealth of 70 per of the country's population. The solution to this massive inequality, he asserted, lies in socialism. This, he said, is the core lesson of the November Revolution, which, despite the dismantling of the Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, continues to inspire the fight for justice and equality worldwide.

Jitendra Chowdhury reflected on the vast number of people in India who continue to be victims of the capitalist system. Since the formation of our Party in 1964, he said, we have waged a sustained struggle on issues affecting these masses. However, despite our efforts, we have miserably failed to mobilise a large section of them into our movement. He urged the need for serious introspection, asking whether we have truly internalised the lessons of the November Revolution in our approach.

In his presidential address, Narayan Kar said that in 1947, India achieved only political freedom. The instruments of repression and exploitation were simply transferred from the colonial rulers to the Indian rulers, who were backed by landlords and the big bourgeoisie. He noted that most of freedom fighters had made immense sacrifices, inspired by the ideals of the Russian Socialist Revolution. Kar concluded by stressing the importance of continuing sustained struggles to realise the dreams and aspirations of those freedom fighters.

The artists of Tripura Samskriti Samannay Kendra performed the inaugural song, followed by Internationale, bringing the hall meeting to a close.