AT an impressive function in Kochi on June 13, 2014, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M A Baby inaugurated the EMS Study and Research Centre. He said the centre was established with the objective of conducting study and research on relevant contemporary topics, adding that the country was passing though an extraordinary situation following the BJP victory. The setback suffered by the Left called for “self-criticism with honesty and courage.” He said self-criticism of the conventional style would not serve any purpose. He also cautioned about the danger posed by “fascism” to Indian democracy. Baby said freedom of expression was the litmus test of a healthy democratic system. He criticised the action taken by the police against some students of the Government Polytechnic College at Kunnamkulam and Sreekrishna College in Guruvayur for making critical references to Modi in college magazines. He said the police action amounted to violation of the freedom of expression. Delivering the keynote address on “Future of Indian Democracy,” renowned economist Dr Prabhat Patnaik characterized the victory of the BJP as a “social counter revolution in which the state and corporate power merged into a single entity.” He said the agenda set by the present government would eliminate even the minor entitlements enjoyed by the poor and marginal sections of the society, adding that the real danger was when other political parties emulated Modi. He felt that “Modification” of the Congress would inflict considerable damages to the democratic arrangement. Dr Patnaik urged the Left parties to take up broad-based issues affecting all sections of society to provide a political alternative to the prevailing system. He said the country currently witnessed a dangerous mix of the state-corporate convergence catalysed by fascism and the collusion of the state with the communal forces as was practised by Nazism. He said only the Left could effectively confront the ghettoisation of minorities brought about by a soft-on-saffron approach taken by all major political parties. He said the Left should fight to strengthen the democratic system and address the problems facing all sections of our society. The study centre has been established by the Ernakulam district committee of the CPI(M). K N Ravindranath, who is chairman of the centre, made an analysis of the international situation with reference to “energy politics” and its impact on the national economies of the Asia Pacific region. He observed that the central government should take precautionary strategies to counter the situation created by the USA. Director of the study centre, C M Dineshmani, welcomed the gathering while faculty member V K Prasad proposed the vote of thanks. The centre has decided to periodically organise workshops and seminars on relevant topics, he said.