The Hindu : National : "Strengthen socialist movement"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
ePaper

National

National

"Strengthen socialist movement"

Special Correspondent

Yechury urges youth to create an India of non-exploitative prosperity

— Photo: M. Vedhan

ROLE FOR YOUTH: DYFI General Secretary Tapas Sinha (second from right) presenting a memento to Actor Mammooty at the DYFI 8th All-India Conference in Chennai on Tuesday. From right, All-India DYFI president K.N. Balagopal, CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechuri and Carnatic vocalist Nithyasree Mahadevan.

CHENNAI: The 8th All-India conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) started its four-day deliberations here on Tuesday with CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury appealing to activists "to join the battle of ideas for creating an India of non-exploitative prosperity and free from the viruses of communalism and casteism."

In order to carry forward this battle and provide an ideological orientation to the youth, the larger picture of Indian politics should be understood from the three distinct streams — the Congress, the Left and the communal parties — that emerged during the freedom movement, he said.

The Congress had stood for a secular democratic republic and the Left was of the view that the struggle for political freedom should move further towards socialism to ensure economic independence of every individual. But the third stream, represented by the Muslim League and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was opposed to both these visions. It had wanted India's future determined by the religious composition of the people.

The battle between the three visions for determining the policies of the nation continued even today. Even to safeguard the secular and democratic character of the country, the movement for a socialist republic of India had to be strengthened, he said.

Apart from this, the "divide and rule" policy of the British rulers still hampered efforts to unite the people for making a better India.

Carry forward

The youth should rise to the occasion, break these barriers and carry forward the fight to defend the country's sovereignty and freedom against the backdrop of globalisation whose political objective was to re-colonise the developing world.

He lauded the DYFI's role in defending the unity and integrity of the country, thanks to their ideological commitment.

Actor and recipient of the Padma Bhushan Mammooty, who inaugurated the conference, appealed to the youth to redefine their agitation strategies with a view to eliciting the support of the people. Comparing youth power with atomic energy, he said the power should be harnessed in a positive way.

Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N. Ram, in his welcome address, said the United Progressive Alliance Government led by the Congress and the previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance Government had compromised on the country's foreign policy against the traditional commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement. The Left had an important role in re-orienting the nation's foreign policy.

He also stressed the need for the fight against attempts to whip up communal sentiments for political purposes. Though the United States no longer had a free ride, thanks to the rise of progressive forces in Latin America and other parts of the globe, "we must not underestimate the determination and resources of imperialism," he said.

DYFI president K.N. Balagopal highlighted the achievements of the DYFI during the last 25 years. President of the Madras Bar Association T.V. Ramanujun and vocalist Nithyashree Mahadevan also greeted the delegates.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section