Skip to main content

Seeds sown for new roses to resurrect, bloom message of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

 
By Harsh Thakor 
Naujawan Bharat Sabha organized its second national conference at Ambedkar Bhawan, on September 30th in New Delhi. More than 400 representatives from 11 states of the country assembled for this event. Positive and praiseworthy that NBS could turn itself from a regional group into an All-India body.
The first conference of “NBS” was organized in the year 2014. In the second conference, a report projecting a review of the work done in the last 9 years was presented. In consideration of the important changes, some important amendments were upheld in the old constitution and manifesto of NBS with the consent of the House. After this, during the conference, new executive, and office bearers of “NBS” were also elected. Ashish was elected President, Inderjeet was elected General Secretary, Mitrasen was elected Vice President and Nishu was elected Treasurer.
Tutelage and guidance of former leaders or cadre had an important bearing on the success of the conference like Sunny, Anand Singh, Prasen, Manjeet, Nishu, Pooja and Atul who were invited to preside over the sessions and Patwari Charanjit from Jagruk Nagrik Manch, Sham from the Automobile Industry Contract Workers Union, Rahul from Karawal Nagar Mazdoor Union, and Injinder from Adara Dakhal who conducted the supervisory board?
Congratulatory messages and statements of solidarity from Progressive Student Youth Organization (PSYO), Grameen Mazdoor. Union, Ambedkar Nagar, (U.P.); Automobile Industry Contract Workers' Union and Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (DSAWHU) were read out.
The conference of NBS ended by shimmering, the light of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar “Azad”, Ashfaq, and Bismil.NBS resolved to escalate it’s impact on the people before the next conference, to elevate the work of “NBS” to a new height. Naujawan Bharat Sabha staged a “Student-Youth Struggle Rally” within which the revolutionary legacy of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh was resurrected for the public by resounding revolutionary slogans and distributing pamphlets in Jhandewalan area of Delhi.
Seeds were sown for new roses to bloom to resurrect message of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. As a participant, I was impressed with the crystallisation or revolutionary fervour and relentless determination of the youth to confront the oppressive social order. It was a befitting reply to Hindutva communal fascism, which is flowing at its helm and the tyranny unleashed by corporate like Adani and Ambani.
Positive to witness progressive youth assemble on an All India scale in such a disciplined manner ,from Haryana, Bihar, Allahabad, Benares, Delhi, Telengana, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra. I was impressed with the relentless spirit of the youth and level of democratic, political and secular consciousness. It reflected the intensive ground work in infusing political education to cadres. I was privileged to attend the rally and open session, to be first hand witness to the relentless anti-imperialist spirit of the youth.

General Background

In the current scenario, the situation of education, healthcare and employment is deteriorating day by day. Problems like inflation, unemployment, and corruption ae soaring at a height and have simmered feelings of immense frustration among the people at it’s crescendo. To smash this trend, in the words of Bhagat Singh, “It is necessary to engender a spirit of revolution, so as to cause stir in the spirit of humanity.” With this hope and goal, and with a right direction, NBS is determined to organize and unite the youth movement across the country.
Today, sectarianism, fanaticism, orthodoxy, and irrationality have penetrated and poisoned every branch of the society. The fascist regime of BJP, has torn apart all democratic-secular-progressive values. Even the most basic rights of the people are being smashed to the pulp with the bulldozer of repression. In such a situation, the progressive student-youth movement plays major role to confront the menace.
NBS believes that only by voicing the day to day burning issues related to our life, a progressive unity of the masses can be constructed and the fascist hooligan gangs overpowered. Positive to witness progressive youth assemble on an All India scale in such a disciplined manner from Bihar, Allahabad, Benares, Delhi, Telengana and Maharashtra. I was impressed with the relentless spirit of the youth and level of democratic, political and secular consciousness. It reflected the intensive ground work in infusing political education to cadres.

Summary

Units of the Naujwan Bharat Sabha have seriously confronted Hindutva fascism and the corporate tyranny it patronised. Street and basti level campaigns have been regular feature on issues of price rise, unemployment, Hindu fascism, housing bus fare hikes etc. It’s cadre have integrated in the very thick o the skin of workers struggles. It has also been a regular participant in protests condemning attacks on democratic rights of workers.
NBS launched a concerted campaign against the bulldozer operations. Possibly no youth group placed as much emphasis on political education as NBS, who have with utmost regularity carried study circles for youth. I am impressed with its efforts in devising methods of work to infuse political consciousness, defying all obstacles. Their work was an advent of a new style of political practice, aiming to crystallise a ‘renaissance’ ,through enlivening revolutionary literature.
One of it’s most impactful programmes was staging the ‘Bhagat Singh national campaign against unemployment, where it reached out to people at the very grassroots. In 2020 it launched the Bhagat Singh Democratic Rights yatra, where with high intensity manifested the message of Bhagat Singh on diverse aspects.
A diversionary or divisive happening was the departure or disassociation of the Punjab Unit of NBS, on grounds of defending Punjab nationality question or national question. This was most unfortunate considering the major political wok inducted amongst students there.
An important aspect of the approach of the NBS was to give the youth mass organisation an independent structure with a genuine democratic programme, instead of being a front or wing of a revolutionary Communist party. In the past errors have been committed on imposing Maoist revolutionary line on mass organisations or infection of directly propagating party politics, like in the 1970’s and 80’s, or using youth fronts for parliamentary purposes.
A glaring weakness of the NBS is it’s abstaining from working within the Indian peasantry, which it analyses as ‘Kulaks’ or landlords, and an enemy f the landless agricultural workers. It completely rejected support to MSP in the farmers protest, terming the farmers as agents of the rulers. There is also a tendency to place overemphasis on political propaganda over grassroots class or mass work. In my personal view, without this rectification, it cannot concretely contribute to the Indian Revolution.

Struggle Reports

In Allahabad the NBS in a basti conducted a film show and cultural plays. At the grassroots level units have been formed in Azamgarh, Mau ,Gazipur, Balia, Mathura and Chitrakut. With high regularity and intensity campaigns shimmering message of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his martyrs, Chandrashekar Azad etc.
In Delhi in 6 districts in Karawalnagar, Shahbad dairy, Alipur, Khampur, Bavana, agitations have been launched on general issues like cleanliness, education water, etc. Frequently, campaigns were run like Bhgat Singh Yatra, voicing the burning day to day issues. It runs 6 democratic publications.
In Maharashtra, it translated the important writings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, into Marathi. It ran a campaign in Mankhurd area of Mumbai against Bio-Waste plant which caused numerous illnesses , and succeeded in halting or disabling it. A qualitative struggle was also launched in Aarey colony, to save the forests from corporate takeover or plunder. In Pune study circles and publications were launched. An important struggle was also conducted in basti area, exposing the loopholes of the social sytem.In Ahmednagar NBS created a school to educate students on capitalism and imperialism.
In Haryana, NBS has made inroads in 10 districts. It has conducted several Abhiyans shimmering torch of Bhagat Singh .Burning issues like electricity bill sin 2015, unemployment, school children’s facilities,. After constructing an agitation, it met with severe repression from he police. A major Abhiyan was launched for 10 days last year, mobilising workers and exposing the poison created by Hindu communal fascism.
In Bihar in Gosai tola, it formed a book publishing unit,, film show and study circle in a basti. In Uttarakhand it has formed 2 units. In Haridawar it launched a publication unit, on the repressive nature of the education system. In Telengana it Rajdhani, Hyderabad, it conducted Bhagat Singh Yatra and Jan Abhiyan. Door to door campaigns were conducted on day to day issues.
---
Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who attended both conferences of Naujwan Bharat Sabha and been in touch with the work of the organisation in Mumbai, and in other states

Comments

TRENDING

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Eight years of empowering tribal communities through water initiatives in Chhattisgarh

By Gazala Paul*   In the heart of Chhattisgarh, amidst the echoes of tribal life, a transformative journey has unfolded over the past eight years. The Samerth organization has diligently worked to elevate the lives of indigenous communities in the Kawardha district through the project, "Enabling Baiga Community to access safe drinking water." 

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor  Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Critical factors that determine, contribute to the success and effectiveness of NGOs

By Rohit Rakshit  Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to work with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across various states in the country. This experience has allowed me to gain insights into their diverse areas of work while also enabling me to analyze the key attributes that contribute to the success of a good NGO. According to my observations, the following are the critical factors that determine the effectiveness of an NGO.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Raising temperature of frozen foods by 3 degrees from -18°C to -15°C can slash carbon emissions: Study

By Payel Sannigrahi  Frozen food temperatures could be changed by just three degrees to save the carbon dioxide emissions of 3.8 million cars per year, research suggests. 

Odisha leadership crisis deepens: CM engages retired babus to oversee depts' work

By Sudhansu R Das  Over decades, Odisha has lost much of its crop diversity, fertile agriculture land, water bodies, employment potential, handicraft and handloom skills etc. The state has failed to strike a balance between the urban and rural sector growth; this leads to the migration of villagers to the urban areas leading to collapse of the urban infrastructures and an acute labor shortage in rural areas.  A large number of educated, skilled and unskilled Odia people have migrated to other states for higher education, quality jobs and for earning livelihood which plummet the efficiency level of government departments. Utmost transparency in the recruitment and promotion in the state government departments will improve governance mechanisms in the state.  "No near and dear one approach" in governance mechanisms can only achieve inclusive growth for the state on payment basis. This is a moral hazard. When so many educated young people seek employment outside the

1982-83 Bombay textile strike played major role in shaping working class movement

By Harsh Thakor  On January 18th, 1982 the working class movement commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Textile Workers Strike that lasted for 18 months, till July 1983. It was landmark event that played a major role in shaping the working class movement. With more than 2.5 lakh workers from 65 textile mills joining in this strike for almost two years, this strike became one of the most significant strikes in terms of scale and duration All democrats should applaud the mill workers’ united battle, and their unflinching resilience an death defying courage continues to serve as a model for contemporary working-class movements. Many middle class persons harboured opinions that the Textile workers were pampered or were a labour aristocracy, ignorant of how they were denied wages to provide for basic necessities. The Great Bombay Textile Strike is notably one of the most defining movements in the working class struggles in Post-independent India. Bombay’s textile industry flourished in

20% of Indian businesses have no emission plan in place despite climate emergency: Report

By Jag Jivan   New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations.

TERI researchers outline ways for robust, equitable and flexible outcome at COP28

By Sanya Hans  Researchers at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched two crucial policy briefs ahead of the much anticipated 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Dubai, UAE.  Former climate negotiator, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, a Distinguished Fellow at TERI emphasized, “Adaptation is an imperative and absolute must in present times for the Global South. COP28 needs to make the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) integral to climate commitments and action”.  “Climate change demands that energy use must be sustainable; the development imperative of the Global South demands it to be inclusive, just and fair," Mr Puri added.   Outcome on GGA will be a key determinant for the success of COP28   The policy brief titled ‘Road to Dubai and The Global Goal on Adaption’ reviewed the discussions around the GGA framework to provide perspectives on what could be a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at CO