Communism Spreads in the Face of Capitalist War, Crisis, and Xenophobia
INDIA, May 1— Thousands of trade unionists, workers, and students organized May Day in Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi. Twenty-five ICWP comrades distributed hundreds of copies of Red Flag throughout the march. Other comrades marched with workers they know. An organizer who works in a liberal slum-eradication group marched proudly with an ICWP member who explained how a communist future will eliminate slums.
An ICWP leaflet explained that the Modi fascist regime was caught in the US-China imperialist rivalry. Modi decided to support the US/Israel war machine against Iran. India gets most of its gas and oil from Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Meanwhile, trying to counterbalance China’s increased influence, the Modi government had been building the Chabahar port in Iran.
In early February, Modi abandoned the Chabahar port. Soon after, he visited Jerusalem to strengthen ties with Israel. He praised fascist Netanyahu for continuing the genocide in Gaza. Then Modi met with the ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Modi builds intense Islamophobia. He portrays Muslims in India as former occupiers who destroyed India for centuries. His fascist regime created a law to ban Muslims from voting in recent state elections. In West Bengal, for the first time, not only did the fascists win the elections, but not a single Muslim member was elected in a 30%-Muslim state.
The genocidal war in Gaza and the spreading of war in Iran, Lebanon, and beyond have created massive and widespread anger. People see the connection between the super-rich Ambani and Adani, who have invested billions in the UAE and who are profiting from war. Meanwhile, the masses form unending lines for gas cylinders or petrol for their transport.
Our May Day concluded by bringing these messages directly to the neighbourhoods where ICWP has a strong presence. “I want this Red Flag,” workers said. “Modi talks nonstop to divide Hindus from Muslims while unemployment lines grow longer, gas is unaffordable, and we are starving. We don’t need Modi or Trump or Ayatollah. We want a communist revolution now.” Comrades heard this sentiment in each of their impoverished neighbourhoods while distributing over 1400 Red Flags.
The comrades in Bengaluru, mostly garment workers, also created a very lively presence on May Day. Their numbers were reduced due to massive layoffs resulting from the LPG shortage caused by the war in Iran. They happily welcomed a large contingent of IT workers who carried signs against genocide in Gaza.
Many IT workers also face a serious crisis as AI reduces the number of computer professionals. Many engineers come from very poor working-class families, and they are open to our ideas. It reminded us that ICWP in Bengaluru was formed by a passionate IT engineer. By uniting garment and IT workers, we can expand our work in many directions. Seven hundred workers took Red Flags, showing that the masses are receptive to communist ideas. We need to strengthen our relationships with them.
In Chennai, forty ICWP members and friends joined a very large May Day gathering. It took place as the election circus decided which capitalist boss would rule. Tamil Nadu, with its capital Chennai, is India’s fastest-growing state. It is a major port and the centre of the auto industry. The rapid industrial growth comes with the capitalist bosses’ attempts to divide the workers. Workers from Bangladesh and East India have been targeted.
Our call for communism revived the spirit of the 1,500 sanitation workers’ strike that ended in January. During that 165-day strike, ICWP comrades organized and recruited sanitation workers who marched with us today. The masses, armed with 1,200 Red Flags, are the most potent force in the class struggle.
Workers worldwide are under attack as the US-China rivalry intensifies. From auto to energy, aerospace to IT, chemicals to pharmaceuticals, health care to hospitality, workers are under attack.
The capitalist/imperialists put weapons in the hands of the most oppressed sections of society. With communist ideology, soldiers and industrial workers can end capitalism’s terror for profit. We struggle every day for a new society based on the collectivity and unity of the masses.
We plan to bring together new and growing ICWP forces in India in July for a weekend of communist organizing.