American journalist John Reed, who was present at this momentous juncture described the historic change of that period in his ‘10 Days That Shook the World’. The Russian Revolution was built up on the foundation of sharp theoretical examinations and courageous praxis of the ideas of Marxism. The revolutionary ideology of Marxism imparted the values of anti-imperialism, socialism, internationalism to the Russian Revolution while liberating the Russian masses from the clutches of capitalist exploitation and Tzarist dictatorship. It is this ideological premise which made the Russian Revolution an epoch-making event in world history and inspired liberation struggles world over.

All over Europe, fiery debates were taking place about the role of Marxism in organising a new society but it was Lenin, who implemented Marxism in accordance to Russian specificities. It was expected in Marxist circles then that revolutionary situations are ripe in the most advanced industrialized countries of the time like Germany and England. Instead, the first socialist revolution took place in the backward country of Russia because Lenin ingenuously gave leadership and theoretical coherence to an alliance of workers and peasants in the overthrow of autocracy.

It can be inferred from the experience of the Russian Revolution and other liberation struggles since then, that adherence to a well thoughtout ideology and its context-sensitive application is imperative to tackle the forms and modes of exploitation, hierarchy, dispossession in a meaningful and effective way.

Lenin, at the height of debate between Marxists and social-democrats wrote: “Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. This idea cannot be insisted upon too strongly at a time when the fashionable preaching of opportunism goes hand in hand with an infatuation for the narrowest forms of practical activity.” (Lenin, 1902). The theory and practice of the revolution and the battle to end exploitation made it relevant and inspiring for generations to come. The message of the revolution is clear: Application of the theory to the concrete specific situations.

The news of the Russian Revolution was greeted with enthusiasm in India. It channeled new hopes and programmes in the Indian freedom movement. Indian people were quickly drawn to the Red flag and its promise of ending exploitation in all its forms in our country, plagued with inequalities of class, caste, religion and gender with a foreign power ruling over them. Youth in thousands gradually started identifying with the objective of a socialist India and made the most progressive and concrete contribution in the course of our freedom movement.

Whether it be the demand for an independent constituent assembly, complete independence, labour rights, abolition of zamindari or fundamental rights, the selfless ground work and supreme sacrifice by the nascent formulation of CPI and others inspired by the ideals of the Russian Revolution like Bhagat Singh proved instrumental. Our leaders also understood the complexity of the Indian reality and made moving remarks for the abolition of untouchability in the first Party Congress itself in 1925. Guided by a revolutionary ideology, the Left was the first to organise industrial workers through AITUC (1920), students through the All India Students’ Federation (1936), peasants through the All India Kisan Sabha (1936), writers through the Progressive Writers’ Association (1936) and artists through the Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association (1943). All these organisations have stood the test of time and have remained the representative of the most progressive sections of society.

Drawing lessons from this glorious history, the task before the Left today is complex like in the times of the freedom movement. We live in a time where caste discrimination, communal polarisation and gender disparity are looking at us with renewed vigour under the rule of BJP-RSS combine. It is eating away our hard-won freedoms and inclusive legacy of the independence movement. At the same time, the people are reeling under inflation, inequality, hunger and destitution.The assault of neo-liberal capitalism is also corroding our national assets. Alarmingly, the challenge of the divisive narrative of the RSS has risen to astronomical proportions in the last few years. The propaganda machinery of the RSS is trying to take attention away from the issues of vital material importance and dubbing all kind of dissent as anti-national.

Engulfed in this crisis, the importance of ideology and its battle has become starkly clear. Secular, democratic and progressive opposition parties coming together and defeating the BJP is the most immediate part of this programme.

RSS as the votaries of Manusmriti is rooted in divisive, violent ideas and politics. They are marked by the contempt for our Constitution and steadfast orientation towards a theocratic, hierarchical society along the lines of patriarchy, caste, religion and gender.

The situation in the country today demands an uncompromising ideological battle against BJP-RSS combine. The Left has to play its crucial role in this battle. That alone will connect us with people so that political and electoral ballets can be won. The role of Left will also have an impact on secular democratic forces to have clarity on ideological issues.

Observing the anniversary of the Russian Revolution and following its call to the working classes to unite themselves assumes especial importance in our times of all-out assault on the working classes and our secular-democratic republic. Getting together on the anniversary of the Russian Revolution is important for it is the singular event in history whose celebration and remembrance itself can send shivers to the whole exploitative neo-liberal capitalist establishment.

Despite the collapse of Soviet Union, the teachings of the Russian Revolution inspire people all over the world even after more than a century. They will keep inspiring generations of revolutionaries and fighters for justice in the times to come. (IPA Service)