People's Democracy

AN all India meeting of street theatre activists organised by Jana Natya Manch, at New Delhi, concluded on April 2 with a call to all the street theatre groups to observe a Combat Communal Fascism week from April 12 to April 19.

The meeting, chaired by eminent Marxist critic, M M P Singh took place at a time when the nation is faced with unprecedented dangers posed by the twin processes of communalism and globalization. Several activists representing from 14 states of the country participated in the meeting.

The groups represented at the meeting included Jana Natya Manch, Delhi, Praja Natya Mandali, Andhra Pradesh, Samudaya, Karnataka, Chennai Kalai Kuzhu, IPTA, West Bengal, Haryana Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Rohtak, Jana Natya Manch, Jaipur, Samahar Natya Goshthi, Guwahati, Jagar, Mumbai, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam, Kerala, Disha, Mumbai, Gazar Sanskritik Manch, Nagpur, SAHAS, Cuttak, Kalam, Lucknow, Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Shimla, Bhavaikyatha Vedike, Karnataka, Janayana, Thrissur, Mukhouta Kala Manch, Guna, and Jana Natya Manch, Gwalior .

While inaugurating the meeting on March 31, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechuri emphasized that peoples struggles and issues must be brought to the forefront of cultural agenda as that is the only way to combat the twin dangers of communalism and globalization. He urged the participants to utilise each and every cultural space available to put forth this agenda. He said that given the prevailing conditions, the meeting must adopt a call of action to go to masses.

This was followed by a one hour-long presentation by Professor Aijaz Ahmad on Communalism and Culture. He commented that communalism after the Gujarat genocide was qualitatively different. Analysing the rise of communalism, Aijaz linked it with the fall of liberal center. Responding to queries by delegates, he commented that fascist pogrom always give birth to both kinds of emotions -- emotions for and against fascism, and the emotions against fascism are much more than for it. However owing to their organisation being stronger, they consolidate whereas we lack in organisation. He underlined the importance of organisation.

This presentation was followed by group discussions among the delegates in which the impact of the communal ideology in various areas were shared. The means employed by communal forces to spread their ideology and the counter-strategies adopted by the secular democratic forces in different areas were also shared.

On April 1, Professor Malini Bhattacharya made a presentation on Globalization And Culture. She said that the process of globalisation does not operate in a vacuum, and hence, the image of a silent subaltern who do not share the metropolitan code is not acceptable. India has a strong tradition of literature, folk culture, films etc. even in rural areas and the process of globalisation is impinging on them. She agreed that there is a need for homogenisation of cultural production, as stressed earlier by Sitaram Yechuri.

She stressed that the cardinal principles of our constitution like equality of caste and gender and secularism were based on the contribution of women, dalits and religious minorities in the anti-colonial struggle. Malini Bhattacharya called for salvaging this anti-colonial modernity from globalisation which seeks to define a new ruling class elite by encouraging traditional identities, ethnicity, and fundamentalism.

The evening saw a presentation on the interconnections between Communalism And Globalisation by Prabir Purkayastha. Lively discussions on the themes took place the whole day.

On April 2, AIDWA general secretary, Brinda Karat addressed the meeting and shared with the participants what she saw in Gujarat during her visit immediately after the genocide against Muslims began. A film by Gopal Menon on the Gujarat carnage was screened and later the participants discussed the strategic approaches to combat communal fascism.

The meeting resolved to observe a 'Combat Communal Fascism Week'. This will begin on April 12, which is National Street Theatre Day, and culminate on April 19. Participating groups have resolved to go back to their cities and states and take to the streets explaining to the people the truth of what has happened in Gujarat. Around 1,500 performances will be held on the first day, and about an equal number of performances will carry on over the next seven days. In all, it is expected that about 12,000 performances exposing the real face of the fascist agenda of the sangh parivar will be given all over the country, and these performances will be witnessed by at least 6 million people.

The meeting also decided to hold the next all India meet in Hyderabad which will be hosted by Andhra Praja Natya Mandli from November 7 to 9 this year. This meeting will focus on organisational strategies.