Tamilnadu unit of the CPIML Liberation organized an “Anti-Fascist Convention” on 24 July at Thanjavur, a hotbed of anti-feudal, democratic struggles in Tamil Nadu, which was attended by thousands of party members and supporters from the delta region of Tamil Nadu with bubbling enthusiasm. The convention evoked a good response from political circles and intellectuals in addition to toiling masses of Tamil Nadu. One of the controversial BJP leaders, H Raja, even called for a ban on the convention as it was named against saffron fascists.

CPIML General Secretary comrade Dipankar delivered the keynote address. He described in detail one hundred years of history and the development of Indian variety of fascism. He also elaborated the dangers posed by the fascism today against the democracy and the Constitution.

Comrade Dipankar said that the Union government is undermining the federal spirit of India by manipulating rights of the state governments and by amending related legislations. The Modi government, unconstitutionally brought in three Farm Laws while the agriculture was the sole domain of the state governments. Narendra Modi government is transgressing the powers of the states.

He also said that the Modi government is blurring the demarcation lines between the legislature, executive and the judiciary and is taking all efforts to make all arms of the state subordinated to the executive. It is in this scenario that activists like Teesta Setalvad and Mohammed Zubair are being jailed and persecuted.

He said that the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992 was the announcement of the arrival of fascism in India. Now, we are witnessing fascism intruding all walks of life, through its ruthless onslaughts of communal, corporate and casteist nature. When there is an all-out attack on democracy and when fascists are spreading hate and divisive politics, there has to be resistance on the ground to maintain harmony, to counter the lies and to uphold the truth.

He recalled the exemplary ideas and the historic roles of Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar and Periyar in the country and also its relevance today in fighting various aspects of fascism.

Comrade Dipankar called upon the people to rise against the pro-corporate, communal fascism and to overthrow the Modi led BJP regime from the centre to save India and to save the constitution.

He called upon the people and the Opposition parties in particular to unite in action to defeat fascists which is a paramount duty before the country today.

Comrade Thirumavalavan, who is a Member of the Parliament and also the president of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK - Liberation Pathers Party), appreciated the initiative of the anti-fascist convention by the CPIML while several others restrained from doing so. He also assured VCK's cooperation in fighting fascism. More importantly, he identified the Left as a friendly force in the struggle against fascism. He also called upon the people to defeat fascist Modi government in the 2024 general elections and also cautioned that it can become a disaster for the country, otherwise. The Convention passed several resolutions and called upon the people of Tamil Nadu to work towards the ouster of the Modi regime from the centre.

One of the resolutions also called for a wider unity in action among the Leftists, Ambedkarites and Periyarists to defeat the Modi regime and to further strengthen the ongoing resistance struggles of the people.

The CPIM Central Committee Member Comrade U. Vasuki, CPI TN State Executive Member Comrade Periyasamy, Green Tamil Nadu party’s Suba Udayakumar, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam's State Executive Member, Viduthalai Arasu also addressed the convention.

CPIML Tamil Nadu State Secretary NK Natarajan presided the convention while Asaithambi, CCM, moderated it. Comrade Chandramohan, CCM, proposed a set of resolutions.