– Shabana Javed
Kolkata, Jan. 23: A broad coalition of prominent activists, intellectuals, civil society representatives, trade union leaders and politicians converged here Monday to participate in an Anti-Fascist Grand Conference from January 22 to 25.
A large procession kicked off from Subodh Mallik Square at 1 pm and culminated in a conference at Netaji Indoor Stadium at 3 pm on Monday. The organizers called on the public to join the protest and reject any official endorsement of violence in the name of religious ceremonies. They emphasized the importance of standing united against the forces that seek to undermine the fabric of a democratic and inclusive society.
The conference is aimed to serve as a platform for discussing strategies to combat fascism, protect democratic values, and advocate for a society that upholds the principles of equality, justice, and communal harmony.
There will be a series of events, including seminar, discussions, angan drama performances, and various music and cultural activities. The aim is to foster unity in the face of rising fascism and strengthen the collective resolve to fight against communal violence.
Journalist Paranjay Guha Thakurta said, “At present, the situation in the country is worse than the state of emergency. The country has never seen this character of fascism before.”
Distinguished speakers participating in the four-day program include Dr. Binayak Sen (PUCL), Sujat Bhadra (Human Rights Activist), Dipankar Bhattacharya (General Secretary, CPIML Liberation), Teesta Setalvad (Activist), Amarjeet Kaur (General Secretary, AITUC), Bratya Basu (State Minister), Samirul Islam (MP, TMC), Prafulla Samantara (Activist, Orissa), Tarun Mandal (Former MP, SUCI(C)), BG Kolse Patil (Former Justice), Ram Punyani (Former Professor, IIT Bombay), Gauhar Raza (Filmmaker, Science Activist), Aditya Nigam (Former Professor, CSDS, Delhi), Kaushik Sen (Actor), Maroona Murmu (Professor, Jadavpur University), Achin Chakraborty (Director, IDSK), Swati Bhattacharya (Journalist), Shubojit Bagchi (Journalist), Malik Mohtasim Khan (Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind), Nadeem Khan (APCR General Secretary), and JIH West Bengal President Dr Masiur Rahman.
