Note: We have updated the article on 8/27 to include some actions which we were made aware of after publication.
We compile a report of solidarity actions and events from across the US and internationally in support of the People’s War in India, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) which leads the People’s War, and Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 revolutionaries who fell alongside him on May 21. The comrades were martyred while defending the People’s War from the fascist Indian old-state’s Operation Kagaar military offensive. On May 21, 38 fighters of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) were surrounded by 20,000 militarized police, with 28 falling in combat against the rotten old-state. The comrades tried to persuade Comrade Basavaraj, who was the General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist), to escape the encirclement, but the comrade refused, insisting: “Martyrdom does not weaken the struggle; martyrdom is not in vain. Nothing like this has happened in history. Martyrdom has given strength to the revolutionary movement. I still believe that with the inspiration of these martyrs, the revolutionary movement will be reborn much stronger. The malicious plan of this fascist government will not succeed. The final victory will belong to the people.”
United States
In Eugene, Oregon, activists held a screening of the film Red Ant Dream, which documents the People’s War in India, as well as an education event on the People’s War and the genocidal Operation Kagaar.
In Ithaca, NY, activists held an educational seminar discussing the history of the People’s War in India; the killing of Comrade Basavaraj; the People’s Wars in Peru, Turkey, and the Philippines; and the International Communist League’s campaign in defense of the People’s War in India and honoring Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 comrade martyred alongside him.
In Nashville, TN, activists held a film screening of the documentary movie Red Ant Dream, which documents the People’s War in India, and an educational seminar on the People’s War in India. The comrades held discussions on learning from the revolution for the struggle in the USA as well as taking inspiration from the selfless devotion to the cause of the people and of communism shown by Comrade Basavaraj and the martyred comrades.
In New York City, Maoist Communist Union screened the documentary Red Ant Dream. Afterwards, they held a discussion on the creative application of Maoism to the US, how to learn from defeats and turn them into their opposites, and the role of cultural work in the revolutionary movement.
In Oakland, California, activists held a teach-in about Operation Kagaar, the Indian revolution and the struggle of the Maoists, and the lessons of the Indian revolutionary struggle to uphold and apply in the United States.
In Portland, Oregon, activists held a rally outside a facility hosting Indian consulate staff demanding an end to Operation Kagaar. Activists also hosted a film screening of Red Ant Dream, a presentation on the Indian people’s war which included a screening of the documentary film “Operation Kagar” by Revolutionary Student Front of West Bengal (India), and a rally, attended by multiple anti-imperialist organizations, outside a location of the aerospace monopoly Boeing.
In Providence, Rhode Island, the Ocean State Youth Movement screened a documentary about Operation Kagaar in support of the Indian revolution.
In San Antonio, Right to Rebel SATX held a tabling event to distribute agitational material on the People’s War in India. Later that day, they put up a banner over a large highway in honor of Comrade Basavaraj. The comrades also held a teach-in in a park.
In Seattle, activists held a rally and march outside the old Indian state’s consulate, organized by Puget Sound Red Front and joined by local anti-imperialist organizations South Asians Resisting Imperialism and the Kashmiri Resistance collective. They gave speeches highlighting the role of U.S. imperialism in the Indian counter-revolution.
In an undisclosed location, organizers held an event for workers and students at a park in honor of Comrade Basavaraj and the Day of Heroism. At the event, the organizers explained how the bravery, determination, and selflessness of Comrade Basavaraj embody the spirit of the Day of Heroism. The presenters concluded their speech with the chants “Honor and Glory to Comrade Basavaraj,” “Long Live the People’s War in India,” and “All Support to CPI(Maoist)!”
In Washington D.C., People’s Defense D.C. rallied in solidarity with the Indian Revolution and honored CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Basavaraj and the comrades martyred alongside him.
International
In Vienna, Austria, the organization Action for Democratic Rights of the People with the support of other anti-imperialist organizations held a rally outside the embassy of the old Indian state on May 31 condemning the murder of Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 other martyrs.
Also in Vienna, activists part of a Palestine solidarity march carried out agitation in support of the People’s War in India.
In Linz, Austria, activists agitated and expressed solidarity with the People’s War in India.
In Bangladesh, comrades held a march and a cultural event where they sang a song in honor of the martyred.
Also in Bangladesh, a memorial meeting and protest was jointly organized by a number of progressive and revolutionary organizations on July 18. Speakers honored Comrade Basavaraj and his martyred comrades and denounced the genocidal Operation Kagaar.
In São Paulo, Brazil, the Anti-Imperialist League (AIL) organized an event in defense of the People’s War in India and ongoing armed resistances across the world. As an homage, a picture of Comrade Basavaraj was placed in the middle of the room and a huge banner in support of CPI (Maoist) was hung up. More pictures of many revolutionary martyrs were displayed as well as from other campaigns.
Also in São Paulo, Brazil, an event was held by the Anti-Imperialist League on July 15. Various progressive and New Democratic organizations spoke in support of the people’s struggle in India and paid homage to the heroic combatants of the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the CPI (Maoist), and Comrade Basavaraj.
Revolutionary activists in São Paulo, Brazil agitated with a banner in support of the CPI (Maoist) signed by the Anti-Imperialist League (AIL) and distributed 300 leaflets.
In Colombia, a banner was hung honoring Comrade Basavaraj and condemning Operation Kagaar. It also expressed support for the People’s War in India and CPI (Maoist). Additionally, activists distributed ICL pamphlets in tribute to Comrade Basavaraj.
In Europe, comrades from across the continent convened to create a video expressing solidarity with the People’s War in India to honor Comrade Basavaraj.
In Helsinki, Finland, a demonstration was held in front of the embassy of the old Indian state on June 15.
Activists returned one month later to the embassy in Helsinki, Finland for another demonstration on July 27. There they read three statements on the martyrdom of Comrade Basavaraj: one from the Anti-Imperialist League, the second from the International Communist League, and third the joint statement from Anti-Imperialists Helsinki and the Anti-Imperialist Collective.
In Paris, France, a commemoration for Comrade Basavaraj and the martyred combatants was held, beginning with a moment of silence. Representatives of MLKP, TKP/ML, MKP and the Chilean Prisoners Solidarity Organization gave speeches honoring Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 People’s Warriors.
Also in Paris, Partizan participated in a march for the liberation of Georges Abdallah and agitated around the immortalized communist leaders Comrade Basavaraj, Sudhakar and Bhaskar.
In Strasbourg, France, the Anti-Imperialist League hung banners supporting the People’s War in India and denouncing Operation Kagaar. They also saluted Georges Abdallah and the Palestinian resistance.
In Tolo, Greece, comrades with the European Union of Migrant Workers (AGEB) and other anti-imperialist organizations held discussions on raising international solidarity with the People’s War in India. The comrades held a moment of silence in memory of the guerrilla commanders, leading cadres and combatants of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), and in particular of its General Secretary, Comrade Basavaraj. Afterwards, a speech and slogans were delivered on the topic. “Comrade Basavaraj is immortal!” and “Long Live the CPI (Maoist), Long Live the People’s War!” were chanted.
In Bremen, Germany, a joint event by Roter Bund (Red League), Partizan and Young Struggle was held in support of the People’s War in India.
In Cologne, Germany, Partizan, Roter Bund (Red League) and Young Struggle held a commemoration for Comrade Basavaraj and the combatants martyred in India.
In Dusseldorf, Germany, a commemoration event was carried out jointly organized by Partizan, Roter Bund (Red League), and Young Struggle. The event began with a moment of silence and was followed by speeches in solidarity with the CPI (Maoist) and honoring Comrade Basavaraj.
Events have also been carried out in several other German cities:
In Punjab, India, a mass convention and protest took place in May against the massacre of Maoists and against Operation Kagaar, with over 40 organizations participating.
Also in Punjab, India, the organization Lok Sangram Morcha commemorated Martyrs Day on July 27, where they paid homage to Comrade Basavaraj along with other revolutionary leaders.
In Kolkata, India, a memorial meeting was held on June 21 at the initiative of various progressive-democratic organizations in memory of all the martyred revolutionaries of Operation Kagaar, including Comrade Basavaraj. The documentary “Operation Kagaar – The Final Warning” about the genocidal operation was also screened.
Also in Kolkata, India, Revolutionary Students’ Front (RSF) held a march and rally on July 28, which is the martyrdom day of Comrade Charu Majumdar, the great leader of the Naxalbari movement in India. At the rally, they honored the martyrs of Operation Kagaar including Comrade Basavaraj, Comrade Renuka and Comrade Sudhakar.
RSF has held several other rallies and events in solidarity with Comrade Basavaraj and the other martyred comrades.
In Bergen, Norway, a demonstration with the support of several anti-imperialist organizations including Kampkomiteen was held in June under the slogan “Stop the War Against the People by the Indian State!” The comrades also organized a presentation on the people’s struggle in India and connected it to the Palestinian resistance against Israel.
In Trondheim, Norway, Kampkomiteen held a memorial on July 26 for those who fell in the People’s War in India and in honor of Comrade Basavaraj.
In Oslo, Norway, a demonstration was carried out on June 18 outside the old Indian state’s embassy with the support of the Struggle Committee and the Revolutionary Communist League. The call emphasized that the Modi regime is a lackey of imperialism, and that the regime is practicing fascist terror against its own people.
In Southern Tagalog, Philippines, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) carried out a memorial event, with the regional unit of the New People’s Army organizing gatherings to honor the martyrs of the People’s War in India. Revolutionaries made posters and other forms of art to pay tribute to the CPI (Maoist), the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army and their martyrs, and particularly Comrade Basavaraj.
In Portugal, the magazine New Dawn, Anti-Imperialist Action and the Trama Bookstore jointly carried out an event to raise awareness and support the People’s War in India on August 2. The organizers spoke on the history and current situation in India, the foundation and development of its communist movement and mass struggles, and condemned the repression of the old Indian state.
In Santiago de Compostela, Spain, comrades attended a rally and hung banners on occasion of the Martyrs’ Week of India. One banner read, “Long live the People’s War in India!”
In Madrid, Spain, the Revolutionary Committee of Madrid organized a presentation on the People’s War in India on July 5. The comrades discussed the origins, development, and current status of the Indian revolution, as well as the recent martyrdom of comrade Basavaraj and the 27 revolutionaries. Several issues of the newspaper Servir al Pueblo and some booklets on communist theory were sold. All funds were donated to a resistance fund for striking metalworkers in Cádiz.
In Valencia, Spain, the Revolutionary Committee on the People’s War in India held a presentation on the origin and development of the revolution in India as well as the martyrdom of Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 revolutionaries.
In Stockholm, Sweden, activists rallied in front of the old Indian state’s embassy where they held a banner denouncing the genocidal Operation Kagaar and gave speeches.
In Zurich, Switzerland, Partisan and a number of other anti-imperialist organizations held an event in late May in solidarity with the People’s War in India and in honor of Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 revolutionaries martyred alongside him.
In Istanbul, Turkey, the New Democratic newspaper Partizan held an event on May 21 commemorating Comrade Basavaraj and the 27 revolutionaries martyred alongside him.
Header Image Source: Puget Sound Red Front.
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