Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar on ‘The Caste Question and Marxism’, 12–16 March, 2013, Chandigarh — Programme

12 March

Inaugral session (10AM – 1 PM)

Tributeto Comrade Arvind. Introductory speeches.

Release of Collection of papers (English & Hindi) presented at the Second Arvind Memorial Seminar on labour movement. Published by Arvind Memorial Trust

Release of collection of articles (English & Hindi) by Ranganayakamma: Caste and Class: A Marxist Viewpoint. Published by Rahul Foundation.

Second Sessions (3 PM – 8 PM): Commencement of presentation of papers and discussions

1. (Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint — Arvind Memorial Trust) – in Hindi

2. (Ambedkarism and Dalit Liberation – Sukhwinder, editor, Pratibaddh, Punjab) – in Hindi

 

13 March

3. The Historiography of Caste: Some critical observations — Abhinav, editor, Muktikami Chhatron-Yuvaon ka Aahvan – in Hindi

4. Marxism and the caste question – Based on Anuradha Gandhi’s book ‘Caste Question in India’ — Asit Das, Researcher and Activist, New Delhi

5. Caste-class symbiosis and conjoint relevance of Marx(ism) and Ambedkar(ism) — Sukhdev Singh Janagal, Punjab

6. Background note on caste in India — Prof. Irfan Habib, Aligarh (to be circulated)

7. Towards A Programme for Abolition of Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy — Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal (Democratic), Pune (to be circulated)

 

14 March

8. Caste and Politics in West Bengal: The Changing Face of the Left Front — Praskanva Sinharay, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta

9. Class, Caste and Identity Politics — Shivani, Delhi University – in Hindi

10. Distinctiveness as Ideology or Pain and the Politics of Specificity — Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University

— Presentation by Anand Teltumbde

 

15 March

11. (The Dalit Question and Aesthetics — Ninu Chapagain,Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division of UCPN (M) – in Hindi

12. What is to be undoneCaste and Sex in Marxist Traditions — Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta, Centre for Political Studies, JNU

– Presentation by Katyayani, Renowned Hindi poet and activist

 

16 March

13. Dr. Ambedkar or Dr. Marx — by Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of Glasgow

(The paper will be circulated as a background note and Prof. Cockshott will make a presentation through skype from London.)

— Presentation by Dr. Tulsiram, noted Marxist Dalit writer and thinker

Discussion on issues summed up during the past 4 days.

 

 

Some of the other confirmed participants:

  1. Prof. DN Jha, Marxist Historian, Delhi
  2. Prof. Satish Deshpande, Deptt of Sociology, Delhi University
  3. Prof. Tulsiram, Hindi writer, JNU
  4. Prof. (Mrs.) Vimal Thorat, IGNOU
  5. Anand Teltumbde
  6. Tilak Parihar, Senior leader,CPN (M)
  7. Sangeet Srota (Nepali poet and activist)
  8. Prof. PK Vijayan, Delhi University
  9. Dr. Saroj Giri, Delhi University
  10. Namdev Laghve, Nagpur
  11. Dr. S.B. Rai and Aditya Narayan Singh (Granthashilpi), Delhi
  12. Arjun Prasad Singh, PDFI
  13. Jai Prakash and Sudhakar, Jati Virodhi Aandolan
  14. Anant Acharya , DAFODWAM, Kolkata
  15. Uttamrao Jagirdar,Sharad Gaikwad & 3 others, Republican Panthers, Mumbai
  16. Hargopal Singh, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
  17. Prof. Chamanlal, JNU
  18. Prof. Manjit Singh, Chandigarh University
  19. Representatives from ‘Mazdoor Patrika’, Patna
  20. Ajay Sinha. Patna, Bihar
  21. Deepti and 2 others, International Airports Employees Union, Mumbai
  22. Prabhakar and 2others, Reliance Energy Employees Union, Mumbai
  23. Santokh Singh Virdi, Writer, Punjab
  24. Varinderpal, Inqualbi Vidyarthi Sabha, Bathinda
  25. Ch. Premchandra Singh, Manipur
  26. Jitendra Bharti, Dehradun
  27. Vijay Prakash Singh, Journalist, Mumbai
  28. Fabian Dsouza, Researcher, Delhi
  29. Johannes Paul Raether, Artist and left social activist from Germany
  30. Representatives from several groups from Punjab.
  31. Activists from various mass organisations from UP, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana & Maharashtra.

Representatives from some groups from Bihar, UP and Maharashtra have not yet confirmed but they may come.

We are expecting that several individuals and people from some groups may reach Chandigarh directly.

We request all those who are coming for the seminar to intimate us about your travel plans so we can receive you at the station and make arrangements for your comfortable stay.

For friends coming from Delhi by bus, please get down at the Tribune Chowk, as soon as the bus enters Chandigarh. The venue and the guest accommodation (Garhwal Bhavan) are 100-150 meters from there.