October Revolution and Indian Independence | Alan Paul Varghese

We live in a post-truth era in which the concept of nationalism and patriotism is restructured around the premises of “chauvinistic religious nationalism similar to the ones that emerged in Europe. This is a contradiction to our history of independence struggle. The understanding and reading of nationalism in the present scenario draw its inspiration from the European nationalism which was one of the root causes of imperialist plunder. A thorough read of history reveals that capitalism gave birth to a nationalism which is based on the hatred of the other and superiority of one’s own race. Indian nationalism is an anti-thesis of this European model as it was built with structures that is contrarian to the ethos of colonialism. The socio-economic aspects evolved from complete rejection of imperialism and race superiority. The unique secular characteristics, inclusiveness were part and parcel of anti-colonial struggle against British.

The right-wing in India, induced a chauvinistic nationalism which is similar to their political idols like Hitler and Mussolini. One can find writings of M S Golwalkar, Deendayal Upadhyaya and other Sangh ideologues criticizing socialism and communism as “foreign ideas” which lack “Indianness.” However, the history of RSS and Hindutva reveals that how its founding fathers were inspired by Mussolini and Hitler. B S Moonje one of the prominent Hindutva figures met Mussolini during his visit to Italy. Same person also started a military academy similar to the one Mussolini had implemented in Italy. This is their hypocrisy on the Indianness. Their roots lay on fascism and imperialism. The flourishing of Hindutva was materialized through its service to imperialism. Even in the post-independent era, they remained the foot soldiers of imperialism and has a history of colluding with such forces.

Since they lecture more on the “Indianness” of socialism and communism, let us analyze about Indian patriotism in relation to October socialist revolution. The cardinal position of any right-wing follower who possess seldom knowledge of Indian history is that Indian communists are not desi and continues to admire foreign ideals. Such perceptions dominate in the rank and files of right-wing. M S Golwalkar, through his book “We and Our Nationhood Defined” was able to introduce a dichotomy where he postered an theory that Communists, Christians and Muslims, despite being born in India, pledges its alliance to foreign powers or entity. It is to be remembered that this same person had tried to discourage people especially youth from not engaging in the freedom movement.

Since a long time, the argument of communists being detached from Indianness and patriotism has infected the masses. But a deeper study of Indian freedom movement and Indian nationalism can help one person decipher the “internationalism” tangled with our patriotism. The patriotic feeling of Indians was not limited to any ethnic group or population. Rather it had a brotherhood with any oppressed people all over the globe. The revolutionaries of British colonies had cordial relations with each other and were together against any imperialist motives. The attempts to implement divide and rule policies in various colonies were strongly opposed by their counterparts. One can find resolutions of Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India against British interventions and evil tactics of imperialism practiced in other colonies. The Indian revolutionaries who operated from abroad collaborated with foreign revolutionaries in their activities against British, French and other imperialisms. Thus the patriotism of India and other countries which were subjected to imperial plunder have an internationalist dynamics.

Significance of October Socialist Revolution

October Socialist revolution was a unique political and anthropological experiment in the history of human civilization. A new socio-economic and cultural system was established which proved that there can be societies without exploitations. USSR negated the social Darwinist and determinist theories and placed an alternative system to capitalism. This alternative was so strong that capitalist countries were forced to incorporate some of tactics of socialism for its survival. In the fear of people tilting towards socialism capitalist forces had to blend their theories and practices. One can find the influences of Marxism in Keynesian economics though its advocates outrightly deny it.

Through October socialist revolution Communists led by V I Lenin were able to create a society which were in a fabulous condition in comparison with other countries. It was a great inspiration to people who suffered under imperial plunders. USSR gave a clarion message that the liberation and another world is possible. Lenin’s thesis on nationalities and the vehement opposition to imperialism inspired great leaders and thinkers all around the world. What shocked the imperialist camp is the proclamation of international solidarity to all oppressed people. USSR opened its gates to revolutionaries and began establishing relations with anti-colonial organizations. Russia was previously a backward agrarian country under Tsarist autocracy. In post-revolutionary period there was rapid progress, industrialization and growth in USSR.

The proponents of capitalist theories were shocked to see development and upliftment happening without capitalism and colonialism. A new society and social structure were established. Lenin’s understanding of imperialism and finance capital delivered new sights to revolutionaries and freedom fighter all over the world. Thinkers and leaders in various countries were trying to understand the working of imperialist political economy and many were able to understand how the unequal development and drain of wealth is happening. But their quest for the answer in defense of political independence were satisfied with the victory of Soviet revolution.

Since the imperialists had created an elite and intelligentsia for the prolonged functioning of their agendas, patriots were in search of a plan which they can use to oppose colonialism. Indian patriots knew very well that mere political independence cannot cater the cause. An idea of a holistic system with a concrete and comprehensive negation of imperialist economics was required to change the momentum of the freedom struggle. It was into this historical juncture; USSR was formed after the successful Bolshevik revolution.

Volga-Ganga Convergence

The friendship and cooperation between India and Soviets began even before 1947. In 1908 Lenin wrote about the arrest of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and described it as “the despicable sentence that the English jackals passed on the Indian democrat.” It must be remembered that Lenin’s solidarity to Tilak came during period before the formation of USSR. Tilak also admired Lenin in a speech he delivered at Nashik in 1906, Tilak spoke about Russian methods of agitation and proclaimed that we must learn from the people of Russia. Shyamji Krishnavarma wrote in his paper “Indian Sociologist” in 1907 that Russian methods of agitations must be adopted by our people to bring British government to its senses. In 1907 Madame Cama and S R Rana participated as official delegates in the International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart.

Those who describe socialism and Marxism as “videshi” must understand that the people who defined our “swadeshi” or Indian patriotism were inspired by October Revolution and socialism. Bolshevik revolution brought in the following changes in Indian independence movement.

1. The instruments of Indian nationalism were strengthened as the ideology of Marxism and victory of Soviets charted a new alternative to imperialism.
2. Trade unions, CPI and other revolutionary organizations which changed the momentum were formed.
3. An intelligentsia influenced by socialism and Marxism emerged and fought with the colonial intellectuals. New trends in Literature which was influenced by Socialism began capturing the spaces. Art and Literature became a tool of mobilization and its elite characters were stripped off.
4. The nature of mobilization of masses and the character of movement progressed rapidly to a broader pace and settings.

The “dangers” of Bolshevik revolution was accurately identified by Montague and Chelmsford. In their famous report of 1919, they said “The revolution in Russia was regarded in India as a triumph over despotism. It has given an impetus to Indian political aspirations.” The influence of USSR was not limited to just the Left-wing, rather every section of society and leaders with different opinions admired it. They were ready to study and evaluate the revolutionary theory and praxis.

Mapping the Changes

At the initial stage, Congress was an organization which advocated for increased representation for Indians within the colonial Raj. It never had a far-sighted plan regarding the independence and liberation from the plunder. But from 1905 things started changing. With the arrival of “drain theory” and other set of events there was a growing consensus against British. Numerous movements had already sprouted in various parts of the country. In 1905 leaders started learning about the happenings all around the globe and came over Russia. In 1905 the revolution was at its incubation period and people from colonial countries were keenly observing Russians. By 1917 lot of people within Congress were influenced by Russian revolution and the political character of the organization underwent rapid changes.

To prevent the influence of Marxism, elite and pro-British papers began a misinformation campaign against Soviets. Lala Lajpat Rai one of the tallest leaders of independence movement came against this propaganda campaign. Criticizing them he wrote in the “Bandematram” of July 18,1920: “When we read the attacks delivered by hypocritical nations against the Bolsheviks, especially in the columns of the Pioneer and the Civil and Miliary Gazette, it surprises us to find that there is no limit to the hypocrisy and falsehood indulged in by them.” In another article he declared that Bolshevism is a genuine authentic idea which could not bye destroyed.

Even before 1917 India witnessed numerous strikes, uprisings, agitations and progressive movements. But what changed with the arrival of USSR? A revolution cannot happen without revolutionary theory. Bipan Chandra in his famous work ‘The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism” observes that the early nationalists had a capitalist outlook and believed that industrialization can happen only along capitalist lines. In the pre-1917 period, this was a dominant belief. It must be remembered that the same leaders had opined in the end of 19th century that India cannot follow free market aka laisse faire. A perusal of the statements of Dadabhai Naoroji at Welby Commission shows that the first generation of nationalists had a clear understanding of colonial economy. They were successful in uniting the people over the economic issues. This can be described as the rise of economic nationalism.

This economic nationalism was the main propeller of Indian patriotism. But with the victory Bolsheviks, the economic understandings were broadened. The dangers of finance capital and imperialism was broadly discussed. In the inaugural session of AITUC in 1920 Lala Lajpat Rai the president of the trade union said “Imperialism and militarism are the twin children of capitalism; they are one in three and three in one. The movement we are inaugurating is not only to solidify the interests of Indian labour but also to forge a link in the chain of international brotherhood.” Slowly Indian independence leaders began to uphold internationalism and identified capitalism as its prime enemy.

Another aspect of the influence of Marxism is that it was analyzed as a powerful tool to smash capitalism and feudalism. It must be noted that the repression of CPI and other revolutionary movements were the agendas of British and princely states. CPI led movements against both colonial forces and feudal forces are important chapters of our history. This consciousness against feudalism and capitalism influenced a strong fraction within Congress. The left-wing fractions comprising of Nehru, C R Das and other prominent leaders became headaches for the conservative fractions who only wants political independence along with preservation of feudal evils. C R Das’s speech about “Swaraj for the 98 per cent” in the Gaya session of Congress in 1922, socialists like Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose presiding over the meetings of AITUC, the development of AISF into an organization following scientific socialism etc. made big impacts on Indian nationalism. A clarity on what is to be done was developed.

Farmers’ struggle and strike against colonial powers and feudal establishments happened in many parts of the country. The first peasant strike or agriculture labourers strike in Kerala was organized by Ayyankali long before Russian revolution. So organized strikes and agitations were already socio-political tools. So how did the October Revolution bring a paradigm shift? A revolution led by farmers and workers in a backward agrarian Tsarist autocracy showed that proletariats are historic forces of change and liberation. The reign of capital and imperialism can be resisted by workers. This awakening led to the formation of AITUC in 1920. Workers movement, peasant movement and the general nature of mobilization of masses furthened the cause of freedom. With the formation of Kisan Sabha, Indian People Theatre Association, Progressive Writers Association Britishers were panicked to see the growth of Marxism.

Since the course of economic nationalism progressed with socialist influence the social dimensions of patriotism had a new phase. Earlier when political freedom was the sole narrative the regressive values were upheld by many. Some of the early admirers of Russia had a regressive stand of the societal issues. Within the Congress also, we can find two camps based on their socio-economic positions. Slowly after 1917 we can see that many movements also had both political and social targets.

Dr B R Ambedkar was a critic of Marxism. He had strong disagreements with USSR and Marxism which he made clear in his work “Buddha or Karl Marx.” Despite all his criticism he didn’t completely reject the Soviet Union or Marxism. He himself was a socialist and advocated for Constitutional -state socialism in India. He also praised USSR for its achievements in the agricultural sector. The influence of Marxism on Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, HRSA, Surya Sen and other revolutionaries cannot be denied by anyone. The CPI led RIN mutiny which was the final and most crucial blow on the British regime. Reminiscent of the Soviet film Battleship Potenkin, the Royal Indian Navy held a red flag and shouted slogans like Inquilab Zindabad, down with imperialism, reminiscent of the October Revolution, and the defeat of the British was complete.

What is Indian nationalism? It can be said that Indian nationalism is a society and an identity based on equality, independence, secularism, social justice and universality. If you read the report of the National Planning Commission prepared by Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and other leaders in 1939, it is clear how much influence the Soviet Union had on the Congress leaders. D. De Kosambi, on the other hand, criticized some of the misunderstandings of socialists in the Congress and other parties. These criticisms are also part of the varied history of Indian nationalism and the nationalist movement.

What is the relevance of the October Revolution after the collapse of the Soviet Union? What is its relevance in India?

Although the French and German revolutions failed to achieve their goals, these revolutions are not criticized in the same way as the October Revolution. Karl Marx and Engels have taught us that what we need is not mere criticism or accusation, but a historical perspective that examines every aspects. We should approach the October Revolution the same way they approached the French Revolution and the German Revolution. Such a morally honest approach is not expected from the right wing. Not only are the slogans of the October Revolution still relevant today, nations are knowingly or unknowingly following the lessons taught by the Soviet Union and Marxism. It is imperative to reclaim Indian nationalism in its true essence. It is the need of the hour to free it from its foreign and European right-wing character. We must bring back our true nationalism which is a combination of socialism and secularism to purify the Indian political and cultural milieu so that fascism and Hindutva ideology will be defeated. As Bipan Chandra observes, the bourgeoisie had a friendly and sometimes hostile attitude towards the British colonial system. After independence, the Indian bourgeoisie exhibited various characteristics. But today we have a central government that stands for capital and therefore controlled by the bourgeoisie,

Communism has always defeated fascism. One of our historical duties is to defeat fascism. Without the Soviet Union, the world would have remained in the darkness of Nazism and Fascism. The Soviet Union was a nation built by farmers, labourers, and porters. Communist parties saved the world by defeating Nazi Germany and Italy. It is the duty of the communist to convince the common people of their historical duty and power in this age of increasing concentration of wealth. In India, where inequalities are increasing, right-wing public consciousness is taking hold of society, communists must be the standard-bearers of truth. A comprehensive economic and social alternative must be put forward. Like the October Revolution, it must prove that another world is possible. This should include changes to suit the times.

One of the important lessons of the October Revolution for communists is to adopt new, innovative politics and to study deeply what is happening around us. We Communists must never be ignorant of history, politics, psychology, etc. We should try to recapture Indian nationalism and modernize it and formulate economic and social plans accordingly. Remember Lenin’s words that there may be decades when nothing happens, but there are also weeks where decades happen. Communists must constantly strive to recover the lost values ??and modernize them to suit the times.

(Author: Alan Paul Varghese is a member of AISF national council and an independent researcher)