Nine days that shook imperialism

If there was one event of late which spread hope and humanist values instead of endemic terror and hate, it was seen at the 19^th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi, Russia, beyond doubt. When xenophobia, religious terrorism, racism and fascist sentiments are on the rise, it was certainly refreshing to observe the world’s youth joining all progressive forces in the effort to build a humane, democratic future.

The nine-day festival was organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) from October 14 to 22 with the support of the Russian government and its hospitable people who welcomed youth from 185 countries and successfully managed to accommodate over 25,000 participants in the city. What made it immensely significant is that all youth of the world had come together chanting one slogan: “For peace, solidarity and social justice, we struggle against imperialism. Honouring our past, we build the future!”

It couldn’t have been a mere coincidence that Russia was chosen as the venue of the 19^th festival whose undertones are socialism, lasting peace and anti-imperialism. President Vladimir Putin has invested huge resources with the support and help of his people in order to change the prevalent narrative against their country.

The youth of the world, especially of South Asia, who grow up listening to the career guidance experts everywhere that they should move to the United States or England for higher studies for that is the only civilised place where one can make their dreams come true, book an opportunity to see another part of the world where people will always welcome them. These youth were pleasantly surprised that the Russians were warm and friendly towards others — quite unlike their aggressive and uncultured image in Hollywood films.

WFDY President Nicolas Papademetriou spoke at the beginning of the festival and staunchly advocated for youth action over student rights as well as overthrowing colonialism and imperialism, which, he said, was the aim of his organisation consisting of thousands of democratic youth from all across the world. He recalled the history of WFDY and the youth festival which was first organised in 1947 in order to bring the youth of capitalist and socialist countries together for a better future without imperialism, colonialism and exploitation of man by man.

Being all too humble and hospitable, Putin thanked the youth of the world for believing in his country and trusting the Russian nation to serve them during the nine days when imperialist forces were showed the power of young men and women armed with progressive values to defeat racism, wars and deliver social justice.

Throughout the festival, the participating youth made a strong case for freedom and social justice. The activists of leftist parties from all over the world relived the charm and passion for a promised revolution which will narrow down the gap between the rich and the poor, the First World and the Third World, the occidentalists and the orientalists.

The festival participants celebrated the culture of different regions of the world, and valued the differences. One thing, however, became apparent that the 100-year legacy of the October Revolution was still alive and so was the people’s dream of a classless world. This was a source of great comfort.

The most significant part of the festival was the dialogue sessions organised by various groups from all over the world. Youth representatives got a chance to speak on topics which are usually suppressed in their home countries. South Asian groups representing the Communist Party of India and the Students Federation of India invited activists from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and their own country to discuss issues pertaining to women’s emancipation, religious fanaticism, neo-liberal policies and its impact and education, and the issue of heavy militarisation.

It was a golden chance for the 25-odd Pakistani activists to also bring to the fore the burning issues troubling their country’s more marginalised communities amid the tussle between civilian and military leadership in the country. Sadly, no panel discussion could be organised on issues such as forced conversions, lack of public space for women, religious terrorism and the menace of enforced disappearances. It was an encouraging sight to see how passionately and adamantly the revolutionary youth of India paid homage to their martyrs like Gauri Lankesh, MM Kalburgiand Govind Pansare, who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of speech. However, Pakistani delegates could only lament that there was no space to talk on issues such as the effort to define who is a Muslim and who is not and enforced disappearance of dissenters.

On the sidelines, though, Pakistani delegates discussed with progressive activists of other countries ways to deal with state tactics of suppressing dissent and human rights movement. Oppressed peoples of the world from Palestine, Syria, African states, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan joined in to share the common dream of a world where the fruits of progressive development could also be enjoyed by Third World countries.

The youth of Pakistan who availed the chance to visit Russia and interact with the international community as well as activists from all over the world now have an enormous responsibility to hoist the flag of freedom even higher and pave the way for a democratic, progressive, peaceful future in the region, for in the concluding words of the festival host, Vladimir Putin: “The future starts here and now. The future is you.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2017.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.