FIGHT AGAINST FASCISM

On the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, it is more important than ever to unite against the resurgence of this dangerous ideology

- Janardan Pati

Eighty years ago, on 9 May, 1945, the fascist forces of Nazi Germany were decisively defeated by the Red Army, marking a turning point in world history.

This day, known as Victory Day, is celebrated globally as the end of fascist tyranny in Europe. Adolf Hitler, the infamous Nazi leader, was so overwhelmed by defeat that he committed suicide on 30 April, 1945, unwilling to face the consequences of his crimes.

Fascism is more than just a form of authoritarian rule—it is a violent political ideology rooted in the interests of finance capital. According to Bulgarian leader Georgi Dimitrov, “Fascism in not a form of state power, standing above both the classes - the proletariat and the bourgeoisie - as Otto Bauer has asserted. It is not the revolt of the petty bourgeoise which has captured the state machinery, as British Socialist Brailsford declares. No, fascism is not power standing above class, nor govt. of the petty bourgeoisie or the lumpen proletariat over finance capital. Fascism is the power of finance capital itself. It is the organization of terrorist vengeance against the working class and the revolutionary section of the peasantry and the intelligentsia. In foreign policy, fascism is jingoism in its most brutal from, fermenting bestial hatred of other nations. The development of fascism and the fascist dictatorship itself assume different forms in different countries, according to historical, social and economic conditions and to the national peculiarities, and the international position of the given country.”

It represents organised vengeance against workers, revolutionary peasants, and progressive intellectuals.