CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby shares a light moment with CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam at the inauguration of the EMS Memorial organised by COSTFORD in Thrissur on Saturday. Also seen are economist Prabhat Patnaik and CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary K. V. Abdul Khader
| Photo Credit: K. K. NAJEEB
Eminent economist Prabhat Patnaik on Saturday asserted that curbing the rise of religious nationalism and neo-fascist tendencies in the country requires urgent action to reduce economic inequality and guarantee basic economic rights for all citizens.He was delivering a lecture on “The Politics of Religious Nationalism” at the 28th EMS Memorial programme held at the Regional Theatre in Thrissur.“To check the growing strength of religious nationalism and neo-fascism, economic inequality must be reduced and the basic economic rights of the people must be ensured,” Patnaik said.He stressed the need for a shift in economic policy. “India must move towards policies that strengthen the domestic market and enhance people’s purchasing power. Small-scale producers and farmers must be supported by the government,” he said.Calling for redistributive taxation, Mr. Patnaik added, “To reduce inequality, minimum wages should be increased and wealth tax and inheritance tax should be imposed on the richest one per cent.” He noted that several developed countries, including Japan, already follow such taxation models.He further outlined five essential economic rights that must be guaranteed: “The right to food, the right to work, free public healthcare, quality free education, and social security including old-age pensions and support for persons with disabilities.”Mr. Patnaik also warned of a broader global trend threatening democratic values. “There is a global phenomenon that is endangering national sovereignty and freedom of expression. Strengthening economic justice and social equality is the only way to resist it,” he said.The event was inaugurated by CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby who highlighted the importance of cultural engagement in countering divisive politics.“To resist the growing strength of identity-based politics in the country, cultural intervention is essential,” he said, adding that E.M.. Namboodiripad remains a model for such engagement.Mr. Baby also accused the BJP of attempting to consolidate gains through communal polarisation. “The aim is to marginalise minorities and Communists. Opposing communalism does not mean opposing faith; it means ensuring that all believers can live with dignity and practice their religion,” he said.Meanwhile, CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam called for broader unity against war and militarism.“Communists and religious leaders, including the Pope, must come together to resist war hysteria,” he said, referring to the strong anti-war positions taken by Pope Leo XIV, particularly against the use of modern technologies like artificial intelligence for warfare.Mr. Viswam also criticised the Modi government’s silence on international conflicts. “Even when an oil vessel with Indian workers was attacked killing three Indians, the leadership in the country failed to respond,” he alleged.The two-day EMS memorial event will conclude on Sunday. Published - June 13, 2026 08:34 pm IST
