HOW THE COCKROACH MOVEMENT BEAT MODI AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM IT

India's ruling BJP has spent years building an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an untouchable strongman. But this year, a movement led by students and the unemployed showed that even the most entrenched governments can be forced to retreat.

Protestors have been celebrating a victory after forcing, in defiance of intense brutality from police and far right thugs, the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

This immense achievement, along with other concessions from the government such as an end to state persecution of Cockroach activists, is a sign to hundreds of millions of people struggling in Modi's far right India. It shows that by coming together, protestors have far more power than they think, and that in the process they learn that the divisions so carefully sown by the right can be overcome.

With further upcoming mass protests and strikes by Indian farmers and workers planned over the next few days, how might the movement go further in deepening and broadening the revolt, thus increasing hopes of a more radical shaking up of society? What do the protests tell us about both the future of the Indian left, but also about lessons for us here in the UK?

All welcome. Hosted by Bristol Socialist Workers Party.
Speaker: Julie Mukherjee

What to expect at this meeting
An informal, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, in which a speaker will initially introduce the main topic before we break into smaller group discussion. Then we’ll come back together again for a wider discussion and questioning followed by a summing up. The second section of the meeting involves a more practical focus on current activities and campaigns. There will also be a bookstall and publicity for upcoming events.