Introduction

The world today is passing through a multidimensional crisis. The imperialist world order is becoming increasingly dysfunctional under the weight of economic stagnation, climate catastrophe, wars and conflicts, and deepening social inequality. The United States and Western powers continue their attempts to maintain global dominance, while the rise of China and Russia has created a new multipolar reality. Within this clash, South Asia has emerged as a key geopolitical arena. India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are all experiencing acute economic turmoil, unemployment, agricultural and food insecurity, and systemic political corruption.

In this reality, the pressing question is: how can the communist movement in South Asia reorganize itself? What strategies are necessary to unite workers, peasants, women, and the youth to build a powerful revolutionary alternative? The following sections present an analysis and strategic roadmap.

1.⁠ ⁠The International Context and Lessons

1.1 The global economy is suffering from prolonged stagnation, putting severe pressure on ordinary people.

1.2 The imperialist conflicts around the Ukraine war, tensions over Taiwan, and Israel’s occupation war against Palestine are creating the threat of a third world war.

1.3 Climate disaster is hitting South Asia with full force—cyclones, droughts, floods, glacial melting, and declining agricultural productivity.

1.4.The resurgence of the Left in Latin America and parts of Africa can serve as an inspiration.

2.⁠ ⁠The Contemporary Reality of South Asia

•⁠ ⁠India: Modi’s Hindutva-fascism is crushing workers’ and peasants’ struggles, yet the farmers’ movement has proven the strength of organized mass resistance.

•⁠ ⁠Bangladesh: The alternating rule of the Awami League and BNP has plunged the state into crisis. The interim government system is also utterly futile. Building new unity of peasants and workers is urgent.

•⁠ ⁠Nepal: The overthrow of monarchy brought communists into power, but ideological deviation and fragmentation weakened them. Still, new youth movements provide openings for renewal.

•⁠ ⁠Sri Lanka: Economic collapse and mass uprisings shook state power, making left politics relevant once again.

•⁠ ⁠Pakistan and Afghanistan: Military domination, political Islam, and imperialist interventions repeatedly destroyed democratic and progressive movements, though mass anger remains explosive.

3.⁠ ⁠Weaknesses of the South Asian Left

1.⁠ ⁠Division and factionalism—multiple communist parties in the same country competing against each other.

2.⁠ ⁠Theoretical stagnation—mechanical use of Marxism-Leninism without creative application to local realities.

3.⁠ ⁠Weak mass base—insufficient organic ties with workers’ and peasants’ organizations.

4.⁠ ⁠Limited engagement with youth—both ideologically and organizationally.

4.⁠ ⁠Strategic Guidelines

a) Ideological Reconstruction

•⁠ ⁠Study and creatively apply the works of Marx, Lenin, Gramsci, and Trotsky in today’s South Asian reality.

•⁠ ⁠Clearly define positions against fascism, communalism, and imperialist domination.

b) Worker–Peasant Unity

•⁠ ⁠Build broad alliances around land rights, food sovereignty, fair wages, and labor rights.

•⁠ ⁠Draw lessons from India’s farmers’ movement, Bangladesh’s land occupation struggles, and Sri Lanka’s people’s uprisings.

c) Youth and Women’s Leadership

•⁠ ⁠With half of South Asia’s population being youth, their frustrations around unemployment, education, migration, and technology must be transformed into political strength.

•⁠ ⁠Women workers and peasants, such as Bangladesh’s garment workers, can be a decisive force.

d) Regional Solidarity

•⁠ ⁠Establish a common platform for South Asian communist parties.

•⁠ ⁠Launch joint campaigns on land protection, climate justice, workers’ rights, and anti-war struggles.

•⁠ ⁠A South Asian Communist Forum is an urgent necessity.

e) Democratic Struggles with a Revolutionary Horizon

•⁠ ⁠Engage with people’s democratic demands (fair elections, anti-corruption, freedom of expression), but transform these struggles beyond reformism towards revolutionary transformation.

f) Cultural Movement

•⁠ ⁠Revive South Asia’s rebellious cultural legacy—Nazrul, Bhupen Hazarika, Rabindranath, Lalon, Jyotirao Phule, B.R. Ambedkar.

•⁠ ⁠Use art, literature, music, and digital media to cultivate a new left culture.

5.⁠ ⁠Roadmap for the Future

1.⁠ ⁠Ideological clarity + mass organization + regional solidarity = revolutionary advance.

2.⁠ ⁠South Asian communists must position themselves as part of the global anti-imperialist struggle, not confined to national boundaries.

3.⁠ ⁠The unity of workers, peasants, youth, and women will be the decisive foundation.

4.⁠ ⁠Democracy within organizations, consistent practice of criticism and self-criticism, and effective use of modern technology (social media, digital organizing) are indispensable.

Conclusion

Today’s world situation presents both a profound crisis and a historic opportunity for the communist movement in South Asia. Public anger at imperialist domination and local bourgeois regimes is mounting every day. If this anger can be organized and given a revolutionary horizon, a new left awakening in South Asia is not only possible but inevitable.

The task before the communist movement is clear: overcome divisions, unite the struggles of workers, peasants, youth, and women, and open a new socialist horizon with an internationalist spirit.

Badrul Alam
15 September 2025
Dhaka

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