Flames of Resistance: The Red Processions That Forge the Path Forward

Kollam: The city of Kollam was awash in red as the flag, torch, and flagpole processions of the CPIM State Conference converged in a powerful display of proletarian unity and unwavering commitment to the class struggle. At 6 PM, the processions assembled at the Ashram Ground in the heart of the city. Along their routes, the processions were met with warm yet resolute welcomes from comrades from across the class.

The Flag Procession, which began its journey in Kasaragod in northern Kerala, carried with it the legacy of the class struggle in the region. Local comrades in Kasaragod paid homage to this flag—a symbol of resistance and the enduring struggle of workers and peasants. Led by CPIM State Secretariat member M. Swaraj, the procession traveled through Kottayam and Pathanamthitta before arriving in Kollam at 12 PM today. The flag was received by CPIM Central Committee member P. K. Sreemathi in the conference city. Managed by Valsan Panoli, with K. Anushree as a member, the procession embodies the working class’s relentless fight against the capitalist state.

(Flag receiving)

The Torch Procession, originating from Vayalar, holds profound significance in Kerala’s revolutionary history. Vayalar stands as a symbol of peasant resistance. In 1946, workers and peasants in Vayalar faced brutal repression from the landlord class, with many comrades sacrificing their lives. This marked a turning point in Kerala’s history, and it is from this land of sacrifice and resistance that the torch was carried forward. Led by CPIM State Secretariat member P. K. Biju, the torch procession symbolizes the continuity of that struggle—a fight against feudal oppression, exploitation, and the system that perpetuates it. 

(Torch procession)

Beginning in Vayalar, the procession moved through towns and villages, evoking the memory of martyrs’ blood and the enduring fight for justice. The torch arrived in Kollam district at 4 PM yesterday, with C. B. Chandrababu managed the procession and V. Vaseef as a member. The torch is not merely a light; it is the flame of class consciousness, illuminating the path forward for workers. Received in the conference city, the torch is not a symbol of hope alone but a weapon in the hands of the working class to advance the struggle for a just society.

The Flagpole Procession, led by CPIM Central Committee member C. S. Sujata. Inaugurated at the Martyr’s Memorial in Sooranad by Politburo member M. A. Baby, this procession served as a reminder of the working class’s long history of sacrifice and their unyielding fight for power. Managed by Raju Abraham, with S. Jayamohan. The flagpole was handed over to CPIM Central Committee member Elamaram Kareem, continuing the legacy of struggle and resistance.

(Flagpole receiving)

These processions, each representing a vital facet of the workers’ struggle, converged at the Ashram Ground to mark the culmination of a journey. They are not mere ceremonial gestures or symbolic acts of unity. They are a stark reminder that the fight for power, the overthrow of the capitalist state, and the emancipation of the working class continue unabated. The flag, torch, and flagpole are not just symbols—they are tools in the ongoing struggle against oppression.

These processions serve as a poignant reminder that this struggle is not abstract. It is rooted in the land, in the blood spilled by peasants and workers fighting for their rights. It represents the unbroken continuity of that struggle—from the past to the future. This is the true spirit of the working class movement: a force that does not dim with time but grows stronger as the contradictions of the capitalist system grow ever more acute.