CPI(M) Party Congress Remembers Inessa Armand, A True Communist Fighter
Madurai : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) honored Inessa Armand (1874–1920) during its Party Congress, recognizing her as a true fighter for socialism and women’s rights. A special exhibition was organized where her image was prominently displayed, highlighting her invaluable contributions to the Bolshevik Revolution and the international communist movement.
Born in France as Elisabeth-Inès Stéphane d'Herbenville, Armand moved to Russia at a young age and became a dedicated revolutionary. She joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) in 1904 and later aligned with the Bolsheviks, working closely with Vladimir Lenin. Despite multiple arrests and exile, she continued her activism, escaping to Europe and strengthening Bolshevik strategies from abroad.
Armand played a crucial role in the October Revolution of 1917, becoming a leading organizer in the Bolshevik Party. As the first director of Zhenotdel, the women’s department of the Communist Party, she fought for women’s rights, including access to education, employment, divorce, and abortion. In 1920, she chaired the First International Conference of Communist Women, helping to establish policies that benefited working-class women across the Soviet Union.
Despite her immense contributions, Armand's legacy has often been overshadowed by her male contemporaries. However, her commitment to gender equality and revolutionary socialism remains influential. CPI(M) leaders at the Party Congress emphasized the need to remember and learn from Armand’s struggles, reinforcing her ideals in today’s fight for justice and equality.
As the event continues, the remembrance of figures like Inessa Armand reaffirms the historical role of women in revolutionary movements, inspiring the next generation of activists in the struggle for socialism.
