Archive · 26 Dec 2025
CPI's First Conclave: Singaravelu's Speech Critiques Gandhi, Hails Tilak
A long time ago, in 1925, the first meeting of the Communist Party of India happened in Kanpur.
A leader named M Singaravelu gave a big speech.
He talked about many important things.
He said that the problem of untouchability is mostly about money and jobs, not just about being allowed into temples.
He didn't agree with Gandhi's idea of making and wearing khadi (homemade cloth) because he thought it was too hard for poor workers.
He also said that communism is about workers controlling the things they make, and that it's been around for a long time, even taught by Buddha and Jesus.
He praised Lenin and Tilak but criticized the Congress Party for not really understanding what they wanted.
He believed that communism could make everyone equal and happy.
Singaravelu addressed the first CPI conference in Kanpur, discussing untouchability as an economic issue.
He criticized Gandhi's khadi campaign, calling it impractical for the masses.
Singaravelu defined communism as a system where workers control production for everyone's benefit.
He praised Lenin and Tilak but criticized the Congress Party for its bourgeois mentality.
The CPI's immediate goal was to achieve Swaraj, end worker and peasant exploitation, and eliminate caste and creed distinctions.
- Who
- M Singaravelu, a founding leader of the CPI and freedom fighter
- What
- Presidential speech at the first CPI conference
- When
- December 25-27, 1925
- Where
- Kanpur
- Why
- To address national and international issues from a communist perspective
- Event
- First Communist Party of India (CPI) conference
- Date
- December 25-27, 1925
- Location
- Kanpur
- Speaker
- M Singaravelu
- Key Topics
- Untouchability, Khadi campaign, Communism, Congress Party, Lenin, Tilak
