Patna, May 5: A fight against exploitation gives a ray of hope to the underprivileged and downtrodden, as they get an inspiration to raise voice against ill treatment.

With these ideas, a seminar themed: “Marx and our times” was organised by Ganesh Dutta Institute of Social Studies at Gandhi Sangralaya on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, N.K. Choudhary, senior economics teacher of Patna University and director of the institute, said: “We should not confine ourselves to just holding seminars and discussions on Karl Marx. The greatest tribute to the man who gave a voice to millions to fight against exploitative polices is to spread his ideas among the people.” The institute had organised the function to mark the 193rd birth anniversary of Karl Marx. Choudhary said it is almost 200 years since Marx was born but his ideas are still relevant. Born in a wealthy family, he always argued that the working class should govern the society.

Choudhary said: “The ideas of Marx have played a significant role in the development of social science and socialist political movement. Though Marx remained a relatively unknown figure in his lifetime, his ideas and the ideology of Marxism began to exert a major influence on socialist movements shortly after his death.”

Revolutionary socialist governments following Marxist concepts took power in the 20th century leading to the formation of the Soviet Union in 1922 and the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Rai Murari, head of department, economics, Patna University, said: “Marx’s ideas gave new vision to class struggle as workers started raising their voice. Marx did not believe in caste or religion and his fights were for the workers and downtrodden.”

Students and teachers of Patna University addressed the seminar, which was an open forum. Padamlata Thakur, professor, women studies, Patna University said: “In today’s world, people are getting more and more materialistic. The theories of Marx and Gandhi were similar though they were born in different periods of time.”

Thakur said both Gandhi and Marx were of the opinion that wealth should not be confined to just a few individuals but it should reach the bottom level with workers and farmers enjoying the fruits of national income. Thakur also raised the question of women empowerment and said no democracy can flourish by leaving aside half the population.