Dipankar Bhattacharya strongly criticized the Modi Govt

Monday 23rd January at 09:06 PM

Allegations of hollowing out all the constitutional institutions of the country 

Chandigarh: 23 January 2023: (Naxalbari Screen Bureau)::

CPI (ML) Liberation organized a special seminar on the topic 'Fascism: The World's Experience and its Indian Characteristics' at Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Bhavan, built in the premises of Dainik Desh Sevak here. Com Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPI (ML) Liberation, addressed the seminar as the keynote speaker. The seminar was presided over by comrades Parshottam Sharma, Sukhdarshan Singh Natt, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Bhagwant Singh Samao and Satish Kumar, leader of the Central Trade Union Actu. The program was coordinated by Com. Kanwaljit, secretary of the Chandigarh unit of the party.

Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya in his speech said that ever since the Modi government came to power, the Constitution, democracy, the secular character of the state and the federal structure are being constantly undermined. He said that the parliamentary elections of 2024 are very important for the future of the country and the countrymen. To save democracy in the country, it is necessary to defeat the BJP. He said that different parties are in the role of opposition in different states, everyone should fight strongly against BJP in their respective states. Each state may have a different formula for the unity of the opposition parties. He said that efforts are being made to create a comprehensive unity against the BJP at the country level. Citing the examples of Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala and Bengal, he said governors in states ruled by opposition parties were openly working as agents of the central government. These acts of the governors are a gross violation of the concept of federal structure and the rights of the states, so such unconstitutional acts that disturb the unity of the country should be stopped immediately. He said that the Modi government was behaving more like a fascist regime than a dictator, making it a threat to the existence of all constitutional institutions. The general public votes for basic needs like employment, housing, education and health, but the Sangh-BJP are instead misusing the power to push their corporate-oriented communal agenda. Today, communal poisoners, murderers, rioters and corrupt people who embezzle trillions of government money are roaming free, but the social and political activists who raise their voice and struggle for the rights of Dalits, laborers, youth, tribals and minorities Being a victim of lies. In many cases, people raising their voices are being implicated in false cases and killed in false police encounters. Such public-friendly people are not being released from jails even after completion of their sentences.

Talking to the media, in response to a question on Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', he said that it would be a good thing if Rahul's visit brings some momentum to the Congress. He said that the main responsibility lies with the Left parties to develop a broad front in the country on the basis of consensus to at least combat fascism. He said that the widespread socio-political mobilization against the Modi government will be seriously discussed in the 11th general convention of the CPI-ML to be held in Patna from February 15 to 20.

Comrade Sukhdarshan Natt, a member of the Central Committee of the party, who had arrived from Mansa to attend the seminar, was also present along with his family. Returning to Mansa after the event, he also registered his presence while leading the party delegation in the ongoing National Insaf Morcha at YPS Chowk, Chandigarh. He has been with this party for a long time and has seen many ups and downs in the world communist movements as well as in the movements associated with communist parties in India. He is a very committed, disciplined and senior leader of the party. From Mansa to Amritsar, from Punjab to UP, Bihar and Bengal, he never gets tired of party work.

He has also played an active role in making the party firmly entrenched in Punjab and bringing many forward-thinking individuals, journalists and writers from different walks of life closer to the party. Living a life of utmost simplicity and ethics, the Natta family has the magical ability to not lose its balance even after listening to the harshest words of critics and detractors. Perhaps Sukhdarshan Natt is one of those rare families who have kept their children completely connected to this philosophy and ideology. He has also given the hardships of this struggle to his children and that too with a smile, while informing them about all these difficulties. Giving a legacy of pure struggle without hiding anything.

It is in Sukhdarshan Natta's nature to study more and more himself and to make others aware of it as well. He remained deeply attached to this ideology even during the fun and frolic of his youth. He still thinks about the welfare of the people. Rising above all differences, strengthening this movement is also one of his primary concerns. His wife Jasbir Kaur Natt also fully supports him and is also fully active in the party.

Eminent thinker Dr. Pyare Lal Garg, who gave his comments on the most critical and controversial matters, was also present on the occasion of the seminar. The office bearers and other managers of the party themselves had not yet reached outside Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Hall, but Dr. Pyare Lal Garg had reached on time with full discipline. In the outer courtyard of Bhakna Bhawan, Dr. Garg was seen sitting very humbly and simply on a footpath-like step of the courtyard. Seeing them, there was apprehension that how such a big person could sit on the ground like this. To dispel the apprehension, when I called him, he turned out to be Dr. Pyare Lal Garg.

Before the program even started, his words taught and explained a lot about the deepest secrets of life. Seeing his transparent thinking and fearlessness from family to society, my heart starts wishing to become just like him in life. He talked about how his routine was in PGI. Along with this, how straightforward and clear he was in the matter of home and family. How he gave real education of life to his children, I have to write a separate post on all this. The right thing is that such things are not found in books. Such precious things are known only by sitting with dervishes like Dr. Garg.

Meanwhile, when the seminar started, Dr. Pyare Lal Garg listened to each and every speaker very carefully. Even from the beginning till the end, sitting at the back, he had heard the sound of the heart of every speaker, which did not reach his lips. He has to do X-ray of everyone's heart with just one glance. When the people of the stage requested him, he kept his views even after reaching the stage. He kept his views very politely even from the stage of the seminar. The beginning of this short speech was also very simple and at the end the ceremony of putting back the mike. Once again the outside scene came to mind when a short while ago the loud voice of Rulda Singh Mansa sitting on the platform in the park started echoing again in the ears which he had said on seeing Dr. Garg – that we used to see you on television everyday. But today we had an open darshan even face to face. Dr. Garg's unique personality makes even unknown and new people his own within moments.

Now let's talk about some other special guests who reached there. Journalists are usually confined to reaching the office at their scheduled time, creating news, editing, writing articles and confirming appointments, returning home, leaving no time for any other work, nor the editorial desk. Energy left after rising from. The body and mind all become empty. Just tiredness that says go to sleep quickly. It seems that someone has taken away all the powers inside. Most of the people working in media, the fourth pillar of the society, leave this world very soon while fulfilling the duties of newspapers. As long as life lasts, they are busy discussing issues related to the general public. Such people never retire even after retiring from their organization. Experienced journalist Hamir Singh is also playing a similar active role. He is often known for his outspoken comments on sensitive issues. Hamir Singh's fellow associates and close friends also sometimes criticize him on this occasion, but this never affected Hamir Singh's talk, style or thoughts. He doesn't change himself. Seeing him, I remembered a couplet:

Kabira Khada Bazar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair! Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair!

(Kabira is standing in the market, asking for everyone's well being! Neither friendship with anyone, nor enmity with anyone!)

So Hamir Singh, a journalist with similar personality, had also reached this seminar. He too was sitting on the back row chairs with Dr. Garg. He was accompanied by well-known columnist // Kalam Navis and current star of TV journalism SP Singh but SP Singh did not come on stage even after the organizers requested, however, his presence was giving importance to the coverage of this seminar.

In the end, the story will be incomplete without mentioning that person who was meeting everyone with a smile while carrying out the responsibility of this whole organization with great enthusiasm. Kanwaljit Singh, a member of the Central Committee of the CPI Male Liberation and in-charge of the Chandigarh unit, made this entire program a success in a very smooth manner. No fatigue, no irritation. Nor any such thing as force on the forehead.

Impressed by the personality of Kanwaljit Singh, many young men and women and young boys and girls of Panjab University came to the seminar showing activism to make this event a success. The news of Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya's arrival in Chandigarh came to the fore two-three days back. A special event was organized for this purpose at Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Hall in the premises of Desh Sevak newspaper. It was only the team of young friends of Kanwaljit Singh who were active in the university that spread it to the masses through social media. People had come from far off places to see their beloved leader Dipankar.

It can be known just by looking at these youths that how much popular Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation is among these youths and students of Chandigarh and Punjab Haryana. All of them had come to have a glimpse of their beloved leader and to hear his views. Kanwaljit, who has a charming and charismatic personality, will soon play a key role in consolidating the party's base.

The divided power of the communist parties and factionalism of the people associated with the Naxalbari movement are major obstacles in the strengthening of this movement. All honest individuals and organizations are also active in strengthening this movement by removing such obstacles.

In this conference too, a lot of emphasis was laid on the unity and strength of the Left parties. Now it has to be seen what new decisions the party leadership will take in the 11th Congress of the party to be held in Patna Sahib (Bihar) next month? This meeting is to be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna Sahib from 15 to 20 February. It is noteworthy that the 10th Congress of the party was held in Mansa.

To strengthen the blog media related to social consciousness and public concerns. Kindly also  you support us financialy by donatingaccording to your will. Click the button given below:

Dipankar Bhattacharya visited an entire debt-trapped family

All were found hanging dead in their hut

Dipankar Bhattacharya posted this tragic story Tuesday 07th June 2022 at 01:06

Vidyapatinagar, Samastipur: 07th June 2022: (The Naxalbari Screen Bureau)::

Caste massacres, communal carnages, state-executed killings, mob lynchings, political murders, illicit liquor deaths, even death of children due to toxic meals served in schools - I have seen them all over my nearly four decades of close association with Bihar. The collective death of five members of a poor household in Mou panchayat of Vidyapatinagar of Samastipur district on 5 June morning added a new category of debt-driven massacre.

Heard this shocking news soon after the 5 June Convention in Patna. But the account we heard from the survivors of this debt-driven devastation on reaching the spot next morning left us completely numbed.

Manoj Jha, the only breadwinner of this family of five, used to make both ends meet by driving an auto and selling chewing tobacco from a makeshift roadside shop. The family comprised his parents, wife and two young sons, Satyam and Shivam, aged only about seven and eight. He had got his two daughters married off - the elder in 2017 and the younger earlier this year.

The family had reportedly incurred some small loans from private moneylenders and microfinance groups. The lockdown had taken its toll and earnings had dipped drastically. The pressure from moneylenders and microfinance groups for loan recovery however grew in inverse proportion.

According to Govind, the elder son-in-law who used to work in Gujarat before Covid19 struck and now drives an auto in Patna, the loan amount was only about Rs three lakh or so, but the moneylenders were demanding nearly six times the loan amount! Unable to face this harassment, Manoj's father Ratikant Jha committed suicide a few months ago.

But the harassment continued to grow and became unbearable. One moneylender seized the family's land deeds and even confiscated utensils and gas cylinder. The family visited the local police station only to be turned away. The local panchayat too turned a deaf ear and refused to restrain the moneylenders and stop the harassment. On top of it, the family reportedly became a victim of the ongoing ration card cancellation drive. 

The morning of 5 June saw the five members of the family hanging dead from the roof in a tiny room. Govind and his wife suspect it to be a case of murder while local media reports treat it as collective suicide. The DM has not cared to visit the spot and speak to the family. The CM has only issued a statement.

One look at the house tells you that the loud claims of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Nitish Kumar's 'Sat Nischay' (Seven Guarantees) are just an empty cruel rhetoric. The reality is the renewed scourge of usury and people lapsing into extreme poverty and destitution. The reality is mass cancellation of ration cards and denial of even basic food rights. 

What do we mean by justice for a family which has lost its all - land, livelihood and now lives? A survey we had done nearly ten years ago had indicated the growing scale of debt burden for poor households in Bihar. The pandemic, lockdown and rising prices and falling incomes have only compounded the burden.

The Modi government periodically writes off big loans even as the Vijay Mallyas and Nirav Modis continue to loot our banks and flee to safe havens in foreign territories. The debt-driven suicides and deaths of farmers and toilers show us the other side of the picture.

The distressed people of India need an urgent survival package - cancellation of all small loans; a complete curb on usury, the fleecing of the poor by private moneylenders; and provision of universal basic income and food support for the needy. The Vidyapatinagar Tragedy tells us that time is fast running out.

Guidelines for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of naxalites

Guidelines for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of naxalites in the naxal affected States 

1. Introduction: 

Courtesy Photo

Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation policy is part of the overall policy to build consensus and evolve an acceptable and peaceful solution to violence perpetrated by extremist groups, to usher in peace and development, especially in the disturbed regions. Though, policies for rehabilitation of militants have been successful in J&K and North Eastern States, implementation of similar policies in naxal affected States has not been impressive for various reasons. This policy has been evolved, keeping in mind the specific geographical and social landscape to help those naxalites who want to abjure violence, surrender and join the mainstream. Surrender and rehabilitation policy is part of a multi-pronged conflict management and resolution strategy and is required to be implemented along with firm action by police against those who follow the path of violence. As the naxal problem has arisen on account of real and perceived neglect, deprivation and disaffection, mainly towards the downtrodden, the solution should aim at providing gainful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to the surrendered naxalites so that they are encouraged to join the mainstream and do not return to the fold of naxal movement. 

2. Objectives: The objectives of these Guidelines for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of naxalites in the naxal affected States are: (i) to wean away the misguided youth and hardcore naxalites who have strayed into the fold of naxal movement and now find themselves trapped into that net. (ii) to ensure that the naxalites who surrender do not find it attractive to join the naxal movement again. Tactical surrenders by those elements who try to make use of the benefits extended by the Government to further their vested interests should not be encouraged under the Scheme. 

3. Eligibility Criteria: (i) These guidelines are applicable to those naxalites who surrender with or without arms. (ii) The eligibility of such naxalites for assistance under the scheme would be scrutinized by the Screening cum Rehabilitation Committee constituted by the concerned State Government. (iii) The benefits of the scheme shall not be available to a surrenderee who has already surrendered and benefited under existing surrender / rehabilitation schemes in any of the naxal affected States. 

4. Benefits under the Scheme: (i) Persons eligible under the scheme may be imparted training in a trade/vocation of their liking or befitting their aptitude. They shall be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 2000/- each for a maximum period of 36 months. However, if the surrenderee secures any employment in Government or any gainful self-employment, the monthly stipend will be discontinued. (ii) An immediate grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh shall be kept in a bank in the name of surrenderee as a fixed deposit which may be withdrawn by the surrenderee after completion of 3 years, subject to good behaviour to be certified by the authorities designated for this purpose by the concerned States. This money can also be utilized as collateral security/margin money against loans to be availed of by the surrenderee from any bank for self-employment. 2 (iii) In the event of a surrenderee being able to secure any Government job, this amount shall not be given to the surrenderee. 

5. Incentives for Weapons: 

(i) The following additional incentives are included for the surrendered weapons/ammunition: 

Note: The incentive given for surrender of the aforesaid arms shall be deposited in the form of a Fixed Deposit in joint names of surrenderee and the State Government nominee and may be given to the surrenderee at the time of completion of 3 years after surrender and subject to good behaviour by the surrenderee. 

(ii) Handling of weapons: The States may develop a mechanism in respect of safe storage of weapons and ammunitions surrendered by the naxalites. 

6. Procedure for screening/identification and rehabilitation of naxalites: 

6.1 The following agencies will be involved in the process of identification and rehabilitation of surrendered naxalites:- 

(i) ADG/IG(Special Branch/(CID) will act as the Surrender and Rehabilitation Officer (S&R Officer) under the Scheme. 

 (ii) Central Para Military Force. 

(iii) State Police/State Administration. 

6.2 Each of the Security Forces deployed will identify one officer of the rank of DIG or equivalent officer as the nodal officer for coordinating matters relating to surrender and rehabilitation of naxalites, with respect to their organisation. 

6.3 A naxalite shall be free to surrender before any unit of the CPMFs, District Magistrate, District SP, Range DIG, IG(Ops), IG(Special Branch), DIG (Special Branch), SP(Special Branch), SDM, SubDivisional Police Officer and other notified officers. The officers for this purpose shall be notified by the State Governments. A naxalite may also surrender before any unit of the Army or the CPMFs outside the State. The officer receiving the surrenderee shall send the details as informed by the surrenderee filled up in prescribed proforma to the S&R officer and to the nodal officers of all the deployed forces. The nodal officer of each organization will verify the antecedents and activities of the naxalites from its own sources and send specific recommendations to the S&R Officer, stating as to whether the individual could be taken in as surrenderee or not. 

6.4 The officer receiving the surrenderee will provide immediate security to the surrenderee and after getting necessary details for filling up the requisite proforma, send him to the transit camp to be maintained by the S&R Officer. The decision about the acceptance or otherwise, of the surrenderee should be taken within 15 days. 

6.5. Screening procedure may also include the following:: 

(i) The naxalite who surrenders may be a hardcore, underground naxalite cadre and a member of a Dalam and surrenders in accordance with the comprehensive surrender and rehabilitation policy being implemented by the concerned State Government. Rehabilitation of surrendered naxalite should be confined to dalam members and above, other ranks and overground supporters/sympathisers being considered only in exception cases. 

(ii) The authority designated by the concerned State Government for the purpose should ensure that the surrenderee is a genuine naxalite and the naxalite should make a clear confession of all the criminal acts committed by him / her including names of planners and other participants, names of financers, harbourers, couriers, details of the naxal organizations, arms/ammunition and the property looted/distributed/disposed of by the naxalite and organization to which the naxalite belongs, which may be verified. 

7. Court cases: Heinous crimes committed by the surrenderee may continue in the courts. For minor offences, plea bargaining could be allowed at the discretion of the State Authorities. States may consider providing free legal services / advocate to the surrendered naxalite as per the policy of the concerned State. Fast track courts may be constituted by the concerned States for speedy trial of cases against the surrenderees. 

8. These guidelines for rehabilitation of naxalites for naxal affected States are in supersession of the Item No. 7 of the existing/extant guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs for reimbursement of security related expenditure to naxal affected States. 9. The Surrender and Rehabilitation Policies of the naxal affected States may, inter alia, include the broad guidelines as laid down above. 10. Impact assessment of the guidelines: The Ministry of Home Affairs may review these guidelines periodically in consultation with the concerned State Governments and take appropriate corrective action if required.

Courtesy Report

Revolts of the indigenous people and poor peasants

 Remebering that historic upsurge of 55 years ago 

Modern Indian history is punctuated by a series of popular uprisings. The protracted battle for India's independence was powered by uprisings of various sections of oppressed Indians, oppressed not just by the colonial power which came from outside but also by the social structure that dominated Indians from within-the caste system, patriarchy, feudal power and local kingdoms and royalties. 

Revolts of the indigenous people and poor peasants, fleeced by landlords, moneylenders and colonial rulers, were the mainstay of people's resistance whether we talk about the nineteenth century rebellions including the first war of independence (1857-59), or the big mass awakenings under the leadership of Gandhi like the civil disobedience and Quit India movements or the communist-led peasant upsurges of the 1940s like the Tebhaga and Telangana.

The upsurges have continued after 1947 as India fights for realising the dream of real equality, liberty and justice. The upsurge of the landless peasants and oppressed tea workers at Naxalbari on 25 May, 1967 marked one such historic moment. It struck a massive chord with the oppressed and the youth across India.

The state unleashed a veritable war to crush it - the present-day armoury of indiscriminate use of draconian laws, custodial violence and extra-judicial terror which draws heavily on the colonial era got its first big boost in the laboratory of state repression in the early 1970s.

The legacy of Naxalbari has however continued to grow, deepening and spreading with every passing day since that historic upsurge 55 years ago.

The upsurge had led to the formation of the CPI(ML) on 22 April, 1969 and even though the fledgling new party had to face the full might and wrath of the Indian state, including a heavy use of extra-judicial violence and massacres that had shades of the Suharto-era bloodbath of communists in Indonesia, the party has succeeded in weathering the storm. It has hugely energised and revolutionised the communist movement in India. The coinage and indiscriminate use of the term 'urban naxal' by the Modi regime to target almost such a wide range of voices of dissent testifies to the power and resilience of Naxalbari.

Contrary to the popular mythology of Naxalbari, it was not an anarchist, adventurous act by a few isolated revolutionaries trying to imitate the trajectory of the Chinese revolution on the Indian soil. Had it been so, it would have only been a shortlived bubble. It was a mass upheaval rooted in India's tradition of revolts against injustice and oppression. It had the sparks and energy of India's freedom movement, a bold and glorious attempt to realise its radical potential and legacy.

Within the history of the communist movement it was a determined attempt to resurrect the spirit of Tebhaga and Telangana and turn the first major wave of post-Independence popular disenchantment and political transition (the Congress lost nine states in the 1967 elections) into a determined revolutionary quest.

Comrade Charu Mazumdar was a dedicated organiser of the Tebhaga movement and he applied all his revolutionary experience and insight developed since his Tebhaga days to build the Naxalbari upsurge with his team of comrades and the fighting people of the Dooars and hill regions of Darjeeling and North Bengal. The foundation of the CPI(ML) and its rapid spread showed the deep roots of the revolutionary communist movement and its grassroots appeal and strength. And the way the movement has succeeded in holding on to its ground and expanding its horizon since the declared Emergency of the 1970s to the current reign of fascist offensive shows its innate strength and resilience. 

On the 55th anniversary of Naxalbari we pay our deep respect to all the martyrs of the movement, to the leaders and activists who have dedicated their lives to this great cause, and all the poets, singers, balladeers who have spread the message across India and the people in all the areas of struggle who have withstood tremendous repression and yet sustained the movement with all their courage, energy and love. Naxalbari has become a metaphor for the indomitable spirit of people's resistance against oppression and injustice. It is the revolutionary smile of the fighting multitude in the face of the arrogance and aggression of power-drunk rulers. The battle is on and the people will have the last words. Red Salute to Naxalbari!

Courtesy: CPIML Liberation

We will pay tribute to Comrade Ramnath on 12th September

2nd September 2021:04:29 PM

 Tribute ceremony will be held in Mullanpur 

Chandigarh: 2nd September 2021: (*Comrade Sukhwinder//The Naxalbari Screen)::

Comrade Ramnath, the founder of the Communist League of India (Marxist-Leninist), passed away on 31 August. He had been seriously since long and passed away due to a heart attack.

A tribute ceremony in his memory is being organized on 12 September at Gursharan Kala Bhawan, Mullanpur (Ludhiana) .This information was shared in a press release issued by Sukhwinder, the editor of Marxist Punjabi magazine 'Pratibadh'. He opined that the demise of Comrade Ramnath is an irreparable loss to the Communist revolutionary movement of India.

Comrade Sukhwinder said that a major part (about six decades) of Comrade Ramnath's life was devoted to the liberation struggle of the working class people of India.  His revolutionary political career started with the Communist Party of India. After the split in this party in 1964, he joined the newly formed Communist Party of India (Marxist).After the formation of CPI (ML) in 1969, Ram Nath joined CPI (ML). The Communist League of India (ML) was established under his leadership in 1978. He studied Indian society deeply, broke the dogma of new-democratic revolution and gave the program of socialist revolution. He gave the communist movement the scientific courage of free thinking. Comrade Sukhwinder said that Comrade Ramnath has left behind a rich legacy, it is our task to carry forward the mass movement towards a socialist revolution. He appealed to the activists and well-wishers of the revolutionary movement to attend the Comrade Ramnath Tribute ceremony. 2nd September 2021:04:29 PM

*Comrade Sukhwinder is the Editor of Pratibadh

Clearly reflecting the Bihar's strong desire for change

 Statement by Central Committee of CPI(ML)(Liberation)   

New Delhi: 13th November 2020: (The Naxalbari Screen Bureau)::

The Even though the NDA has managed to secure a narrow win in Bihar, the Bihar Assembly elections, the first major elections held in the shadow of Covid19 pandemic and the brutal, painful lockdown, have sent out very inspiring messages for all forces fighting for secure livelihood, dignity and rights of the people and the future of India as a secular democratic republic.

The Bihar elections became a veritable movement of the people and upsurge of the youth. The mandate clearly reflects Bihar's strong desire for change of government and even though the final numbers allowed the NDA to scrape through, the rise of a powerful opposition marks a big rebuff to the BJP conspiracy to render Indian democracy free of every opposition ('opposition-mukt' Bharat). On several seats which have been decided by very narrow margins, mostly in favour of the ruling NDA, there are valid concerns about irregularities or manipulation by the election authorities, efforts are being made to obtain evidence to mount a challenge as required.

The emergence of the RJD-Left-INC coalition was widely welcomed by the Bihar electorate and the CPI(ML) played a pivotal role in establishing the coalition as a viable alternative. This was vindicated by the electoral performance of our candidates - 12 victories out of 19 seats contested giving the Party the highest strike rate among the alliance constituents and an overall vote share of close to 4%. That this was achieved in the face of a vicious slander campaign against the party by senior BJP leaders is testimony to the growing support and goodwill generated by our struggles for and service to the people.

The thumping victories won by the student-youth leaders in these elections were specially satisfying as were the renewed victories won by our sitting MLAs.

The team of 12 MLAs of CPI(ML) coupled with the four victorious MLAs of the CPI(M) and CPI will serve as a powerful Left contingent within the anti-NDA opposition in Bihar Assembly. The emergence of a popular agenda centring around secure employment and quality education and healthcare for all as well as defence of farmers' and workers' rights, justice and rule of law augurs well for India's democracy, and the CPI(ML) will continue to fight hard for the implementation and advancement of this agenda.

The Bihar election campaign of the Party received valuable moral, political and financial support from comrades and friends across the country. The Central Committee extends warm greetings and heartfelt thanks to all who supported the campaign. The results of Bihar and especially the signs of electoral resurgence of the CPI(ML) and other Left parties have generated a lot of hope and enthusiasm within and beyond Bihar. While making every effort to fulfil the expectations in Bihar, the CPI(ML) Central Committee appeals to the entire Party, Left ranks and the whole range of pro-democracy forces in the country to intensify the battle against the Modi government's disastrous pro-corporate anti-people policies and the BJP's divisive hate-filled politics of communal polarisation and fascist intimidation.

Red Salute to Comrade Jita Kaur

 Passed away on 23 June after a battle with cancer 

All photos provided by Comrade HarBhagvan Bhikhi 

Ludhiana//Mansa: 23rd June 2020: (The Naxalbari Screen Bureau)::

Comrade Jita Kaur passed away on 23 June after a battle with cancer. She was a mass leader whose life’s work in the party spanned a wide range – from Gorakhpur in eastern UP, to Lucknow and Delhi and finally in rural Punjab – that would be unusual for anyone, and is especially remarkable for a woman.

Comrade Jita Kaur was drawn into the ML movement through her active participation in the student’s movement in Gorakhpur. She became an activist of the PSO, Gorakhpur at a time when the entire state of Uttar Pradesh was seething with student’s protests against academic anarchy and hold of anti-socials and criminals enjoying political patronage of bourgeois political parties, in the campuses. In her early days Jita was an idealist who had seen through the sham of religious ideas. Jita’s joining a revolutionary left organization had its impact on her personal life, her father Sardar Rattan Singh being a Congress leader as well as well known religious leader in Gorakhpur. As a woman, Jita continued to fight her battle in the conservative background of her home and the feudal-patriarchal milieu in this backward district of Purvanchal. After she finished her post-graduation, Jita began to take keen interest in the women’s movement, and formed the Jagrit Mahila Parishad in the District. She was an ardent activist who combined the aspirations of young middle class women with those of the most downtrodden sections of society. In the process she also became associated with the Indian People’s Front in Uttar Pradesh. As a leader of the UP IPF, Jita got involved in the struggle of people being displaced from Ramgarh Tal area in Gorakhpur. The Ramgarh Tal Pariyojana was posing a grave threat to the livelihood of the local inhabitants and to ward off their fear and insecurity, Jita left her home and began to live with the affected people. In the process she began to build a new mass-base for the IPF. Jita not only became popular as a mass leader fondly called didi, she became immensely loved by the women there and built a women’s movement there. Jita had played a major role in involving several intellectuals and women of the town in support of the people of the Tal. She contested Assembly elections in Gorakhpur on the IPF banner.

Comrade Jita began to organize women activists in the state and in the process also met and involved Ajanta Lohit in IPF work. She later became a State Committee member of the CPI (ML). Following the founding conference of AIPWA was being held in Delhi, Jita became associated with AIPWA work in Delhi and also became a State Committee member of the Party in Delhi. She built the organization from scratch and also became the National Secretary of the AIPWA. In that capacity, she visited Uttarakhand, Punjab, MP and Bihar for AIPWA programmes. She was also very active in the joint women’s movement and became popular with women’s activists from other streams. She was an active participant in the joint women’s conferences held in Patna and Calicut. The Central Office of AIPWA in Delhi was entirely managed by her in the most creative, living and economic way. Battered women, women marrying against their parents’ wish, or going for inter-religious marriages, girls thrown out of home or those fighting against patriarchal attitude of in-laws or husbands would find the AIPWA office a place of strength and succour.

In Delhi Jita organized Party work in East Delhi and North-West Delhi. With the movement in Punjab expanding, she was needed there, and she began to work in Mansa. She was a State Committee member of the Party there and also an AIPWA organizer. She streamlined the State Party Office in Mansa and encouraged many young activists and women to work as whole-timers in the Party. In this final phase of her life, just as at the first phase of her political activism in Gorakhpur, she was in her element – once again at the forefront of mass struggles of the rural poor.

She was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer in November 2006, and underwent treatment in AIIMS. Throughout her illness, she drew strength from comrades who would visit her from all over the country, and at her side in this battle with cancer at every stage were Srikant and Upali at whose house she spent much of her time as she underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She breathed her last on the morning of 23 June.

Comrades will always remember her tireless energy, her warm and affectionate comradeship, her outspokenness. In the many memorial meetings that were held – from Gorakhpur to Lucknow, several places in Uttarakhand, to Delhi to Patna and Punjab, many women remembered her as the person who drew them into political activism.

Comrade Jita, you will always live in our hearts and continue to inspire generations of activists! 

(Courtes:cpiml.net)