Samar Mukherjee exemplified what a Communist should be : Marcus Dam

 (Article From The Hindu Newspaper)

He was born before the October Revolution in Russia, saw the rise and fall of the world’s first socialist State and others that followed, was witness to subsequent changes in the global political order. But Samar Mukherjee’s faith in Marxism was unwavering, his dedication to the cause remaining steadfast even in the face of all the odds.

 Described once by another Marxist great, Jyoti Basu, as “God’s Own Man” Samar Mukherjee, a veteran of the Communist movement in the country, was the epitome of sincerity to the cause.

 On the occasion of his centenary birthday on November 7 last year Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat recalled that much of Samar Mukherjee’s salary and allowances when he was MP would be taken over by the party, yet be would deposit every year a cheque for the party fund. He exemplified what the life of a Communist should be.

 He lived a spartan life, long years of it in a commune, in Howrah and then in Kolkata; he was dedicated to the party, contributing all his energies to whatever task it assigned him. One who never “overate” or “overslept”, some in the party remember. Such was his commitment to the cause that the CPI (M) leadership had decided to do what it had done only once before in its history: officially celebrating the birthday of a leader. The first was that of another pioneer in the Communist movement, Muzzaffar Ahmad who died in 1973. When it was Samar Mukherjee’s turn to be felicitated he had turned 100.

 Considered the “living history of the Communism in India” Samar Mukherjee will be remembered for his dedication to the cause of workers and peasants, that of the deprived people as a whole. From freedom fighter to a stalwart of the Left movement in the country, the journey was a long one indeed.

 Samar Mukherjee who joined India’s struggle for Independence as a student — once thrown out of school for protesting against the Simon Commission — became a member of the Communist Party of India in 1940. When the party split in 1964 he joined the CPI (M) and was actively involved in its State and national organisational matters. He was a member of the party’s Polit Bureau for 14 years till 1992 and was also the first chairman of its disciplinary body, the Central Control Commission.

He was a key personality in the trade union movement in the country and one of the architects of the historical railway strike in 1974. He was at the vanguard of the struggle for the protection of civil liberties and democratic rights during the Emergency.

Soft-spoken, he was seldom heard to have raised his voice, not even when making a strong assertion or putting forth a forceful argument in the Lok Sabha, recalls CPI (M) central committee member Mohd Salim who describes Samar Mukherjee as one of another generation.

A kind-hearted person, he encouraged newcomers to Parliament who looked up to him as leader of the party there; one who took up national issues with the same fervour as he did those more specific to his constituency, Howrah or State, West Bengal.

Samar Mukherjee belonged to that generation of Communist leaders who renounced comforts and had a singularity of purpose. As much as is his life was an inspiration to his younger comrades it is a lesson for them in discipline and commitment as the movement to which he belonged negotiates the twists and turns of changing times.

Comrade Samarda : CITU CONDOLENCE Message

Comrade Samar Mukherjee is no more. After his long journey of 100 years, through many ups and downs, stress and strains, always with the people and the toiling class in the frontline of their struggles, he passed away on 18th July 2013 after a prolonged illness. He leaves behind a indelible imprint of the eventful life of a revolutionary leader, a leader of the working class movement with a vision and determination to work for ending the exploitative system and for establishment of a new society. CITU is proud of having a leader like Com Samar Mukherjee who led the organization in various capacities including as General Secretary and contributed immensely in building the organization and movement brick by brick. With a deep sense of grief, CITU pays homage to the departed leader with the pledge of carrying forward his ideals and vision and the dream he cherished throughout his life. 

Comrade Samar Mukherjee had joined the freedom movement in his early youth and had been a member of the Pradesh Congress Committee. He joined the Communist Party in 1940 and served the Communist movement in various capacities till his death, including as a member of the Central Committee and also Polit Bureau of Communist Party of India (Marxist). Throughout his active political life he remained a valiant fighter against all kinds of deviations like revisionism, sectarianism and opportunism. He was a strong proponent for strict adherence to ideals of Marxism Leninism. He earned immense popularity and distinction as a Parliamentarian, championing the cause of the people and the toiling class in Parliament during the period from 1971 to 1984.

Comrade Samar Mukherjee was associated with the trade union movement of the country since the early days of his political life and played a frontline role in building and expanding the working class movement in the country. He was one of founding figures of CITU and had steered CITU as General Secretary during 1983-1987 and thereafter as a central office-bearer till 2007. He was popular and highly respected in the entire trade union movement, irrespective of affiliation. He played a leading role in the historic railway workers’ strike in 1974 as a leading figure in NCCRS. 

Comrade Samar Mukherjee’s life has been a living history of the Left and working class movement in India. It has also been a commentary of dedication and commitment to the revolutionary cause. He spent major part of his life in Party-Commune. His simplicity, accessibility to all and love for the working class will be remembered ever, by all.

CITU expresses heartfelt grief at the passing away of this great leader and stalwart of the working class movement and dips its flag in respect to the departed leader.

Homage to Comrade Samar Mukherjee

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep sorrow at the death of Comrade Samar Mukherjee, a most exceptional, outstanding and dedicated leader of the communist movement in India. A valiant freedom fighter, able parliamentarian and leader of the trade union movement, Samarda passed away at the age of 100 in Kolkata today. He was the oldest living member of the CPI(M), having joined the Party in 1940. He dedicated his entire life as a communist to the cause of the working class and to the exploited people of India. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Party from 1966 and was elected to the Polit Bureau in 1978 and continued in that capacity till he was elected as the Chairman of the Party’s Central Control Commission at the 14^th Congress of the Party in 1992. At the time of his death he was a Special Invitee to the Central Committee.

Samar Mukherjee began his political activities as a young student and joined the freedom struggle. He was deeply inspired by Marxist ideology and the work of the Party. Immediately after he got his membership in 1940, he became a fulltime worker of the Party. He was one of the founders of the communist movement in Howrah district. In 1942 he became the organizing secretary of Howrah district of the undivided Communist Party. He became a member of the West Bengal State Council of the party in 1953. It was under his leadership that the movement for the rights of refugees from the erstwhile East Bengal was built up in Bengal which played a significant role in expanding the influence of the communist party.

Com. Samar Mukherjee played an outstanding role as a leading communist parliamentarian. In 1957 he was elected as an MLA from the North Howrah constituency. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Howrah constituency for three consecutive terms from 1971 onwards. He also elected to the Rajya Sabha for two terms. As the leader of the CPI(M) group in Parliament he most effectively put across the Party”s line on all major issues, raising the voice of the working people and their struggles. He won the admiration of leaders cutting across party lines because of his unambiguous commitment to the cause of the exploited masses.

Com. Samar Mukherjee led the CITU as its General Secretary from 1983 to 1991, having earlier served as its working committee member from the inception of the CITU. He had played a leading role in the historic railway workers strike in 1974. Following the emergency he fought against the attacks on workers.

He made a multidimensional contribution as Party organizer, as writer, as trade unionist and as a Parliamentarian.

Rarely have we seen such an individual who sacrificed all personal interests, living a spartan life in a Party commune in the service of the Party. He was affable, easily accessible and loved by the people.

The Polit Bureau pays its respectful homage to his memory.

Stop Mortgaging the Economy

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The UPA government is out to mortgage the economy to foreign capital. The raising of the FDI cap in certain sectors and allowing FDI through the automatic route in some others are desperate measures being adopted by the government faced with mounting economic difficulties.

The CPI(M) is opposed to the 100 per cent FDI in the basic and cellular services in the telecom sector. The decision to allow foreign capital beyond 26 per cent in defence production is fraught with serious implications. This will open the way for foreign control of the vital defence production sector.

This bankrupt policy of the government is motivated by the need to attract more foreign capital flows to meet the widening current account deficit. But the supine attitude of the government to foreign capital is only going to lead to further flow of profits and resources out of the country. Already the government has given up the claim on the capital gains tax which the Vodafone has to pay. The government is proposing to dilute the norms for investment in multi-brand retail which is going to adversely affect domestic industry.

The proposal to increase FDI in the insurance sector has to be adopted through a legislation in parliament. The CPI(M) and other opposition parties should thwart this move in parliament.

The Polit Bureau demands that the government not proceed with these FDI proposals.

Prakash Karat demands release of innocent Muslims implicated in false terror charges

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat, on Tuesday, criticized the role of security agencies in investigating terror cases and claimed that innocent people across the country are being booked on false terror charges.

"There is no body to monitor security agencies, which are free to do whatever they want. In many cases, innocent youths are being implicated in false terror cases," Karat said, while addressing a demonstration organized by the RihaiManch in Lucknow demanding the release of innocent Muslims in UP booked under terror cases which were later found be false.

The Rihai Manch is an outfit formed by social activists to fight for the release of innocent Muslims and to press demand for a thorough probe into the role of security agencies, as well to punish police officers involved in implicating innocents in false terror charges. The indefinite demonstration of the Manch completed 55 days on Tuesday.

"There are lot of cases in which security agencies imposed false charges on youths. Innocent persons were arrested after Malegaon and Mecca Masjid blasts. Later, some people belonging to a Hindu extremist outfit were arrested. It revealed that those booked earlier were innocent. However, the innocent have not been acquitted. They are out on bail, but, cases against them are still going on in the courts," said Karat.

Regarding innocent Muslims booked under false terror cases in UP, Karat said that he had met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav a few months back and requested him to provide compensation and ensure rehabilitation of six Muslim youths, who were arrested on terror charges but later acquitted by various courts in the state. "However, state government has not done anything till now. Also, no action was taken against the investigating officers who imposed false charges against the innocent people," he said.

Karat said that the RD Nimesh Commission report had found discrepancies in the arrest of Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi, accused in 2007 serial blasts. Later, he said, Khalid died in police custody. He demanded CBI inquiry into Mujahid's death.

The Rihai Manch had also demanded CBI inquiry into the death of Mujahid. The Manch had alleged that Mujahid was killed to protect police officers who were involved in falsely implicating Mujahid because his release would have spilled their beans. The state government has agreed for CBI inquiry into Mujahid's death but the Union government has not yet taken any decision on it.

Karat also demanded review of 2011 amendments in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "Some provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) enacted in 2002 by the NDA government but repealed later, have been brought back in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after amendment, which have made Muslim youth vulnerable targets of security agencies," he said. He added after the 26/11 attack, the government passed the amendments in a hurry. He said that the CPM had met and raised the issue thrice with then home minister P Chidambaram.(Source : Times Of India)

Party Account is Fully Transparent : Biman Basu Dares Any Probe in Baseless Insinuation

Biman Basu, Secretary, West Bengal State Committee of CPI(M) has strongly refuted any wrongdoing in the affairs of collection and maintaining the Party fund and condemned the baseless and wild insinuation by a section of media and Trinamool Congress. A report in Ananda Bazar Patrika suggested that the CPI(M) state committee’s bank account is run by individual leaders. They also mentioned some figures in this account. They tried to collect ‘comments’ from Trinamool leaders and tried to construct a story that all is not well with CPI(M)’s account.

Biman Basu, in a press conference, categorically refuted any misconduct and detailed the sources of income and how it was maintained.

Biman Basu said, in our Party Constitution’s Article no 1o, it is clearly written that every Party member must pay a monthly levy as laid down by the Central Committee. Those whose incomes are of annual or of seasonal character have to pay their levy at the beginning of the season or at the beginning of every quarter on the same percentage basis. If a member fails to deposit his levy within three months after it is due, then his name is to be liable to be even removed from the Party rolls. Like any Communist Party, main source of CPI(M)’s income is the levy collected from the Party members. There are fixed rates of levies according to income level. For example, the lowest rate is 25 paisa per month upto an income of Rs 300. And the highest is 5 per cent of his income per month if it is above Rs. 8000. CPI(M) has 3,14, 457 Party members in West Bengal. The levies are distributed among different levels of committees. Those Party members who are directly attached to the units under State Committee give their levies to State centre. Their levy amount turns to be nearly 45 lakhs.

Basu said, apart from the normal levies, Party members, who are elected as Members of Parliament, State Assembly or any other elected post deposit their salary to Party. Even the large portions of pension of retired elected representatives are deposited in Party fund. This can only be possible in a Left party. No other parties can even imagine this practice. Apart from all these, Party calls for special funds from time to time, in which one-day or half-day wages are collected. This is the principal method of Party’s income. The whole process is crystal clear, transparent and meticulously maintained.

About the insinuation, perpetrated by a section of media and ruling party in West Bengal about the “Bank Account”, Biman Basu said, this account was opened by resolution of Party’s state committee and was given to the bank in the pad of state committee. It was first decided that the account would be run in the name of Sailen Dasgupta, the then Party state secretary and Biman Basu. After the expiry of Sailen Dasgupta in 2010, the name of Nirupam Sen was added. This decision was also communicated to the bank in formal letterhead of the Party. All formalities have been maintained during the transactions. However, we did not know that the bank was treating it as ‘personal account.’ As soon as we were informed, we requested the bank to transfer it as a state committee account. There was no secrecy, nothing under the table. It was an open transaction with the said bank.

Basu said, the details of this account are audited. According to rules, we send annual audit report to Part central committee and through them the Income Tax authorities and the Election Commission get those reports. The Election Commission has praised us many times for maintaining accounts in a correct manner.

Basu said, there is nothing in our Party account and this bank account which are shrouded in secrecy. We are ready for investigation by any agencies, brought from any part of the world. There was absolutely no reason to raise this issue except trying to mislead a section of people during Panchayat elections. Trinamool Congress and its Chief Minister had failed to run an administration in the state. They are just trying to divert attention from this.

To another question, Basu said, the amount of money is perfectly consistent with the levies and special funds that we had mentioned.

Interestingly, Ananda Bazar Patrika shied to publish the details of Biman Basu’s arguments and downplayed the whole thing after two days

DYFI All India President Com. M B Rajesh vists Dharmapuri

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Thursday urged the Union Government to enact a separate law to prevent the increasing incidents of honour killings in the country. M.P. Rajesh, all India president of DYFI said on Thursday after visiting the parents of E. Ilavarasan at the Dharmpuri Government Medical College Hospital that caste-based political parties were responsible for the honour killings.

DYFI was of the opinion that the death of Ilavarasan was shrouded in mystery, and hence, the government should order a CBI inquiry to unravel the truth, he said. Those responsible for the death of Ilavarasan should be brought before law as it was another incident of honour killing. DYFI would extend all help to his family members.

Khap panchayats in the north and katta panchayats in the south were causing honour killings. Last year 330 cases relating to killing of youngsters were registered. This year during the first five months 13 honour killings have been reported. Honour killings were a shame on society.

Mr. Rajesh said that Dravidian parties were contributing least to end honour killings as they were afraid of losing caste-based vote banks. With a view to encourage casteless marriages, the DYFI had launched a website for inter-caste marriages.

Senior leader of Communist Party of India (CPI) R. Nallakannu said that a fair investigation would be carried out by the Justice Singaravelu Commission of Inquiry appointed by the State Government.The commission should recommend the government measures to stop recurrence of such incidents in future. Earlier, the police prevented Mr. Nallakannu from visiting the mortuary to see the body of Ilavarasan.

(Courtesy : The hindu)

SFI All India Girls Students Convention Begins

 All India Girls Convention on the central theme "Fight Patriarchy," organised  Students Federation of India (SFI) began on 10th July in the hill city of Shimla. The Convention began with a huge students rally which was inaugurated by CPIM PB member Com. Brinda Karat. SFI activists took out rally from the old railway building to Sabzi Mandi (Vegitable market) ground.    Com. Brinda Karat has said that she will raise the issue of introduction of semester system and choice based credit system (CBCS) under the RashtriyaUchchtarShikhsaAbhiyan (RUSA) during the next parliamentary session. The new academic process has been introduced by Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) for its campus courses and affiliated colleges across the state, which has met with vociferous protests from different student organisations. 


Brinda said, "HP government and HPU have forced the new system of RUSA on students without holding prior discussions with them and other stakeholders. It is an outcome of the neo-liberal polices of the respective governments in the state as well as the Centre. The governments are bent on replicating systems, which are prevalent in America, including the four-year degree programme." 

She added that other parliamentarians too would raise voice against RUSA as it is aimed at uprooting the Indian education system. Karat said, "HPU has set a precedent in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in ensuring equality and a liberal atmosphere to girls as their enrolment rate is nearly 67% here, which is commendable." 
       Expressing concern over the increasing crimes against women, she said it is the need of the hour to ensure autonomy for women, treat them as equal individuals and provide a secure and safe atmosphere. "Keeping in view the increasing assaults, it is necessary to ensure certainty of punishment and see that offenders complete their term of punishment," she remarked. 

SFI Himachal Pradesh state secretary Khushi Verma said, "SFI has organised the convention to discuss issues like condition of girl students and increasing need of security for college and university girls in HP and other states. Safety of women in society at large and stringent steps to curb sexual crimes are also on the agenda."
   

Huge Response to LDFHartal in Kerala a clear sign of Peoples anger towards Congress Government

The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Left Democratic Front in Kerala was total as government offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closedacross the state. Barring some two-wheelers and private vehicles, the roads here were largely deserted. Supporters of the hartal staged marches in different parts state.The hartal called by the Left Democratic Front was in protest against the police attack on MLAs and to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister. 

The people of Kerala who whole heartedly received the call of dawn to hartal by Left Democratic Front has given a staunch warning to the most corrupt Chief Minister’s brutal action to the protestors including the opposition leader and MLA’s. Normal life was totally disrupted in the state due to the 12 hour hartal in Solar Scam.

Except for a few private vehicles and two wheelers, other modes of transport were off the roads. Shops and hotels remained closed. All educational institutions and government offices including courts were also remained closed. State transport corporation’s buses were also remained stand still. In some centers including Alappuzha, and Kottayam the police force has made provocation which led to some untoward incidents.

In every district and local centers, thousands of LDF activists hold huge demonstrations braving the torrential rain across the state. Response of the people to the protest was overwhelming. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking to corner the government over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.

Security had been tightened all over the state in view of the hartal. The LDF has been on the agitation path for the past two weeks seeking resignation of Chief Minister over the multi-crore solar panel scam which has brought the Chief Minister’s Office under a cloud.
LDF decided to launch a continuous struggle till the victory. LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan informed that Left Trade Unions, Kisan and Agriculture workers organizations will hold march to secretariat on 12th and 15th. Left students and youth organizations’ march will be on 16th and 19th. On 22nd   and 23rd peoples’ representatives of LDF will hold 48 hour sit in in Thiruvananthapuram.

At the same time, Chandy, who firmly rejected the demand for his resignation, has dismissed the charges against him as “a political conspiracy”.

Karanataka Beedi workers protest against UPA governments policies

Karnataka State Beedi Workers Federation affiliated to CITU lead protest against the Union government’s decision to withdraw the scholarship given to children of beedi workers.

Scores of beedi workers from 12 districts across the State staged a protest in Bangalore on Tuesday under the banner of the Karnataka State Beedi Workers Federation opposing the Union government’s decision to withdraw the scholarship given to children of beedi workers studying between classes 1 and 8. 

The Centre last year decided to remove beedi workers from the list of beneficiaries of the scholarships in the light of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. 

Syed Mujeeb, State general secretary of the federation, pointed out that the scholarship had made it possible for lakhs of beedi workers to send their children to school. “The scholarship is extremely essential for us and was used as a medium to uplift the families of beedi workers. Most beedi workers come from low economic backgrounds and are unable to bear the cost of education. Children of beedi workers will be unable to go to school as the workers will be unable to bear the cost.” 

Criticising the government’s decision to withdraw the scholarships, Mr. Mujeeb emphasised that the fund for the scholarships was raised by the beedi manufacturers. “The government is not spending a single amount on this scholarship. The entire amount is paid as welfare cess by the beedi producers. The government is only acting as an intermediary.”

Apart from this, the federation has demanded strict enforcement of labour laws and has demanded that a minimum of Rs. 200 be provided for rolling 1,000 beedis. They have also demanded a minimum pension of Rs. 3,000 besides insisting that all beedi workers be given identity cards and BPL cards.