Red Salute Comrade Ashutosh Banerji

Organ of the SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF Founder Editor-in-Chief : COMRADE PAGE TWO MAY 23, 2003 Last Journey

Listen, beloved people, to this saga of a life For whom the red flag dips, In silence tears roll by. No media to sing its glory No bugle, no beats of drum Around in the chorus of din. Arise, destitutes, from huddle in dark, stupor, despondence Your road lies through it — This life, bright as truth and woven as the leader taught. The red flag is at half state, in which the party was mast today, May 15, at the engaged in a dour battle party headquarters on Lenin against the forces of Sarani, . Silence has pseudo-left and reaction, the Comrade paying Red Salute to Comrade Ashutosh Banerji at the Central Office descended, the mid-day Central Committee decided Comrade U. P. Biswas from Comrade Mobinul Haider to start. They stand on the bustle of this busy city to defer the funeral till May Madhya Pradesh, Comrade Choudhury pays tribute. carriage behind the body. trading corner brought to a 15 and preserve the body Arun Bhowmik from Comrade Biman Bose, Polit Do you hear the murmur hush. The dead remains lie meanwhile. Tripura, Comrade Biswajit Bureau member of the on all lips here? Do you see in state, draped in the red At fifty past nine arrives Harade from Chhatisgarh, CPI(M) and Chairman, Left the glisten on dripping flag and bedecked with General Secretary, Comrade Comrade Bhupendra Nath Front, in , tears? This deafening wreaths of white petals, Nihar Mukherjee, Kakoti from Assam, Comrade Manju Kumar silence is so eloquent now head still raised high to surmounting his state of Comrade Amriteshwar Majumdar, Secretary, State with those words in a bass evoke in full the poor health, to pay tribute to Chakraborty from Bihar, Council of the CPI and voice, pounding all hearts overwhelming memory of his long time comrade-in- Comrade K. P. Singh from Comrade Animesh Chakra- here : ‘‘Our task cannot the departed revolutionary arms, placing a wreath and Jharkhand, Comrade C. K. borty on behalf of the CPI- suffer because of our grief. life : Comrade Ashutosh then standing in red salute. Lukose from Kerala, ML (New Democracy) pay ... The agony, pain and Banerji. The valiant Now comes wreath from Comrade K. Radhakrishna tribute. Comrade Prativa sense of values of all society revolutionary breathed his Comrade Sukomal of Karnataka, Comrade Mukherjee and Comrade have struck the chord so last a week back on May 8 Dasgupta, senior memeber Ramesh Pattanayak of Chhaya Mukherjee, deep in the hearts of in ‘Suraksha’ Hospital in of the Central Committee Andhra Pradesh, Comrade respectively President and revolutionaries they are Calcutta after prolonged and himself critically ill till Dwarika Nath Rath of Secretary of the All India steeled in resolve to illness wih multiple a few days back. Sri Gujarat, Comrade Mahila Sanskritik Sangha translate the revolutionary complications, when all Sudhirlal Banerjee, elder Narayansami of Tamil pay tribute. task into reality...Even death attempts to save this brother of Comrade Nadu, Comrades Binapani Comrades, supporters, of the most beloved, a precious life had failed. Ashutosh Banerji pays Das and Dhurjati Das of sympathisers, acquaintances profound loss, an event of Members of the Central tribute. One by one close in Orissa, Comrade Anil Tyagi and members of the public deep emotional upsurge Committee and Central leaders of many different of Mumbai, Comrade are standing in a queue to cannot make them oblivious Staff waiting upon him and state committees to pay Madhab Bhonde of Nagpur file past the body, stopping of their task.’’ Thus did those present in the city, tribute : Comrade Pratap and Comrade Malay Bose awhile to place a wreath, a adjure us our leader, also other comrades present Shamal on behalf of the on behalf of the Study garland, a bunch and then teacher, guide, Comrade immediately gathered and Delhi State Organising Centre of Marxism- pour out respect and love Shibdas Ghosh, almost three paid respects to the Committee, Comrade Leninism-Shibdas Ghosh with fist clenched and arm decades back at the demise departed, placing wreaths Satyawan from Haryana, Thoughts in Ghatsila. On folded in slaute. On behalf of Comrade Subodh and standing in red salute. Comrade Girijeshwar from behalf of the Central of the district committees, Banerjee. In view of the imminent Rajasthan, Comrade V. N. Committee of the Socialist local committees, party The journey commences panchayat elections in the Singh from Uttar Pradesh, Party of Bangladesh organs, namely, Proletarian on its last leg from in front Era, , Sarbahara of ‘48’, that homely Dristikon, legislature group, reference within party circle mass fronts, and so many to the headquarters, at three other party led bodies' in the afternoon. Far in wreaths are being placed. In advance slowly moves a the end now pay tribute pilot car, announcing the Comrade Anil Sen, senior valiant revolutionary to member of the Central whom the party bids farewell Committee, Comrade Ranjit today: a shining existence in Dhar and Comrade Manik flesh and blood till the other Mukherjee, Central Staff, day, who attained a high Comrade Krishna Chakra- level in identifying himself borty and Comrade Asit with the class, revolution Bhattacharya, members, and the party through Central Committee, struggle to assimilate the Comrade , thoughts of Comrade member, Central Committee Shibdas Ghosh, overcoming and secretary, West Bengal pain of deadly ailments and State Committee. At two on obstacles of handicap, the clock, Central emerging in the course as Committee members bear Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, the pall of the departed a front ranking leader of the leader to place it on the party. The flame has gone Central Committee members and Central Staff stand behind the bier carriage for the last journey Contd. on page 7 PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 PAGE THREE Central Committee’s Homage To Comrade Ashutosh Banerji Adopted at the meeting of the Central Committee held under the conduction of General Secretary Comrade Nihar Mukherjee on the 9th May 2003 at the Salt Lake Commune, Calcutta

Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, one of the seniormost members of knowledge resulting in attainment of high theoretical standard, his the Central Committee of the party who had been with it since its revolutionary determination to overcome all sorts of obstacles, his very inception is no more with us. All our efforts to save his precious power of endurance, power to bear any pain and any suffering, his life failed and Comrade Banerji breathed his last on the 8th May, unwavering loyalty to revolution and to the party and above all his 2003, at 5-45 p.m. at Suraksha Hospital, Calcutta, after a protracted relentless struggle to identify himself with society and revolution — illness. To the party it has come as a stunning blow. In his demise are but a few of the many noble qualities that he came to acquire in the party has lost a valiant revolutionary who, having joined the course of his struggle to mould himself into a steeled revolutionary. party at the very inception, in course of his long 55 years’ struggle, Since his early days, Comrade Ashutosh Banerji got afflicted totally dedicated himself for building up the party and revolutionary with several complicated ailments which became more intense and movements in different parts of the country. The arduous and acute with the passage of time, to the extent of making him severely painstaking struggle that he embarked upon in the process of handicapped. But, with an indomitable spirit and carrying within assimilating the revolutionary thoughts of our beloved leader, the revolutionary thoughts and ideas of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, he teacher, guide and one of the foremost Marxist thinkers of this era refused to be subdued by the deadly diseases. On the contrary, with Comrade Shibdas Ghosh left behind such a profound impression tremendous strength of mind and revolutionary spirit, aided by and impact which can never be forgotten. Indeed, Comrade Banerji, medical science, he boldly came out of this ordeal. His struggle in who belonged to the first batch of revolutionary students whom this sphere is an example before all of us. Comrade Shibdas Ghosh developed with extreme care, associated The Central Committee acclaims that the life of Comrade himself with the historic mission undertaken by Comrade Shibdas Ashutosh Banerji is a beautiful exemplification of certain noble Ghosh with a few compatriots to build up the SUCI as the only revolutionary qualities, which he developed on the basis of the communist party on the Indian soil, spared no efforts to advance teachings of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. that historical task which in its course turned him into one of its Having lost such a tempered revolutionary, the whole party is frontranking leaders. today overwhelmed with a deep sense of loss. In this hour of grief, Quite naturally, as a result of the loss of such a powerful leader the Central Committee calls upon all comrades to bear the pain and and organiser a void has been created which will not be very easy pathos keeping alive in their minds the momentous call of Comrade to fill up. Shibdas Ghosh that we must transform our grief into revolutionary Comrade Ashutosh Banerji’s shining existence within the party determination, that grief must give birth to higher sense of duty and marked by his manifold activities stemming from his keen interest responsibility. If death has taken away beloved Comrade Ashutosh to know the truth spreading over long 55 years is not easy to depict. Banerji from our midst, let us keep alive his revolutionary spirit, the In the course of his struggle to grasp and assimilate the thoughts of cherished goal of his life — a life of seeking total integration with Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, Comrade Banerji came to possess many revolution and party as taught by Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. outstanding qualities which endeared him to all who came in contact With red salute, the Central Committee bids farewell to with him. His unflinching character, revolutionary sense of purpose outstanding lifelong revolutionary Comrade Ashutosh Banerji. coupled with his strong sense of revolutionary discipline, firm Long Live Comrade Ashutosh Banerji ! adherence to principles, his readiness to face criticisms according to Long Live Revolution ! revolutionary norms, revolutionary determination, thirst for Long Live SUCI !

not participate in the party founding convention at the Contemplation and concern about Basanti Natyamancha, Joynagar, West Bengal in organization and comrades 1948. During adolescence, while he was a student, hard-to-cure tuberculosis made up his whole life was detected in the bones of his spinal chord, for which Comrade Ashutosh to imbibe and adopt the sphere but covering all but different course of a his body had to be plastered Banerji, a senior member of teachings of the great leader aspects of life including revolutionary life. Coming up from the ankle to the the party Central Committee Comrade Shibdas Ghosh in morality, ethics and culture, into direct contact with chest on two occasions and and a lifelong revolutionary every sphere of life. Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, he had to be bed-ridden for breathed his last at 5.45 In the preparatory stage then a student, engaged his concept about life a total period of seven p.m. on 8th May at the of formation of the party, himself in that struggle to underwent a radical change. years. Such confinement to ‘Suraksha’ hospital in even before the party was establish the party. Without He engaged himself in the bed, plastered up, for years Calcutta, while under founded in 1948, at a time deep attraction for truth and painstaking struggle to on end, seriously weakened treatment for various when Comrade Shibdas indomitable revolutionary attain true communist both his legs. He could not complicated ailments Ghosh, along with a handful spirit, it was not easy for character. walk properly after this. including pneumonia and of comrades-in-arms, was anyone to attach himself to Shortly after he became Later on, because his right jaundice. From the very first engaged in strenous efforts the party in the then associated with the party, he side hip-joint got worn out, day of his party life, braving to build up a correct situation. Because of his was attacked by a severe it had to be operated on and illness and extreme communist party on the deep attachment to correct affliction. For the rest of his discarded. For this, he had adversity with indomitable Indian soil through the ideology, Comrade Banerji life, severe diseases would to undergo major and spirit, he engaged himself in struggle to grasp Marxism did not hesitate at all that be his constant companion. painful surgery thrice, twice intense, relentless struggle not only in the political day to take up the dignified Because of illness, he could Contd. on page 6 PAGE FOUR PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 Comrade Ashutosh Banerji — Worthy Disciple of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh — Nihar Mukherjee Existence is bereft of resplendent with higher totally occupied. The Comrades Pratap Samal of our front-ranking valued meaning unless it shapes up proletarian ethics and values congregation spilled over to (Delhi), V. N. Singh (UP), U. leaders. Many of our leaders in the mode of revolution, in flowing from the teachings the foyer and lobby outside P. Biswas (MP), Satyawan and workers have courted taking upon the self the task of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, the auditorium and even the (Haryana), Girijeswar Singh the death of martyrs. We of emancipating the a character synonymous courtyard was jam-packed. (Rajasthan), Amriteswar bear the pain of their loss on oppressed, humiliated with the conscious and In a disciplined emotion- Chakraborty (Bihar), the basis of this teaching of humanity from the bondage conscientious struggle to laden atmosphere, the Kiratpreet Singh (Punjab), our great leader. We pay of capital. History adjures all assimilate the intricacies of meeting started with Binapani Das (Orissa), Arun respect at the memorial of us to uphold the dignity of the noble ideology of garlanding of the portrait of Bhowmik (Tripura), meetings in order to take life in pursuing truth, in the Marxism-Leninism- Comrade Ashutosh Banerji. Chandralekha Das (Assam), lessons from the qualities, revolutionary audacity that Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Comrade Shyamal Dwarika Ratha (Gujarat), K. character and life-struggle of creates history, in the Thoughts. Chakraborty, Central Radhakrishna (Karnataka), the departed comrades. indefatigable revolutionary To offer their respect Committee member of the C. K. Lukose (Kerala), P. V. Continuing, Comrade spirit that defies all odds and and revolutionary homage to CPI(M), Comrade Jayanta Nandkumar (Tamil Nadu), Provash Ghosh said: Today, adversities, all privations the departed leader, Roy, Forward Bloc leader Ramesh Pattanayak (Andhra at the memorial meeting of a and hunger, all rigours, Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, and Comrade Shankar Mitra, Pradesh), Anil Tyagi leader like Comrade tremors, shock and pain, in the veteran member of the leader, CPI(ML)-Liberation (Mumbai unit, Maharash- Ashutosh Banerji, we have the courage of conviction Central Committee of SUCI, offered floral tribute to tra), Madhab Bhonde to grasp what revolutionary that dares to carry through to to the glowing traits of his Comrade Banerji, followed (Nagpur, Maharashtra), Hem qualities he acquired the end with resolute revolutionary character and by AIKKMS All India Vice- Chakraborty (Jharkhand) through life-long struggle, firmness. to renew the pledge to carry President Comrade Yakub and Biswajit Harade armed with the thoughts of Comrade Ashutosh on the unfinished task of Pailan, AIMSS All India (Chattisgarh). Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. So Banerji belonged to that accomplishing proletarian President Comrade Prativa In the beginning, long as the great leader was genre who grasped the revolution he stood for, party Mukherjee, Comrade Sanat Comrade Provash Ghosh, alive, Comrade Banerji essence of the noble leaders, workers, supporters Dutta, President, UTUC-LS, member, Central Committee carried on the struggle under ideology of Marxism- and sympathizers from all West Bengal State and Secretary, West Bengal his direct guidance and later Leninism, as taught by the states of India and from all Committee, Comrade State Committee said: We on, our present General great Marxist leader and one over West Bengal Debasis Roy, General have all come with a heavy Secretary Comrade Nihar of the outstanding Marxist congregated at Mahajati Secretary, AIDSO, Comrade heart laden with sorrow. Mukherjee helped him to thinkers of this era, Comrade Sadan Hall, Calcutta, the Ashok Samanta, on behalf of Today, we should all advance further. We await to Shibdas Ghosh, and venue of the memorial the medical unit of the party, remember the invaluable listen about that from wholeheartedly dedicated meeting on 16th May, 2003. Comrade Amar Roy, on teaching of Comrade Comrade Nihar Mukherjee. himself to the fierce struggle Not only were all the seats behalf of the party’s central Shibdas Ghosh embodied in Comrade Provash Ghosh to develop revolutionary filled up long before the organ Proletarian Era, his speech at the memorial concluded by saying: Today, movement of the working meeting started, but the Comrade Amitava meeting of our respected at this moment of profound class. His was a life passages and aisles too were Chatterjee, on behalf of the leader Comrade Subodh grief, we, along with all the party’s Bengali organ Banerjee, a member of the party comrades, have to take Ganadabi and Comrade then Central Committee the pledge that keeping Giribar Singh, on behalf of after his demise in 1974. We Comrade Ashutosh the party’s Hindi organ know that teaching of our Banerji’s character and life- Sarbahara Dristikone. great leader — how true struggle in mind, we will Garlanding Comrade revolutionaries, even at the strive, so long as we live, to Banerji’s portrait as a mark moment of deepest grief, advance ourselves of revolutionary respect on show real respect to their continually to become more behalf of different state respected departed leader steadfast and more efficient committees, state organizing through remaining steadfast in shouldering the task of committees and units of the in discharging their duties. revolution. party paid respects We have already lost many Contd. on page 5

Comrade Nihar Mukherjee paying Red Salute after placing wreath at the portrait at the Memorial Meeting Comrade Nihar Mukherjee addressing the memorial meeting. Other central leaders on the dais PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 PAGE FIVE

glittering source of evolution, the historic A Life-long Revolutionary inspiration, a living example course of social to emulate. Though he was development from the Contd. from page 4 even he and many of his struggle for a noble physically disabled, yet he primitive stage to present- Then Comrade Provash compatriots used to go to ideology. He would remain showed what a tremendous day capitalism, to be Ghosh proposed the name of Comrade Banerji to have ever alive in his immense strength one could amass if followed by socialism and Comrade Anil Sen, member penetrating discourse with contributions. The life of imbued with revolutionary then communism. It is not of the Central Committee, as him on crucial issues. such a comrade itself is a ideal and scientific possible to cover at this President of the meeting. Struggle had not only built message. He also rationality. I have not come meeting the entire history of The proposal was seconded up his remarkable character contributed in the realm of across any better illustration his arduous and painstaking by Comrade Ranjit Dhar, but enabled him to become intellect and theory. of that. I am awfully grief- life-struggle, grasping and Central Staff of the party. an organizer who always Alongside, he participated in stricken at this great loss to applying in life the thoughts Comrade Anil Sen took the helped other comrades with the movement of the the party as well as at my and teachings of Comrade chair and called upon the tender care and intellectual working class at both personal loss caused by his Shibdas Ghosh. What we music squad of the party to guidance in their struggle national as well as death. On behalf of my party need to understand at the render the song on Comrade and had a focussed eye on international levels. and on my personal behalf, I outset, however, is that it is Shibdas Ghosh. After the their development. Comrade Comrade Mitra continued to pay my respect to Comrade his quest for truth which song was over floral wreaths Sen concluded by saying mention that, today, Ashutosh Banerji from the spurred him on to building were placed at the portrait of that filling the void created particularly the state of West innermost recess of my himself, bit by bit, as a front Comrade Ashutosh Banerji by his demise depends Bengal is plagued with the heart. ranking revolutionary. His by Comrades Sukomal squarely on how we derive politics of pelf and power. After this, Comrade search for truth got him Dasgupta, Provash Ghosh, the necessary education As against this Comrade Nihar Mukherjee, General attracted towards the Krishna Chakraborty, Asit from his life-struggle and Banerji set a noble example Secretary of SUCI and the thoughts of Comrade Bhattacharya, Anil Sen, all conduct struggle to elevate of how one could serve the main speaker of the meeting Shibdas Ghosh. His very members of the Central our own standard. people, the cause of addressed the gathering. inquisitive mind, urge for Committee and Comrades Thereafter, Comrade revolution disdaining Comrade Mukherjee knowing the truth had Ranjit Dhar and Manik Anil Sen read out the dreadful attack of diseases, began by saying : We have marked the initiation of his Mukherjee, Central Staff of Homage of the Central innumerable impediments assembled in this memorial struggle to develop himself the party. As two other Committee to the revolu- and privileges of various meeting to pay our deepest into a revolutionary. All members of the Central tionary memory of Comrade kinds. On behalf of our respect to the long who have rallied round the Committee, Comrade Tapas Ashutosh Banerji in English party, we offer our deepest revolutionary life of party do have this mind Dutta and Comrade Sitesh followed by Comrade respect to him. Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, searching for truth and this is Dasgupta could not be Krishna Chakraborty pre- Comrade Mobinul one of the seniormost why you are attracted present because of illness, senting its Hindi translation. Haider Choudhury, member, members of the Central towards Marxism-Leninism Comrade Asit Bhattacharya, Comrade Asit Central Committee of Committee of our party and and Comrade Shibdas acting Office Secretary of Bhattacharya read out the Socialist Party of a life-long revolutionary. Ghosh Thoughts. the Central Committee various condolence Bangladesh, who was Those of you who, as Comrade Nihar offered floral tribute on their messages received at the present there as a fraternal member, supporter and Mukherjee then said : behalf. Comrade Nihar Party’s Central office. Those delegate said : We are sympathizer of the party had Comrade Banerji, as you are Mukherjee, General who sent messages paying engaged in the struggle for had the opportunity to see aware, was afflicted by Secretary of the party then tribute to the revolutionary developing Socialist Party of him, to come into his direct many a severe painful paid his revolutionary life of Comrade Banerji Bangladesh on the basis of contact, have an impression ailments several times in his respect to the departed included Bangladesh Marxism-Leninism- of his ever shining life since childhood. But leader by placing a wreath of Socialist Party, Comrade Comrade Shibdas Ghosh character. Comrade Banerji whatever excruciating be the red roses. A.B. Bardhan, General Thoughts. On behalf of our was one of those handful of pain of the diseases he had a In his reminiscence, Secretary, Communist Party party and the trade union front-ranking comrades who tremendous power of Comrade Anil Sen of India, Comrade Swadesh front of our party, I offer my had come forward during the endurance. The more he recollected his association of Bhattacharjee, Polit Bureau respectful tribute to the inception of the party and became close to Comrade over fifty five years with and Central Committee departed leader. I was were reared by Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Thoughts, Comrade Banerji. He said member of CPI(ML)- initiated to SUCI through Shibdas Ghosh with all care. one more quality blossomed that Comrade Banerji in his Liberation, Comrade Paltu Comrade Monoranjan One of the teachings of in his character. When he teens, came in contact with Sen, State Secretary of Banerjee way back in 1951 Comrade Ghosh — not only was confined to bed, unable Comrade Shibdas Ghosh CPI(ML)-New Democracy, when I was in India. At that to the party members but to to walk on foot and take part and from then commenced Comrades Aritra Chatterjee time, I had first seen all people of the country and in field activities, he his onerous struggle. At that and Anuj Kumar Basu of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh of the world as well — is engaged himself in a time, he was bed-ridden, All India Forward Bloc, conducting a study circle at that one accepts Marxism- thorough study of the suffering from bone TB and Comrade M.K. Pandhe, the house of 5, Siddeswari Leninism and Dialectical theoretical foundations of was plastered upto the neck. General Secretary, CITU, Road. Comrade Ashutosh Materialism just not because the revolutionary science But one could observe in Comrade Alexander Banerji, then a bone TB one likes it or has a knack for and in the process developed him the firm determination Zharikov, General Secretary, patient, was lying in a bed at it. Those seeking truth, himself. He was not a and thirst for knowledge. WFTU and Comrade Deb a corner with a completely aspire to tread in the theoretician per se, but had a Never had the excruciating Kumar Ganguly, Deputy plastered body. That very direction of truth have no profundity in theoretical pain of disease mentally General Secretary, Asia room was the venue of the other alternative than to knowledge and epistemo- weakened him. Even while Pacific Bureau of WFTU. study circle. Since then, I accept Marxism-Leninism, logy. He could effortlessly lying in bed, he assiduously Paying rich tribute to was astounded at his Dialectical and Historical move into different studied Marxist classics and Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, strength of endurance. He Materialism as the guiding disciplines of knowledge. the theory of knowledge. CPI(ML)-Liberation leader had the capability to ideology. Marxism is both a Thus, when he had to desist This grit and determination Comrade Shankar Mitra beautifully analyze the philosophy and a science, in from field works, he, in was ingrained in his described his life-struggle as various experiences fact science of all sciences. accordance with the character till the end. His an example of unwavering gathered by us from the In the light of Comrade teachings of Marxism- power to quitely endure pain adherence to the cause of perspective of interest and Shibdas Ghosh’s thoughts, Leninism-Comrade Shibdas deeply impresed the revolution. He said that the purpose of the party. He right from his early days, Ghosh Thoughts turned attending doctors. Comrade entire life of Comrade always provided leadership Comrade Banerji could disadvantage into advantage. Sen also mentioned that Banerji was that of a to us. His life was always a grasp the truth of social Contd. on page 8 PAGE SIX MAY 23, 2003 PROLETARIAN ERA

various seminars and Boundless love for the comrades conferences organized by Contd. from page 3 long years, he discharged He has left the imprint class, and particularly WFTU, he fought tooth and in Calcutta and once in responsibility as the of rare capability of against globalization, nail against the anti-working Madras. His right leg got Calcutta District Secretary leadership in channelizing privatization and class moves and tendencies. considerably shortened and of the party. During the the working class movement liberalization. He Also, at the invitation of All his capacity to walk got turbulent days in West along the revolutionary represented the UTUC-LS China Federation of Trade seriously impaired. From Bengal vibrant with mass then on, he had to walk on movements in the 1950s and crutches with great 1960s, he directed the difficulty. Besides, a big activities of the Calcutta stone(stag horn stone) had district organization with to be operated out from his rare ability. He was ever kidney once. He suffered tireless in moving about on from high blood pressure. his weak legs from one end He was attacked with deep of Calcutta to the other to vein thrombosis. Over and build up party organization. above these, he was once In 1964, during Congress attacked with the killer rule in the state, he was disease malignant malaria. under detention without trial Such successive serious for a considerable length of afflictions are enough to time. In 1975, he became a weaken a man seriously, to member of the West Bengal make him despondent and State Secretariat of the inactive. But the teachings party. However serious and of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, painful might be the disease deep feeling and concern for he was suffering from, he the exploited and oppressed never raised the issue of his people and the intense ailment and shouldered all desire to put an end to responsibility entrusted to injustice, oppression and him by the party. In 1987, exploitation in the society he moved over to Delhi at were so deeply implanted in the instruction of the party, his heart that none of these entrusted with the could sap his vitality, responsibility of the party deviate him from the sense organization in North India. of commitment to He used to move about on revolution. He defeated the his crutches in Delhi, pains and hardships caused Haryana,Chandigarh, course as well. As Secretary at the Indian Labour Unions he had been to by diseases through even Rajasthan and different of the Fire Brigade Conference and in the China in 1987 and created harder struggles. Sufferings places of UP, directing the Employees’ Union in Standing Labour Committee deep impact with his from ailments could never organizational activities, Calcutta, he became formed by the Labour theoretical analyses and dim the resplendent smile deputing comrades on a associated with the working Directorate of the Central sharp logic. He used to be in that used to light up his regular basis to Punjab and class movement in the Government and also continuous touch with the face. In his life, he proved Chandigarh to explore the 1950s. Subsequently, he was attended the pre-budget embassies of Cuba and to be true the saying that the possibilities of building elected to the all-India meetings of central trade North Korea in Delhi and word ‘‘impossible’’ is not to party organization and Working Committee of the unions organized by the through them made efforts be found in the dictionary of explored every possibility UTUC-Lenin Sarani, the Union Finance Directorate to spread the thoughts of revolutionaries. Even while of spreading party activities labour front of the party. Department. Attending such Comrade Shibdas Ghosh to he was totally bed-ridden to Himachal Pradesh and Later on, he became a Vice- conferences and meetings, those countries. with severe affliction, he Jammu & Kashmir. Along President of the UTUC-LS, Comrade Banerji, as a One of the remained ever active. Even with these, he used to and discharged representative of the characteristics of Comrade in such condition, he used to oversee the functioning of responsibility as its All- working class, always Banerji was that he used to collect detailed information the various mass India Treasurer. After the exposed the anti-working study Marxist literature, about the organization, give organizations of the party in demise of Comrade Pritish class character of the books and journals critically his opinion and direct the Delhi, Haryana and Chanda, President of the government policies in and in detail even amidst his organizational activities. For Rajasthan. UTUC-LS and a member of forceful language and with busy work schedule. This the party’s Central compelling logic and habit of studying he had Committee and Polit reasoning with facts and from his early years, but it Bureau, in 1998, Comrade figures, creating an impact. became more profound Banerji was elected the In the Sponsoring during his long President of the UTUC-LS. Committee formed of confinements to bed. He was also a member of various central trade unions Even when on hospsital the Apex Committee of the and federations bed, he continued studying National Platform of Mass too,Comrade Banerji, as for as long as possible. He Organizations, a platform representative of UTUC-LS had a definite method in this for movement by 56-mass discharged his duty with studying. Just as he studied organizations at the all-India rare ability. Also, he the economic, social and level. He had been represented UTUC-LS at political news minutely day conducting intense struggle WFTU, the international by day,he observed the on both ideological and organization of the workers. events,the changes and organizational planes As delegate of UTUC-LS at developments, national and against the capitalist the WFTU-Congress in international, analysed those onslaughts on the working Delhi in 2000 as also at Contd. on page 8 PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 PAGE SEVEN Last Journey Contd. from page 2 demands, turn them to class out, the being has ceased. conscious revolutionary Whence this grief, this battles of the proletariat, profound pain, this immen- instilling proletarian class sity of void. Yet, think, outlook and culture into it, as through his burning example Comrde Shibdas Ghosh of life he has come to be one taught. Comrade Sanat with the posterity, for the Datta, President of the State cause of revolution and Committee, Comrade onward progress for all time Shankar Saha, Secretary, to come. A single flesh he Comrade Achintya Sinha, on was born, through sublation behalf of the All India in the course of lifelong Committee, pay tribute. revolutionary struggle he has Comrade Ashok Ghosh, transformed himself into UTUC (Bowbazar) garlands spiritual many — he lives the body in tribute. admidst us, not in tears Comrades on behalf of many Central leaders and comrades stand in red salute before mortal remains consigned to flames alone, in our struggle to fulfil different trade unions his mission to attain the affiliated to UTUC-Lenin sure the recognition of the strains of the Internationale correct base political line for cherished goal of emancipa- sarani and many mass SUCI? Manifest in the wafting through the air. you is the faster you will tion of all humanity. organizations pay respects moving steps is oneness in ‘‘This party is going to grow move to the goal. The more A red banner is spread here. approach; moulded into very big very soon’’, one certain you will grow that across the street of the now Ranks of women of all discipline is the singleness watcher tells another the SUCI is the organization eastbound journey. On it is ages follow. Where through of purpose; and writ on the standing by him. capable to lead the struggles inscribed: Red Salute to stretches the road to faces is uniformity of Leaders of the State through to the revolutionary Comrade Ashutosh Banerji. women's emancipation? thinking — these combining Committees of many culmina-tion, the stronger A 74-member squad of From economic, political, into steeled determination, different states follow, and you will be to carry out your Komsomol follows in five- social exploitation? From tempererd approach, ever after that those leaders of tasks. deep ranks, each carrying a outrage, atrocity, responsive concern for the UTUC-Lenin Sarani in the The journey comes to red flag dipped in the front exploitation and humiliation people's cause. These are the rear and mixing in elsewhere stop at six in the evening at in remembrance of a perpetrated against them ? marks of the SUCI cadres. follow the vast multitude the electric crematorium revolutionary life. Then Through the struggle of the The journey turns south from West Bengal. Think, ground of Keoratala in south follows the red banner of the masses of all explited from Moulali, then you all who watch this and Calcutta. The thousands Central Committee, people organised on the westward along S. N. you, million others removed who have congregated have Socialist Unity Centre of burning problems of their Banerjee road, reaching from here, this muted been singing the Great India. Volunteers, clasping life, and for the ensured right Esplanade and then taking eloquence is a message for Leader of the Proletariat, the each other's hands, have to live with honour, which Jawaharlal Nehru Road you. The quicker you will composition on Comrade formed a chain around the struggle Comrade Banerji towards south again. Solid realize the necessity of Shibdas Ghosh. wheels which carry the body embodied in his life. ranks of cadres from many revolution, the closer you Komsomol members of the deaparted. State Pedestrians, shop- different states, many will be to your cherished present the last guard of Secretaries and important keepers, hawkers, porters, different districts of West goal. The deeper you will honour. Central Committee state-level leaders walk students, housemaids, and Bengal, many of the mass come to realize which the Contd. on page 9 behind, guarding the rear. passengers waiting to catch fronts and organizations The journey stops in a bus or pacing towards the move in a steady flow. From front of the UTUC-Lenin railway station have either side watch pavement Sarani Central Office. thronged the Moulali cross- walkers; from shop Comrade Banerji was the roads to catch a glimpse of windows, office balconies, President of its All India the flow of the journey. "I doorways of commercial Committee, guiding the could say from the look of it, centres people have come workers' movements to free this is the SUCI sure," a man down to watch this journey. them from mere struggles to mutters, perhaps to himself. The silence of motion is win some economic What is it which makes so perceived so deeply in the

Volunteers of Komsomol march in honour PAGE EIGHT MAY 23, 2003 PROLETARIAN ERA

Memorial Meeting works. Raipur and Sonarpur shouldering greater of South 24 Parganas district responsibilities and Contd. from page 6 interest with that of society university scholars so that were then attached to subsequently he became its Every one of us hails and revolution. Comrade they could, according to Calcutta district. While President. All these are the from a particular class or Ashutosh Banerji was a staff their level of understanding, overseeing the party outcome of a protracted sub-class in this class- member of our party, grasp the essence of the activities there, he also struggle. What you saw of divided society. Comrade indicative of that desired teachings and implement the worked among the poor Comrade Ashutosh Banerji Banerji also came from a standard . He could reach same in their lives. Comrade peasants. At one time of late, the height he middle-class family. In line that standard through a Ashutosh Banerji Comrade Banerji was ascended, was the result of with the teachings of tortuous and unrelenting meticulously followed this entrusted with the his relentless effort to mould Marxism-Leninism and struggle, carving out his way method of Comrade Ghosh. responsibility of developing and remould himself to Comrade Shibdas Ghosh through varied cross That is why, the Calcutta the party and mass reach yet higher rank of a Thoughts if, irrespective of currents and working among District Committee in those organizations in Purulia and revolutionary character. He the class one comes from, various sections of labouring days was called Moscow Bankura districts. Veteran was afflicted with various one desires to become a true masses. In the process, he Committee, because of the comrades are well aware diseases at different times. communist revolutionary, did achieve the standard of a importance with which the with what dexterity He betrayed exceptional and wants to acquire the front-ranking communist Moscow Committee stood at desperately he discharged stamina and strength of will qualities, the cultural and and also trained up a host of the time of Stalin. Following that responsibility. He could in fighting with death during ethical standard to attain the party workers on the basis of the footsteps of Lenin, recruit and develop last two months of life. This character of a good the teachings of Comrade Comrade Shibdas Ghosh revolutionary cadres from has been mentioned in the communist today, one has to Shibdas Ghosh. This took initiative to form among the poor peasants, homage of the Central totally remould oneself struggle is two-fold. In the Komsomol, the wing of landless tillers and Committee. Even the through a process of one hand, I am developing young communists, on this agricultural labourers of attending doctors intensive struggle for radical myself and on the other soil. During when Comrade those two districts. acknowledged that they had transformation. We must be through training and Ashutosh Banerji was the Comrade Mukherjee never seen a patient of such declassed to identify developing newer comrades district secretary, the mentioned : In the initiative mettle. Such attack of ourselves with the interests expanding the realm of my Komsomol under the taken by Comrade Shibdas multiple complex diseases of the working class. In this own development, era of imperialism, war and taking it on to proletarian revolution, higher and higher capitalism has become level. I exhort all moribund, out-and-out of you present here reactionary and wholly to offer respectful corrupt. The humanist homage to Com- values which capitalism had rade Ashutosh brought in its wake in the Banerji by days of its emergence were correctly reflec- to some extent adequate to ting on this aspect develop one’s own self to which is meet the revolutionary needs interwoven in all during the days of the Soviet activities of and the Chinese revolutions. Comrade Banerji But in the present stage of at various phases decadence of capitalism one of his long cannot attain the character of revolutionary life. a good communist by As Secretary moving with the humanist to the Calcutta values. Individualism is District Commi- thoroughly vulgarized today. ttee, mentioned Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Comrade Nihar taught us that to achieve the Mukherjee, he A section of the gathering at memorial meeting minimum standard of untiringly made communist character today efforts to recruit new cadres Calcutta District was Ghosh in building up a cripple a person, make him one has to surrender one’s from different localities, organized by him on the militant trade union restless, groan and yell. But personal interest to the party, giving them association and same line. movement, freeing it from there was nothing of the sort submit one’s individual helping them in their Comrade Shibdas Ghosh economism, reformism and with Comrade Banerji. As interest to the cause of the development. Whatever the personally looked after and the tentacles of legalism, all his power of endurance was working class and section of the society they guided the Komsomol. the members of our first immense in the face of proletarian revolution. At came from, he used to There is a role of every Central Committee had illness, so was indomitable the time of the Soviet and the discuss with and explain to individual in History. The played a major role. In his fighting spirit in Chinese revolutions, this them even the finer aspects role played by Comrade continuity with that confronting all sorts of standard was considered to of Dialectical Materialism Banerji in organizing the Comrade Ashutosh Banerji impediments to the be hallmark of a good and Historical Materialism Komsomol, in my opinion, played a notable role. He did discharge of organizational communist. But no more so in a manner that would be does deserve a very special not stop at building workers’ responsibilities. This parti- it is today. At present, the comprehensible to them. recognition and is educative movements on economic cular trait of his character, I standard of a good Comrade Shibdas Ghosh to all of us. At that time, in demands. He tried right from feel, is worth emulating. communist, the height used to elucidate in the Calcutta, Comrade Banerji the beginning to convert the These qualities of Comrade Comrade Ashutosh Banerji appropriate mode and with had made a significant trade union, in accordance Banerji will have to reach scaled in the course of a proper examples intricate contribution to the with the teachings of Marx, out to all of you present in prolonged arduous struggle, aspects of the Marxist development of, besides into the school of the meeting as well as to the is total identification with philosophy to different Komsomol, all mass communism. Later he was millions of workers and the cause of revolution and sections of the society, from organizations, the wings of inducted in the working supporters of the party the party through happy and poor peasants, factory students, youths and workers committee of the All India spread across the length and voluntary merger of personal workers to students, youths, through which the party UTUC-Lenin Sarani for Contd. on page 10 PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 PAGE NINE He lives among myriad of comrades

Contd. from page 6 in dialogue as per teachings of problems, with Marxist outlook and of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh personal or orga- always kept the party which is one of the pre- nizational, he not leadership well informed conditions of keeping only showed how and up to date on those. democratic centralism living to solve the Through this, he had been in the party. He conducted problem, but playing a very important the weekly study circles in always kept an role in enriching the Calcutta too with this aim. eye open to treasure-house of the party’s Later on, he conducted ensure that the collective knowledge. He study circles and schools of problem-stricken had made deep studies in politics in various states of comrades could different branches of North India. For long did he develop into knowledge like history, discharge the responsibility worthy revolu- philosophy and political as editor of the Bengali tionaries through economy, but these were organ, Ganadabi and editor- adequate struggle never divorced from in-chief of the Hindi organ to overcome the revolutionary purposive- Sarbahara Dristikone of the problems in ness. This knowledge culled party. Very creatively did he accordance with and the analytical capacity conduct this struggle to the party’s and power of reasoning initiate the new comrades teachings. Con- developed and sharpened by into the politics and culture templation and him to meet the necessity of of the party, develop them concern about the revolutionary movement as writers and get the new organization and and the party organization, comrades to participate in the comrades together with his firmness discussions in the study made up his of character, endowed him circles by helping them with whole life. Just as with a magnetic personality. tender care. He was very the comrades The attraction of his receptive to all sorts of respected him as personality was irresistible criticism, not only from the a leader, so also to all, from the poor people higher leadership but even did they love him deeply. And his Comrade Ashutosh Banerji with Comrade Shibdas Ghosh love and affection for the faculty, very much related to the Central Committee at party comrades was heart. By applying this the First Party Congress in boundless. Comrades who teaching of Comrade 1988. were finding it difficult to Shibdas Ghosh in life, The inexorable law of move ahead, got his Comrade Ashutosh Banerji nature has taken away affection even more. His attained an advanced level in Comrade Ashutosh Banerji face would light up when he the very arduous struggle to from our midst, but he lives came to know that a young, grasp communist culture on and will continue to live junior comrade had shown covering all aspects of life among the myriad of particular ability or and to achieve identification comrades he moulded as per competence. He had a great with the class, revolution the teachings of Comrade capacity of remembering the and the party. That is why, Shibdas Ghosh and in the particulars of each comrade, he was elected a staff party he strengthened with his weal and woe. Even on member and a member of tireless efforts. his death bed, in the midst of agony, he did not forget to enquire about even an old Last Journey comrade who had not been deprived of education to the from the junior comrades. participating in party Contd. from page 7 the revolutionaries, unless highest university degree Even if he was hurt by some activities for many years. members, bear the body of they realize what this pain holders. It is for building up one’s behaviour, he never His emotion for the the comrade-in-arms on their they suffer enjoins them to revolutionary organization made it a point of comrades was impersonal, shoulders and then, carry out in life.’’ that he attained proficiency discussion here and there. while his care for developing accompanied by all It behoves us, beloved in the three languages He was totally averse to any each comrade was personal. comrades present, they stand people, to waste not any Bengali, English and Hindi. kind of self propaganda, any The expression of this under in red salute to pay respects. more time. Come ahead fast, His tireless efforts were discussion about his own current of love and affection The Internationale is sung. and take to this road of class directed towards ideological achievements. Disciplined for the comrades beneath his Now the mortal remains are and mass struggles on the studies and deliberations, as he was in his own life, serious and imposing consigned to the flames of correct base political line continually raising the level his all-out endeavour was to appearance was restrained the electric furnace. If this which Comrade Shibdas of ideological consciousness make the party comrades and dignified. moment torments you now Ghosh laid down. Pursuing it of party workers, disciplined. Comrade Shibdas Ghosh beyond your endurance, we shall wrest victory for developing the party The doors were always taught us that revolutionary remember the words of the emancipation which so long workers into worthy open for all comrades to politics is not something leader, teacher, guide, has remained a far cry. revolutionary cadres and approach Comrade which is solely concerned Comrade Shibdas Ghosh: Paying our respects to creating among the Ashutosh Banerji. As with intelligence and ‘‘Merely expressing grief, Comrade Ashutosh Banerji comrades the capacity to comrades went to him thinking, but is equally outpouring emotions from will culminate that day, not conduct discussion-criticism seeking solutions to all kinds linked to the higher mental the heart are little worth for before that. PAGE TEN MAY 23, 2003 PROLETARIAN ERA Comrade Banerji had profound A brief account of theoretical knowledge Comrade Ashutosh Contd. from page 8 The relation between the dialectical thought process, Banerji’s ailments and breadth of the country. leader and the cadre is dialectical relationship and a Comrade Nihar dialectical. We have joined socialist struggle covering course of treatment Mukherjee said : in the the party which is based on all aspects in the lives of present stage of setback of Marxism-Leninism-Com- leaders and cadres. Since Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, Central Committee the international communist rade Shibdas Ghosh this cannot be done without member had been suffering from chronic bronchial movement, there is no one Thoughts. As there is a unity continuously uplifting the asthma for the last 15 years along with hypertension but the SUCI to uphold the among us so also a struggle. level of consciousness of the and ischaemic heart disease. Comrade Banerji had banner of Marxism- This struggle is essential to leaders and party workers, also been attacked by bone TB in 1945, undergone Leninism as the genuine raise the level of our Comrade Shibdas Ghosh replacement of right hip-joint in 1984, had been communist party on this soil. consciousness based. This made relentless effort afflicted with kidney stone and other diseases for All the leaders, cadres and struggle is not possible throughout his life to which he had to suffer years of immobilization. He organizers should take prime without the dialectical improve the standard of the was diagnosed to have deep vein thrombosis in the lesson from the life struggle process. leaders and cadres. The right lower limb in December 2002, for which he was of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh I would draw your way Comrade Shibdas under treatment. as leader, teacher, thinker attention to one more point. Ghosh, in the course of his He was admitted on 18th March, 2003, to the and guide. He too fought Mere pious wish or urge struggle to build up the same Calcutta Heart Clinic & Hospital, with fever, diseases with exemplary would not enable us to reach party, developed the first cough, respiratory distress and mild jaundice. courage and determination. the goal. What is needed is to batch, second batch and Subsequently, he developed plural effusion on both His example, in my opinion, follow the correct subsequent other batches of sides and had respiratory failure for which he was put inspired Comrade Ashutosh methodology. We might be comrades, the same task is on Bipap, a form of non-invasive respiratory support. Banerji who learnt from him in the midst of a democratic enjoined on those in His ailment was diagnosed as complicated pneumonia and applied the learning in movement or class struggle, leadership today. with bilateral plural effusion. Comrade Banerji life. I know, all of you are in or the struggle for Whenever I had a talk partially recovered, but again he had a setback from this party to raise your development within the with Comrade Ashutosh 30th March, 2003. His condition continued to standard from the stage of an party ; the cardinal point is Banerji, he informed me that deteriorate and on 1st April, 2003, he suffered from applicant member to a good whether the struggle is he was trying hard to massive bleeding in plural cavity and had a cardiac communist character. So you conducted in the correct enhance the process of arrest. Aggressive and timely management by a team need to be acquainted with process or not. We are all improving the level of of attending doctors at the Calcutta Heart Clinic & the history of the struggling products of a process. If the consciousness of the Hospital succeeded to resuscitate him and he was life of Comrade Shibdas process is correct, we can comrades in the party. He shifted to Suraksha Hospital ICCU. Throughout this Ghosh, his illumining achieve what we yearn for. used to say ours being a period he was treated by a team of eminent medical thoughts. As we have to take To emphasize the cadre-based party he was specialists, namely, Prof. N. K. Majumder, Prof. S. C. the first and prime lesson importance and imperative- giving maximum attention to Dey, Dr. Sushrut Bandopadhyay, Dr. Parthasarathi from Comrade Shibdas ness of keeping this rearing up cadres. Whenever Bhattacharyay, Dr. Sanjoy Ghosh, Dr. Sunanda Ghosh, we should also take dialectical process alive in we say cadre, we mean Adhikari, and several others. every care to learn from the the party, Comrade Nihar acquiring the qualities of a At Suraksha, Comrade Banerji was treated under specific qualities of the life Mukherjee reminded of the communist or in other word, Dr. Sushrut Bandopadhyay and his critical care team. struggle of other leaders and caution sounded by Com- total submission of In spite of all efforts, his condition deteriorated day by apply that learning in life. rade Shibdas Ghosh when he individual interest to the day. Following plural drainage from both sides by From outside, Comrade observed a mechanical class, party and revolution. medical intervention, plural bleeding stopped. But he Ashutosh Banerji appeared thinking creeping into the To pay proper respect to suddenly developed, on the 22nd April, 2003, massive a highly reserved person. intern-ational communist Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, stomach bleeding for which he had to be operated on. But all who had come in movement despite its we have to know more the A number of eminent specialists namely, Dr. K. B. contact with him did soon glorious success, the various aspects of his find this impression totally progress of communist revolutionary life. The Bakshi, cardiologist, Prof. D. Sen, former Head of the unfounded. Apart from his movement in various struggle conducted by Dept. of Chest Medicine, SSKM Hospital, Prof. cult of knowledge, he was countries and presence of a Comrade Ashutosh Banerji Sukumar Mukherjee, former Head of the Department of General Medicine, Calcutta Medical College, Dr. F. equally adept in treating towering personality like till the last breath as an E. Udwadia, Chief, Critical Care, Breech Candy comrades with his lively Stalin. This weakness ardent follower of Comrade Hospital, Mumbai, were consulted on Comrade discourses on music and ultimately caused the Shibdas Ghosh demonstrates Banerji’s ailments. aesthetics. Comrade debacle of socialism. The to us the imperative need of Ashutosh Banerji had absence of the dialectical unleashing within the party His condition, however, continued to deteriorate profound knowledge and he process and neglect of the an all out socialist struggle and he developed jaundice and sepsis, the most was thorough in Marxist essential task of covering all aspects of life in dreaded complication. At this time, his abdominal classics. Particularly he continuously raising the the light of the teachings of wound gave way and he had to be operated on. minutely studied the level of consciousness Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Throughout this period, Comrade Banerji, though he thoughts of Comrade within the party led to such a and of continuously had a few better moments, could not be taken out of Shibdas Ghosh and tried to disaster. Even at the period elevating this struggle to ventilatory support. Finally, on 5th May, 2003, he apply the same in his life of unhindered growth of newer heights. suffered acute renal failure with no formation of urine. through relentless struggles. world communist movement Comrade Ashutosh Though this crisis was combated with continued So long as he did not Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Banerji was courageous, a dialysis, his haemodynamic status deteriorated. understand a particular issue repeatedly drew our shining leader, a character Comrade Banerji breathed his last on 8th May, 2003, he would not cease to carry attention to this flaw of resplendent with revolu- at about 5-45 P.M. The cause of death was ascertained on a healthy debate with fundamental nature and tionary dignity and, above to be cardio-respiratory failure, the prime cause being leaders irrespective of pointed out that protecting all, a worthy disciple of complicated pneumonia, bronchial asthma, bilateral levels. This way he learnt the party from all kinds of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. haemorrhagic plural effusion and sepsis with multi- from Comrade Shibdas deviation depends on Red Salute Comrade organ failure. Ghosh. keeping alive in the party the Ashutosh Banerji. PROLETARIAN ERA MAY 23, 2003 PAGE ELEVEN

Homage of UTUC-Lenin Sarani

Soon after becoming the President of Platform of Mass Organization — the United Trade Union Centre-Lenin popularly known as NPMO. His Sarani, Comrade Banerj took special distinguished role, strongly defending the measures to strengthen the organization. interest of the working class in the forums For this he concentrated his efforts in three like Indian Labour Conference, and the principal areas of the organization : (a) to Standing Labour Committee made him a organize special training camps with the distinguished and beloved leader of the TU activists for developing a band of working class. efficient organizers, imbued with Comrade Ashutosh Banerji most revolutionary ideology, ethics, morality consistently and uncompromisingly tried to and culture — as taught by Comrade protect the interest of the working class and Shibdas Ghosh ; (b) to take objective and all sections of the working people in the achievable steps to expand the ILO, and he tried his best after the fall of organization, both among the organized the socialist camp to retain the glorious and unorganized sectors, strictly on the tradition of the WFTU — in organizing organizational principle of consolidation and supporting international working class and expansion and (c) to improve movement with revolutionary outlook and collective and democratic functioning of fighting spirit. the organization at all levels. The All India Committee of the UTUC- The All India Committee recalls with LS recalls Comrade Banerji’s immense reverence the relentless efforts, that contributions in advancing trade union Comrade Banerjee made during his short movement and also acknowledges with tenure to expose the real face of the policy deep reverence his role in strengthening of globalization, liberalization and UTUC-LS since his direct association with privatization as well as their most the organization from its 7th All India dangerous effects on all sections of the Conference held at Jharia in 1969 when he working people. He showed that the first was elected a member of the All India casualty of these policies would be the Committee, of which he later on became jobs of the employed, job opportunities of the Treasurer in 1979 and Vice-President in the unemployed and the hard-won rights of 1992. The All India Committee recalls with the working class. He strongly felt that in deep respect the manner in which Comrade the present context, the trade union Banerji conducted relentless struggle to Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, the beloved movement should be concentrated on these free the trade union movement from the President of our organization, the United burning issues and in order to help develop vile influence of legalism, opportunism and Trade Union Centre-Lenin Sarani, after the movement in right direction and economism — and transform it into a prolonged illness, breathed his last on 8th involve all sections of the workers, school of communism and thus make the May, 2003 at Suraksha Hospital, Calcutta. organized and unorganized, of public and workers class conscious as taught by Lenin. Physically he is no more with us, but surely private sectors, he utilized every forum and While paying tribute to this great fighter, he will be with us for his untiring, opportunity. Comrade Banerji, the All India Committee, ceaseless and systematic endeavour to The All India Committee also recalls at this grave hour of his loss, takes pledge carry to the labouring masses of our the distinct role that Comrade Banerji to carry forward the struggle, which he country the invaluable teachings of the played in the co-ordination committee of conducted till the last breath of his life, great leader of the proletariat Comrade the trade unions and the efforts he made to through the end. Shibdas Ghosh as well as for his relentless build up countrywide powerful movements struggle to build up trade union movements against different anti-labour and anti- Tapas Dutta as component of anti-capitalist socialist people policies of both the Central and General Secretary revolution. state governments — through the National United Trade Union Centre-Lenin Sarani

condolence to your party and to the relentless fighter for revolution. His members of his family. premature demise is a loss indeed for Condolence Message With regards, the revolutionary struggle in India. Communist Party of India on issues confronting the country Yours, Central Committee and its working class was always of A. B. Bardhan, Socialist Party of Bangladesh Dear Comrade, a high order. He had deep General Secretary (SPB) We received the news of commitment to Marxism-Leninism Workers of all countries, unite ! Comrade Ashutosh Banerji’s sad and could formulate the practical Socialist Party of Bangladesh Socialist Labour Front (SLF) demise with great sorrow. side of the movement and struggles May 8, 2003 Bangladesh It’s sad and shocking news that Comrade Ashutosh Banerji was from a theoretical angle as well. We Date: May 9, 2003 very well known to the central always listened to him with great Comrade ASHUTOSH BANERJI We pay respect to leadership of our party and also the attention. passed away at 5.45 PM today 8th of Comrade Ashutosh Banerji leadership of the All India Trade His death is a loss to the working May 2003. We share our condolence A condolence meeting at the Union Congress. class movement. with you. demise of Comrade Ashutosh His contribution in discussions Allow me to convey our Comrade Banerji was a Contd. on page 12 Postal Regd. No. MM & PO /WB / RNP - 263 / 2003 Volume 36 No. 18 May 23, 2003 Price : Rs. 3.00 Regd. No. 13932/67

for our WFTU. We express our deep Hind Mazdoor Sabha and heartfelt condolence to the Condolence Messages UTUC-LS leadership, its members dated May l6, 2003 and to his bereaved family. I was shocked to learn the demise Contd. from page 11 WFTU-FSM PRAGUE COMRADE ASHUTOSH of Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, Banerji, the president of UTUC- BANERJI AMAR RAHE ! whom I had known for the past Lenin Sarani organized by Socialist 14 May 2003 Yours fraternally, several years. I have had many an Labour Front was held today the 9th The General Secretary, UTUC-LS Deb Kumar Ganguli, occasion to interact with him in a May, 2003 at 10 AM at 23/2 Dear Comrade, Deputy General Secretary, WFTU number of trade union and tripartite Topkhana Road, Dhaka, the central The Secretariat of the WFTU is meets, which brought us closer to office. The meeting presided over by deeply grieved to hear the sad news M.K. Pandhe, General Secretary each other. Comrade Abdullah Sarker, was about the demise of Comrade CITU Comrade Banerji was strongly addressed by SPB (Socialist Party of ASHUTOSH BANERJI, President ‘‘Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, a wedded to the socialist philosophy. Bangladesh) central convener of the UTUC-Lenin Sarani. This is a veteran T.U. leader of India was a He was a gentleman to the core. He Comrade Khalaequzzaman, central great loss for the Indian trade union source of strength to united trade was a labour leader with a positive committee members, Comrade movement as well as for the WFTU union movement. He played an and constructive approach to all Mabinul Hayder Chowdhury and and the world trade union movement. important role in preparing for a issues, but was a man of steel in Comrade Shubrangshu Chakraborty. We recall his active participation in nation under struggle of working championing the cause of the Speakers paid their respect for the WFTU Congress in Delhi and class. In his sudden passing away, working class. In his death, the the great work done by Comrade pay homage to his devoted service to T.U. movement in India has lost a socialist movement and the trade Ashutosh Banerji in the struggle for advance the cause of the working stalwart. The CITU expressed its union movement in the country have emancipation of the working class of class and to spread the message of heartfelt condolence at the passing suffered an irreparableloss. India. Speakers added that Comrade international solidarity and united away at a crucial time and conveys Though I am unable to be present Ashutosh Banerji would be a source action in the struggle for peace, its deep sense of sorrow to all at the memorial meeting on May 23, of great inspiration for the security and social progress. activists of UTUC(LS). I convey my heart felt condolence to revolutionary workers all over the Kindly accept our profound Red Salute to Comrade the UTUC-LS and pay my silent world irrespective of nation and condolence and convey the same to Ashutosh-Da.’’ homage to the departed leader. country. Physical handicap and bone the bereaved family. Yours sincerely, TB could not stop or even restrict a Yours fraternally, (Comrade Pandhe of CITU and Umraomal Purohit bit his revolutionary zeal and work. Alexander Zharikov, Comrades Chatterjee and Basu of General Secretary He physically participated to General Secretary, WFTU Forward Bloc went to our Delhi develop resistance of working office and offered their condolence Dr P. D. Shenoy people and left a great deal of messages in writing in the Visitors’ Secretary to Govt of India contribution by his thoughts. He has WORLD FEDERATION OF Book placed for the purpose.) Ministry of Labour, had such a radiant character that TRADE UNIONS New Delhi 9th May, 2003 turned a great many people into a Asia Pacific Regional Office Comrade Aritra Chatterjee and real revolutionary who came in close New Delhi Comrade Anuj Kr Basu, All Dear Shri Dutta, contact with him. At his demise the May 10, 2003 India Forward Bloc, New Delhi I was saddened to hear about the working class of India lost a reliable ‘‘His death a great loss not only passing away of respected Shri leader of their party and struggle. LONG LIVE COMRADE for SUCI but also for total united left Ashutosh Banerji, President, UTUC- The meeting shows respect to ASHUTOSH BANERJI movement. He was an Icon of LS at Kolkata on 8th May, 2003. Comrade Ashutosh Banerji by The World Federation of Trade workers’ struggle and movement.’’ With his passing away we have lost standing one minute in silence. Unions (WFTU), its Asian Pacific a doyen of the trade union movement Central Committee Bureau and myself was shocked to and we in the Ministry of Labour join Socialist Labour Front (SLF) learn the sudden and sad demise of CPI(M-L) New Democracy millions of others all over the Communist Party of India the President of the UTUC-Lenin State Committee, Date: 15/5/03 country to convey our condolences (Marxist-Leninist)(Liberation) Sarani, Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, Condolence Resolution to the bereaved family as well as to Date: 10.5.2003 one of the most militant and We are deeply shocked at the his fellow comrades in the UTUC- Dear Comrade, outspoken trade union leaders to demise of Comrade Ashutosh LS. We are shocked after having the fight for the working class in India. Banerji, member, Central With regards news of the passing away of After the death of his Committee, SUCI and a veteran Dr P. D. Shenoy Comrade Ashutosh Banerji. predecessor Comrade Pritish struggling comrade. On behalf of the entire Chanda, Comrade Banerji was We convey our heart-felt I send my deepest and most membership of the CPI(ML), I join maintaining regularly his liaison and condolence to the SUCI and his respectful condolence on the passing you and all your comrades in paying participation in all the activities of bereaved family. away of Comrade Ashutosh Banerji. our homage to the departed leader. the WFTU — seminars, conferences Red Salute to Comrade Ashutosh I had the privilege of meeting him We will miss Comrade and World Congress very Banerji. many times and shared panel Ashutosh-Da and his tremendous appreciatedly. Comrade Banerji Paltu Sen, discussion with him. He struck me as warmth and vibrant spirit. But the participated in the most successful State Secretary, W. Bengal. communist values he stood for and WFTU Congress held in Delhi in a rare political leader who combined the tireless dedication to the cause of March, 2000. authentic Marxism with secularism and people’s democracy Since he was staying and Saheb Singh Verma determination to carry forward that he cherished will continue to working for the UTUC-LS from Union Labour Minister people’s struggle against inspire us. We will remember him as Delhi he was in constant liaison and To pay respect to the memory of imperialism, feudalism, capitalism a veteran leader who always pursued assistance to our activities in the Comrade Ashutosh Banerji, all-India and specific anti-people policies of for principled Left Unity in the Asian-Pacific Regional Bureau of President of UTUC-LS, Shri Saheb the Indian state. I do hope we country. the WFTU in Delhi. His behaviour Singh Verma, Union Labour shall all unite and carry on his Red Salute to Comrade Ashutosh was very polite but firm. Even when Minister, came to the Central 0ffice legacies with equal determination Banerji. we disagreed on some matters our of UTUC-LS in Calcutta on 18th and creativity. I will be in Patna on Yours comradely, relation remain very cordial. May, 2003 at 2 PM. He garlanded the the 23rd due to a prior commitment. Swadesh Bhattacharya Comrade Banerji’s death is a portrait of Comrade Banerji and Please forgive my absence in the Member, Polit Bureau, great loss for the Indian Trade Union offered his condolence to the leaders memorial meeting. CPI(ML) movement, UTUC-LS and of course and cadres of the organization. Manoranjan Mohanty EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : NIHAR MUKHERJEE Edited & Published by Sukomal Dasgupta from 48 Lenin Sarani, Kolkata 700 013 and printed by him at Ganadabi Printers and Publishers Private Limited, 52B, Indian Mirror Street, Kolkata 700013 Phone : 2244-1828, 22442234 E-mail : [email protected]