People's Democracy

Exhibition on PS in

Muzaffar Ahmad Library

By our Special

Correspondent in Kolkata

ON the occasion of birth centenary of Comrade P Sundarayya, an exhibition on his life and work was inaugurated in Muzaffar Ahmad library in Ganashakti Bhavan. The poster exhibition was inaugurated on August 5, the birthday of Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad.

In the exhibition, outline of PS’s life from his childhood has been portrayed through photos and graphics. His extraordinary work among the masses, the period of first expansion of the Communist Party in southern India were highlighted through excerpts from different books. A great part of the exhibition is obviously devoted to Telengana Peoples’ Armed Struggle. PS’s role in the fight against revisionism, then again against sectarianism has been detailed. Along with posters, some of his books and Bengali translation of his pamphlets have been displayed. His important articles in Peoples’ Democracy and other Party organs were displayed as photographs.

Biman Basu inaugurated the exhibition. CPI(M) state leaders were present. The exhibition will continue in Ganashakti Bhavan upto August 12. However, according to suggestions by senior Party leaders, the exhibition may travel to districts.

West Bengal state committee of CPI(M) has decided to observe PS birth centenary in a fitting manner, specially through programme of Party education. On September 14, there will be a central public meeting in Kolkata to be addressed by Party general secretary Prakash Karat.

LEFT FRONT

SIT IN

The Left Front in West Bengal observed three day sit-in demonstration in Kolkata from August 1 demanding food security for all. The sit-in took place in Rani Rashmoni Road. At the beginning Left Front chairman Biman Basu addressed the gathering. He criticised the centre’s dilly-dallying with food security bill. He demanded universal PDS throughout the country. Leader of opposition in Bengal assembly, Suryakanta Misra said that USA and international finance capital was pressuring the Indian government to follow a policy of export of cash crops, which would bring disaster for food security of our people. He castigated the state government for its failure in addressing the crisis in agricultural production, fair prices for the farmers and for the spiraling price rise as well.

The second day of the sit-in was vibrant with participation of mass organisations. CITU, SFI, DYFI, AIDWA activists joined in the demonstration. Among others Shyamal Chakraborty, Minati Ghosh, Abhas Roychowdhury, Sayandip Mitra addressed the sit in.

On the last day CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, in his address, said the policies of central government were primarily responsible for the unabated price rise. The centre’s policy of letting everything work according to market forces has led to such a situation. We want subsidy for the people, not for the richer sections in the form of tax relief. The struggle for food security will continue, he asserted.

Biman Basu expressed concern about deteriorating agricultural production in West Bengal. Among others Manjukumar Majumdar (CPI), Jayanta Roy (Forward Block), Kalyan Mukherji (RSP), Shyamali Gupta (CPI-M) addressed the gathering. 

During these three days thousands of people participated in the sit in in districts as well. The Left Front has decided to campaign on food security throughout the month of August.