People's Democracy

SHAHEED RALLY IN SULTANPUR

Martyrs Radheshyam And Sanjay Remembered

Prakash Karat addressing the rally

RAHUL Nagar, a small village in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, witnessed a massive assemblage of people on September 11. So big was it that the boundaries of the village fell short in accommodating the mass of thousands. Scores of students and youths started arriving in Rahul Nagar from most of the districts of the state in the early hours of the day. Some journeyed for as long as 24 hours to reach this place on the scheduled time.

The occasion was the first anniversary of martyrdom of Comrades Radheshyam and Sanjay, two leaders of DYFI who were shot dead by an alliance of feudal forces and criminal gangsters while they were leading a movement against them as part of the DYFI campaign.

On finding themselves among the thousands who gathered to remember their two worthy sons, the people of the village were filled with pride and emotion. Radheshyam in particular had become popular in Rahul Nagar and nearby areas as he emerged a hero of the movement against these forces, which was being carried out for nearly the last two decades.

The DYFI and SFI decided to organise a Shaheed Mela (Martyr’s fare) and to establish statues of both the comrades on the occasion of the first anniversary of martyrdom. Prakash Karat, CPI(M) general secretary and Tapas Sinha, DYFI general secretary, unveiled the statues of the two martyrs amidst thunderous  slogans of “Amar Rahe Shaheed Radheshyam Aur Sanjay”, “Shaheedon Ko Lal Salaam” etc.

Addressing the huge gathering, Prakash Karat asserted that such killings would not be able to wipe out the work done by Comrades Radheshyam and Sanjay for the great cause. Saying that the struggle conducted by these martyrs was part of the struggle of crores of working people, students, youth of the country, Karat called for strengthening of the democratic Left movement in Sultanpur and the entire state. He said this alone would be a fitting tribute to the martyrs. He appreciated the decision of the DYFI and SFI to hold Shaheed Mela every year at this place.

Karat then dwelt on the ongoing nationwide campaign agitation launched by the CPI(M) on the questions of land, food and employment. He particularly stressed how important the demand of employment is for the youth of the country. He said the enactment of the Rural Employment Guarantee Act, as fulfilment of a promise made in the CMP, would provide some relief to the downtrodden sections of our society. He recalled the fight waged by the CPI(M) and the Left for this enactment.

Speaking about the need of organising programs at Rahul Nagar every year on September 11, he said that the Party would pay special attention on developing the movement in this region.

Earlier, Rs 64,000 collected by the central committee of the DYFI all over the country, were given to the family members of the martyrs. Another Rs 16,000 was given to the state committee of the DYFI to carry on the legal fight.  Mavati, wife of Comrade Radheshyam and Surema, mother of Comrade Sanjay received the demand drafts of Rs 32,000 each.

Addressing the Shaheed rally, Tapas Sinha said it was the sacrifices of such martyrs – who gave their everything, including their lives for the cause – that has made the DYFI the largest youth organisation in the country and the second-largest in the world. He said the organisation is proud of this heritage. Sinha called for linking the struggle for education and employment with the larger struggle of the people for a better tomorrow.

Sudhir Singh, DYFI state secretary who conducted the proceedings of the rally, in his speech said this Shaheed Mela was an important part of the movement to expand the  activities of student-youth in the state. He stressed the need for waging more grassroots level struggles in the state.

Among those who addressed the rally included Dinanath Singh, state secretary of Kisan Sabha, Jaiprakash Yadav, state president of DYFI, Alok Gupta, state president of SFI, Radheshyam Verma, state secretary of SFI, Buburam Yadav, CPI(M) district secretary and others. Sheetla Prasad Gupta, freedom fighter, presided over the meeting.