People's Democracy

P C JOSHI Centenary Celebrations Begin  

LEADERS of various political parties from the Left that is the CPI(M), CPI and Congress besides a wide galaxy of artists, intellectuals fondly remembered Comrade PC Joshi, the general secretary of the undivided Communist Party during its crucial underground period. They remembered his organisational capacity and the ease with which he brought cultural activists into the communist movement. The occasion marked the observance of the P C Joshi centenary in New Delhi at the ‘The Banga Sanskriti Bhavan’ on April 14.  

While many remembered his tireless energy even in difficult days and continuous study and some even touched on differences, it was unanimously resolved to make the year one of the activity throughout the country. It was recalled by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat that P C Joshi was ‘intimately associated with the development of the Communist Party as an all-India force. Under his leadership, the party developed its mass base among the workers and peasants, the mass organisations of the students, women and the progressive cultural movement made big strides due to his personal attention. The All India Kisan Sabha and the All India Students Federation were founded in 1936, so also the Progressive Writers Association.’  

At the meeting CPI general secretary A B Bhardan recalled the simplicity of a leader, builder of the Communist movements. Congress leader ND Tiwari pledged his support to the Himalayan Socialist Ashram conceived as a trust by PC Joshi.   

Well-known theatre personality Habib Tanveer recalled the immense contribution made by P C Joshi in developing the art and cultural movement. Historian Prof Bipin Chandra and Arjun Dev recalled various facets of life of P C Joshi. His speech during so-called Meerut conspiracy case was read out by his grandson Akash .His role in spotlighting new facets of the 1857 movement were recalled. His special study of 1857 with a forward by Irfan Habib and contributions by variety of scholars recently brought by the National Book Trust was spotlighted as also his work in bringing out 1857 through folk songs.