People's Democracy

PM And Other Dignitaries Condole  Comrade Surjeet's Demise

I was deeply shocked and pained by the news of the passing away of Sardar Harkishan Singh Surjeet. Surjeet Saheb was a great political leader, a true patriot, a man committed to the welfare of the downtrodden, a great Indian and above all a dear friend. I greatly valued his friendship and his guidance. As I said recently in parliament, he was one of the architects of the United Progressive Alliance.

Sardar Harkishan Singh Surjeet dedicated his entire life to the communist movement in India. He was one of its leading lights in Punjab and for many years an outstanding leader of the communist movement in India. Under his leadership, the communist movement came into the national mainstream and contributed to giving a progressive orientation to our social and economic policies. I always valued his advice and reached out to him for support and guidance in managing the UPA government.

I wish to convey my sincere condolences to all the members of his family, to the millions of his supporters and admirers and to all those who looked up to him for leadership.

I join the people of India in deeply mourning his passing away.

Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister

I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

Shri Surjeet had a glorious record of service to the country and the people during his seven and half decades of public life. The country remembers his fight against colonial rule and his life-long efforts for the betterment of peasants, the poor and the downtrodden in the country. In his public life, Shri Surjeet stood against terrorism and communalism. He earned the admiration of the people for his dedication and sense of public service.

In his death, the country has lost an eminent leader who was always been sensitive to the social concerns of our times.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the family of the late Shri Surjeet.

M HAMID ANSARI,

VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

I am deeply shocked to hear the sudden demise of Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet. Shri Surjeet was a front ranking leader of the communist movement in this country. In the later half of 1980's, he attempted to build up coalition government against the ruling party, and played vital role in forming the coalition governments in 1989 and 1996. He, along with Shri Jyoti Basu, was the principal architect of UPA-Left coalition in 2004.

Following the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, his commitment to oppose the communal forces was total. Shri Surjeet provided leadership to the working class movement for a very long time in this country. In the decade of early sixties, he made substantial contribution in strengthening the CPI(M) after the split in the communist movement. In his death, the country has lost a great leader of the working class movement.

Personally, I knew him for the last four decades and had the opportunity of working in close cooperation with him since the formation of UPA-Left coalition government.

Kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to the Party workers, followers, admirers and family members of Shri Surjeet.

Pranab Mukherjee

Minister of External Affairs

I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of your husband Comrade  Harkishan Singh Surjeet ji.

In the passing away of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the nation has lost a noble soul and the vacuum created is difficult to be filled. His selfless services will be remembered for all times to come.

In this hour of grief, I offer my heartfelt condolences. May the almighty give peace to the departed soul and strength to you and other members of the family to bear this unbearable loss.

Ram Vilas Paswan

Minister for Coal

I express my deep sorrow at the sudden demise of veteran CPI(M) leader Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet on 1 August 2008.

Harkishan Singh Surjeet was a truly secular nationalist committed to the welfare of the people. He was a strict stickler to the principles of national duty and amelioration of the lot of the poor. The death of Surjeetji has created a void, which will be hard to fill. In his passing away, our country has lost a distinguished son and a great patriot and a man who never compromised on what he believed.

I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family members of the great leader and pray to the Almighty to bless his soul with eternal peace.

Tarun Gogoi

Chief Minister, Assam

Please accept my heartfelt condolences at the sad demise of Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

The passing away of Comrade Surjeet is an irreparable loss to the communist movement and has left a void among progressive and secular forces. He was a towering political leader, a true patriot and a person committed to the welfare of the downtrodden. He was the architect of many secular coalition governments, including the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Every one of us, who are committed to secularism, valued his friendship and his guidance.

I pray to Lord Almighty to give you the strength to bear such an irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace.

S M Krishna, MP

Please accept my condolence on the demise of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet. A veteran of India's communist movement, Party and India's polity is no more with us.

Jaswant Singh

Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha  

I was sad to hear about the demise of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, former general secretary, CPI(M), after prolonged illness.

Though we belonged to different political parties and had different ideologies in politics, we were still friends. In his death we have lost an honest politician and a very good human being.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to your Party and his family. May his soul rest in peace.

George Fernandes, MP

All comrades and family members of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, please accept out heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of our most respected and beloved comrade, who inspired our entire generation.

Ashok Kumar Sharma

Ambassador, Embassy of India

Suriname

We deeply mourn the death of Janab Harkishan Singh Sahab.  He was a great leader, a statesman and a very secular political figure. He will always remain in our hearts and we will always remember him as the most respectable leader of free India.

Aziz Mubarki

Addl. Chief Secretary

His Holiness Shahi Imam

West Bengal

A great man, a revolutionary wonder, whom age did not wither nor custom, has left us from the terrestrial terrain but remains everlasting in the memory of millions whom he inspired to strive for the transformation of an unjust society and incarnation of a militant world of socialistic egalite. India's have-not humanity, regardless of politics and professions, will remember one man who symbolised the spirit of social justice sans opportunism, sans power-lucre hunger. His name, never forgettable name, is Harkishan Singh Surjeet. It is blaspheme to say that he is no more. He is ever more in the hearts of those who struggle for a social justice system which offers opportunities to the humblest Indians of work, wealth and happiness. I pay my profound homage and crimson salutations to dear, dear Surjeet.

V R Krishna Iyer

Former Judge, Supreme Court

The Kerala Pravasi Sangham expressed condolences on the demise of Comrade Surjeet. They said he played an important role in strengthening

the LDF in Kerala

Kerala Pravasi Sangham