People's Democracy

Comrade Surjeet Remembered As A Guide

AIKS

All India Kisan Sabha expresses its profound grief at the passing away of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, a veteran kisan leader, freedom fighter, former general secretary of CPI(M) and a prominent national politician. He was associated with the Kisan movement and Kisan Sabha from the very beginning.

He was elected secretary of Punjab state Kisan Sabha in 1938. After independence, he led the anti-betterment levy struggle of farmers in Punjab in 1959. He has been the part of leadership of AIKS continuously and was elected general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha at its 22nd Conference held at Sikar in 1974 and pesident at its 26th Conference held at Khammam in 1989. He was vice president of AIKS when he breathed his last. He was always concerned with the development of the kisan movement and its organisation. Books written by him such as History of the All India Kisan Sabha and Land Reforms in India are valuable guides for present and future generations of kisan activists. He remained committed lifelong to the cause of the peasantry, agricultural workers, working class and other sections of  the toiling masses.

His death is a great loss for the entire country, particularly for the toiling masses and Left and secular forces. All India Kisan Sabha pays its respectful homage to this beloved leader. It conveys its heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family members.

AIAWU

The All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) dips its red banner in deep respect and grief at the sad demise of Comrade Harkishen Singh Surjeet.

The poorest and most oppressed, the agricultural labourers will remember him as one of the most determined fighters for their cause and a founder leader of the All India Agricultural Workers union and the general council member till today.  His firm stand on organising rural labour under its own banner, on resisting social injustice and untouchability will always shine as a beacon before our eyes.

He was the main person who drafted the Comprehensive Central Legislation for Agricultural Labour in 1980. Vested interests have prevented its passage even to this day. We vow to continue our fight till this law is passed and to struggle to implement thoroughgoing land reforms and the struggle against communalism and untouchability, which Comrade Surjeet pursued relentlessly throughout his life.

We extend our deep and heartfelt condolences to his wife and companion in many years of struggle, Comrade Pritam Kaur, his sons, daughter, grand children and other family members. We share their grief and feel the loss of his constant presence among us.

CITU

The meeting of the general council of CITU held at Puri on August 1, expresses its heart felt condolence at the passing away of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet a freedom fighter and a veteran revolutionary. The meeting decides to adjourn the session to pay homage to his memory and conveys heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members.

AIDWA

The All India Democratic Women's Association expresses its deep condolences on the sad occasion of the demise of veteran communist leader Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet. At the time of the formation of the AIDWA in 1981, Comrade Surjeet played a major role in steering, guiding and shaping the anti-feudal, anti-communal and anti-imperialist character of the AIDWA.

The AIDWA recalls that at the time when the United Front government was in power, and the survival of the Public Distribution System under serious threat, Comrade Surjeet played a significant role in taking cudgels against the then government, forcing it to increase subsidies which even today, continue to benefit the poor, including lakhs of working class women.

DYFI - SFI

The central executive committees of the Democratic Youth Federation of India and the Students' Federation of India express their profound grief on the passing away of veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a prominent national political figure, Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

Influenced by the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh he began his revolutionary life at an early age of 16. Exactly after a year of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, in March 1932, the British arrested him when he hoisted the tricolour flag at the district court in Hoshiarpur.

Comrade Surjeet was very popular among the youth and students. He always used to stress the need to forge a broader unity among the youth to build a strong movement to fight against the communal and imperialist forces.

The DYFI and SFI will always uphold the ideology and principles for which Comrade Surjeet dedicated his life.

AIIEA 

All India Insurance Employees' Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who joined the communist movement in the year 1934 and went on to become one of its pioneers. One of the founders of the CPI(M), Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet was its general secretary during 1992-2005. Under his guidance the AIIEA fought many struggles.

AIIEA conveys its deepest condolence to the CPI(M) party and to the members of the family of Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

All India Lawyers Union

The All India Lawyers Union deeply mourns the demise of Comrade Surjeet. He was a great communist, freedom fighter and true internationalist. Working class has lost their friend and guide.  He was concerned with each and every development affecting the lives of downtrodden and common people of the country. He was associated in the formation of AILU and gave valuable suggestions. We pay our homage to Comrade Surjeet.