People's Democracy

Mass Organisations Condole Comrade Basu�s Demise

Centre of Indian Trade Unions

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions expresses profound grief at the passing away of Comrade Jyoti Basu, one of stalwarts of the communist movement in India, a veteran of the working class movement in the country and one of the founder leaders of CITU. He had been a vice president of the CITU since its foundation till the last day of life.

The CITU secretariat deeply condoles the demise of the great leader of the working class and democratic movement, a great political visionary and the tallest political personality in the country. The CITU dips its flag to offer its homage to the respect of the departed leader and conveys sincere condolence to his bereaved family members and comrades.

All India Kisan Sabha

THE All India Kisan Sabha expresses profound grief at the passing away of one of the tallest leaders of India, Comrade Jyoti Basu at Kolkata after a brief period of illness. Comrade Jyoti Basu gave leadership to the communist movement in India for nearly six decades and has been one of the most loved leaders, respected even by political adversaries. Comrade Jyoti Basu has been a colossal figure in Indian politics and his life is an inspiration for all those who are committed to the emancipation of the oppressed sections. He served as the chief minister of West Bengal for a record 23 years and is credited with having championed many radical measures for transforming the lives of millions of toiling masses.

Comrade Jyoti Basu evolved as a leader during the stormy days of 1946-47 when Bengal was engulfed in the Tebhaga movement and militant workers� strikes. The period was also marked by communal violence and his role in building resistance to divisive forces was impeccable. Comrade Basu was always present by the side of the toiling workers and peasants, and shared their joys as well as sorrows and stood with them in all their struggles. After independence, he was elected to the assembly from Baranagar in 1952 and continued to represent the constituency for many years to come. Even as an elected representative he faced arrests many times during the 1950s and 1960s and there were many attempts by the ruling classes and sections of the media to malign him. The people of Bengal and the country at large rebuffed such malicious efforts and his stature and popularity only grew in the face of such campaigns.

In 1964, when the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was formed after an intense ideological struggle within the communist movement, Comrade Jyoti Basu was guided by his conviction to be a part of the CPI(M) which he saw as the true representative of revolutionary politics. He was a member of the first Polit Bureau of the party and was among the navaratnas who formed the Polit Bureau. In those difficult years he played a seminal role in providing ideological clarity as well as in creating a mass base for the Party. In 1967 Comrade Basu became the Deputy Chief Minister in the United Front Ministry and again in the second UF Ministry in 1969. The role of these two Governments and his leadership in providing a stimulus for the unleashing of mass movement and intense class struggles is memorable.

In 1977 the people gave their verdict and the Left Front government was formed with the successful culmination of the democratic struggles. Comrade Jyoti Basu emerged as the natural choice to head the government and he became the chief minister. He was clear that the government would not be run from the Writer�s Building alone and this was the first announcement he made. Under his leadership the Left Front government initiated far-reaching measures in the interest of the toiling masses and the peasantry. The land reforms that he brought about ensured that more than 80 per cent of the rural population in Bengal became owners of land and were freed from the shackles of feudal oppression. The protection of the rights of the bargadars and the advancement of agriculture under the impact of the unleashing of the productive forces after land reforms is something that he is revered for. The achievements on this front are unparalleled and even after three decades it remains unsurpassed by any other state.

The Left Front government under his leadership provided a new direction by following up land reforms with decentralisation through panchayats, guaranteeing of trade union rights of the workers, welfare measures providing relief to different sections of the society and spread of education, thereby bringing about a radical departure in governance in our country. His life has been an inspiration for thousands across the country and in his passing away we have lost one of the greatest leaders who was loved by all and respected by all sections of society. The AIKS expresses its heartfelt condolences and pays tributes to his memories. The All India Kisan Sabha dips its red banner in memory of Comrade Jyoti Basu and pledge to carry forward his ideals. 

All India Agricultural Workers Union

THE All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) expresses its deep sorrow at the passing away of Comrade Jyoti Basu, the senior most leader of the party and one of the tallest in the communist movement of India. The working class and peasantry were given new hope of a better future under his leadership not only in West Bengal, but the country as a whole.

As the chief minister of the Left Front government of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, he was responsible for implementing the policies of land reform, registering the rights of sharecroppers and of giving power to the panchayats, all steps that brought hope of a better life to the poorest and most oppressed. Indeed, it was policies such as these that endeared him to the people of Bengal.

As a trade union leader, he implemented what he fought for, prevented police being used against workers in struggle, stood  firmly against communalism, wiping it out in a state that had seen some of the worst riots in the period of partition, making West Bengal a bastion of communal harmony, and was responsible for preventing the total collapse of industry by ensuring that the state continued to run many of the units private profiteers had run  dry. Most of all, he was able to provide a government without corruption where people could still live at prices cheaper than in most parts of India. The poor, therefore, will not forget him.

Democrats will remember him as one who implemented grass-roots democracy with the three tier panchayat system and the manner in which he ushered in an era of coalition politics in government. It was this determination to strengthen democracy that allowed the people of Bengal to resist the years of semi-fascist terror and internal emergency from 1971 to 1977.

As a true leader of the communist movement, he always put the interest of the working class and toiling masses above his own, and as an organisation of the most exploited and oppressed we will never forget him but will follow the path of unflinching struggle he had charted out till all his dreams are accomplished.

On behalf of our 4.5 million members we convey out heartfelt condolences to his son, Chandan and other members of his family.

All India Democratic Women�s Association

THE AIDWA expresses its profound grief and condolence at the passing away of Comrade Jyoti Basu, the senior most leader of the CPI(M) and one of the greatest and most beloved leaders of the communist movement in India. He was 95 years old.

Jyoti Basu began his political life while studying law in Britain where he came in contact with the British Communist Party. He joined the Communist Party of India on his return in 1940 and began his long career as a trade union leader by joining the trade union of the railway employees whom he represented in the Legislative Assembly as early as 1946. A prominent leader of the united party, he was, for a time, the only communist MLA and, much later, leader of the opposition. In l964, he was one of the founders of the CPI(M). He served as the deputy chief minister of the United Front governments of 1967 and 1970, led the Left Front to a glorious and historic victory in 1977 and became the chief minister of the state for the next two decades.

As chief minister, Comrade Jyoti Basu played an immensely significant role in the enunciation and implementation of alternative policies to those of the centre and other state government. The land reform measures implemented in the state remain unparalleled in the country. The AIDWA especially remembers the fact that it was his government that introduced the practice of joint pattas for the poor rural women along with the men and also individual pattas for single women. It is also significant that most of the beneficiaries of the land reforms were dalits, adivasis and Muslims. Comrade Jyoti Basu exemplified secular principles and his commitment to secularism ensured that the state of West Bengal remained free of the virus of communal conflict and rioting in the last three decades which have witnessed terrible communal carnage in the rest of the country. Comrade Jyoti Basu never flinched from confronting the communal forces in any for a and, even in the streets. His statements before the Liberhan commission are examples of his clarity of thought. His strong commitment to gender equality was reflected in his emphasis on securing democratic rights for women in all spheres. Elected women in the panchayats in West Bengal exceeded the 33 per cent statutory limit before any other state. In his inspiring address at the public meeting of the fourth AIDWA national conference in 1994, he highlighted the importance of women coming into politics, and the need for the Left movement to work towards this end. We in AIDWA were indeed privileged that Comrade Jyoti Basu was able to inaugurate our last national conference in Salt Lake in 2007. The democratic movement of our country has lost its tallest leader at a very crucial juncture. While we dip the AIDWA banner in honour of his memory, we also rededicate ourselves to the battle for democracy, equality and socialism to which Comrade Jyoti Basu committed his entire life.

Democratic Youth Federation of India

THE central executive committee of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) expresses its profound grief at the passing away of one of the tallest leaders of the communist movement of India, Comrade Jyoti Basu. He was the chief minister of the Left Front government in West Bengal for almost two and a half decade.

Comrade Jyoti Basu was a veteran of many struggles; he led the working and toiling masses of India and emerged as one of the most popular communist leaders in the country. It was his dedication and commitment to communist ethos and the role he played in the Indian political scenario that earned him the respect not only in the Left but also from other political parties.

In Comrade Jyoti Basu�s demise India has lost a mass leader, an able administrator  and a political statesman.

The CEC of DYFI salutes the memory of Comrade Jyoti Basu and pays its homage to his memory.

Students Federation of India

THE SFI dips its banners in homage to our beloved leader Comrade Jyoti Basu. Comrade Jyoti Basu was the senior most leader of the CPI(M) in the country and one of the early leaders of the communist movement in the country. He also served as the chief minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, which is a record in the country.  

Comrade Jyoti Basu epitomised the finest anti-imperialist traditions of the student movement in India. It was during his student days that he started relating to the freedom struggle and developed anti-imperialist values. Later when he went to study in Britain, he got active in anti-imperialist and anti-fascist movements and also became a part of the Communist Party there.

Comrade Jyoti Basu would always be remembered for his steadfast commitment to working class interests and democratic values. His role in the government in supporting the struggle for implementation of land reforms and in not allowing the police to be used against workers and peasants' struggles was notable. Be it the struggle against the draconian emergency, semi-fascist terror in West Bengal or fighting against the communal right wing onslaught in the 1990s Comrade Jyoti Basu led the fight from the front. He was also committed to the revolutionary principles of Marxism-Leninism and contributed in developing a scientific outlook towards Marxism when the socialist block collapsed and communist movement faced the biggest ideological onslaught.

Comrade Jyoti Basu will always be remembered for setting high standards in the Left movement. Even though he quit the office of the chief minister in West Bengal voluntarily, he continued to work for the Left movement till his last breath. Not only was he respected by the masses and left supporters he commanded respect from even his political opponents.

The progressive movement has lost a hero in the death of Comrade Jyoti Basu. We pledge to carry forward the glorious legacy which the Left movement has inherited from Comrade JB who devoted his entire life to the emancipation of human kind and goal of building an oppression free society. We salute our comrade, remembering his own words from his autobiographical note which he wrote after an attempt was made on his life in Patna in 1970, �There is nothing more valuable in life than the love of the people. We are always ready to sacrifice our lives for a greater cause. When the time comes, we should not be found wanting. Our lives should not be spent idling away our time. There should not be any regrets in having led a life of disuse. That has always been my bottom line�

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family members and all those who are bereaved by the loss of their great leader.

All India Insurance Employees Association

WITH profound sorrow and deep grief, this meeting of the insurance employees condoles the sad demise of Comrade Jyoti Basu who passed away on January 17, 2010 at Kolkata. Comrade Jyoti Basu was ailing for some time and was in hospital for the last 15 days. 

Comrade Jyoti Basu was a guide and great friend of the insurance employees. The AIIEA was immensely benefited by his guidance. The insurance employees still remember with gratitude the support he gave and the role he played in the epic struggle against automation during 1965 to 1968. Comrade Jyoti Basu projected a vision and laid the task for the AIIEA in his inaugural speech to the silver jubilee year conference of the AIIEA in 1978. During 1984-85, when the bill to split the LIC into five corporations was introduced in the parliament, the West Bengal assembly passed a resolution opposing it. It was, again, Comrade Jyoti Basu who was instrumental in the West Bengal assembly passing a resolution opposing the IRDA Bill.

In 1996 Comrade Jyoti Basu declined the offer of prime ministership as a true and disciplined soldier of the CPI(M). Comrade Jyoti Basu was a leader par excellence.  He led a simple and dignified life. He rode the Indian political scene like a colossus for nearly half a century. Comrade Jyoti Basu was an institution in himself.

In the sad demise of Comrade Jyoti Basu, India has lost an exceptional political leader and outstanding parliamentarian, the working class a great friend, and the poor a true messiah. 

In his death the AIIEA has lost a guide and true friend. His death has left a void difficult to fill.  The AIIEA deeply mourns the death of Comrade Jyoti Basu and pledges to carry forward the ideals for which he lived and struggled.

AIIEA salutes the memory of this great leader.

AIIEA conveys deep condolences to the family of Comrade Jyoti Basu.

All India Lawyers Union

THE All India Lawyers Union deeply mourns the passing away of Comrade Jyoti Basu on January 17, 2010. He was the tallest leader of the communist movement in the country and a symbol of the Left, democratic and secular forces. Comrade Jyoti Basu was independent India�s longest chief minister. He led the CPI(M) and the Left Front to five successive assembly election victories in West Bengal. Amongst his many legacies are: land reforms and Operation Barga benefiting millions of sharecroppers, landless workers and other peasants, democratisation of the panchayati raj institutions, establishment of the Haldia petrochemicals complex and the maintenance of communal harmony in the state. He joined the Communist Party when it was illegalised and faced state repression. He was schooled in tough struggles and emerged as one of the biggest communist leaders. He was famous for his courage and steadfastness. He kept his cool in the face of assassination attempts which could not bring any change in his style of mass political functioning. He was a true disciplined communist and had unprecedented commitment to the party as was reflected by his refusal to become the Indian prime minister because the party was not ready to spare him for the job. He was a barrister but never practised law but took great initiative in organising the AILU of which he was one of the founders. In his passing, an historic era has come to an end. The All India Lawyers Union salutes the memory of this great leader, an eminent communist and a pathfinder, and joins the nation in the loss suffered by his demise.