People's Democracy

Comrade Ramnarayan Goswami

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) issued the following statement on February 10, condoling the demise of Comrade Ramnarayan Goswami.

THE All India Kisan Sabha expresses deep sorrow and grief at the death of Comrade Ramnarayan Goswami, former general secretary of the organisation on February 9 at Bardhaman (West Bengal) after prolonged illness. He was 76.

Comrade Goswami came into contact with mass kisan leaders like Binoy Chaudhury and Hare Krishna Konar and built up the Kisan Sabha among agricultural labourers and poor kisans in Bardhaman district and later in the state of West Bengal and rose to the stature of general secretary of the AIKS, to which position he was elected twice --- in Khammam (Andhra Pradesh) in 1989 and Hissar (Haryana) in 1992. He was president of the West Bengal State Kisan Sabha for two terms.

Comrade Ramnarayan Goswami led a very simple life, was a firm believer in Marxism-Leninism and contributed to the powerful kisan movement in West Bengal and was well known all over India. He led many struggles of agricultural labourers and small peasants, and suffered imprisonment during the Congress regime in West Bengal. He was elected to the West Bengal state assembly in 1977 and 1982 and became a minister in West Bengal in 1982-83. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha for three terms from West Bengal. He was also a member of the CENTRAL Committee of the CPI(M).

The All India Kisan Sabha dips its banner in his memory and sends condolences to his wife and other members of his family.