Shaheed Mela in Memory of Champaran Martyrs
12 farmers from Lasarhi village in Bhojpur who were martyred during the Quit India movement of 1942, and 2 Kisan Andolan leaders Com. Safayat Ansari and Com. Moti-ur-Rahman were remembered and honoured at Champaran at a Shaheed Mela where it was resolved to drive out the fascist-communal BJP government and protect the country’s democracy, Constitution, freedom, and composite culture.
12 farmers were martyred on 15 September 1942 during the Quit India Movement at Lasarhi village. It is to be noted that memorials to these martyrs were put up at Lasarhi in the year 2000 due to the untiring efforts of senior CPI (ML) leader and former Sahar MLA Com. Ramnaresh Ram. Since then, a Shaheed Mela is organized here on 15 September every year.
The Shaheed Mela was attended by hundreds of supporters and activists including District Secretary Com. Jawaharlal Singh, Tarari MLA Com. Sudama Prasad, CC members comrades Raju Yadav and Manoj Manzil, and senior leader Com. Sidhnath Ram. After the hoisting of the national flag and 2 minutes’ silence to pay homage to the martyrs, a Sankalp Sabha was held presided over by Upendra Yadav.
Leaders speaking at the meeting said that the country is passing through dark times under the present dispensation. The Constitution, democracy, secularism, economy, all are under threat and in danger. Corporate loot is at its peak and the poor, farmers, workers, students, youth, women, all are in distress. As such, the need of the hour is to sharpen the ‘Oust BJP-Save the Country’ campaign and defeat these fascist forces in the 2019 elections.
In Eastern Champaran District, the Party Sikta Block Committee organized a Shaheed Mela on 14 December to mark the 22nd martyrdom day of senior Party leader Comrade Safayat Ansari. A meeting was also organized where a resolution was passed to make the ‘Oust BJP-Save Democracy’ rally on 27 September at Gandhi Maidan in Patna a resounding success. Senior leader Com. Ramji Rai garlanded the statues of Safayat Ansari and Moti-ur-Rahman. Hundreds of people, including women and children in large numbers, attended the Shaheed Mela. Revolutionary songs were sung and plays staged.
