Thousands Join to Mark Launch of CPI(ML)’s Jan Sankalp Abhiyan and Martyrdom Anniversary of Com. Mahendra Singh in Bagodar
On 16th January, 2024 which marked the 19th martyrdom day of popular CPI(ML) leader Comrade Mahendra Singh, the CPI(ML) launched a state wide ‘Jan Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Mass Pledge Campaign) from Bagodar, Jharkhand with the clarion call to defeat the communal-fascist BJP regime in Elections 2024. The memorial meeting was held in Bagodar at the bus stand near GT Road crossing while dozens of marches were taken out in different parts of the state to pay homage to Comrade Mahendra Singh. Thousands joined the event and steadfastly resolved to carry forward the flame of resistance lit by martyr Comrade Mahendra Singh against BJP-RSS rule of terror.
Addressing the rally, Com. Dipankar, General Secretary of CPI(ML) said that Comrade Mahendra Singh's legacy of people's awakening and assertion against every oppression and injustice remains an enduring source of energy and inspiration in today's battle for justice, democracy and social equality.
Comrade Mahendra Singh was born in 1954 in Khambra village, Bagodar thana of Giridih district, Jharkhand. He was the architect of a social and political experiment of organising various sections of rural society in addition to agrarian labourers. This effort bore results that remains stable. Even today, not only agrarian labourers, but also a considerable section of the rural lower-middle class, especially minorities and even the poor from upper caste communities, continue to identify with the CPI(ML) movement. In 1990, he was elected as the MLA from the Bagodar Assembly constituency.
On January 16th, 2005 a day after he had filed nominations to contest for a fourth term in the Assembly elections, he was assassinated during the election campaign. His murder has not only robbed the CPI(ML) of an incomparable leader, it has impoverished the entire democratic movement of Jharkhand.
Com. Dipankar added that the Jan Sankalp Abhiyan is a clarion call to defend the democracy and constitution and put the issues of people at the forefront as envisioned by Comrade Mahendra Singh. The BJP regime is running away from all the burning issues faced by the people and instead diverting the focus towards Ram Mandir. Our freedom fighters had envisioned an India where politics and religion will be separate realms, and warned against the attempt to mix both, which would bring disastrous consequences to the integrity and harmony of the Indian society. But this Modi government, jettisoning the ideals and principles of our freedom fighters, has turned the inauguration of Ram Mandir into an aggressive path towards attainment of absolute political power.
Com. Dipankar said that Jan Sankalp Abhiyan is initiated in the backdrop of the upcoming general elections, which is only a few week away. The 2024 elections must be fought on the issues of the people like price rise, unemployment, lack of wages and social security, closing down of small and medium industries, privatization of people’s resources and increasing violence against women, Dalits, Adivasis and minorities. BJP wants to destroy Ambedkar’s Constitution and impose the rule of Manusmriti.
“Let us resolve to steadfastly defend our democracy, constitution and people’s rights” added Com. Dipankar.
Remembering martyr Comrade Mahendra Singh, CPI(ML) MLA from Bagodar Com. Vinod Singh said that he was widely acknowledged as the bold and assertive parliamentary voice of the streets, leaving an impact on the entire politics of Jharkhand, and emerging as a shining example of how well a revolutionary MLA can use the Assembly in the interests of the proletariat and the masses, and can ruthlessly expose it too.
Com. Mahendra Singh and his struggles, in Assembly and in the streets brought a paradigm shift in the political landscape in Bagodar and Jharkhand. The mass movement under CPI(ML), led by Comrade Mahendra Singh brought an end to the terror of feudal and criminal elements in the political sphere, and thus, people’s assertion was ensured. Today, we see the Modi-led BJP regime attempting to use the tactics of those feudal and criminal elements to destroy the democracy, Constitution and people’s rights across the country. It wants to take away people’s resources by employing the policy of ‘divide and rule’ and hand over these resources to the rich and corporates. We must resist this onslaught on the people and resolve to carry forward the revolutionary legacy of Com. Mahendra Singh.
The rally unanimously passed following three resolutions:
To protect democracy and the Constitution and for employment for all, the ‘BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao’ [Remove BJP, Save the Country] Jan Sankalp campaign will be carried out from 16th to 30th January 2024. The campaign will be carried out widely by the rank and file of the party and the message will be taken to every village and every home.
Condemn the Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the massacre of children and women. The Modi government must take the initiative against Israel’s Netanyahu government in international forums instead of expressing supporting in carrying out the genocide.
Along with EVM votes, the VVPAT slips should also be counted in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Comrades Rajesh Yadav, Ashok Paswan, Jayanti Chaudhary, Rajkumar Yadav, Mustakim Ansari, Sitaram Singh, Bhola Mandal, Sandeep Jaiswal, Parameshwar Mahato, Haldhar Mahato, Arup Chatterjee, Bahadur Oraon, Sheikh Tayyab, Pawan Mahato, Usman Ansari and Vibha Pushpa Deep, were present on the occasion.
