Obituary

Comrade Ranbir Singh, a trade union leader and former CPIML candidate for the Sahibganj Assembly Seat (Bihar) in 1996, passed away at the age of 89 on December 16, 2024. Born and educated in Bihar, where he completed his graduation, Comrade Ranbir Singh dedicated most of his life to working in the tribal-dominated regions of present-day Jharkhand. His journey began as a leader of non-gazetted employees’ union. After retiring from government service in 1994, he dedicated fulltime for the party work and spearheaded numerous struggles for justice and rights.

On December 23, 2024, Indian cinema has lost one of its most transformative figures. Shyam Benegal, a doyen of India's parallel cinema movement and a great champion of diversity and democracy in India's cultural world passed away at the age of 90 in in Mumbai. Born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad, Benegal's illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he crafted films that delved into the intricacies of Indian society.

Veteran CPIML leader Comrade Jagdev Mahato, at the age of 80, on the morning of December 10, 2024, at PMCH in Patna. Comrade Mahato had been battling the severe respiratory illness, COPD, for a long period. He was a former General Secretary of the Patna Mahanagar Workers' Union and Sudha Dairy Drivers' Union.

The veteran member of CPIML Comrade Atri Kumar Rishi, a committed activist and writer, passed away on 30 November at his home in Bareilly. He was 86. Comrade Atri had dedicated his life to the communist movement. He was a member of CPI, then of CPI(M) and in 2002 he joined the CPI(ML). A committed communist, he participated in numerous people’s struggles in his life span. He was at the forefront in a recent struggle of farmers' struggle for proper compensation against their acquisitioned lands for the Bareilly bypass road despite his old age. 

Amiya Kumar Bagchi, the esteemed Marxist economist and educator, passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in 1936, Bagchi’s early academic journey began at Presidency College, Kolkata, where he cultivated his profound interest in economics. His scholarly pursuits took him to the University of Cambridge. Bagchi was the director of the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC). Later he established and led the Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata as its director.

With profound grief, we announce the untimely passing of Comrade Manoj Lekthe (Alon), President of the RYA Bokajan District Committee, Assam and a dedicated member of the Hills Committee. Comrade Alon breathed his last on November 17, 2024, at 4:30 PM at Faith Hospital, Dimapur, succumbing to a severe head injury sustained in an accident.

Comrade Subhas Kakuste, veteran leader of Lal Nishan Party of Maharashtra and senior Vice President of All India Kisan Mahasabha passed away on November 10, 2024. Born in 1940, Comrade Subhas Kakuste became a prominent leader of Sugar factory workers in Maharashtra and a leader of the farmers. He was also a journalist. Comrade Kakuste’s life was marked by an indomitable spirit and dedication to the cause of social and economic justice.

We mourn the passing of Comrade Harishankar Prasad Singh, a dedicated member of the CPI(ML) Nawada Party Branch Committee, who passed away on November 1, 2024. He was 72 years old and had been battling cancer for a long time. Additionally, he underwent heart surgery a month ago. His health deteriorated suddenly leading to his admission to Ara Sadar Hospital, where he was receiving treatment before he succumbed to his illness.

Comrade Jagjit Singh Sohal, a veteran Naxalbari leader from Punjab, died in Patiala on 20 October 2024. He was 96. Comrade Sohal was a member of the first Central Committee of CPI(ML) and Punjab State Secretary. Later on he became the leader of COC CPIML during the seventies. A large number of leaders and activists from various organisations paid tributes and bid him farewell. Comrade Sukhdarshan Singh Natt from CPIML attended his funeral in Patiala on 21 October.

Red Salute Comrade Jagjit Singh Sohal!