A memorial meeting in memory of veteran CPI(ML) Liberation leader Comrade Nandkishore Prasad (Jamuna Ji), former Bihar State Secretary and long-time member of the Party's Polit Bureau, was held at the Jagjivan Ram Research Institute in Patna on June 30. Leaders of the Left, Mahagathbandhan constituents, social activists, intellectuals, journalists and party cadres paid rich tributes to the veteran revolutionary and resolved to carry forward his legacy of uncompromising struggles for democracy, social justice and the rights of workers and peasants.
Comrade Jamunaji, passed away on the night of June 19 in Patna's Medanta Hospital where he had been undergoing treatment since 28 May following a severe brain haemorrhage and subsequent respiratory and other complications.
The meeting began with the reading of the Party's condolence resolution by Bihar State Secretary Comrade Kunal, who recalled Comrade Jamuna Ji's immense organisational contribution, his lifelong commitment to revolutionary politics and his unwavering dedication to building the Party under the most challenging circumstances.
Addressing the gathering, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya described Comrade Jamuna Ji as one of the leaders who carried forward the revolutionary energy of the Party's formative years and steadfastly strengthened the Party through difficult periods of struggle. He called upon the younger generation to uphold his courage, commitment and revolutionary ideals in the struggles of the present.
Speaking on the current political situation, Dipankar Bhattacharya sharply criticised the BJP's promotion of "bulldozer raj" and "encounter raj", stating that these have no place in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. He said the BJP was attempting to project them as a model of governance, whereas they amounted to nothing less than mafia rule. Referring to the encounter killing of Bharat Tiwari, he said serious questions were being raised across Bihar and reiterated that CPI(ML) Liberation has consistently opposed every fake encounter and every form of state repression. He stressed that democratic forces must resist the entire politics of encounters and bulldozer justice.
He further criticised the Modi government for attacking the livelihoods of working people, pointing out that while the Prime Minister seeks photo opportunities with tea sellers, street vendors and other sections of the informal workforce during elections, the same people face eviction and displacement under BJP rule.
Leaders of allied Left and democratic parties also paid tribute to Comrade Jamuna Ji, recalling his lifelong dedication to people's struggles and emphasising the need to strengthen the unity of democratic and secular forces against communalism, authoritarianism and pro-corporate policies. The meeting reaffirmed its resolve to carry forward Comrade Jamuna Ji's legacy through sustained struggles in defence of democracy, constitutional rights and the interests of the working people.
The meeting was chaired by senior Party leader Comrade K.D. Yadav and conducted by Polit Bureau member Comrade Meena Tiwari.
