Comrade Jameel Ahmad
A well known professor of Siwan district and CPI (ML) leader Com. Jameel Ahmad passed away on 7 January 2017. He was nearly 70 years of age. He worked as a professor in DAV college from 1982 to 2011 and before retiring also served as the principal. While in service he also remained the secretary for 15 years in JP university. He also served as the district president of Sunni Waqf Board, Siwan. He was a justice loving person. When some members of the minority community started a campaign to stop the road passing a cemetery, he stood against his own community and said that value of living persons cannot be more than those who have died. This is the reason why he was well known among people across sections including religious. In 2011, after retiring he became associated with CPI (ML). In 2013, he was elected as district president of the Insaaf Manch. In 2015, he also fought on the CPI (ML) ticket from Siwan Sadar assembly. At this age also he campaigned with the enthusiasm and the bold voice like that of youth. He asked for votes on the party ideology and line. He often used to say in his speeches- what a good Muslim should do, no other party but CPI (ML) is doing. We talk about right and justice, we wage struggles for better lives of the poor and the oppressed. In midst of voters he used to say fearlessly – in the entire country only CPI (ML) can defeat riotous and sectarian forces, hence to protect the minorities, CPI (ML) should be strengthened. Forces like Nitish-Lallu or Shahabuddin cannot defeat BJP.
His cremation was held on 8 January in which thousands of people from Siwan city participated. Several party leaders including state secretary Com. Kunal was present during his last journey. He was cremated amidst chanting of loud slogans. With his demise, the party has lost a sharp and committed communist activist. He will always remain a source of inspiration for us.
Red Salute to Com. Jameel Ahmad.
Comrade Indal Mehta
Com. Indal Mehta, hailing from Arwal district passed away at the age of 65 years in jail. He had been in jail since 2003 and had been keeping ill since several days. Due to the negligence of the jail authorities he died on 10 January.
Com. Indal Mehta joined CPI (ML) in 1985 and soon became a strong voice of the workers and farmers of the region. In 1999, after the Narayanpur massacre, he was one of the leading activists to reach the site of the massacre and lead the protests. He led the struggle for capture of Gair Majrua land in Lari and made it possible for the poor to reside there. Police unleashed a brutal lathicharge on him and had him arrested. Under the instructions of the feudal forces of Belsaar village in Arwal, he was charged under TADA. He was acquitted of the charges in 2004. However, once again the feudal forces filed false charges against him. He started the campaign to inhabit the poor on Kesar-e-hind land captured by feudal goons. It is for his involvement in this movement that he was arrested on the charges of a murder of a feudal goon Lalan Yadav and was given the sentence for life imprisonment.
Com. Indal Mehta belonged to oppressed sections and had also participated in the anti-emergency agitations. Most of his political life was spent in jail. However, even inside the jail, his fight against corruption continued. He is survived by his wife and four sons. One of his brother is district committee member of Arwal unit.
His last rites were performed in his village- Sarvarpur, in which party’s Central committee member Com. Ramjatan Sharma, Kisan Mahasabha leader Com. Raamdhar Singh along with other leaders and hundreds of people from the village participated.
The ruling establishment has committed judicial murders of Com. Shah Chand, Com. Indal and several of our comrades. Even now, several of our leaders are in jail despite having served sentences. Several of them are ageing or ill and the government refuses to release them.
Com. Mehta will remain a source of inspiration. Be it jail or toiling lands, his voice always resonated against oppression and injustice.
