“A B Bardhan was the finest Communist leader that India ever had. We should draw inspiration from his selfless life and work to promote communism in the country,” said D Raja, General Secretary, CPI, India, on Wednesday. Raja made this statement during the 100th birth anniversary programme of A B Bardhan conducted by the city unit of CPI at A B Bardhan Sabhagruha, Parwana Bhavan, Station Road. “Bardhan was a great communist revolutionary and ideologue who dedicated his life for communist unity to run the communist movement together in India,” said Raja. While talking about Nagpur, Raja said, “Nagpur is famous as headquarters of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Deekshabhoomi but it is the ‘Karmabhoomi’ of Bardhan who worked here for student movements and to unite trade unions.”

 

Bardhan did so much work for students at university level and even became the youngest MLA in Legislative Assembly at some point, mentioned the CPI leader. Bardhan played a key role in forging a broad fighting unity of Left trade unions and other mass organisations to resist the ‘neo-liberal policy offensive’ during its initial phase. He explained how ‘Neo-fascism’ was grabbing the society and how right wing forces became popular in its initial stages. “Bardhan was the person who analysed the Mandal Commission Report and how it explained the economic, social and educational backwardness of the Indian society. He also analysed the issues of casteism in the Indian society,” said D Raja at the event. On his association with Bardhan, Raja said, “I translated many articles of Bardhan in Tamil. Bardhan had defined very well about the role of public sector in the development of India’s economy.”

 

At the outset, Prof Prabhat Patnayak, renowned Economist delivered a lecture on “Challenges before the Labour Community in the era of Globalisation”. Patnayak talked about the influence of Neo-fascism in the world and how they are setting a narrative to rule the society. Senior party leaders like Amarjeet Kaur, Dr K Narayana, Vinay Vishvam, Dr Bhalchandra Kango, Pallab Sengupta, Aziz Pasha, Ramkrishna Panav, Anni Raja, Dr Girish Sharma and Subhash Lande also shared the dais during the event. A large number of CPI workers and students attended the programme. Subhash Lande proposed a vote of thanks.