TRIBUTES flowed during a state-level condolence meeting for Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of CPI(M), organised by the Bihar state committee of CPI(M) on October 1, 2024, at Ravindra Bhawan, Patna. Over 1,000 workers, peasants, women, youth, students, and intellectuals, gathered to honour Sitaram Yechury, who passed away unexpectedly on September 20.The news of his sudden demise shocked both the Party and the broader Left and democratic movements across the country.

COMRADE Sitaram Yechury, a revolutionary visionary leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was a pioneer in recognising the grave threat posed by the fascist RSS's Hindutva ideology early on. Until his last breath, he dedicated his life to combating this right-wing, communal fascism. This was the view expressed by Prakash Karat, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) at a memorial meeting held in Kolkata on October 3.Besides Prakash Karat, Party state secretary Muhammad Salim and Polit bureau member Surya Mishra also addressed the gathering.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat and John Britas, member of parliament visited the site of indefinite hunger strike by Sonum Wangchuk and several others from Ladakh, on October 7 to express solidarity.It is a reflection of the authoritarian nature of the Modi government that the 150 activists from Ladakh who had come in a peaceful padayatra all the way to the capital were not allowed to sit on dharna in the capital. Instead they were arrested, ill-treated and now confined to Ladakh Bhavan where they have started an indefinite hunger strike.

THE 16th Finance Commission (FC), constituted on December 31, 2023, with Aravind Panagariya as chairman, is currently preparing its report. The FC has already started visiting state governments and holding discussions on the memorandum submitted by the state governments. Recommendations of the 16th FC will cover a five-year period starting on April 1, 2026.Article 280(1) of the Indian Constitution outlines how a Finance Commission is established.

NOT even the festive spirit of Durga Puja could overshadow the burning demand for justice in Kolkata. Left-wing student, youth and women’s organisations staged a massive rally in Dharmatala, braving heavy rains and police restrictions, to declare that the fight for justice will continue unabated. The rally, held on September 26th  afternoon, saw a massive turnout of young protesters who defied police orders and barricades.