CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury called upon for united action to defend secular and democratic fabric of the country and to fight for a new and better India. Addressing a large gathering in Kolkata on July 9, to commemorate 102nd birth anniversary of Comrade Jyoti Basu, Yechury appealed to all sections of people in West Bengal to fight to restore the lost glory of Bengal.

The public meeting, organised by Jyoti Basu birth centenary committee, witnessed presence of eminent people from all walks of life, apart from Left leaders.

Yechury said that the people have gathered here in huge numbers not to condole Jyoti Basu’s passing away but to celebrate his life which he lived in totality to intensify fight for a new India. He said, Jyoti Basu’s life is synonymous with independent India. As an MLA, he became a voice of the peasants movements in the country. By this he not only strengthened the support base for those movements but also strived for pushing the abolition of the zamindari system as an agenda for the modern India. Otherwise the history of India would have been different. He voiced for linguistic reorganisation of the states which ultimately became a major factor for unity in modern republic. Jyoti Basu has also fought relentlessly against the unitary centralism and for strengthening the federal structure of the country.

Yechury further said that secularism and democracy are inseparable in India. The legendary place Jyoti Basu has achieved in Indian politics is because he was a democratic and secular person to the core. As the chief minister he never tried to restrict the space of the opposition. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi when attacks on Sikh community took place, West Bengal was the lone exception. That was the proud moment for Bengal. On the contrary what is the scenario of the present Bengal? We feel ashamed because Kolkata is now being portrayed as the rape capital of India. Authoritarian tendencies are also very much visible in the governance of the state. Jyoti Basu was truly committed to democracy and secularism. Without restoring the lost pride of Bengal, no true homage can be paid to him, concluded Sitaram Yechury.

CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said, we remember Jyoti Basu for our own cause. In present Bengal, young job applicants are being beaten up, examination papers often get leaked, students are being forced to pay hefty  fee, scams and corruptions have become a regular feature, peasants of Bengal are not getting remunerative prices, share croppers are losing their rights. And where can we find Jyoti Basu other than in the struggle and movements against this misrule, he questioned. Jyoti Basu will always be there in the fight for safeguarding democracy, secularism and federal structure. Jyoti Basu became Jyoti Basu from his association with the movements, and that is why he always considered people as being prominent.

Former speaker of state assembly, Hasim Abdul Halim said the achievements of Jyoti Basu as chief minister were unparalleled. He established participatory democracy in the state is. Jyoti Basu was the leader of the poor and common people; he was democratic, secular and was a legendary parliamentarian. The manifestation of authoritarian tendencies is becoming evident now in the state of West Bengal and the country as a whole. United battle is the need of the hour to defeat the evil forces, he said.

Former speaker of Lok Sabha, Somnath Chatterjee recollected his close association with the legendary leader. He said Jyoti Basu always believed that politics provide best opportunities to serve the people. His role as an opposition member in the West Bengal assembly is historical. He also said that Jyoti Basu could read the mind of the people; he could speak in their language. He fought bravely against authoritarian rule. That has to be remembered in the present context of the state. Protest is not enough; the attacks on people have to be resisted. The fundamental right is under attack in West Bengal. Education, health, industry - all are in bad condition. Attacks on women are alarmingly on rise. Resurrection of the pride of Bengal can be the only way to pay homage to Jyoti Basu.

Eminent litterateur Budhhadeb Guha said Jyoti Basu could touch the hearts of the common people with his simple yet pertinent words. He was an honest man and chose politics out of conviction. Such leaders are becoming rare. Now politics has become a profession. Subsequent generations in the Party too are pursuing politics honestly with ideology as their guiding force.

Biman Basu in his introductory remarks said that Jyoti Basu stood steadfast against all sorts of divisive forces, oppression and fought for democracy. The present situation in the state of Bengal is not at all congenial for democracy. Jyoti Basu’s life can teach us how to handle such a situation. The state government is not handing over the land needed for the Jyoti Basu Research Centre even after paying the full amount for the land. He also said that the best homage to Jyoti Basu can be paid by launching movements against attacks on democracy and secularism.

Ashok Ghosh, veteran leader of the Left Front, presided over the programme.