P SUNDARAYYA Memorial Trust and the All India Kisan Sabha organised a memorial meeting on the occasion of the birth centenary of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, revolutionary leader of the peasantry, toiling masses and Communist Movement on January 31, 2016 in the office premises of the AIKS. Floral tributes were paid to the legendary leader amidst shouting of slogans. P Krishnaprasad, finance secretary, AIKS welcomed the gathering. Amra Ram, president, AIKS presided over the meeting and paid tributes to Com Surjeet in his introductory remarks. Prakash Karat, former general secretary of the CPI(M) was the main speaker. He recollected Com Surjeet’s immense contributions to the fight against feudalism, imperialism and the communal forces. He referred to the intensifying agrarian crisis and resultant farmers’ suicides and stressed the need for united struggles against neo-liberal policies as envisaged by Com Surjeet. In particular his role in fighting the separatist forces in Punjab and building up resistance to the RSS and its communal agenda as well as fighting against the neo-liberal economic policies was recollected by him. He pointed out that Com Surjeet contributed a lot in giving a sharper direction to Kisan Sabha. S Ramachandran Pillai, vice-president of AIKS traced Com Surjeet’s immense contributions to the peasant movement, especially in charting out the correct strategy and on the basis of the concrete situation identifying correct demands for the peasant movement. His role in building the Agricultural Workers’ Union was also recollected. Com Surjeet’s role in evolving an alternative to the neo-liberal economic policies and new agricultural policies was also noted. He also noted that through his innumerable writings and two important books dealing with the history of the Kisan Sabha and the Land Reforms in India, he played a major role in guiding the peasant movement. Hannan Mollah, general secretary of the AIKS spoke about Com Surjeet, and said, he taught us how to mobilise the rural poor against the oppressors. He said that Com Surjeet stressed on worker-peasant unity, and added that he fought against communalism and highlighted his role in fighting the Khalistani separatist movement. In the present situation when attacks on the peasantry and toiling masses were increasing in terms of neo-liberal policies and also the divisive agenda of the ruling classes, he stressed to carry forward Com Surjeet’s struggle by building united resistance. NK Shukla, joint secretary of the Kisan Sabha spoke about his role in the freedom struggle starting from a very young age and how he evolved as a peasant leader who led historic struggles against the Betterment levy, against GATT etc. Vijoo Krishnan, joint secretary, AIKS presented the vote of thanks on behalf of the P Sundarayya Memorial Trust and the AIKS. Leaders of different mass and class organisations, AIAWU, CITU, AIDWA, SFI, DYFI, DSMM, AIFAWH and AIKS cadres from nearby states attended the meeting.