FROM the time of the formation of the Communist Party in India, Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad, affectionately called Kakababu, dedicated his life to fighting communalism, bigotry, and backwardness. His unwavering commitment to social revolution, even in the face of adversity, serves as an inspiration for revitalising the Left today. This was repeatedly announced through various programmes on the 136th birthday of Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad on August 5.  Born in 1889 in Sandwip, present-day Bangladesh, Muzaffar Ahmad's birthday became a rallying point for the communist movement in the 1960s.  To invigorate the ideological struggle, communist leaders decided in 1963 to celebrate his birthday, a tradition the CPI(M) continues to this day, observing August 5th as a day of inspiration and renewed commitment.

Samik Lahiri, editor of the Party's mouthpiece Ganashakti paid tribute to Kakababu at the National Book Agency office in Bidhannagar. Lahiri emphasized the importance of observing Kakababu's birthday, a tradition that Kakababu himself initially opposed. However, these observances have proven invaluable in spreading the Party's ideology, especially during challenging times. Kakababu's life was marked by sacrifice, spending much of it in jail or in hiding. He did not live to see the Left Front government in Bengal, but his tireless efforts, alongside that of his contemporaries, paved the way for the strengthening of the communist movement in Bengal. His unwavering dedication to the task of propagating the correct political-ideological path continues to guide us today.

In the face of current challenges, Lahiri acknowledged the need for self-criticism and a renewed focus on connecting with the people. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the poor and working class, the Party's main base, and understanding their perspectives.  Lahiri stressed that the Communist Party must continue its ideological struggle to effectively address the needs of the people and grow stronger.

In the evening at the main programme to observe Kakababu's birth anniversary at Mahajati Sadan,    Party state secretary Md. Salim warned of the rising threat of extreme rightism not only in India but globally, emphasizing the ongoing attacks on CPI(M) workers and attempts to erase the Left from the public consciousness. Salim stressed the urgency of drawing inspiration from the lives of their predecessors, remaining steadfast in their ideology, mobilising the working class, and tirelessly working to re-establish democracy, even in the face of adversity.

Salim also voiced his concerns about the current situation in Bangladesh, underscoring the importance of preserving secular democracy, a hard-won legacy of Bangladesh's liberation war. He called for peace and stability in the region, highlighting the interconnectedness of the two countries. Salim further emphasized the crucial role Indian Communists, including Kakababu, played in supporting Bangladesh's liberation struggle. He cautioned against the influence of foreign agencies, particularly in times of unrest, and the need for careful scrutiny of the role of organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami in the ongoing events in Bangladesh.

Drawing parallels between recent events in Bangladesh and the potential for similar situations in India, Salim highlighted the dangers of election results that deviate significantly from the popular mandate. He cited the massive protests in Bangladesh as evidence of the people's power to challenge authoritarian and corrupt regimes. The RSP general secretary, Manoj Bhattacharya, echoed Salim's sentiments, expressing hopes for a swift return to normalcy and the defeat of fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh.

MUZAFFAR AHMAD MEMORIAL AWARD

Muzaffar Ahmad Memorial Award 2024 was presented at the Mahajati Sadan on Monday, as it is done every year. This year's distinguished recipient was author Prabir Purkayastha for his groundbreaking work, 'Knowledge as Commons: Towards Inclusive Science and Technology'.  Swarnendu Dutta was also honoured for his thought-provoking Bengali book, “Ayodhyar Binirman: Samanbay Theke Ekadhipatya” (Deconstruction of Ayodhya: Coordination to Monopoly'), and author Sibananda Pal for his insightful work, ‘Samajik Prekhhite Santal Bidroho’ ('Santal Rebellion in Social Context').

Srideep Bhattacharya, president of Muzaffar Ahmad Memorial Award Committee, praised Prabir Purkayastha's book for exposing how capitalist systems exploit knowledge for profit. Bhattacharya emphasized that advancements in science and technology, meant to benefit humanity, are often manipulated by corporations to increase their wealth. This has led to a world where hunger and malnutrition persist despite advancements in agricultural and medical sciences. Prabir Purkayastha, while paying tribute to Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad at the meeting, commended his remarkable ability to engage intellectuals of the time in the struggle of the Left, particularly through the publication of periodicals.

On this day, Swati Gangopadhyay, wife of the renowned Bengali poet and novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay, generously donated his extensive book collection to the Muzaffar Ahmad Library. Sunil Gangopadhyay, a literary stalwart known for his innovative experiments with form, themes, rhythms, and words in Bengali poetry during the 1950s and 1960s, passed away in 2012. This precious collection finds a fitting home in the Muzaffar Ahmad Library, which this year proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary.

At the handover programme at Mahajati Sadan, Swati Gangopadhyay expressed her hope that Sunil's literary legacy would continue to inspire and educate. CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim, while formally accepting some of the books, expressed deep gratitude and pledged to ensure their proper preservation and accessibility for all literary enthusiasts.

CPI(M) West Bengal state committee organised various events throughout the state including Kolkata. In each district office and other offices of the Party, tributes and meetings were held on August 5 with leaders paying homage to Kakababu's memory. In the morning, leaders paid tribute to Kakababu's bust at the Party's state office, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhavan. Senior CPI(M) leader Biman Basu, Md Salim, Party Central Committee members Rabin Deb, Srideep Bhattacharya, Samik Lahiri, Abhas Roychowdhury and others were present. Before that, at around 8:30 in the morning, Party leaders visited Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad's grave site in Gobra and paid their respects.

On the occasion of the 136th birth anniversary of Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad, a discussion was organised by Ganashakti Printers titled “Who is responsible for the devastating climate change? What is the way to salvation?”  Biman Banerjee, managing director of Ganashakti Printers, opened the discussion on this issue. Basab Basak, an activist of the science and environment movement, presented an in-depth and informative speech. Biman Basu delivered the concluding speech.