PUNJABI daily Desh Sewak organised a function at Bhakna Bhawan Auditorium in Chandigarh on January 1, 2025 to commemorate the completion of 29 years of its publication. The event was dedicated to Comrade Sitaram Yechury. A large number of people from various walks of life participated in the programme. Notable speakers included CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Mohd Salim and Nilotpal Basu, Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon (state secretary, CPI(M) Punjab and MD, Desh Sewak), Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder (acting president, Shiromani Akali Dal), Bant Brar (secretary, CPI Punjab), Punjab cabinet minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Lalchand Kataruchak, former Punjabi Tribune editor Swarajbir Singh, Prof. Chaman Lal (former president, JNU Teachers Association), and Harchand Singh Batth (general secretary, AIPSO).

While addressing the gathering, Mohd Salim described Comrade Sitaram Yechury as a multifaceted personality. He highlighted that Comrade Yechury was not just a political leader but also an excellent economist, a connoisseur of art and culture, and a prolific writer on social, economic, and political issues. Salim explained that Comrade Yechury played a pivotal role in the formation of the INDIA bloc. Further elaborating, he said that Comrade Yechury was a parliamentarian of exceptional qualities who was honoured with the Best Parliamentarian Award. He praised Comrade Yechury’s unique ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, even with his strongest opponents, earning the attention and respect of leaders across party lines. Salim remarked, Comrade Yechury relentlessly fought against communalism on all fronts. He authoured numerous articles and booklets highlighting the dangers posed by the fascist ideology of the RSS to India’s social fabric. Sharing personal anecdotes, Salim recalled how Comrade Yechury had the rare gift of explaining complex issues in simple language, always with a smiling face. He concluded by stating that the true tribute to Comrade Yechury would be to carry forward his work and continue the fight against communal and fascist forces.

Nilotpal Basu, while addressing the gathering, said, Comrade Yechury was a great Marxist ideologue and thinker. He had the foresight to predict the present-day challenges as early as 1992 when the Babri Masjid was demolished by RSS organisations. At that time, he warned that this act was a major challenge from the RSS, and preserving democracy and secularism would become a critical task for the people of India.

Punjab cabinet minister Lalchand Kataruchak shared his experiences of working with Comrade Yechury during his days in the DYFI and later meeting him at a Delhi rally of the INDIA Bloc parties. Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder, acting president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Rajya Sabha member, reminisced about his experiences in Parliament, highlighting how effectively Comrade Yechury raised people's issues and compelled the government to reconsider its decisions. He described Yechury as a great leader who fought for communal harmony and the rights of the deprived sections of society.

Bant Brar, secretary of the CPI, described Comrade Yechury not just as a CPI(M) leader but as a leader of the Left movement. Pirthipal Singh, secretary of the Deshbhagat Yadgar Committee, shared memorable experiences from working with Yechury on youth-related issues. Prof. Chaman Lal recounted incidents where Comrade Yechury, as the leader of SFI and president of the JNU Students’ Union, made bold decisions in the interests of students and the teaching community. Former Punjabi Tribune Editor Swarajbir Singh narrated his interactions with Comrade Yechury during his time as private secretary to then Home Minister Comrade Indrajit Gupta.

Harchand Singh Batth, general secretary of AIPSO, expressed admiration for Yechury's humility and down-to-earth lifestyle, recalling their time together during a Communist Party conference in Italy.

Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, secretary of CPI(M) Punjab and managing director of Desh Sewak, spoke about the publication’s vital role in raising issues affecting workers, peasants, agricultural labourers, and marginalised communities. He highlighted the newspaper’s contribution to the imprisonment of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in rape cases. Sekhon explained that reviving this pre-independence newspaper was a mission of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

During the function, a calendar dedicated to Comrade Sitaram Yechury was released.

Major Singh Bikhiwind and Gurdarshan Singh Khaspur presided over the programme, while Bhup Chand Channo conducted the proceedings.