JYOTI Basu, a staunch opponent of communalism, famously labelled the BJP a "barbaric party" after the Babri Masjid demolition. Today the situation has worsened. Those whom Jyoti Basu had called barbaric were once at the threshold, but now they hold State power. They are trying to make Hindutva the State’s official ideology. Had he been alive, Jyoti Basu would have been at the forefront of the struggle against these forces of darkness. His political teachings are extremely relevant to us today in safeguarding India's secularism and democracy.

While inaugurating the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research building, Prakash Karat, coordinator of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, paid tribute to Jyoti Basu and expressed his concern over the rise of communal forces in India. The overwhelmingly well-attended inauguration ceremony of the first phase of the   JBCSSR Complex in Jyoti Basu Nagar (Newtown) was graced by many dignitaries. Among the attendees were leaders of the Left Front, members of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau and Central Committee, eminent personalities from society, academia, law, art, and culture, leaders of Left-wing political parties and the Congress, and admirers of Jyoti Basu.

CPI(M) state secretary Md. Salim addressed the gathering, along with Prakash Karat, both expressing hope that the Jyoti Base Centre for Social Studies and Research will provide resources for social work, research, the struggle for the liberation of working people, and the struggle to protect the country's secular and democratic values. The programme also featured a special performance and speech by the Rabindra Sangeet maestro from Bangladesh, Rezwana Choudhury Bannya. Biman Basu, president JBCSSR chaired the programme. Exactly one year ago, on January 17, 2024 late Sitaram Yechury, then the Party general secretary had laid the foundation stone of this building. As of now, only two floors of JBCSSR have been inaugurated. The speakers paid their respects to the deceased comrades Sitaram Yechury and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

Karat recalled Basu's contributions and leadership to the communist movement in India, noting that Basu's journey in Indian politics started after he returned from Britain, where he had established himself as a railway trade union leader. This early involvement in trade unionism highlighted his commitment to representing the working class and laid the foundation for his significant contributions to both the communist movement and the state assembly.

Jyoti Basu's leadership was instrumental in the success of both the United Front and the Left Front governments in West Bengal. His leadership resulted in significant advancements within the state, demonstrating his ability to effectively govern and implement policies based on communist ideology. During his address, Prakash Karat acknowledged the invaluable guidance Basu provided throughout their ideological struggle, which included opposing communal politics and countering irrational propaganda.

RESEARCH AND

SOCIAL WORK

The first two research-based monographs of the Jyoti Base Centre for Social Studies and Research, namely "Economic Deprivation in Rural West Bengal: Contours and Trajectory" and "Looming Crisis of Lives and Livelihood: Employment and Unemployment in West Bengal" were formally released by Karat, along with a memorial diary honouring Jyoti Basu's lifelong work. These were presented to Karat by Prof. Ishita Mukherjee, Joydeep Mukherjee and Soham Bhattacharya.

Professor Ishita Mukherjee of Calcutta University, who handed over the two monographs, explained that these booklets, compiled with extensive data, reveal the multifaceted decline of rural Bengal's economy and the devastating impact of unemployment on people's lives, amidst suppression of information by the central and state governments. Karat emphasized that research conducted at the centre will provide valuable insights and support to the working class and their struggles.

Md. Salim stated that the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research will be instrumental in fostering a culture of social discourse, laying the foundation for the struggle for everyday democracy. During Jyoti Basu's tenure as chief minister, he emphasized research on global perspectives, particularly in South and Central Asia. With democracy and secularism under attack both in our country and neighbouring nations, there is an urgent need for deeper discourse. For 34 years, extensive research was conducted on successes and failures in agriculture, education, health, and employment. However, the current state is marked by neglect of these sectors, with only cosmetic improvements to government infrastructure. The centre, named after Jyoti Basu, aims to foster intellectual discourse beyond mere physical infrastructure.

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya expressed her gratitude for the invitation to the JBCSSR. She fondly recalled her student days in Santiniketan especially under the legendary Rabindra Sangeet exponent Kanika Bandyopadhyay's mentorship   and a meeting with Jyoti Basu, where they enthusiastically discussed Dhaka and his childhood memories. She emphasized that the shared language and culture between the people of Bangladesh and West Bengal are their strongest bonds and advocated for strengthening their relationship.

Biman Basu in his speech mentioned that during his tenure as chief minister, Jyoti Basu had proposed renaming Salt Lake to Bidhannagar after former chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy. After Jyoti Basu's passing away in 2010, New Town was renamed Jyoti Basu Nagar as the then housing minister, Gautam Deb, had tirelessly worked to develop this township based on Jyoti Basu's advice. However, the name was changed after the TMC government took charge in 2011. "We want the name of the New Town to be rechristened Jyoti Basu Nagar, and will seek public opinion and approach the current chief minister with this demand”, Basu said.

Party Central Committee member Rabin Deb, the secretary of the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research, expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the centre’s construction. He also mentioned that Biman Basu, the chairman of the Left Front, had already sent a letter requesting that the metro station adjacent to the centre be named after Jyoti Basu.

The programme began with cultural performances by artists from the Indian People's Theatre Association and Ria, Rahul, and Diganta. On behalf of the CITU West Bengal Committee, Anadi Sahu and Subhas Mukherjee handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs to Biman Basu as a contribution to the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research. Dilip Das, senior trade union leader, donated Rs 1 lakh. Many others also contributed financially to support the construction of the centre. Bidyut Mandal and Jayashree Mandal, the parents of Abhishek Mandal, who passed away in an accident, were present at the programme.