R L Moudgil
THE 17th death anniversary of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, internationally renowned CPI(M) leader, former general secretary of the CPI(M), founder of the Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Trust, and Punjabi daily Desh Sewak, was commemorated at Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Bhawan in Chandigarh, on August 1.
The meeting was presided over by Trust members Major Singh Bhikhiwind and Gurdarshan Singh Khaspur, with Bhup Chand Channo, CPI(M) state secretariat member, conducting the proceedings.
Floral tributes were paid by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Central Committee member of the CPI(M) and MLA from Kulgam (J&K), who fondly recalled Comrade Surjeet as his mentor. "He was a leader who always had a solution for every problem," said Tarigami, emphasizing Surjeet’s lifelong commitment to secularism, national unity, and the vision of a united India. "
Reflecting on the present, Tarigami said the absence of visionary leaders like Surjeet is profoundly felt today, especially amid increasing authoritarianism. Turning to the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, he said, "At the time of Partition, the people of J&K chose to stay with India out of love for their land, not compulsion. But instead of restoring their rights, Articles 370 and 35A were revoked, and the state was downgraded into two union territories."
He criticised the post-abrogation developments, including the delimitation process which added six assembly seats to Jammu and only one to Kashmir, despite the latter having a higher population according to the 2011 Census. "There is jungle raj now," he warned. "Tomorrow they might even divide Punjab into three parts."
Condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Tarigami pointed out the lack of basic security infrastructure. “There wasn’t even a constable posted at the key tourist site. Locals – horsemen, rickshaw drivers, hoteliers – rushed to protect the tourists. Yet, their voices are silenced.”
“Kashmir is known for its sweet apples, not gunpowder,” he added, rejecting attempts to malign the region with narratives of violence. He concluded by saying that striving to uphold secularism, unity, and integrity would be the most fitting tribute to Comrade Surjeet.
Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, CPI(M) state secretary, also addressed the gathering. Other prominent speakers and attendees included Congress MLA and former Olympian Pargat Singh, CPI state secretary Bant Singh Brar, Prithipal Singh Marimegha, general secretary of the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall Committee, and former union minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia.
Members of the CPI(M) state secretariat and the editorial and managerial team of Desh Sewak were also present.
