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Surjeet, outstanding leader, says CPI(M)

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Expressing profound grief at the death of veteran Marxist Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the CPI(M) on Friday said it had lost an outstanding leader and the nation an authoritative representative of the Left and secular traditions.

In a condolence resolution, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau described the veteran Marxist leader as “an outstanding figure of the communist movement of the country and a prominent national politician.”

The resolution recognised his “important role in making the CPI(M) the largest contingent of the Left movement in the country. Surjeet absorbed Marxism-Leninism by sheer dint of self-study and learning from experience. He always stressed the fundamental importance of critically examining the party’s ideological and political positions on the basis of Marxism.”

Conveying its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Surjeet’s wife, Pritam Kaur, sons, daughter and other family members, it said that as CPI(M) general secretary, Mr. Surjeet became “the most authoritative spokesman for the Left and democratic forces in the country.”

“He worked tirelessly for the defence of democratic and secular values and to see that India maintained its non-aligned and independent foreign policy. His views were sought and his advice [was] heard with respect in political circles,” the resolution said.

“His was a life-long fight against communalism. He was one of the first leaders who recognised the threat posed by the rise of the communal forces to the secular principle of the Indian state. He played a crucial role in 1989, 1996 and 2004 in creating the political formations and the setting up of governments which excluded the communal forces,” it noted.

Lauding his role in the defence of national unity and in formulating policies to counter the threat from the divisive forces, the Polit Bureau said his firm stance and leadership in fighting against Khalistani terrorism in Punjab and the sacrifice made by over 200 Communists in fighting extremism constituted a glorious chapter.

The resolution said Mr. Surjeet looked at all issues of national unity and from a democratic and secular standpoint.

He authored the books ‘Land reforms in India,’ ‘Happenings in Punjab’ and the ‘Outline history of the Communist Party.’

He also wrote innumerable pamphlets on current political issues.

“In his death, the party has lost an outstanding leader and the country an authoritative representative of the Left and secular tradition. The entire party will cherish and uphold the ideology and principles for which Harkishan Singh Surjeet dedicated his life,” the resolution said.

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