Monday, July 23, 2012

CC Communique

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on July 21-22, 2012. It has issued the following statement:

The Central Committee considered a report submitted by the Polit Bureau on the prevailing situation in Kerala and Party related matters there.

The Central Committee noted that Com. V.S. Achuthanandan, Member of the Central Committee had made certain statements publicly criticizing the state leadership of the Party and taken some steps which have provided opportunities for the political opponents to attack the Party. After the discussion, Com. V.S self-critically told the Central Committee that some of his remarks and actions were incorrect and could have been avoided.

On this basis, the Central Committee decided to publicly censure Com. V.S. Achuthanandan for his wrong remarks and for violation of the basic norms of the Party. The Central Committee expects Com. V.S., the senior most leader of the Party in Kerala, to act in such a manner which will help the Party to unitedly face the current situation.

The Central Committee noted that the brutal murder of T.P. Chandrasekaran is being utilised to conduct a concerted campaign against the Party. The Central Committee condemned the efforts of the UDF government which has directed the police to falsely implicate Party leaders and cadres in this case. The Party has already declared that it is not involved in the murder of Chandrasekaran and had strongly condemned it. The Party does not believe in the elimination of political opponents.

The Party will conduct an enquiry into the matter to ascertain if there is any involvement of anyone associated with the Party in this incident. As stated earlier, firm action will be taken if anybody is found to be involved from the Party and any wrong trend if it exists in the Party will be put down firmly.

The Central Committee asked the Kerala State Committee to take appropriate action in the matter concerning M.M. Mani, former Secretary of the Idukki District Committee of the Party.

Capt Lakshmi Sahgal - Condolence Resolution

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its profound grief at the passing away of Capt Lakshmi Sahgal, inspiring and courageous freedom fighter, dedicated and compassionate doctor in the service of the poor, fighter for women’s rights and a senior and greatly respected member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). She passed away at the age of 98 in Kanpur. At the time of her death she was a patron of the All India Democratic Women’s Association which she had helped to found.

Capt Lakshmi who was born into an illustrious family from Kerala. was brought up in Madras where she excelled in her studies as a brilliant student. Her parents were freedom fighters dedicated to the nation, her father a brilliant lawyer and her mother a social worker and campaigner for women’s rights. From her childhood, Capt Lakshmi was brought up with values which cherished India’s freedom. This dedication remained with her through her life. Her parents marriage was inter caste one and Lakshmi as a young student fought against caste prejudice often clashing with the ideas held by her contemporaries in school and college. She completed her MBBS degree in 1938 and then in 1940 decided to travel to Singapore. It was while she was working there as a doctor that she became actively involved in the work of the India Independence League which contributed greatly to India’s freedom struggle. She was introduced to Subhash Chandra Bose in 1943 and was invited by him to set up the Rani of Jhansi women’s brigade under his overall command. She became the leader of this legendary brigade and was inducted by him into the provisional cabinet of Azad Hind as the only woman member. She played a heroic role and saved many lives by her courage as leader of the INA. She was captured by the British and brought to India in 1946 where he was given a heroine’s welcome.

She married Prem Sehgal who was also a leader of the INA working with Subhash Chandra Bose.

After independence, Capt Lakshmi set up her practice in Kanpur. She became the beloved health saviour of lakhs of poor women of Kanpur whom she would provide medical services without any charge. She was devoted to her patients and there was hardly a day when she did not work in her modest clinic. Even on the day before her heart attack, regardless of her frail health she was at the clinic meeting patients, such was her dedication.

In 1971 when huge numbers of refugees came from what was then East Pakistan, the Peoples relief Committee in West Bengal gave a call for doctors to help. Com. Jyoti Basu also issued a call. Capt Lakshmi answered his appeal and spent several months working with the refugees providing them medical relief.

It was after this experience that Capt Lakshmi decided to join the CPI(M). She became a member of the Kanpur and later the UP State Committee of the Party. She was a champion for women’s rights and shouldered the responsibility along with other great communist women leaders of mobilizing women for their rights. She was a founder member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, travelling the length and breadth of the country as the organisation’s Vice-President.

She believed strongly in the need for a Socialist revolution and she lived her ideals. She was extremely modest about her many achievements, always encouraging young people into leadership roles. She was the beloved role model of young people throughout country.

The CPI(M) pays its deep homage and dips the red flag in honour of Capt Lakshmi Sehgal, courageous and dedicated communist leader and freedom fighter. Her life and work will continue to inspire generations of young people.

The Party extends its condolences to her daughters Subhashini Ali and Anisa Puri, and her grandchildren and other family members.
Long Live Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal.

Capt Lakshmi Sahgal : A Revolutionary Life Of Struggle & Sacrifice


Lakshmi Sahgal was born Lakshmi Swaminadhan on 24.10.l914 in what was then still called Madras. Her father was Dr. S. Swaminadhan, a brilliant and leading lawyer practising criminal law at the Madras High Court. Her mother was A.V. Ammukutty, a social worker, freedom fighter and tireless campaigner for women's rights who successfully contested elections to the Madras Municipal Corporation, the Constituent Assembly, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. She also served as National President of the All India Women's Conference.

As a young girl, Lakshmi participated enthusiastically in nationalist programmes of burning of foreign goods, including her own clothes and toys and picketting of liquor-vends. She decided to study medicine not from the point of view of embarking upon a successful career but because she wanted to be of service to the poor, especially to poor women. As a result, she received the MBBS degree from Madras Medical College in l938. A year later, she received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics.

In l940, Lakshmi left Madras for Singapore. Here she quickly established a clinic where the poorest of the poor, especially migrant Indian labour, could receive medical treatment. Not only did she establish herself as a successful, compassionate and extremely competent doctor, but she played an active role in the India Independence League which contributed greatly to the freedom movement in India.

In l942 came the historic surrender of Singapore by the British colonial power to the Japanese. Lakshmi was kept extremely busy tending to the many casualties and injuries that resulted from skirmishes. She also came in contact with many of the India POWs who were deliberating over the Japanese proposal to form an Indian army of liberation. She was extremely enthusiastic about this possibility and argued strongly in its favour. As a result, she was very much part of the deliberations that finally resulted in the formation of the INA under Gen. Mohan Singh.

Events moved very fast with the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose in Singapore on 2nd July, l943. In the next few days, at all his public meetings, Netaji, as he was popularly known as, spoke of his determination to raise a women’s regiment, the Rani of Jhansi regiment, which would also fight for Indian independence and make it complete. On the 5th of July he spoke to Shri Yellappa, and enquired whether there was any Indian woman in Singapore who would be suitable for the task of leading such a regiment. Shri Menon immediately suggested Lakshmi’s name. Netaji insisted on meeting her immediately and she was brought to meet him quite late the same night. As soon as he put his proposal to her, she accepted it without a moment’s hesitation and, the very next day, she closed her clinic and began preparations for the formation of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA.

These preparations were underway very soon and, in a short time, a well-trained fighting force of women recruits took shape. On 21st October, l943, when the Provisional Government of Azad Hind was announced, Lakshmi was the sole woman member of its Cabinet.

The Rani of Jhansi Regiment saw active duty on the front. Lakshmi who was given the rank of Colonel, although in the popular imagination she remained ‘Captain Lakshmi’ was active both militarily and on the medical front. She played a heroic role not only in the fighting but during the terrible days that INA personnel were hunted by the victorious British troops and saved many lives because of her courage and devotion. She was finally captured and brought to India on 4th March, l946 when she received a heroine’s welcome. The British authorities realised that keeping her a prisoner would be counter-productive and she was released.

After her release, Capt. Lakshmi campaigned tirelessly for the release and rehabilitation of imprisoned and de-mobbed INA personnel and for the freedom of India. She travelled the length and breadth of the country and was able to collect huge funds for the INA soldiers and also mobilise people against the colonial power.

After the release of the prisoners, including Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal, from the Red Fort the campaign for freedom continued. In March 1947, Col. Sahgal and Capt. Lakshmi were married in Lahore (Col. Sahgal was the son of Justice Achhru Ram Sahgal, a member of the Punjab High Court Bench who was one of the judges in the Gandhi Murder Case). After their marriage, they settled down in Kanpur.

In Kanpur, Lakshmi plunged into her medical work almost immediately because the influx of refugees started even before August, l947 when it became a flood. She worked tirelessly among them for several years. Later on she established a small maternity home in a hired premise where it continues till today. Her compassion and service to the poor have become legendary in the city.

In l971, when huge numbers of refugees came from what was East Pakistan into West Bengal, Lakshmi worked at a camp in Bongaon for several months.

After this, she became very active in left politics and in, first, the trade union and, then, the women's movement although she never neglected her medical work. When the All India Democratic Women's Association was formed in l981, she became Vice-President of the largest women's organisation in the country and has been actively involved in its activities, campaigns and struggles ever since.

In October, l984, when anti-Sikh riots broke out in the city in the wake of Smt. Indira Gandhi’s assassination, she came out on the streets in defence of Sikh families and shops near her clinic and did not allow any of them to be harmed.

In l998, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the President of India

Even during her last days, she used to leave for her maternity home at 9.00 every morning, seven days a week and works till late in the afternoon. Adulation and awards mean very little to her. Her unassuming manners and modesty are a source of amazement and inspiration. Her untiring and undying commitment to humanity and its service were truly exceptional.