People's Democracy

Last Respects to Comrade Samar Mukherjee

THOUSANDS of people bade farewell to legendary Communist leader Comrade Samar Mukherjee in Kolkata. He was the oldest member of the CPI(M) in the whole country. His hundredth birthday was celebrated in November 2012.

Comrade Samar Mukherjee breathed his last on July 18 in a private hospital in Kolkata where he was admitted a day before. He used to stay in Party commune.

Comrade Mukherjee’s body was taken to Howrah, his native place and principal area of his political activity for decades. He also represented Howrah Lok Sabha constituency for three terms. From the district Party office, Comrade Mukherjee’s body was brought to UCRC (the organisation for refugees which he was the foremost leader for seven decades) office in Kolkata and then to the CITU West Bengal state office.

Comrade Samarda’s body was brought to the CPI(M) state office at around 5.15PM. Thousands of people already stood in line outside the Party office to pay homage to him. Polit Bureau members Biman Basu, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Nirupam Sen, S Ramachandran Pillai , Brinda Karat, M A Baby, veteran leaders Benoy Konar and Md Amin  paid floral tributes to him. CPI(M) Central Committee members, state committee members and leaders of mass organisations paid their last respects. Left Front leaders, including Forward Block leader Ashoke Ghosh, CPI state secretary Manjukumar Majumdar paid their last respects.

A funeral rally started from Party office with leaders in the front. Thousands followed, singing the Internationale.  Comrade Mukherjee’s body was donated to NRS Medical College and Hospital for scientific research.