JCP sends condolences on former CPI(M) General Secretary Surjeet

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP sends condolences on former CPI(M) General Secretary Surjeet

The Japanese Communist Party sent the following message of condolences to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the death of its former General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet. The message was signed by JCP Chair Shii Kazuo and former JCP Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo.

We express our deepest condolences on the death of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, a long-time leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

He made a great contribution to developing the relations between the JCP and the CPI(M), after a JCP delegation to India first held a meeting with the CPI(M) in 1980. During his visits to Japan on three occasions, including to attend a JCP-sponsored international symposium and the JCP Congress, we remember having fruitful discussions on various subjects, including the anti-nuclear agenda and other issues of peace, views on the international situation, socialism, and the struggle for peace and social progress in each country. We also remember that he extended hearty hospitality to the JCP delegation visiting India in 1988 and 2002.

Starting with the struggle against British colonial rule, Comrade Surjeet played a prominent role in the effort to improve the living standards of the Indian people and promote progressive change in politics. He played a leading role in building a strong and principled communist party, which led to the successful establishment and continuation of the Left-led state governments with a population of one hundred and twenty million.

We wish the CPI(M) further advances in the struggle for peace, social progress, democracy and socialism by overcoming the loss of Comrade Surjeet.

Please convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

- Akahata, August 3, 2008