Shimla: The CPI (M) here today held a condolence meeting to mourn the death of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the former party general secretary and a legendary leader of the freedom movement who pioneered the communist movement in the country. He died after a prolonged illness on August 1, 2008. He was 93 years old.
The seven and a half decades-long political life of Harkishan Singh Surjeet began with his staunch fight against British colonial rule. He played a pioneering role in developing the peasant movement and the Communist Party in Punjab before emerging as a national leader of the Communist Party of India and the All India Kisan Sabha. It culminated with his leading role in the CPI(M) for an eventful four decades. Speaking on the occasion Rakesh Singha, party state secretary recalled Surjeet’s long association with the party in Himachal Pradesh of whom he had been incharge till 1984. During the Mujara movement he remained in the state and led the movement. Many years of his underground exile were spent in the state.
Comarde Surjeet’s guidance has been important in developing the party in the state, said Singha. Many years of his remaining underground, evading various agencies were spent in the state. In honour of the departed leader the party lowered it flag at its state headquarter.
