ONCE a decision about a programme had been made, Pranab da used to meet comrades at every level and discuss details with them and keep an eye on implementation and development. Every task requires patience and self-correction at every step. His efforts gave momentum to movements like the sharecroppers’ struggle in the Santhal Paragnas, the unorganized colliery workers’ struggle, coal peddlers on bicycles and their unity with regular workers’ struggles, and building people’s struggles in areas of feudal repression.
Soon after Jharkhand attained statehood, police killed 8 people in Tapkara including 7 adivasis because they were protesting against eviction. When the CPI(ML) organized a gherao in protest, the gherao was attacked. Many protesters including CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya were badly injured and thrown into jail. During this phase Comrade Mahendra Singh and Comrade DP Bakshi played an important role in energizing the Party and putting the movement back on its feet.
Pranab da said that in order to learn we must always be ready to understand others’ views and suggestions and learn from new people and new situations. He took a keen interest in sports and also in Bengali literature and art.
Pranab da was born on 17 May 1948 at Chuchura in Bengal. His wife Malina is a strong revolutionary communist and his daughter Madhurima is also a dedicated activist. I had the opportunity of getting to know him only after he became the Jharkhand in-charge.
When I met him in the hospital, I told him to get well soon and come to Giridih. He said, “Yes, I must definitely come. We have to make strong preparations against the BJP”.
