Salute the Proud Revolutionary Legacy of Comrade Ajaib Singh Who Dedicated His Entire Life to the Cause of the People's Revolution for the Liberation of the Working Class
A Life Dedicated
to the Revolution
Recently, another name was added
to the list of departed comrades in the caravan of the communist revolutionary
movement. Comrade Ajaib Singh, who stood steadfast as a professional
revolutionary for decades, passed away in June. His journey, dedicated to the
great mission of building a new society and state — one that would bring
prosperity and dignity to the lives of working people — has come to an end,
leaving behind immortal footprints.
For the revolutionary movement in
Punjab, its comrades, and its well-wishers, this is a moment of profound grief.
At the same time, it is also a moment of immense pride in Comrade Ajaib's
glorious life and revolutionary journey. Ever since his youth, he remained true
to his pledge to dedicate his life to the people. He devoted all his strength,
abilities, and determination to the great cause of human liberation. Through a
steadfast journey marked by immense hardships, triumphs, and setbacks, Comrade
Ajaib exemplified what communist revolutionaries are made of and how they
remain unwaveringly loyal to the cause of the people's emancipation.
The Spark of
Naxalbari
Comrade Ajaib's proud
revolutionary journey began in the late 1960s, when the thunderous call of the
Naxalbari peasant uprising in West Bengal shook the youth of the country and
inspired thousands to embark upon the path of revolution. Like countless young
people across India, hundreds of youth in Punjab joined this movement to
dedicate their lives to the ideals of Shaheed Bhagat Singh's vision of a
people's revolution. They abandoned their studies in colleges and universities,
renounced dreams of personal comfort and success, and dedicated themselves to
preparing the masses for revolution.
Born into a hardworking peasant
family in the village of Chak Singha (Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur), Comrade Ajaib
had completed his school level studies and was helping his family with
agricultural work. His father was already under the influence of the Communist
Party of India, and progressive communist ideas had taken roots within the
family.
During the early years of the
Naxalbari movement, the Doaba region emerged as a significant epicenter of
communist revolutionary activity. The legacy of people's liberation struggles
carried forward by the Ghadarite Babas, Babbar Akalis, and other patriotic
revolutionaries remained deeply embedded in the villages, inspiring a new
generation. Veteran revolutionaries such as Gandharv Sen and Baba Bujha Singh,
who had earlier fought against British colonial rule, drew fresh inspiration
from the Naxalbari uprising and rejoined the revolutionary movement with
renewed youthful enthusiasm. A publication titled Lok Yudh (People's War) was
secretly printed in Nurmahal by Gandharv Sen and his daughter, Surinder Kumari
Kochhar. Revolutionaries were simultaneously working to develop Comrade Ajaib’s
area, Garhshankar, and the adjoining semi-hilly areas into potential
strongholds for building a people's war.
Amid this revolutionary
atmosphere, Comrade Ajaib's father sympathized with the movement, and their
home became a safe haven for revolutionary youth from across Doaba. The
fragrance of revolutionary ideas emanating from the meetings inside the house
captivated Comrade Ajaib. Inspired by this environment, he embraced the
revolutionary cause, joined the Naxalbari movement, left home to become a
professional revolutionary, went underground, and immersed himself among the
masses.
Enduring State
Repression
As was common during those years
of severe state repression, the police unleashed brutal persecution upon his
family after he joined the movement. A cycle of atrocities followed — from
demolishing the walls of their house and confiscating their cattle to
inflicting severe torture on his brothers. Bearing the brunt of this state
repression, Comrade Ajaib's elder brother had to incarcerate in jail, and the
family was forced to sell their land and flee the village. At the same time,
many of Ajaib's comrades were being martyred in police encounters or subjected
to horrific custodial torture on their bodies.
The emotions of revolutionaries
during those years found expression in the words of the poet Paash:
I have left behind
an ocean of weeping sisters,
the quivering
beard of a father
caught in some
unknown dread,
and innocent
motherhood
making vows,
fainting in agony.
No one will tie my
voiceless cattle
tethered to the
manger,
in the shade,
no one will offer
them water,
and in my house
for many meals
the hearth
will not burn in mourning...
Yet, neither the emotional toll
and the suffering of his family, nor the brutal repression inflicted upon his
comrades could divert Comrade Ajaib from the revolutionary path. Instead, these
injustices only deepened his class consciousness and strengthened his resolve
to fight.
From Individual
Action to Mass Organization
During that period, a tendency
toward individual "heroic" (adventurist) actions emerged within
sections of the revolutionary movement. Some revolutionaries shifted their
emphasis away from the long-drawn task of organizing and politically educating
the masses, placing greater reliance on armed squad actions. As a result, the
fundamental importance of building mass organizations and leading the people
through sustained struggles was temporarily overshadowed.
Like many revolutionaries of his
generation, Comrade Ajaib was initially influenced by this trend. During his
arrest in 1971, he attempted to attain martyrdom by pulling the pin of a
grenade hidden in his pocket. However, the grenade failed to explode. The
police immediately opened fire, severely injuring his hand and shattering three
of his fingers. After being dragged to the police station and subjected to
brutal torture, those fingers had to be amputated. Throughout this ordeal,
Comrade Ajaib endured police torture with extraordinary courage and unwavering
conviction. After serving a year in prison, he was released on bail and
immediately went underground again to resume his revolutionary
responsibilities. Having confronted the possibility of martyrdom so early in
his revolutionary life, and through his remarkable courage and determination,
he earned deep respect and affection among the people, especially the revolutionaries
of Doaba.
Only a few years later,
particularly after witnessing the immense strength of the organized masses
during the historic Moga Struggle, Comrade Ajaib came to fully grasp the true
importance of mass organization. He had seen the state's police machinery
rendered completely helpless before the organized strength of the people.
Recognizing both the tremendous potential of organized student movements in
Punjab and the mass character of the original Naxalbari uprising, he embraced
the revolutionary mass line. He subsequently joined the Punjab Communist
Revolutionary Committee under the leadership of Comrade Harbhajan Sohi, alongside
comrades such as Surinder Tiwari and Harbhajan Halvarvi.
A Lifetime of
Leadership
Throughout his life, Comrade
Ajaib worked in the leading ranks of several communist revolutionary
organizations. Most recently, he served as a member of the Punjab State Committee
of the CPRCI (ML). He dedicated his entire energy, intellect, and commitment to
strengthening the revolutionary movement. During the period of both Khalistani
and state terrorism in Punjab, he, together with Comrade Surinder Tiwari,
played a leading role in organizing the people for self-defense and in making
the necessary technical preparations to safeguard the movement.
Today, Comrade Ajaib's blood and
sweat are deeply embedded in the foundations of Punjab's proud mass struggles.
His revolutionary consciousness continues to illuminate the path for today’s
mass movements.
Vision for a New
Society
Comrade Ajaib remained firmly
committed to overthrowing India's exploitative social order and establishing a
state under the leadership of workers and peasants. He understood that the
country's was being plundered by imperialism and its domestic allies—the
comprador bourgeoisie and the feudal landlord classes. He believed that a
united front of peasants, industrial workers, agricultural labourers, small traders/businesses,
employees, and the national bourgeoisie could overthrow this exploitative order
through protracted revolutionary struggle.
He harbored no illusions about
the parliamentary institutions of the ruling classes. He firmly believed that
genuine liberation could only be achieved through the organized strength of the
masses outside the framework of parliamentary politics. For accomplishing this
historic task, he regarded the leadership of a genuine communist revolutionary
party as indispensable and strongly advocated the principled unity of communist
revolutionaries.
The Path Forward
in Dark Times
Today, the exploitative system is
shifting the burden of its deepening crises onto the working people,
intensifying their suffering. Anger and unrest are steadily growing among the
masses. At the same time, the ruling classes—particularly the Modi
government—are attempting to divert this popular discontent into the channels
of communal fascism in order to consolidate their power. Riding this fascist
chariot, the government arrogantly proclaims that it will extinguish forever
the dream of a people's revolution.
In these dark times, holding high
Comrade Ajaib's convictions and carrying forward his revolutionary legacy has
become more urgent than ever. The suffering of the people can end only through
the complete overthrow of this oppressive system.
His life leaves us with a clear
and enduring message: all oppressed and working people must unite. The
struggles of women, Dalits, oppressed nationalities, and all marginalized
sections must merge with the struggles of workers and peasants. A broad and
powerful mass movement must be built upon the alliance of industrial workers, peasants,
and agricultural laborers. We must prepare the people for the political
struggles required to bring about fundamental social change. For this historic
task, millions of young people must step forward to dedicate their lives, just
as Comrade Ajaib did.
Let us gather to present Comrade
Ajaib's life, struggles, and sacrifices before the people as a lasting source
of inspiration. Let us unite to preserve his revolutionary legacy in our hearts
and carry forward and integrate his ideals in our thoughts, our struggles, and
our practice.
Translation of a Handbill published by
Comrade Ajaib Singh
Tribute Event Committee, Punjab
