Today is the birth anniversary of Sahajananda Sarswati, the leading figure of peasant movement in the thirties. He contributed to organise peasants in Bihar and in other eastern parts of the country and is widely revered. In Patna, the public meeting, in Muktakash, an open air theatre, started with paying tributes to him. His and Hugo Chavez's photo adorned the stage. The gathering observed a minute of silence in memory of Chavez.
Later Prakash Karat said that Sahajanand’s dreams and fight are being carried on by CPI(M). He spoke about Chavez and how he transformed Venezuela. He said, Chavez had united the Left and progressive forces and advanced towards implementing radical reforms in Venezuela. “Here in India, we also have the responsibility to develop such a unity”.
Karat continued, “we are fighting for alternative policies. We will welcome those parties and forces who would come forward to support these alternatives”.
Though it was a Sunday morning, hundreds listened to the speakers in scorching heat for hours. Among them were middle classes, transport workers and daily workers.
After Patna, in the last lap of Bihar, Jatha crossed the river Sone to enter Bhojpur. The entire stretch from Ara to Buxar is the land of heroic struggles. That included the victorious resistance in 1857 under the leadership of Kunawar Singh. The rebellious sepoys even occupied British Treasury in Ara town. The defeat of British army for the first time in Indian soil took place in Buxar. In 1942, there was police firing and battle with British administration. After independence too land struggles continued here. CPI(M) in Bihar was formed in Bhojpur. The people of Bhojpur are said to be brave, as the welcome address in Ara public meeting in Nagari Pracharini Hall mentioned, “peeth na dekhwa ba” (they never show their back).
Prakash Karat , who came for the first time in Ara, explained why the alternative policies and not somehow formed alliances are important today. He said that unity and united actions on these policies might be a possibility and CPI(M) would try to realize that.
In Ara, mainly workers of unorganised sector and employees were present. Intelligentsia of Ara town were also present in good numbers.
