VERY respected economist, veteran CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member, Editor of ‘Nandan’ monthly journal Comrade Biplab Dasgupta died in his Kolkata residence in 17th July afternoon following a heart attack. He was 67 and suffering from Parkinson’s disease for the past three years. CPI(M) Polit Bureau and all the senior leaders of West Bengal including Jyoti Basu, CPI(M) State Secretary Anil Biswas, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya express their deep sorrow in the sudden demise of Comrade Professor Biplab Dasgupta. Comrade Dasgupta is survived by his wife Com. Arati Dasgupta, the state CITU Vice President and son Shammo.

Prof. Dasgupta is internationally reputed professor of economics, he taught both in India and England. He was a member of CPI(M) Central Committee upto the last 18th Party Congress in April 2005 and departed because of his ill health. However, he joined the undivided Communist Party in 1955. He was to complete his tenure in the Upper House, Rajya Sabha next April. He won the Lok Sabha poll in 1989 defeating the late Bholanath Sen of the Congress but lost in 1991. Prof. Dasgupta wrote several books namely “The Naxalite Movement: 1974, Village Society and Labour Use: 1977, Urbanization, Migration and Rural Change: 1985 etc. His latest book Globalization-India’s Adjustment Experience – was to be unveiled by the Prime Minister and another noted economist and his good friend Dr. Manmohan Singh this month.

In a statement the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said : “The Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) condoles the passing away of Comrade Biplab Dasgupta, former member of the Central Committee of the CPI (M), former member of the West Bengal state committee of the CPI (M), and a long-time soldier of the Communist movement.   Comrade Biplab Dasgupta also left his mark as a Communist member of the Parliament.   Born on 30 December 1938, Comrade Biplab Dasgupta was a student leader in the 1950’s.   He was associated with the All India Kisan Sabha and remained a member of the Central Council of the organisation.  He was the editor of the Nandan, the cultural organ of the West Bengal state committee of the CPI (M).  For a long time, Comrade Biplab Dasgupta has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.  In his demise, the CPI (M) has lost an enlightened intellectual and an indomitable fighter for the cause of freedom.  The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to Comrade Biplab Dasgupta’s wife, Arati, to his son, and to the members of his family.  The Red Flag shall fly at half-mast at Party offices throughout the country on 18 July 2005.   

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee has expressed his sincerest condolence at the passing away of Com. Biplab Dasgupta, M.P. In a letter written to Smt. Arati Dasgupta, wife of Com. Biplab Dasgupta, Shri Chatterjee said it would be extremely difficult to fill the void created by his passing away.

            “His contribution in Parliament was widely acknowledged and will always be remembered.   His wide knowledge in different subjects and his great contribution to the spread of principles of Marxism-Leninism have always been greatly appreciated.” – Shri Chatterjee wrote.

            “Personally, I have lost a great friend and a very close Comrade”  - Shri Chatterjee added.

CONDOLENCES: COMRADE BIPLAB DASGUPTA

Many organisations have sent condolences on the passing away of a multifaceted personality Biblab Dasgupta and association with the party and the downtrodden.

The All India Kisan Sabha deeply mourns the sad demise of Biplab Dasgupta, our CKC member and former joint secretary, at Kolkata on July 17. He was actively associated with activities of the AIKS for more than three decades and remained life long committed to the cause of peasants, agricultural workers and other downtrodden, raising their issues both outside and inside the parliament.

He was a renowned intellectual, whose writings and research works helped the Kisan movement a lot. His death is a great loss to the Kisan movement of the country. The AIKS dips its red banner in memory of valiant fighter Comrade Biplab Dasgupta and sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

AIAWU

The All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) mourns the sudden demise of Com. Biplab Dasgupta the age of 65. A former state committee member of West Bengal and central committee member CPI(M), he was also the All India Joint secretary of AIKS. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 and to the Rajya Sabha in 1992. A student leader of CalcuttaUniversity, he got a Phd. From the London School of Economic and was a fonder member of the Centre of Urban Economics Studies, Kolkata.

His study of the imperialist interests in oil is still considered one of the best works of its kind, as are his studies in developmental economics. His loss will be deeply felt by the exploited and oppressed for it was his inspiration that brought a number of student comrades of the universities he taught at, like London, Sussex, JNU and Calcutta, to commit themselves to working among the rural masses and to sue their intellect to selflessly further the cause of the toiling people.

But what he will be remembered for most is his simplicity and the easewith which he carried a vast store of intellectual knowledge. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Comrade Arati and his son.

In a condolence message, CITU stated: “We regret to learn the sudden demise today (17.7.05) of Comrade Biplab Dasgupta at Kolkata. Though he was unwell for quite some time, his is a sudden departure from amidst us.

Com Dasgupta was a leading figure in the democratic movement of the country and in West Bengal in particular. As an office bearer of the AIKS, he played a prominent role in the advancement of the common struggle. He had authored a number of books and contributed several articles on topical issues. His writings had served to highlight the agrarian crisis, penury of the peasantry and the rural distress in the country. His has been an invaluable contribution to the debate of the World Trade Organization related issues.

He also contributed his best as a member of the central committee of the CPI(M).

On behalf of the CITU secretariat and the staff of the CITU centre, we pay homage to the memory of Com. Biplab Dasgupta and convey our deep condolences to all the aggrieved comrades and to his wife Com. Arati and his son.

CPI(M) UP State Committee

The UP state committee of CPI(M) dipped its red banner to mourn the death of Com. Biplab Dasgupta whose contribution to the development of the AIKS during his tenure as all India joint secretary and as a central committee member of CPI(M) will always be remembered. He was the leading economist and academic of international stature and a prominent member of the Rajya Sabh, but who had the simplicity of a man of the masses the endeared him to the peasantry of the whole country. We remember him with deep affection and offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family.

SFI-DYFI

The Central Executive Committee of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Students Federation of India(SSFI) expresses their deep condolence at the sudden demise of the senior CPI(M) leader Dr. Biplab Dasgupta. Dr. Biplab Dasgupta was a known economist. He joined politics through the student movement and later he became a leader in the Kisan movement. He was a former member of the central committee of the CPI(M). At present he was the member of Rajya Sabha. The CEC’s of DYFI and SFI while expressing grief conveys their deep condolences to the democratic movement and to his family members.

A B Bardhan, CPI, General Secretary, Condoles

Dear Com. Karat,

We are very much grieved to hear about the passing away of Com. Biplab Dasgupta. We have known him as a very prominent leader of the Communist movement from his student days, an economist of repute and a noted intellectual.

On behalf of the National Council of the Communist Party of India and on my own behalf, I convey deep condolences to the CPI(M) and to the members of his family.

Harkishan Singh Surjeet Condoles

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Comrade Biplab Dasgupta. Though he had been ailing for a long time, I did not expect his demise so suddenly.

I have known comrade Biplab Dasgupta for a long time. He had impressed me with his intellect and indepth study on a host of issues. He made a sterling contribution as a member of parliament.

I join in mourning his death.

Please convey my heartfelt condolences to his wife Arati, his son and all other members of his family.

Prime Minister Condoles death of Biplab Dasgupta

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has expressed deep sorrow over the untimely demise of the eminent economist and Parliamentarian, Shri Biplab Dasgupta.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said, "Shri Dasgupta was an outstanding Parliamentarian and an active participant in Parliamentary debates and proceedings. As a fellow Member of the Rajya Sabha, I fondly cherish memories of the time spent with him in the House. He was also an economist with a deep insight into economic processes in rural India and his contributions in this field will be remembered for a long time."

The Prime Minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the family members of Shri Dasgupta.

The Last Journey of Comrade Biplab Dasgupta

Thousands of common people including CPI(M) party comrades, students, scholars and many followers say ‘good bye’ to veteran Comrade and Editor of ‘Nandan’ journal Biplab Dasgupta in his last journey to funeral. On 19th July 2005 morning his body was first moved to Alipur Campus of University of Calcutta where he served for two decades. People from other institutions and all sector of University gather in the University lawn to greet their beloved teacher with flowers and tears. Then the procession came to CPI(M) State Party Office in Central Kolkata. The veteran leaders Jyoti Basu, Anil Biswas, Binoy Konar, Shyamal Chakraborty, Md. Amin, Dipak Dasgupta and Subhas Chakraborty and many more. Com. Jyoti Basu recalled his memory with Biplab Dagupta particularly the incident of a special interview which was taken by Com. Dasgupta on behalf of ‘Nandan’ journal. The Editor of Ganashakti Com. Narayan Datta was also present to pay his tribute. All the respective leaders of Left Front were also participated in this last journey.

The last journey of Comrade Biplab Dasgupta ended in funeral procession to Keoratala Cremation ground from party office, with hundreds paying last tribute to the Communist leader.