Red Salute to Nelson Mandela
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
mourns the demise of Nelson Mandela, the iconic freedom fighter of South
Africa, who passed away on 5 December 2013. Mandela is a lofty symbol
of not only the people of South Africa, whom he lead in a long, arduous
and bloody struggle for freedom against one of the most brutal,
blatantly fascist regimes in the world, dyed in rabidly racist ideology
of white supremacy, which perfected the system of racial segregation and
oppression – apartheid. He is a symbol of all the people of the world
struggling for freedom, democracy and human dignity.
Nelson
Mandela, born in 1918, joined the African National Congress at the age
of 25 in 1942 and was instrumental in the establishment of the ANC Youth
League. He played a crucial role in the drafting of the 'Freedom
Charter', the guiding force of the freedom and anti-apartheid struggle
in South Africa. In his lifetime of struggle through the African
National Congress, he was assigned various leadership positions, which
he served with distinction. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the
Umkhonto We Sizwe, the underground military wing of the ANC. He was also
a member of the South African Communist Party, where he served in the
Central Committee.
Mandela was confined to rigorous,
solitary imprisonment for 27 years in the dreaded Palesmoor Highest
Security Prison in Robben Island, off the coast of South Africa, where
he was denied even basic medical treatment and subjected to penal
labour. All of this, could not break his indomitable spirit or make him
bow his head before the authoritarian apartheid regime. The apartheid
government and its imperialist supporters were forced to release Mandela
by the popular pressure exerted by people world over.
After
his release from prison, Mandela became the President of ANC and
subsequently won the elections of free South Africa and became its first
black President. Unlike many leaders who cling to power, Mandela
voluntarily retired after serving one term as the President of South
Africa. He remained active in public life working for the betterment of
the living conditions of the people of Africa till his last breath.
Mandela
visited India immediately after his release and was accorded tremendous
reception by the people of India, who saw in him a fellow fighter
against the unjust world order. Mandela himself was moved by the popular
warmth and affection showered upon him, particularly the people of
Calcutta, where he was received by Chief Minister Comrade Jyoti Basu and
accorded an unprecedented huge public reception. The entire city of
Calcutta rose in celebration to witness Mandela.
In
Mandela's demise, the world has lost one of its finest sons who fought
lifelong for the betterment of the peoples' living conditions. He was a
true champion of the people of Third World countries and all those who
are oppressed and exploited. In his death, all the people fighting for
freedom and against injustice have lost a valuable ally and a
comrade-in-arms. His death is a great loss to humanity. At the same time
his life and work remain a source of celebration in the onward march of
humanity for freedom and liberty.
The CPI (M) expresses
its profound grief at the demise of this legendary leader and extends
its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mandela, the ANC, the SACP,
COSATU and the people of South Africa. The CPI (M) believes that the
real homage to Mandela is reiterating our vow to continue in the path of
struggle for a world free from injustice, discrimination and
inequality.
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