B T RANADIVE ( 19.12.1904 – 06.04.1990).

Today, 6th April 2025, is the 35th death anniversary of Com. B. T. Ranadive, unparalleled leader of the working class and one of the first PB Members of CPI (M). He was the founder President of CITU.

Com. B T R, like many others jumped in to the independent struggle, despite the chance of high academic career. He was elected as General Secretary of undivided CPI. He was jailed several times during independance struggle. He organised workers strike in Bombay in support of Royal Navy Mutiny and also P & T Strike in 1946, which are treated as part of Independance Struggle.

I had the opportunity to meet him several times and also get guidance from him on issues connected with trade union activities.

On our request he agreed to inaugurate the Circle Conference of NFPTE to be held at Calicut. But due to a crucial meeting of the Central Committee of CPI(M) he conveyed his inability to come, but assured that he will send an article to the Conference Souvenir instead, on issues which he wanted to present in his speech. The article was received well in time. It was an extra ordinary inspiring article, which was not only printed in the souvenir, but also in many other union journals.

Another instance also I remember. A top leader of the union in a committee meeting was critical of my organising several local struggles on local issues. BTR intervened and appreciated our line of conducting local struggles, which was a great inspiration for future struggles.

Red Salute to Com. BTR on his 35 th death anniversary!

V A N 06.04.2025

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