B.T.Ranadive, Champion of the Working Class

Today is the 34th death anniversary of Comrade B T Ranadive, one of the top militant and revolutionary leaders of the working class. He was born on 19th December 1904 and passed away on 6th April 1990.

Balchadra Trimbak Ranadive was a bright student and passed MA with distinction. He joined the Communist Party in 1928 and also became a leader of the All India Trade Union Congress at Bombay. He actively participated in the Bombay Girni Kamgar union and Railways Unions. He supported the Navy Mutiny and organised solidarity strike in support of the same.

Com. BT R was elected as General Secretary of Communist Party of India in the 1948 Party Congress.

He was also elected to the first Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)in 1964. A militant leader, he guided many struggles of the working class, including government employees. He was elected as President of CITU in its first Conference at Calcutta in 1970 and continued as such till his death. He was married to Com. Vimal Ranadive, herself a staunch trade union leader. Com. Ahilya Rangnekar, the leader of the heroic struggle of the Adivasis and a CPI(M) leader, is the sister of Com. BTR. All of them have passed away.

I had been fortunate to be in contact with Com. BTR for a long time in connection with the P and T trade union activities. He had attended the Conferences of P and T unions at All India level as also in the Kerala Circle. His guidance and advice were inspiring. Even on small details he was particular. Thousands of young workers have become militant workers after hearing him.

On his 34th death anniversary, my respectful homage to Com. B.T.Ranadive. We pledge to continue to tread the militant path shown by him.

Red Salute to Com. BTR !

V A N 06.04.2024