Tribute meeting held in Lehragaga to commemorate Left activist Ranjit Lehra

By Harsh Thakor* 

A gathering was held in Lehragaga recently to commemorate Ranjit Lehra, who passed away in the second week of February. Activists and organisations associated with communist and democratic movements in Punjab attended the event and paid tribute.

Lehra was associated with political and social movements in the state for several decades. Despite a long-standing heart condition, he remained active in organisational and political work. His involvement dates back to the 1970s, when he was linked to the Punjab Students Union.

Influenced by the Naxalbari movement and Maoist ideology, Lehra worked as a writer, journalist, translator and publisher. He contributed to publications such as Prachanda, Jayakara and Lal Parcham, handling editorial and administrative responsibilities at different times.

He was involved in several mass movements, including protests in the late 1970s following the Prithipal Randhawa murder case, during which he was imprisoned. He also participated in the bus fare protests, a period that saw divisions among political groups.

During the 1980s, marked by militancy and state action in Punjab, Lehra opposed both Khalistani militancy and state repression. He continued to engage with political developments and maintained his ideological positions over the years, including during internal debates within left movements.

Lehra was also associated with campaigns against globalisation and participated in recent farmers’ protests, where he remained active in mobilisation efforts.

At the Lehragaga meeting, speakers including Mukhtiar Poohla, editor of Lal Parcham; Jaspal Jassi of Surkh Leeh; and Kanwaljit Khanna of the Revolutionary Centre Punjab spoke about his role in political movements and his writings.

Family members, including his daughter Arshdeep Arshi and partner Rajpal Kaur, also addressed the gathering. Representatives of farmer organisations, student groups and other political platforms attended and called for continued engagement with issues he was associated with.

Lehra’s writings and publications were displayed at the venue, along with a special issue of Lal Parcham dedicated to him.

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*Freelance journalist