Veteran leader of the communist revolutionary movement of India and a leader of the working class movement especially of coal mine workers, Com. P.K. Murthy breathed his last on March 22, 2020 in a hospital in Puducherry. He was 80 years old and was battling cancer for the last one and a half years.
Com. P.K. Murthy was born to a Tamil family based in Vietnam. His education was in Vietnam, Puducherry and France. He was active in the people’s movement there and was active against movement against US intervention in Vietnam and the heroic student movement of France which forced the then President of France, De Gaulle, to resign. He participated in the movement of solidarity with Algerian war of independence from France.
Inspired by the Great Naxalbari Armed Struggle, he returned to India to participate in the revolutionary movement in the country. He embraced the revolutionary mass line as a basic line for the victory of revolution in India. He went to Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh to organize coal workers there. He remained active in the coal workers’ movement till the end of his life. Some of his close associates from Chhindwara were by his side when he breathed his last.
From his return to India Com. Murthy remained part of the communist revolutionary movement. For a period of time he was Secretary of Maharashtra State Committee of the Party which was also responsible for work in MP.
Com. Murthy was associated with IFTU since its formation in 1978. He held various responsibilities in IFTU during his long association with IFTU.
In his death, communist revolutionary movement has lost a veteran leader. Indian working class, coal workers in particular, have lost a great leader who fought for their rights and braved all hardships in their struggle.
Com. P.K. Murthy was a true internationalist as evidenced by his contribution to the movement in India and France.
Central Committee of CPI(ML)-New Democracy pays homage to Com. P.K. Murthy and pledges to intensify our struggle for New Democratic Revolution in India for which Com. Murthy lived most of his life.
Red Salute to Com. P.K. Murthy!
Central Committee
CPI(ML)-New Democracy
March 23, 2020