Remembering Comrade Pathmanabha
Mohit Sen, General Secretary, United Communist Party of India.
The Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) is an extraordinary organ
isation. It is the product and the vanguard of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka who have fought so valiantly for their identity and their rights. But it has always seen this struggle in the light and perspective of the broader battle of the progressive forces of Sri Lanka and the entire region. Indeed it is one of those national revolutionary organisations which had a firm historical and internationalist outlook without losing its attachment to its people and land.Long before the current wave of reform and renewal of the ideology of Marxism-Leninism in the direction of increasing universali-sation, the EPRLF based itself on an ideology that was similar if not identical. Yet these unassuming revolutionaries never ceased to seek to learn from those they regarded as somehow more learned.
The EPRLF demonstrated through its practice and if one may say, through its agony that it could continue the use of weapons for democratic administration. If they had to face a severe setback this was inspite of all that they were and all that they had done. After all, the victory of the national front in the general elections of 1989 was not of their choice or doing.
All this has been written because the martyr and hero and personal friend, Pathmanabha was the embodiment and indeed, the architect of all the virtue and strength of the organisation which he headed. And it is, therefore, not only the EPRLF which has lost so priceless a leader. The revolutionaries of Sri Lanka, India and the world have lost a great leader by his physical elimination. And so many, including the present writer,
have lost a gentle and dear companion. We shall be much lonelier without him.
I had heard of comrade Pathmanabha, some time before I met him. In particular, the late comrade M.Kalyana sundaram - not a person given to exaggeration-was highly appreciative of his steadiness, strength and humility. TRR, as the crusading editor of “Makkal Kural” and “News Today” is affectionately known, spoke with more than his usual gusto of his qualities.
And then I saw him in Madras. The whole experience has remained deeply etched in my memory. My two younger comrades, Dalit and Bhasker had arranged a meeting in 1986 in honour of Nelson Mandela at a place where many of the young militants of the EPRLF had gathered. It was a rainy day and when the meeting had begun the lights failed, so it was in the light of burning candles that I saw this bearded young leader listening intently amidst those younger cadres. After that I had many meetings with him and his colleagues. We discussed so much, not only about Sri Lanka and India but about the entire world revolutionary process. It was an invigorating experience giving flesh and blood to the concept of revolutionary internationalism.
Comrade Pathmanabha was totally non-sectarian and realistic. He knew what the strength of different parties and forces in India were. As the leader of a party which was playing the crucial role not just in the North Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and the entire island but in cementing the relations between India and his country and people, he knew with whom he had to maintain close relations. This also applied to the organised left forces in India.
Yet he understood what international support meant to our party, the United Communist Party of India. when it was in the process of formation. We shall never forget the solidarity the EPRLF displayed at that time. Regardless of what might be the reactions of the established communist parties, whose support it cherished and was grateful for, Comrade Pathmanabha sent not just greeting but a high power delegation. In a sense, we had done nothing to deserve such an expression of fraternity beyond being their brothers and fellow fighters. The EPRLF set an example from which much mightier and older revolutionary parties would and have begun to draw appropriate lessons. Tactical considerations degenerate into opportunism when principles and limits are abandoned. Comrade Padmanabha as the leader of the EPRLF, did not do that. He helped the UCPI greatly but suffered no loss himself and for the EPRLF since the struggle they waged, could not be by passed by anybody. He proved that principle and nobility pays.
After that there were many meetings with comrade Pathmanabha. The later ones were in days of great difficulty for all of us who refused to reconcile with the counter revolutionary destabilisers unlike some much stronger constituents of the left. For the EPRLF, in particular, extrordinary skill was received to try to salvage as much as possible and for as long as possible the gains that had been made, what skill and courage they displayed. Despite them the process of deterioration could not be stopped. But there is a reality of historical and people’s memory which resumes itself at an appropriate time. Principled and realistic effort is never wasted.
It was at this time that on the 12th of this June we met for the last time. Comrade Pathmanabha came later than scheduled, much later an obvious necessity of security as I later realised. Other friends were also there. The main theme of the Discussion.
was how to alert public opinion in India about the danger to the security of the entire region that was building up because of the LTTE’s fascist like drive for power and the rampant chauvinism of the Sinhala Government. What the Rajiv Gandhi - Jaya wardhana accord had managed to forestall was now in danger of staging a comeback. The EPRLF leader was well aware of the dubious role being played by the DMK Government but since it was a part of the ruling National Front, circumspection and tact were obviously in need in relations with it. Among others, Sri. P.N. Haksar and Sri. Nikhil Chakravarthy were among those who had helped by advice and in other ways. The non partisan and statesmanlike approach of Sri. Rajiv Gandhi was highly appreciated.
All this serious talk did not prevent the eruption of heavy laughter when we both warned our young comrade Elangovan about the “perils’ which awaited him in Norway where he was proceeding to attend a summer camp. We both told him to come back soon.
Comrade Pathmanabha said that we would again soon in Madras where the Central Committee of the UCPI was to have its session from June 26 to 28. He wanted to meet all our comrades. I told him that it would be an inspiration and honour for us.
And as he rose to bid good by and we shook hands, we asked him to be careful. He smiled and nodded in assent. And then he went to his death. It is a tragedy and disgrace for all of us that we failed to protect so good and precious a friend.
The EPRLF is not alone in its great sorrow and immense loss. We of the UCPI, in particular are utterly stricken and would take long to fully recover. Yet that comrade Pathmanabha built will endure and will be with us on the day of triumph whenever that inevitable day comes. Nothing and nobody will be forgotten then and in whatever long stretch of time and space we have to traverse to reach there.
