The times in which the state and political parties have declared war against people and people’s movement are struggling against the deceptive development model (now also known as Gujarat Model); Com Mukul Sinha a scientist-cum-lawyer-cum-activist-trade unionist left us on 12 May 2014. Last eight months were very painful for him as he was suffering from lung cancer and undergoing treatment for the same.
In September 1973, Com Mukul join the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) as research scholar for his PhD. He completed his doctorate in 1977. While doing his research he also started organising employees of PRL. Reacting to injustice at the Institute, he started a union movement that invited termination of his job. Termination of his job from PRL proved a real benefit for the downtrodden masses. Later on he completed his law in 1989. He, along with other comrades formed militant trade union ‘Gujarat Federation of Trade Unions’ and human rights organisation ‘Jan Sangharsh Manch’ (JSM). He and his comrades also launched a political party ‘New Socialist Movement’ (NSM).
We lost the dedicated comrade who was in fore front with his dedicated team in the legal battle and battle on the street in the fight against perpetrators of 2002 carnage, state encounters, victims of deceptive development, communalism and fascism. Through his website, this relentless fighter strived for establishing the truth of Sabarmati Train incident and carnage 2002 in the Nanavati Commission, the other 2002 cases, fake encounter cases and the deceptive development of Gujarat across India on day to day basis.
He also was in forefront with his dedicated team in the fight against draconian POTA (Prevention of Terrorist Act) enacted by the NDA government.
Let us quote from his one of the article from Combat Law on the issue of labour where he rightly stated that “Globalisation is gobbling up labour laws and workers’ rights besides resources-land, water, mines and minerals. Courts are setting new precedents diluting the Constitution and thereby putting both democracy and people at a grave risk.” He was such person while arguing in the courts he never use to limit himself to the mere technicality but was able to articulate the people’s voice with ideological and philosophical input.
His death is a great loss to working masses and especially for the many victim-survivors of 2002 carnage. His legal intervention in the Nanavati Commission was consistent and he gave a tough fight to Gujarat Sate and Modi’s Government in the commission with his dedicated team.
Even during his severe illness of last 8 months when he was unable to attend the court his presence could be felt in many cases through his fellow lawyers.
In 1990s the euphoria of pro-Narmada dam was built up by the then Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel of Gujarat and unconditional support by many NGOs of Gujarat, in this odd time Dr. Mukul Sinha and his team boldly stood with oustees of Sardar Sarovar Project.
In the spirit, he lived and fought against fascist and capitalist forces, our real tribute to comrade Mukul Sinha is not in the mourning but in a firm resolve to continue the struggle against fascist and capitalist forces especially in present times.
We activists while remembering his work took the pledge “We solemnly resolve to continue our fight for justice and truth, to uphold the values of human rights, to stand up and speak-out for the oppressed against injustice of all kinds, unafraid of all consequences.”
Rohit Prajapati and Trupti Shah
Activists from Gujarat