Message of condolence on the passing away of Comrade Suneet Chopra. Message to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). 10 April 2023.

Dear Comrades

I am writing to convey my deep condolences on the sad and shocking news of the passing of Comrade Suneet Chopra.

My deep feelings of sympathy and solidarity go to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and all the members and supporters of the party; to the millions organised in its mass organisations, and especially to the All-India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWU), which Comrade Suneet served as Joint Secretary, and to the All-India Indo-Korean Friendship Association, which he served as General Secretary; and, of course, to Comrade Suneet’s family members and friends. To all of you, I know this is an unbearable and irreparable loss.

To my regret, I did not know Comrade Suneet personally. I only once participated in a webinar together with him in solidarity with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where I was so impressed by his militant passion and fervent internationalism. But despite my lack of personal acquaintance, Comrade Suneet’s reputation shone far and wide. And without knowing each other, we had a close connection in that it was Comrade Suneet who won to Marxism our mutual comrade and friend, Hugh Goodacre. The way that Comrade Suneet profoundly, indelibly, and positively touched the lives of others is something about which I have learned so much more in these last few sad days.

Like many revolutionaries from around the world, Comrade Suneet began his political life in London. And through his participation in the movement against the genocidal imperialist war against Vietnam; in the communist, anti-imperialist and working class movements in London; and his participation in the Palestinian revolution; through his long-time support for socialist China and his appreciation of the enduring global significance of the Chinese revolution; his leadership of countless struggles of the vast mass of agricultural workers and the rural poor in India, going “lower and deeper to the real masses” in Lenin’s memorable words; his leading role in India’s main communist party; and his dedicated leadership of India’s broad-based friendship and solidarity with People’s Korea and much more, he brought to life and embodied the great Asian communist tradition, which today provides the indispensable leadership to the world revolutionary process. As Lenin already foresaw in 1923, in his article, ‘Better Fewer But Better’:

“In the last analysis, the outcome of the struggle will be determined by the fact that Russia, India, China, etc., account for the overwhelming majority of the population of the globe. And during the past few years it is this majority that has been drawn into the struggle for emancipation with extraordinary rapidity, so that in this respect there cannot be the slightest doubt what the final outcome of the world struggle will be. In this sense, the complete victory of socialism is fully and absolutely assured.”

Comrade Suneet took his place in that global vanguard and his work will live on not only in India, but in Britain and many other countries. Together with our comrades in the Indian Workers’ Association (IWAGB), the Association of Indian Communists (AIC) in Britain, and others, we will cherish his memory, promote his example, and play our modest part  in helping to keep his work alive.

RED SALUTE TO COMRADE SUNEET CHOPRA!

With comradely salutations

Keith Bennett

Deputy Chairman, Kim Il Sung Kim Jong Il Foundation (KKF)

Editor, Friends of Socialist China (FOSC)

Deputy Director General, European Regional Society for the Study of the Juche Idea

Patron, Institute for Independence Studies (IIS)