The Socialist

Justice Rajindar Sachar 1923-2018 Qurban Ali Vetaran Socialist leader noted jurist and champion of human rights Justice (retired) Rajinder Sachar passed away in Delhi on 20th April 2018. He was 94. A distinguished advocate for the protection of human rights, and poor, Justice Sachar was a former Chief Justice of Delhi and Sikkim High Courts. He vociferously promoted the cause of human rights and was also head of People's Union of Civil Liberty (PUCL). He authored many reports on Kashmir. Paying emotional tribute on the sad demise of late Justice Rajindar Sachar, senior journalist Seema Mustafa wrote “One of our finest has gone. Justice Rajinder Sachar has left us, fairly suddenly without too much notice except that delivered by age. A mentor, a friend, a man whose doors were always open he will be sorely missed. He did not really care---unlike Delhi’s famous---whether he was invited to speak or not, if he supported the cause he was there in the audience, listening att...

Bhai Vaidya (left) with Joshy Jacob and veteran Socialist P. Viswambharan in Kerala on May 4, 2003. (Image: Aby John Vannilam, MAVELI RAJYAM  ( CC BY-SA 2.5 IN ) By Joshy Jacob, Samajwadi Janaparishad National Executive Member and former National President. My heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Com Bhai Vaidya. He joined the socialist movement while a student. He joined the quit India struggle and participated the Goa liberation struggle and tortured and imprisoned. He got physical handicap by the police torture. He was a close follower of Maharashtra veteran socialist leader S M Joshi. When S M Joshi decided to split from P.S.P. and merge with socialist party led by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia to form the Samyukta Socialist Party (S.S.P.) he also stood with S.S.P. stream. When the nation was so moved by the student and youth agitation under the leadership of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan Bhaji was the Mayor of the Pine municipal corporation. That time he organise...

Bhai Vaidya भाई वैद्य (22 June 1928 – 2 April 2018) (Image: Aby John Vannilam,  MAVELI RAJYAM  ( CC BY-SA 2.5 IN ) Veteran socialist leader, former Maharashtra home minister and former mayor of Pune Bhai Vaidya (Bhalchandra Sadashiv Vaidya) died of old age and cancer-related complications at 7.30 pm on Monday April 2, 2018 at Poona hospital in Pune. He was 89. He had been admitted to Poona hospital after he was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago after complaining of breathlessness. Few months ago, he had undergone Angioplasty. He is survived by son Abhijit Vaidya, daughter Prachi Rawal, a grandson and a granddaughter. Vaidya’s body was cremated with full state honors on Tuesday April 3 evening at the Vaikunth crematorium in Navi Peth, where thousands of people from all areas were present. Before performing the last rites, Vaidya’s mortal remains were kept at Sane Guruji Smarak, the headquarters of the Rashtra Seva Dal (RSD) where people from various walks of lif...