Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) expresses its deep grief at the sad demise of Comrade Maharani Konar, the veteran communist leader and one of the founder leader of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helper’s, who died on yesterday, 5th December, 2024 at Burdwan, West Bengal. She was 90 years old.
Born on 23rd November, 1933, Comrade Maharani Konar joined the communist party in 1958 and was instrumental in developing the Communist party and Left movement in Burdwan district, West Bengal. She made a major contribution in building the working class movement in Burdwan, she was involved in organizing toiling women and became one of tallest leader of democratic women movement in Bengal.
During the semi-fascist terror in West Bengal in the seventies, she became a beacon of organized mass resistance; she used to give shelter to party leaders and cadres in her home, risking her own life. She was also involved in heroic peasant’s movement in Burdwan district under the banner of AIKS against the feudal landlords. She was actively involved in organizing Anganwadi workers and helpers, she was one of the founder leaders of AIFAWH, and she was Vice-President of ICDS workers union in West Bengal for a long period and was one of its National Vice Presidents. She was state committee member of CITU West Bengal.
Comrade Konar also played a memorable role as a MLA, she was elected from Memari, Burdwan district for three consecutive terms from 1982 to 1991, in championing the cause of the working people, both inside and outside of the assembly.
Comrade Maharani Konar was a living inspiration for the left movement in Bengal, she was active in political life till her death, barely a month ago she participated in ‘Insaf Yatra’ called by DYFI West Bengal. She was married to Benoy Konar, veteran leader of Kishan Movement and CPI(M) in West Bengal, legendary Communist leader Hare krishna Konar was her brother-in-law.
Comrade Maharani Konar throughout her active political life did articulate as to how the movement of working people is effectively advanced. She will be remembered for generations for her unwavering class commitment and revolutionary zeal, she was affectionately called ‘Ranidi’, she was very kind to younger comrades, with her passing way working class movement lost a leader with the strongest conviction in the ideology of the working class.
CITU conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of the departed leader, dips its banner and submits homage of respect to the great contribution of Comrade Maharani Konar.
Red Salute to Comrade Maharani Konar!
Issued By
Tapan Sen
General Secretary
