By Satyaki Chakraborty
Sumit Chakravartty, who led the Mainstream weekly for more than four decades consistently carrying the fight against the divisive forces in the country upholding the cause of secular values and equity, passed away late Saturday evening, July 26, in Kolkata. He was 81. He is survived by his wife noted historian Dr. Gargi Chakravartty and a son.
Sumit who took over the editorial responsibility of Mainstream from his father Nikhil Chakravartty in 1980 did his job maintaining the glorious tradition of Mainstream which was set by his founder father. He acted as the Editor from 1980 till a few years ago when he got a stroke and relieved himself from editorial responsibility.
Sumit was born in 1944 to the two towering figures of India’s communist movement Renu and Nikhil Chakravartty in Calcutta, now Kolkata. He was brought up in that intense political environment. From his early days, he became interested in the nation’s politics as also in literary pursuits. He was a political activist as also a poet in Bengali. He passed his M.Sc from Jadavpur University in 1960s. He had a deep interest in journalism. He joined the Patriot newspaper in Delhi and soon was given the assignment of their Moscow correspondent.
During this tenure, he extensively covered the developments in the then Soviet Union as also other countries in Europe. He had a deep analytical power in his commentaries. For readers of those days, Sumit’s coverage gave an insight into the developments in Europe as also the Soviet Union.
Sumit’s leadership of Mainstream weekly was also noted for continuously focusing on the fight for protecting the Indian Constitution and its secular values. In his commentaries, he was sharp and analytical in bringing out the nature of the present day communalism and how the RSS and BJP are devaluing the Constitution of India. Especially, after the coming of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014, he focused more on exposing the political and economic policies of the NDA led government.
Sumit was not just writing sitting in his Mainstream office, he was participating in a number of committees to protect the rights of adivasis and the other disadvantaged sections of the Indian population. He visited a number of places where the dalits were murdered or their houses burnt. He was a member of many committees which wrote reports on the atrocities suffered by them. Sumit was a member of the CPI for long. Even in his later years, he was close to the CPI and provided help whenever he was requested. His wife Dr. Gargi Chakravartty, a noted historian, is a senior leader of the National Federation of Indian Women.
The CPI secretariat in its statement issued last night expressed the party’s deep sorrow at the passing of eminent journalist and steadfast progressive voice Sumit Chakravartty.
The CPI statement said “Sumit Chakravartty was a distinguished journalist and a committed intellectual who upheld the highest values of truth, justice and secularism throughout his life. As the Editor of Mainstream Weekly, he carried forward the legacy of principled journalism, never compromising on editorial integrity or democratic ideals. His sharp insights and steadfast commitment to India’s progressive and democratic ethos made him a respected voice across political and journalistic circles.”
He maintained a close association with the Communist Party of India and remained deeply engaged with the country’s progressive and democratic movement throughout his life. His absence will be deeply felt by all who value fearless journalism and the cause for progressive change, the statement said. The Press Club of New Delhi also expressed deep sorrow at the death of this fearless journalist. (IPA Service)
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