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Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami (CPI[M], MLA, Kulgam, Indian Occupied Kashmir)

“Shocked, Great Marxist and a dedicated revolutionary is no more. V in Kashmir have lost a reliable friend who stood by us always in difficult times … unbelievable!
Will miss u Comrade!
Long live our great revolutionary comrade!

We pledge at this hour of sorrow to carry forward the struggle against imperialism and its allies and hold aloft the banner of revolution

He has been inspiring us with his undaunted spirit for creating a better world. Ur contribution will continue to encourage us in future as well our very dear comrade”

Executive Bureau of the Fourth International (Paris, France)

“In honour of Comrade Lal Khan

It was with great sorrow that we learned that our comrade Lal Khan was no more.

His involvement, and that of The Struggle, with the Fourth International was recent and, for us, particularly precious. He helped to open up our movement even more than was already the case to rich, varied, revolutionary and unitary militant traditions, in cooperation with the LPP current.

A veteran of the revolutionary struggle in Pakistan, South Asia, and internationally, Lal Khan and his comrades of that generation embody for us a legacy of exhilarating struggles, such as those of the years 1968-1969, of resistance to the repression of military regimes, of exile, and of returning home in conditions that were always unpredictable and dangerous, to continue tenaciously the task of building a revolutionary movement and putting forward a clearly socialist and anti-capitalist perspective.

A veteran, Lal Khan is one of those who, like our comrade Farooq Tariq, have put their experience at the service of a new militant, radical generation, fighting against all discrimination and inequality in a progressive perspective. Until his last breath, he kept his initial commitment alive.

We pay tribute to him.

We share the grief of his loved ones, his comrades of The Struggle, his fellow fighters.

Together we will continue his internationalist struggle.

Executive Bureau of the Fourth International
Paris, 2 March 2020″

José Carlos Miranda (Resistência -PSOL, Brazil)

“Dear comrade, what a sad day! My deepest condolences and revolutionary affection for the disappearance of Lal Khan. Send our highest protests of esteem and consideration to Struggle’s comrades, family and friends. Lal Khan Present! Today and always!”

He further sent another message after watching the Comrade Lal Khan’s funral vedios

Greg Oxley (La Riposte, France)

“Lal Khan’s funeral was worthy of a great revolutionary. You must be exhausted, these situations are terrible. But I believe that he left a rich legacy for the continuation of the struggle. I sent the response email to the invitation to the 38 Congress, see there. Strong hug. Red Salutes”

“Today, February 21^st 2020, my friend and comrade, the Pakistani revolutionary Lal Khan, passed away after struggling for many months with a dreadful illness. Lal Khan – known to me since the days of our youth as Tanvir Gondal – was an outstanding Marxist theoretician. I met him for the first time back in 1980, when I visited a group of revolutionary co-thinkers in Holland, where he lived as a political exile. He organised a group of militants around a revolutionary journal, The Struggle. As soon as Tanvir was able to return to Pakistan, which was not until the 1980s, he began the arduous task of building the forces of Marxism in Pakistan. Along with Ted Grant (1913-2006), I know of no greater contributor to the theoretical and practical basis of the present-day struggle for the emancipation of the working class.

Tanvir was no armchair theoretician. In his youth, had known imprisonment and torture, at the time of the dictatorship of Zia-ul-Haq. In later years, the acuity of his political thought and analysis was rooted in his experience as an active participant in the class struggle. He was a powerful, inspiring and articulate orator. In spite of extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances, starting with nothing but ideas and an unshakeable devotion to the revolutionary cause, he and the comrades he would win to his cause succeeded in building a very impressive organisation of revolutionary militants, supported by tens of thousands of workers and youth throughout the country. In 2013, I was able to go to Pakistan and see something of these splendid achievements.

The objective circumstances faced by Tanvir in Pakistan left no room for theoretical complacency. In his writings, he courageously tackled the issues raised by imperialist domination, the oppression of national minorities, tribalism, and the sheer complexity of a society in which the productive technique and social classes associated with modern capitalism exist in the midst of the most horrific social, economic and cultural backwardness. Throughout his life, Tanvir strove to develop a revolutionary socialist and implacably internationalist policy, capable of uniting all the working people of Pakistan, whatever their language, nationality or religion, in a common struggle against capitalist exploitation, against poverty and against oppression in all its forms. This work must be — and will be — continued after his death. His ideas and his contribution to Marxist theory deserve to be more widely known among politically active workers in Europe and internationally.

As a man, Tanvir cut a handsome and gentlemanly figure. He was warm, soft-spoken and sensitive in manner. He loved music, literature and poetry. To me, he was and will always be an unforgettable friend and comrade. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Sadaf, to his son Sher Zaman, and daughter Sehar, and to all his family. Although the death of Lal Khan is a great loss to all his comrades, the struggle to which his life was devoted will live on.”

Pierre Rousset (ESSF, France)

“Lal Khan: A comrade, a friend, a past, a present …

I was fortunate to meet Comrade Lal Khan in Lahore in November 2018, while The Struggle was holding its congress, against all odds. The situation was then particularly difficult, the TLP making itself known by blocking the roads after the Supreme Court declared Asia Bibi innocent. My friend Farooq Tariq picked me up when I reached Lahore and we had a hard time getting out of the airport!

We visited Lal Khan together. He had warmly welcomed me. For my part, I immediately felt a community of history and commitment, a very natural personal closeness. We were comrades – and I was under the spell.

His loss is for me that of a friend, even if we did not often have the opportunity to be together.

I was able to appreciate his personal courage, in the face of both disease and repression, and I got to know his history, which is a precious part of the history of the Pakistani left. I was able to enrich with his writing the website of Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF). I was able to measure his ability to turn the page on past controversies, to be better able to shoulder all the responsibilities of a “senior” activist in backing the emergence of a new radical Left generation, radically asserting solidarities – as well as in renewing its internationalist commitment and that of The Struggle, manifested, in particular, by their engagement with the Fourth International.

Lal Khan struggled in the present to the end, perceiving new potential in the light of a rich experience. He is one of those who, in our militant generation, have not only kept their convictions, but have not locked themselves in the past either.

I see how great this loss is, for his family, relatives and friends, for his comrades, for the Pakistani and international left.

With all my solidarity,

February 29, 2020

Pierre Rousset”

Ziauddin Yousufzai (Malala Yousufzai’s Father, London) tweeted

Ziauddin Yousafzai

@ZiauddinY
معروف دانشور ڈاكٹر لعل خان نے تمام عمر ، ان مظلوم اور اور مجبور طبقات كی حقوق كیلئے جدوجهد كی جو بد ترین معاشی استحصال كے گرداب میں پهنسے هوئے هیں۔
خدا انهیں كروٹ كروٹ جنت نصیب فرمائیں۔ امین۔

609
11:45 AM - Feb 22, 2020

Tarek Fateh (Canadian Journalist) wrote

“#LalKhan , a leading marxist of Pakistan passed away today. He was a physician who gave up his practice to dedicate his life towards organizing the working class and peasantry in the country. RIP”

Ali Wazir (Member National Assembly) tweeted

Ali Wazir
@Aliwazirna50
My ideological teacher comrade Tanveer Gondal world knows him as Dr Lal Khan today left us. His was fighting with cancer.
Red salute to him; his guide lines will help us in our struggles.

1,778
6:29 PM - Feb 21, 2020

PPP’s official page tweeted a thread of Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s condolence message

PPP

@MediaCellPPP
· Feb 21, 2020
Replying to @MediaCellPPP
ڈاکٹر لال خان کا انتقال پاکستان میں بائیں بازو کے فکر و سیاست کے لیئے ناقابل تلافی نقصان ہے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری

وہ زندگی کی آخری گھڑی تک انقلابی سوچ کے فروغ اور محنت کشوں کے حقوق لیئے سرگرم رہے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری

PPP

@MediaCellPPP
وہ ملکی صورتحال اور عالمی حالات پر گہری نگاہ رکھتے تھے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری

ان کی قلمی خدمات کو تادیر یاد رکھا جائےگا اور محنت کش طبقہ ھمیشہ استفادہ کرتا رہے گا: بلاول بھٹو زرداری
ان کی وفات سے جو خلا پیدا ہوا ہے وہ مدتوں پر نہی ہو سکے گا-بلاول بھٹو زرداری

62
7:12 PM - Feb 21, 2020s

PPP

@MediaCellPPP
· Feb 21, 2020
Replying to @MediaCellPPP
وہ ملکی صورتحال اور عالمی حالات پر گہری نگاہ رکھتے تھے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری

ان کی قلمی خدمات کو تادیر یاد رکھا جائےگا اور محنت کش طبقہ ھمیشہ استفادہ کرتا رہے گا: بلاول بھٹو زرداری
ان کی وفات سے جو خلا پیدا ہوا ہے وہ مدتوں پر نہی ہو سکے گا-بلاول بھٹو زرداری

PPP

@MediaCellPPP
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے مرحوم کے لواحقین کے لیئے صبر جمیل کی دعا کی

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7:12 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Sardar Sagheer Khan (Chairman JKLF) expressed deep grief over the death of Dr Lal Khan, he said

“Comrade Lal Khan was the powerful voice of the working class for a class less society, he politically and theoretically trained thousands of the young people in this region. He remain committed to his ideology till his last breath, His commitment to the oppressed class will always be remembered and will always guide the working class to fight against the privileged classes and imperialist powers.”

Jawad Ahmad (Chairman Brabri Party) wrote

Jawad Ahmad

@jawadahmadone
Dr Lal Khan was a towering ideologue of this era. He was my teacher in philosophy of a socio economic political system based on human equality. We differed on strategy so I formed Barabri Party but we believed in class politics & were close friends. His death is my personal loss.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter

100
10:15 AM - Feb 23, 2020

Progressive Students Collective wrote

Lal Khan, socialist revolutionary and leader of the Struggle group, passed away in Lahore today. He was one of the finest teachers of Marxism in Pakistan and provided ideological orientation to a large number of young activists in the country.
We lost a revolutionary today. Dr. Lal khan was one of those rare group of revolutionaries, who despite world wide proclamations in the 90s about the death of communism kept the banner of revolutionary Marxism flying high..
Glory to those who refuse to assimilate into a corrupt system and continue speaking for people’s power against immense odds. Salute to comrade Lal Khan’s life and struggle. We hope to continue and intensify his fight for a more just and humane world.
رقص مے تیز کرو ساز کی لے تیز کرو
سوئے مے خانہ سفیران حرم آتے ہیں
Photo by Comrade Khalid Mehmood, from #StudentsSolidarityMarch.

Dr Ammar Ali Jan (Professor, Haqooq e Khalq Movement) wrote

Lal Khan, socialist revolutionary and leader of the Struggle group, passed away in Lahore today. He was one of the finest teachers of Marxism in Pakistan and provided ideological orientation to a large number of young activists in the country. This was particularly brave on his part as he kept the dream of an alternative politics alive when many had surrendered to the seduction and power of global capitalism.

Glory to those who refuse to assimilate into a corrupt system and continue speaking for people’s power against immense odds. Salute to comrade Lal Khan’s life and struggle. We hope to continue and intensify his fight for a more just and humane world.

Abid Saqi (President Pakistan Bar Association) tweeted

“Red salute to incessant struggle for the oppressed people with passion and reason.Dr Lal khan! We love you.”

Rauf Klasra (Journalist) tweeted

@KlasraRauf
Dr Lal Khan- A genuine comrade departs. A tall man who throughout his life stood for an ideology and fought for the children of lesser god and gave voice to voiceless. RIP comrade. https://twitter.com/immiemalik/status/1230899897555132416 …
imran malik
@immiemalik
یہ سفر رائیگاں نا جائیگا: کامریڈ ڈاکٹر لال خان ہم سے بچھڑ گئے @GulBukhari@MalickViews @KlasraRaufhttps://mediabites.com.pk/2020/02/
View image on Twitter

213
6:07 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Awami Workers Party’s official page tweeted

Awami Workers Party
@AwamiWorkers
We the workers and leaders of AWP are deeply saddened by the passing of veteran Marxist leader and mentor Comrade Lal Khan. We salute his struggle for the people’s politics and vow to continue his struggle through Awami workers party. Rest in Power comrade Lal Khan!
View image on Twitter

61
9:03 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Jalila Haider (Human Rights Activist from Baluchistan) tweeted

Jalila Haider
@Advjalila
Rest in Peace comrade Doctor Lal Khan. I know you since I was a young school girl. You used to have your Aggregates in Quetta and I used to attend your program. A big lose for Socialist politics in Pakistan. May your legacy live long.#DoctorLalKhan#RestInPeace#RedSalute
View image on Twitter

137
4:48 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Shahb Khatak (Leader AWP-KPK) tweeted

SHAHAB KHATTAK
@shahabprk
Awp Pashtunkhwa offers it’s deep condolences on the sad demise of Comrade Lal Khan.
RIP comrade.#StruggleTillVictory

18
9:00 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Ammar Rashid (AWP President Punjab) wrote

“Deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Lal Khan’s passing. He was one of the most committed & tireless Marxist thinkers in the country and dedicated his entire life to fighting for the working class. May the seeds he planted continue to multiply & bear fruit. Rest in power, comrade.”

Dr Farzana Bari (Human Rights Activist) wrote

farzana bari
@drfarzanabari
Lost for words to express my grief on the exit of my life long friend comrade Lal Khan. His unwavering commitment & dedication to socialism was incredible. He will always be with us in every step that we take towards socialist revolution so no goodbye to you Tanvir.

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9:28 PM - Feb 21, 2020

See farzana bari’s other Tweets

Aima Khosa ( Progressive Journalist) wrote with the picture of Comrade Lal Khan

“This photograph, taken on #StudentsSolidarityMarch, is the perfect depiction of Comrade Lal Khan. He remained a committed teacher and guide for young people throughout his life and has left behind a great void. Rest in peace, comrade.”

Nisar Shah (President Jammu Kashmir Awami Workers Party) wrote

“Comrade Lal Khan is no more with us,He was great intellectual and revolutionary Marxist. His contributions for employment of working class and oppressed segments of the society would be remembered.”

Zahid Ali (Haqooq e Khalq Movement) tweeted

Zahid ali ☭
@ali_zahid12
We lost a revolutionary today. The red star of Pakistan’s left, Dr Lal Khan is no more with us. Dr. Lal khan was one of those rare group of revolutionaries, who despite world wide proclamations in the 90s about the death of communism kept the banner of revolutionary Marxism flyin
View image on Twitter

142
4:51 PM - Feb 21, 2020

Fahad Rizwan (Young Environmentalist) wrote series of posts in on post he wrote

“Adieu Comrade laal khan

The people’s flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts’ blood dyed in every fold
Raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its folds we’ll live and die”

Comrades of The Struggle receiving condolences messages around the globe and we’ll keep updating this post.

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