At the funeral of
Hardial Bains held on August 30, 1997, the tribune at the front of the
hall was adorned with the baskets of flowers and wreaths sent by
individuals and organizations from across the country and around the
world. The portrait of Comrade Bains was flanked by six Party flags,
one for each Congress which marked the Party's work under the
leadership of Comrade Bains.
Twenty-five years
ago, on August 24, 1997, the Communist Party of Canada
(Marxist-Leninist) lost its beloved leader, comrade and friend, Hardial
Bains. Comrade Bains passed away at the age of 58,
having waged a courageous battle against cancer.
Through his lifelong dedication to the cause of communism and for the
emancipation of the working class and the social and national
liberation of the peoples of the world, Hardial Bains provided selfless
and unwavering leadership and inspired thousands to follow him. His
untimely death was mourned by all progressive, democratic and
revolutionary people whose lives he touched.
The
funeral was attended by his family, members of CPC(M-L), its supporters
in Canada and abroad, fraternal parties and fellow travellers who
joined the work he led and found hope for a new world in his vision of
modern communism. The report on the funeral published by TML
Weekly in 1997 reads:
"More than 550
people filled the hall at the Palais de Congrès in Hull,
Quebec where, on August 30, 1997, the solemn memorial service for
Comrade Bains took place. They came from all over Canada, Britain,
Ireland, Australia, India, the United States and several other
countries to pay homage to this great personality and communist leader.
The participation of so many comrades, friends and fellow-travellers
spoke volumes about the qualities of this man who touched the lives of
so many, from his earliest childhood days to the saddest day when, on
August 24, 1997, he drew his last breath.
"Old
friends and new and many fellow travelers joined the members of the
Party's Central Committee, the representatives of the Party
organizations from across the country and Comrade Bains' family in
bidding him farewell. Besides his life-long companion and six children,
brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews and nieces and their families,
those in attendance included many from his childhood days in India,
from his early years at the University of British Columbia and from his
years in Ireland. Along with his Party comrades and many friends
representing each period of his life and struggle, many colleagues
attended from political, academic and cultural fields, as did workers,
women and representatives of some of the most vulnerable sections of
Canadian society. The large number of youth who came to pay their
deepest respects to Comrade Bains speaks for itself of his love for the
youth and his dedication to their cause. Fraternal Parties from India,
Britain, Ireland, Cuba and the United States also came to pay final
tribute to their dearest comrade and friend, Hardial Bains."
On
this occasion of the 25th anniversary of the death of Comrade Bains,
the Central Committee of CPC (M-L) expresses deepest respects for his
work which we hold in the highest regard. The significance of the
nation-building project he bequeathed us
increases with each passing day. His contributions to the theory of
Contemporary Marxist-Leninist Thought based on the Necessity
for Change analysis and modern definitions permit the
empowerment of the people and the emergence of the modern democratic
personality required to open society's path to
progress. Comrade Bains dedicated his life and work to the
striving of the working and oppressed peoples to bring into being a
world fit for human beings of their own making. This is crucial to
defend the cause of peace, freedom and democracy in this particular
historical juncture in which everything has come to a head.
On this occasion, we remember all those who joined us 25 years ago to
mourn the passing of Comrade Bains and send our sympathies to all those
party members who have stood firm through the years by taking up the
work to build the mass communist party which Comrade Bains always put
in first place, taking up the implementation of the nation-building
tasks which are so much needed today. We express our support for the
Party sympathizers and fellow travellers and, especially, for the youth
of today who have lifted the Party banner and carry it forward with
utmost pride and the courage of their convictions.
To Comrade Bains' family and extended families who he loved dearly and
for whom he provided strength and direction, may all those who treasure
his legacy stay safe and keep well. We cherish the memory of all those
who have passed away in the ensuing years.
To the Memory of Comrade Hardial Bains
Sonnet
by John Maharg
Be silent, says the
heart, yet words are all
We have to say; this was a man who
took
The heart and mind by storm and with his call
To arms for revolution wrote the book
Anew. He was not only
for his time,
But for that time to come when all who choose
To right the wrongs of class oppression climb
The heights,
and from the mountain tops accuse
With more than words who
would deny the mass
Their right to rule by their choice,
undeceived.
So fought this comrade for this right, and pass
Who may in silence or who will relieved
He no more will the
rostrum mount; he will --
In us -- for he in us is living
still.
Memories from 25 Years Ago
The
casket was brought into the hall led by the red Party flag, inscribed
with the words: Historic Initiative, in honour of the work Comrade
Bains developed to transform CPC(M-L) into a mass communist party and
take Canada into the 21st century on a new basis.
When
the casket was placed at the front of the hall, a young pioneer laid a
single crimson rose on the red flag of revolution and communism which
draped the casket.
A representative of the Central Committee informed Comrade
Bains of the presence of his comrades, relatives and friends who had
come from far and wide to pay their last respects. He read excerpts
from some of the hundreds of messages of condolence received by the
Central Committee on this sad occasion. His Excellency Bienvenido
Garcia, Cuban Ambassador to Canada presented the message from the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.
The tributes
concluded with a representative of the Party youth addressing the Tribute
of the Youth to Comrade Bains, who dedicated his greatest
energies to the struggle of the youth for a better world.
The
tributes were followed by a violin and piano instrumental medley
performed by young musicians: Advance Fighting Youth of the
World; Here's the Rose, Now Dance; The
Party Is the Most Precious Thing and We Sing for
the Future. One of Comrade Bains' favourite patriotic Punjabi
songs and the Irish revolutionary song Revolution's Dawn Is
Breaking, were followed by some of Comrade Bains' favourite
Urdu couplets. The Urdu poem March On! and the Sonnet
to the Memory of Comrade Hardial Bains by John Maharg, both
written for the occasion, were then presented. The eulogy, Oh
Comrade, Dear Comrade, Our Beloved Comrade, was spoken by a
representative of the Party's Central Committee.
All of Comrade Bains' comrades, relatives, colleagues and
friends then stood for a moment of silence, soon to be enveloped by the
strains of the music of The Internationale.
As the service ended, everyone present walked past the casket
one last time, bidding their personal farewells. Many of those present
raised their fists to salute their beloved comrade and friend as he lay
before them for the last time. Everyone present expressed their
respects and profound appreciation for the contributions of Comrade
Bains to the cause of the proletarians and oppressed peoples of all
lands for freedom from want and exploitation, and to their own lives
which he touched in so many ways.
