In a spirited gathering that brought together voices of resistance, the memory of senior journalist and progressive writer Mahendra Jha—popularly known by his pen name Agnipushp—was honoured May 25 in Patna. The event, organised jointly by Samkaleen Janmat and Jan Sanskriti Manch (Patna unit).
Titled “Alvida Saathi Agnipushp” (Adieu Comrade Agnipush), the tribute meeting witnessed participation from a cross-section of public intellectuals, writers, cultural workers, political activists, and youth leaders.
Opening the ceremony with a minute’s silence in memory of Agnipushp and the martyrs of Naxalbari Day, the gathering was infused with revolutionary spirit through the performance of the iconic resistance song “Karvaan Chalta Rahega” by artists of Jan Sanskriti Manch.
Addressing the meeting, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said, “Agnipushp was not merely a journalist, he was a voice of the revolutionary Left, articulating the ideological, intellectual, and creative resistance to state repression. His legacy offers both strength and direction in the collective struggle against today’s repressive regime.” He hailed Agnipushp’s tireless commitment to building an alternative, people-centred media in opposition to the corporate-driven mainstream.
Editor of Samkaleen Janmat, K.K. Pandey, described Agnipushp as an exemplar of people-oriented journalism. “He redefined editorial work as a space of resistance,” Pandey noted, “crafting a distinct voice that stood unwaveringly on the side of the oppressed.”
Veteran activist K.D. Yadav recalled Agnipushp’s intellectual and literary role during the revolutionary peasant struggles of the 1980s, calling him “the thunderous voice of mass movements.” Legislative Council member Shashi Yadav highlighted his solidarity with and contributions to the women’s movement, underscoring his commitment to gender justice.
Veteran Maithili dramatist Kunal, recalling his student days, shared poignant memories of jointly raising their voices against systemic injustice with Agnipushp. “He stood as a fearless dissenter in an increasingly conformist society,” Kunal said.
The tribute event also featured readings of Agnipushp’s selected poems by Preeti and Puneet, stirring deep emotion among those gathered.
The event saw the presence of hundreds of intellectuals and cultural figures including senior AICCTU leader R.N. Thakur, journalist Pranav Choudhary, IPTA’s Tanvir Akhtar, Santosh Sahr of Samkaleen Lokyudh, cultural activist Galib Khan, and many others from the literary and activist communities.
