A comrade has passed away! We have received the news that our comrade S. Palsamy passed away this afternoon (June 6, 2026).
Our selfless comrade joined the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi in the 1970s. During the Emergency period, key comrades of the party at the time stayed with Comrade Palsamy while living underground in Avadi. He held numerous responsibilities in the tank factory's trade union, which was affiliated with the AIDEF (All India Defence Employees' Federation) under Leftist leadership—a union with a heroic, militant history of facing severe repression.
Guided by veterans like Comrade V.P. Chintan, Comrade Palsamy served as a frontline activist and office-bearer of this union, enduring various forms of repression—including police firing, administrative crackdowns, acts of vengeance, dismissals, suspensions, cuts to increments, and the denial of overtime pay—during numerous struggles.
After twelve years of service with the Union Government, he took voluntary retirement to become a full-time functionary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). His primary platform for activism was the CITU. Only those who witnessed his family's financial circumstances firsthand at the time truly understand the challenging and difficult decision he made—despite being a Central Government employee with a steady income. We often hear it said that the only true sacrifice a Communist can make is the sacrifice of one's life, implying that no other form of loss qualifies as a sacrifice. It is easy enough to say such things.
He took pride in distributing “Theekkathir”—the daily newspaper of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)—during his morning walks, covering not only his own neighborhood of Poompozhil Nagar but also the surrounding areas. I have personally witnessed him riding his motorcycle in the mornings to distribute copies of *Theekkathir* in the Avadi Kamarajar Nagar area, located a few kilometers away. He was instrumental in establishing numerous trade unions across industrial estates—not only in the North Chennai district but also in surrounding areas like Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu. He possessed a deep understanding of the nuances involved in negotiating with government bodies, factory managements, and the Labour Department, including the strategies needed to effectively press their demands. He played a pivotal role in securing wage agreements in many private factories across these districts.
Born in Dindigul district, one can appreciate the immense challenges he faced at the start of his public life when considering his family and social background. He has shared some reflections on this on his Facebook page.
In the early 2000s, he was building a house in Avadi’s Poompozhil Nagar. When I visited him, the family was living in the house while construction was still underway; an unfinished window opening was covered merely with a plastic sheet. "What is this, Comrade?" I asked. With his characteristic, hearty, booming laugh, he replied, "Comrade, there is nothing here to take away except books!"
He played a major role in founding the Residents' Welfare Association in that area, purchasing the land for it, and constructing the association building. An excellent library continues to operate within that building to this day. While he avoided overt political branding in the association's public events, he designed programs that upheld noble values—such as secularism, religious harmony, patriotism, and brotherhood—in a manner that garnered universal appreciation. It is also worth noting his recent, successful effort in establishing the Federation of Residents' Welfare Associations for the North Chennai district.
I had frequently urged him—with the familiarity of a close friend—to write the history of the Avadi Tank Factory trade union, telling him, "You are the best person to do it, and I will provide whatever assistance is needed." I understand that he had begun writing and making notes. He was an avid reader. He read theoretical political texts—including Capital—as well as Soviet literature and various works of fiction and non-fiction published in Tamil. After reading my posts in “Theekkathir”, vernacular organ of CPI(M), he would enthusiastically call me to express his appreciation.
He was extremely meticulous about maintaining his health. He would not stay awake past 9:00 PM; instead, he would rise at 4:00 AM and dedicate the first hour to reading. He spent the following hour walking and exercising. He utilized the intervening time to draft notes and slogans for the day's protests, meetings, and appointments. At rallies and demonstrations, his slogans—delivered with deep emotion and gravitas—were not only poetic and meaningful but also served to galvanize the assembled comrades. His mere presence—whether at a small gathering or a massive rally—lent immense strength and elevated the significance of the event. There can be no disagreement that his lifestyle is one worthy of emulation by everyone.
He used to record himself reading his favorite poems and post them on Facebook. He attended the launch of my book in Tamil, “Patri Eriyum Manipur…” (Manipur Ablaze), in September 2023 and delivered an outstanding speech.
His wife, Comrade Palani Amma, is a worker for the Marxist party. His daughter, Ajitha, is a lawyer, and his son is Amudhan. I extend my deepest condolences to them all. How will they ever recover from this grief?
It was only a few months ago that Comrade C. Sundararajan passed away in Chennai; now, it is Comrade Palsamy.
Whether in the North Chennai district, the Avadi and Ambattur areas, the factories surrounding Ambattur, or even the outlying districts of Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu—his unparalleled, selfless, and tireless hard work played a pivotal role in the growth of the Leftist and trade union movements in these regions. This fact was unhesitatingly acknowledged—as witnessed firsthand at the condolence meeting held prior to his final journey—not only by those within the Leftist movement but also by those who held differing views, as well as members of other political parties and trade unions.
His body was handed over to the Tamil Nadu Government General Hospital yesterday for study by medical students. Even in death, he continues to live for others.
There is much more to be said about him. I will share some reflections based on his own accounts here.
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by M. Iqbal Ahamed
8.6.2026
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