The passing of Vijay Singh is a great loss to all of us in the progressive movement, most of all in India.

He is probably one of the last true polymaths of the Indian left who brought the knowledge of Marxist theory, history and an understanding of politics that spanned the world. He was also a revered teacher, a trade unionist and activist who you could rely on, an undefeatable communist and to so many a much loved comrade.

Vijay’s understanding as a political thinker and activist was rooted in the unshakable understanding that robust theory alongside a reading of history is necessary for analysing a contemporary situation correctly. It is only through this that a progressive political movement can evolve and advance. Revisionism, for him, plagues our movement and has stalled its growth.

To this end, he perused historical political documents with an unparalleled zeal. He brought these documents into the public domain, in order correct historical misconceptions, through Revolutionary Democracy, the periodical he edited. He focused more specifically on ensuring a better understanding of debates in the communist parties of India, the former Soviet Union and China, including on the working class and trade union questions. In that sense, Vijay became the conscience, the archivist and record keeper of our movement.

He closely aligned himself with pre-1956 Soviet Union Communist Party’s debates on matters of concern both at home and abroad. From here he drew important lessons on the need for growing class consciousness most of all within the urban working class. He also understood that depending on prevalent political situations parliamentarism too may play a role in growing the space for revolutionary change. He valued the World War II experience of the ‘United Front’ in order to fight fascism.

As a teacher of history in Delhi University’s Satyawati College, he taught in Hindi, although no such provision existed in the university, in order to make higher education accessible to students from working class backgrounds. He also took leadership in course design to make the curriculum relevant. He remained steadfast in Delhi University Teachers’ Association, standing up for better and fairer working conditions and fought attacks on both students and fellow teachers who faced discrimination owing to their political position or their identities.

His understanding of the ‘independent’ trade union evolved concurrently from his own experience in the teachers’ union and the emergence of the of Solidamosc in the early 1980s as socialist Poland opened its economy only to be ravaged by western finance capital causing enormous suffering to the working class.

Even as Vijay pursued theoretical and historical debates, he was equally concerned about the growing the movement. As Revolutionary Democracy gained an international reach, he was particularly proud of its role in connecting trade unions in Bangladesh and Pakistan with those in India.

Vijay cut his teeth, as a young lecturer and activist, during the emergency (1975-77) which left him unyielding in defending democracy at all cost in a capitalist society. He recognised the innate urge of capitalism to push towards authoritarianism as we see today. He never failed to stand up against an attack on democracy. Equally for him, solidarity amongst our movements and of course amongst nations and peoples was an article of faith. Without solidarity, for Vijay, no progressive advance was possible.

Vijay held his views strongly. He was unshakable in his convictions. Yet he was a gentle person, never harsh when he disagreed. His love for his family and his comrades made him who he was.

We in the NTUI will miss our discussions and debates with him as much as we will miss him for his faith in what we do and his love for every one of us.

Gautam Mody
General Secretary

New Trade Union Initiative

30 April 2026

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