The Last Flame: Azizul Haque's Legacy in Bengal's Radical Left

Azizul Haque, an influential poet and political thinker, died at 83, marking the end of an era in Bengal's radical Left narrative. A pivotal figure in the Naxalite movement, his leadership and unwavering beliefs left an indelible mark on India's socio-political landscape.

Born in Howrah in 1942, Haque was a disciple of Charu Mazumdar, embracing the radical tenet that political power emerges from violence. His leadership within the CPI(ML) saw efforts to establish revolutionary governments in rural India, efforts that eventually led to incarceration, spanning nearly two decades.

Despite retreating from hardline Naxalism, Haque's literary and political impact endured. His writings and support of industrialization initiatives showcased his ideological evolution. West Bengal's leaders mourn his demise, symbolizing the loss of a formidable revolutionary spirit.

(With inputs from agencies.)