Manchanda & jones list

Papers of Abhimanyu Manchanda & Claudia Jones Donated to Marx Memorial Library by Diane Langford and Claudia Manchanda on behalf of Estate Late Abhimanyu Manchanda September 2015 Archives can also be searched here http://marx.soutron.net/Portal/Default/enGB/Search/SimpleSearch

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Manu and Claudia 1957, November 28th (Manu to Claudia) 1958, January 19 (Claudia to Manu) 1959, November 11, (Manu to Claudia) 1959-60 undated – (Claudia to Manu) “I am sending Tiny…”

1962, 19th August, Postcard, “Did you get medical report?”

1962, August 21 (Claudia to Manu) 1962, August 29 (Manu to Claudia, with envelope addressed to Miss Claudia Jones, Room No. 909, Hotel Ukraine, Moscow, USSR. 1962, October 18, (Manu to Claudia) 1962, October 25 (Claudia to Manu) 1962, November 19th (Telegram: Claudia to Manu) Undated envelope: Post Office Cable and Wireless Services, Overseas telegram to A. Manchanda, Sen MYR, West Indian Gazette, 250 Brixton Road, SW9.

1963, July 29, envelope postmarked SW10, to Mr A. Manchanda, 58 Lisburne Road, Hampstead, London, NW3, from “Jones”, St Stephens Hospital, Fulham Road, SW10.

1963, July 30 (Claudia to Manu) 1963, October, some time after 25th (Manu to Claudia) “Thanks for the key…”

Note was written on the back of a flyer advertising an “All-Star” Variety Concert in support of victims of Hurricane Flora, with Cleo Laine, William Rushton, Pearl Prescod, Nadia Catthouse and many others.

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1964, August 9, Postcard (Claudia to Manu) “No More Hiroshimas!”

1964, August 31 (Claudia to Manu) 1964, September (Postcard: Claudia to Manu) 1964, September 7 (Claudia to Manu) 1964, envelope addressed to Mr A. Manchanda, 58 Lisburne Road, London, N.W.3., England, sent from C. Jones, c/o Hotel 426, Peking, Peoples Republic of China.

Envelope, date unclear, from C.V. Jones, Hotel Ukraine, Moscow, USSR, to Mr A. Manchanda, 110 Fitzjohn’s Avenue, London, N.W.3.

2000, July 10, to Marika Sherwood from Diane Langford and Claudia Manchanda: to question historical errors and Eurocentrism.

2000, July 7, to Marika Sherwood from Richard Gibson – to object to quoted comments regarding A. Manchanda plus email correspondence with Diane Langford.

1952, July 14, From Lee & Muirhead (India) Ltd to Abhimanyu Manchanda Esqr., c/o Standard Type Foundry, Kothari Mansion, Opp. General Post Office, Bombay-1, regarding passage on s.s. Chitral, sailing on 22nd inst.

1952, September 19, From The Observer newspaper, Assistant Editor, to A. Manchanda, “it is true we have broken our own rule in one or two instances, for Indian, African and other students, but in each case there were exceptional reasons for doing so.”

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1952, October 16, envelope addressed to A. Manchanda Esq, 82 Talbot Road, London W.2.

1956, April 24th, Kay Beauchamp (London District Committee of the Communist Party to Comrade Manchander (sic) 1956, August 19, Report of A. Manchanda, Indian Workers Association, London, Ninth Anniversary of Indian Independence Day. 1958, 15-16 February, Report of London District Committee of the Communist Party 1958, November 18, from John Mahon to A. Manchanda re Frank Bailey allegations 1958, November 27, from A. Manchanda to John Gollan ‘as General Secretary of the Communist Party of a Metropolitan Country,’ plus sheaf of supporting papers.

1959, Bimal Roy Productions, from “Roy Bhai” to Manu. Is this letter written by the legendary film-maker or a colleague?

Discusses possibility of Manu’s return to India, state of Indian film industry and visit to London. Roy was on the jury of the Moscow International Film Festival in 1959 and references coincide with a letter Manu wrote to Claudia mentioning that a film-maker friend was passing through London.

1960, January 23rd, Copy of marriage certificate between Chandra Pearce, formerly Chandra Manchanda (Manu’s sister) and David Pearce, signatures of witnesses, Claudia Jones and A. Manchanda.

1962, November 8, from Idris Cox to A. Manchanda: “I was extremely interested in the quotations you read out last night of Nehru’s statement to the Lok Sabha last August on the absence of a defined border.”

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1963, May 7, Claudia Jones’ letter to George Matthews, editor Daily Worker, re Bristol Bus Company racial discrimination.

Original in Schomburg Library, New York. Transcribed by Diane Langford.

1964, April 8th, Press Release from Africa Unity House, 3 Collingham Gardens, SW5 “Hunger Strike Against Apartheid…Mr A. Manchanda (London Majlis)…”

1964, date unclear, “Towards a New Organisation” – a document outlining proposals to form an alternative to the Britain China Friendship Association, with list of high-profile public figures to be approached for sponsorship.

“In February 1964 the membership of the BCFA was around 800…The Friendship societies all have the same pattern – proscribed by the Labour Party – practically no funds or staff – run by one or two old hacks – embroidered by a few names of progressive – near-party, moderately-known public figures, maintaining a fairly hackneyed, unimaginative programme, and run in hole in the corner style…”

“The BCFA is different from the other Friendship bodies insofar as King Street [HQ of CPGB] has embarked upon a general political line which is hostile to China.”

1964, June 18, Peking Review, Vice-Premier Chen Yi Answers Questions by Japanese Journalist etc.

1965, The West Indian Gazette and Afro-Asian Caribbean News, December/January, “Claudia Jones Memorial issue,” contains “Claudia Jones Dies in her sleep” and “Dear Claudia!

We shall hold high your banner of anti-imperialism!” Also featuring “Some of our best friends are…” a critique by Tony Marks of House of Lords unopposed Second Reading of the Commonwealth Immigration Act. Tony Marks wrote: “It is to be regretted that the Labour Government did little better either in the Lords or in the Commons debate on this issue. Especially in the Commons was there shameful and 5

virtually unchallenged racialist attacks against Pakistanis and Indians.”

1965, February 18, From A. Manchanda, On behalf of the West Indian Gazette and Afro-Asian-Caribbean News and the Claudia Jones Memorial Committee. An invitation to the ceremonial interment of Claudia’s ashes at Highgate Cemetery followed by a celebration of her life.

“On this occasion you will be able to hear a recording by the well-known Negro Artists, Ruby Dee, of the historic speech Claudia Jones made before a court in the USA in 1953 in which she proclaimed her faith in the forthcoming victory of the oppressed…a recorded message from Paul Robeson will follow.”

1965, April/May, West Indian Gazette and Afro-AsianCaribbean News, editorial article by A. Manchanda, “Partners in Aggression.”

Extract: “The chief Soviet delegate, N.T. Fedorenko, declared in New York on March 26, 1965, that the Soviet Union was ready to enter into partnership with the United States for the establishment of “United Nations armed forces”. He added that the Soviet Union was willing to share the expenditure for this international gendarmerie.

1965, May 19th Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, Certificate of Registration “I hereby certify that a Statement of particulars furnished by Abhimanyu Manchanda in the name of CLAUDIA JONES MEMORIAL PUBLISHING HOUSE of 58 Lisburne Road, London NW3 pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 of the abovementioned Act was registered on the 19th day of May, 1965, Dated this 26th day of May, 1965. Registar of Business Names.

1965, June 4, A. Manchanda to Eric Levy, with attached note from Eric Levy.

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1965, June 18, Peking Review, Carry the Struggle Against Khrushchev Revisionism Through to the End and How China Implements Policy of Self-Reliance.

1965, June 22, To Mr Yoshikiyo Yoshida, General Secretary, Japan Council Against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs, Tokyo, Japan, in response to invitation to attend Eleventh World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Weapons, taking place July 25 to August 9, 1965.

“To us the word Gensuikyo arouses deep emotions. Last year, at the 10th World Conference, our most beloved comrade and leader, the late Claudia Jones, established new, closer, fraternal links with the great patriotic people of Japan, who have been engaged in the historic struggle against U.S. imperialism, the most vicious enemy of all peoples and of world peace.”

Japanese newspaper carrying photograph of Manu and report of his visit. (Date needs translation) 1965, June 28, from A. Manchanda to Eric Levy, requesting Mr Levy to stop harassing him.

1965, October 5. From V.J. Gersten, LL.B. to A. Manchanda, re: Miss Claudia Jones dec’d and other matters.

1965, October 29, 1965, from A. Manchanda to “The Members of the Executive Committee, Communist Party of Great Britain”: appeal on October 23rd against expulsion.

“The hollowness, if not the hypocrisy of the District Committee’s sympathy (over the death of his partner, Claudia Jones) is highlighted by…the treatment accorded to the late Comrade Claudia Jones, after her deportation from the USA, by the party leadership, was a betrayal of the sacred trust of the American Party, the American people, and especially the oppressed Negro people whose leader and representative she was.”

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1966, May 6, John Hostettler, Secretary, Appeals Committee, Communist Party of Great Britain to A. Manchanda, regards “appeal against expulsion by the London District Committee.”

1966, June 3, J. Hostettler, Secretary, Appeals Committee, Communist Party of Great Britain, to A. Manchanda – regarding suspension from the party over “Partners in Aggression.”

1966, August 5, J. Hostettler to A. Manchanda regarding appeal against expulsion.

1966, June, Bulletin of the Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front, containing Open Letter to Lord Bertrand Russell, dated 24th June, regarding walk-out from Vietnam Solidarity Campaign founding conference.

1966, June 4-5, concerning the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, “statement issued by all those who found it necessary to walk out from the conference at Mahatma Gandhi Hall…”

1966, undated, Draft Statement of Aims, submitted to Members of the Vietnam Solidarity Conference Commission by A. Manchanda, Henderson Brooks, L. Jeffery, J. Kozonguizi, “incorporating earlier amendments of M/s Ralph Schoenman and Chris Farley.”

1966, July 18, Circular Letter No. 2. Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front, regarding upcoming conference and ‘swindle’ of Paris peace talks. “…In coordination with the plot of ‘bombing Vietnam into peace talks’ the servitors of US imperialism – Indira Gandhi, (Harold) Wilson and Tito (of Yugoslavia) have been engaged with Moscow for the ‘immediate reconvening of the Geneva Conference’ to force the heroic Vietnamese to their knees and ‘negotiate’ away their independence.”

1966, July 24, Resolution adopted at the preparatory conference of Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front, at the Mahatma Gandhi Hall.

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1966, July 27, Earl Bertrand Russell to A. Manchanda accusing him of having a ‘twisted and unbalanced mind,’ regarding differences over how best to demonstrate solidarity with Vietnamese people.

1966, July 1966, Janet Viney, assistant to Lord Russell, to A. Manchanda.

1966, August 8, A. Manchanda to Lord Russell, reply to above “…many people were horrified at your suggestion seriously made some years ago, that the West should drop atom bombs on Moscow in the interest of world peace. According to many people that preposterous suggestion was a product of a ‘twisted and unbalanced mind’. We are glad that you later changed your mind.”

1967, May 12, Association of Indian Communists, Great Britain, Circular No. 2 from T.S. Sahota, Secretary, Central Executive Committee including review of the first national conference, Leamington Spa. Reviewing the “…split in the international communist movement,” a report “of Cde Joshi on the Indian Workers Association,” an appraisal of Southall I.W.A… ‘in control of Dhami, Roop Ra and Wishnu-Roy group and the second, Sardul and Khabra group fighting for control…but the outstanding common feature of all these groups, despite their internal contradictions, is that they are all anti-communist, opportunist, reactionary stooges of the Indian High Commission, toadies of the Labour Party and hence enemies of the working class and the Indian community.”

Document includes a report on a strike of 360 Indian and Pakistani workers and one British worker in Birmingham against the sacking of some 21 workers because of racial discrimination by the management.

Also, “by a majority vote, the C.E.C. reaffirmed the previous position of non-participation in the Race Relations Board, while at the same time of sending representatives to the conciliation committees.” And, “it was decided that the IWA in cooperation 9

with other organisations shall organise a massive demonstration against the racialist policy of the Labour Government, on July 1st or second.”

1967, October, undated “Bulletin of the British Marxist-Leninist Organisation, No. 1.” “A Communist Party in Britain Now!” 1967, November 7, From Terry S. General Secretary, National Council for Civil Liberties, to Pan Africanist Congress, London office with attached letter from Home Office, dated 3rd November (signed David Ennals) regarding Gora Ebrahim 1968, undated, “Revolution,” Journal of Revolutionary Students and Workers, R.S.S.F (Revolutionary Socialist Students Federation), London RSSF Manifesto, Schools Action Union etc.

1968, February 24th, Memorandum submitted to the Secretariat of the Provisional Committee of the British Marxist-Leninist Organisation, by A. Manchanda.

1968, March 10th, Bulletin of the British Marxist-Leninist Organisation, No. 3. Published by the Secretariat, Provisional Committee for the founding of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Britain, 155, Fortess Road, London NW3. (Two copies) “These bulletins contain material which may prove useful to members of the Provisional Committee of the British MarxistLeninist Organisation in their preparatory work for Congress, April 12-15.”

Plus undated document of two pages: Draft Proposals.

1968, March 15, photocopy, fragment of article from The Times regarding connection between A. Manchanda and Rene Raindorf (see Sunday Times Insight Team book, “Black Man in Search of Power” which deploys surveillance of Maoist organisations in Europe in detail, from perspective of Times journalists).

1968, April 11th-13th, Draft Constitution of the Communist Party of Britain (Marxist Leninist), First Congress, London.

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Undated newspaper cutting “Another war demonstration in March.”

1968, May 2nd, From Digby Jacks, Secretary of July 21st Committee) setting out agreed terms of reference for planned international demonstration against Vietnam War. 1968, July 21, sticker, US AGGRESSORS GET OUT OF VIETNAM! July 21st, 12.30 pm, Trafalgar Square, July 21 Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam 1968, Summer issue Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front Bulletin, price 1/-, contains report of July 21st demonstration and editorial position on Geneva conference.

1968, October 19, photocopy Guardian article “Fragmentation for October 27” by Alan Smith.

1968, Leaflet of Britain-Vietnam Solidarity Front, ‘for genuine solidarity’ ‘US MUST GET OUT OF VIETNAM’ 1968, undated, photocopy Times article, “Militant Plot feared in London,” by Clive Borrell and Brian Cashinella.

1968, undated, photocopy, news article, ‘Nothing will stop Big Embassy March’ by William White.

1968, photocopy, undated, graphic of finger pointing at picture labelled “Abhimanyu Manchanda”, Sunday Times Insight Team.

1968, October, Mary McCarthy Sunday Times article on the 27th October demonstration against the Vietnam War, describing interview with A. Manchanda, supports decision to go to Grosvenor Square.

Plus 1998, October 4, letter to Editor, the Observer regarding Jay Rayner article on ‘the demo’ pointing out historical inaccuracy and referring to above article by Mary McCarthy.

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1968, October 27, leaflet, “October 27th March to US Embassy.

“U.S. Imperialism: Stop Bombing the North, Get Out of South Vietnam! Victory to the NLF! Long Live Ho Chi Minh!”

1970, July 30, newspaper cutting The Birmingham Post, article

by Charles Curran, Tory MP for Uxbridge, “The Demo-Monger.”

1971, undated, Pamphlet by N. Sanmugathasan, General Secretary, Ceylon Communist Party, printed at 58 Lisburne Road, price 5p. “April Bloodbath in Ceylon – a Marxist-Leninist analysis.”

Begins: “The gunshots that rang out on April 5th, 1971, at Wellawaya, heralding the outbreak of the foredoomed insurrection by the Vimukthi Janata Peramuna (JVP) not only killed the policeman at his desk, it also effectively demolished several myths about Ceylon, which had been sedulously cultivated by the bourgeois press and politicians.”

1972, March 11, Statement by A. Manchanda at the Friends of China General Members’ Meeting, “The Crisis in Friends of China and C. Mackinnon’s charges against A. Manchanda.”

“My position Re F.O.C. on China’s Foreign Policy in Relation to Pakistan and the issue of ‘Bangla Desh”…a neo-colonial plot to further divide the sub-continent…’

1972, April 15th, From Ivor and Flo Kenna to A. Manchanda regarding mislabelled photograph disseminated by Hsinua News Agency.

1972, June, Britain Vietnam Solidarity Front journal, price 5p, “Indo-Chinese People’s War” 1972, November 27, (two copies) Memo in response to Pat Jordan’s proposals ‘re Indochina Solidarity Conference.’

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1973, February 24th, The Workers’ Party of Scotland MarxistLeninist, c/- Vanguard Books, Edinburgh. “Memo on proceedings at 6th January meeting at Conway Hall.”

1973, April 6-8th: Europe/Africa Research Project Conference, “Models of Development” Africa Centre, 101 Gower Street, London, WC1 E6AA: The People’s Republic of China, by A. Manchanda, Chair, Friends of China.

A 20-page document, concluding with Claudia Jones’ poem, ‘Yenan.’

“Day in, day out, there has been a barrage of propaganda from the platform, pulpit, cinema and stage; in the press, radio and television; in parliamentary debates and government statements; all decrying the developments in China.”

1975, November 15, Malcolm Caldwell to A. Manchanda with postscripts. PS: “have you had a chance to discuss Hanoi’s (official) support of Mrs Gandhi with the Vietnamese yet? The reality is of course different to the appearance, but it has baffled some comrades.”

1975, December 11, flyer/poster, Solidarity Reception for David Sibeko, Director of Foreign Affairs, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, to welcome Vuyani Mngaza.

Undated, Letterhead printed at Lisburne Road, Eritrean Liberation Front People’s Liberation Forces, Asseau Bariamikael, Vice President, Revolutionary Committee, RomeItaly 1978, October & November, For a New Democracy, organ of the Provisional Central Committee, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Editor-in-Chief, Satyanarain Singh.

Reproduced for Overseas Distribution by: Indians for New Democracy, Abroad, B.C. Canada.

1979, November 5th, from A. Manchanda to C.R. Hensman, Protem Convener, Preparatory Committee for Kampuchea Support 13

Committee, regarding “Your notice entitled “Kampuchea Campaign Core Group/Sub-Committee.”

1982, March 11, Press Release from the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Mission to the UK and Continental Europe.

“British Anti-Apartheid Movement Practices Apartheid on Liberation Movements.”

1982, Spring Edition, Azania Solidarity, headed “Falklands or Malvinas? South Africa or Azania?” - containing quotes from Steve Biko, Sharpeville commemoration, The Hunger Strike weapon, Marxism in Southern Africa, The Split in the National Party etc.

Headstone Correspondence 1982, July 9. Open letter from J.H. Kenyon Ltd, Funeral Directors, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. This is to certify that Mr. A. Manchanda, Secretary, Claudia Jones Memorial Committee, placed with us the order for…cremation at Golders Green Crematorium on January 9, 1965, purchase of plot next to grave of Karl Marx, interment of ashes on February 27, 1965.

1982, August 3. From Claudia Jones Memorial Committee to Bill Fairman, authored by A. Manchanda 1982, September 17. From Claudia Jones Memorial Committee, Secretary, A. Manchanda to Mrs Jean Pateman, Secretary, Friends of Highgate Cemetery.

1982, September 24. Myles Hickey, George Dowse & Co. Solicitors, to A. Manchanda. Re The Late Claudia Jones.

1982, September 24. Geo J. Dowse & Co. to The Secretary, Afro-Caribbean Organisation, The Late Claudia Jones, Highgate Cemetery, N.6.

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1982, October 4. From Maxine Browne, Afro Caribbean Organisation, open invitation to donate for headstone project.

1982, October 25. Claudia Jones Memorial Committee, to W.S. Pinder, Afro Caribbean Organisation. Re the Late Claudia Jones – Highgate Cemetery.

1982, December 9. A. Manchanda to W.S. Pinder, Afro Caribbean Organisation, Re The late Claudia Jones-Highgate Cemetery N6 1982, December 10. E. Herman, Highgate Cemetery, Ref. Grave No. 51094 SQ94 to A. Manchanda 1982, December 16. W.S. Pinder, Afro Caribbean Organisation, to Mr Hickey, Geo. J. Dowes & Co. Solicitors.

1983, January 4. W.S. Pinder to A. Manchanda, c.c. Trevor Carter, M. Hickey 1983, February 1st, A. Manchanda to E. Herman, Superintendent Highgate Cemetery Ref. Grave No. 51094, Late Claudia Jones.

1985, December 5, from Gora Ebrahim, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania to Diane Langford and Claudia (ChuChu) Manchanda. “Oppressed and exploited people all over have lost a friend and a comrade in the untimely death of Comrade Manchanda.”

Contents of Claudia Jones Papers Sent to Schomburg Library, New York Inventory Listing of items in 6 Box Files, prepared by Carole Boyce Davies, August 2001

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Photographs Set of seven pictures of Indian Workers Association demonstrations.

Hanoi 1964: international delegates at the palace of President Ho Chi Minh, with President Ho standing in middle. Manchanda in second row fourth from left of President Ho. 1970, 15th August. Madame Linh Qui expresses solidarity with people of Korea. See Back. LIBERATION DAY, Friends of Korea.

Books Undated, pamphlet, Five women tell their story – Alice Bates, Gladys Hardy, Delia Ecclestone, Shirley Wheatley, Marion Henery, Price Three pence, published by The Communist Party.

Montagu, Ivor. Plot Against Peace, International Publishers, New York, 1953, with note ‘for Review.’

Rosenberg, Death House Letters of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Jero Publishing Company, U.S.A.

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