AK Hangal withstood Shiv Sena's 'onslaught': CPI

CPI described veteran actor AK Hangal, who died on Sunday, as a committed social and political activist who withstood the "onslaught" of Shiv Sena for his views.

He was very particular in getting his membership of CPI renewed every year and did so this year as well and was a regular member of the party at the time of his death, it said.

"Comrade Hangal was a committed social and political activist who withstood the onslaught of Shiv Sena for his political and social views.

"Shiv Sena had attempted to impose a ban on his film career. Though it affected his earnings and livings, he did not compromise," Communist Party of India said in a condolence message.

"The central secretariat of the CPI condoles the death of this devoted party comrade and film artiste and sends heartfelt condolences to his son, Vijay and millions of his admirers," it said.

"He used to participate actively in all campaigns launched by CPI. He used to regularly take part in party’s electoral campaign as well," it said.

Hangal acted in over 225 films and actively participated in the activities of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). He succeeded Kaifi Azmi as National President of IPTA and was re-elected as National President of IPTA in its last National Conference at Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) in December 2011.

CPI said Hangal entered politics during his student life by joining the protest demonstration against Jallianwala Bagh massacre in the North West Frontier Province, now in Pakistan, and later shifted to Karachi and formally joined CPI and freedom struggle.

"After partition, he initially refused to move out of Karachi but was later persuaded by the then General Secretary of the Communist Party of Pakistan, Syed Sajjad Zaheer and came over to Mumbai in late 1950. He started working as a tailor for living but continued his association with CPI and IPTA," the party said.