Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, September 12, 2024, Kolkata
: Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), bid farewell to leftist politics and to life at the age of 72. The veteran politician, who had been a significant figure in Indian left-wing politics for decades, passed away on Thursday afternoon at AIIMS, Delhi, after a prolonged battle with a lung infection and fever.Hospitalization and Health Struggles:
Sitaram Yechury was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on August 19 due to a severe lung infection and fever. From the outset, he was kept in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). His condition began to deteriorate further on Monday, prompting doctors to place him on respiratory support due to worsening breathing problems. Despite 25 days of intense medical care and effort, the senior CPI(M) leader’s health continued to decline, and he breathed his last on Thursday afternoon.
A Life Dedicated to Leftist Politics:
Born in 1952 into a Telugu Brahmin family in what was then Madras (now Chennai), Sitaram Yechury was a prominent figure in Indian politics known for his commitment to leftist ideologies. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and went on to earn a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury’s political journey began during his student years; he was elected president of the JNU Students’ Union three times, showcasing his leadership skills and dedication to left-wing causes from an early age.
In 1975, during the Emergency declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Yechury was arrested as a student activist at JNU, marking the beginning of his long association with the Communist movement. That same year, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Leadership in CPI(M) and Parliamentary Role:
On April 19, 2015, Yechury took over as the General Secretary of the CPI(M), a role he held for the last nine years, shaping the party’s direction and strategies. He served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017, where he was known for his eloquent speeches and staunch advocacy for workers’ rights, secularism, and social justice.
Nation Mourns the Loss of a Stalwart:
The news of Yechury’s death has cast a shadow of mourning over the communist parties and their supporters across the country. The CPI(M) and other leftist organizations are deeply grieved by the loss of their leader, who was widely respected for his intellectual prowess, political acumen, and dedication to the causes of the working class.
Other political parties, cutting across ideological lines, have also expressed their condolences and deep grief over the demise of the veteran leader. Many have recognized his contributions to Indian politics and his role in maintaining a balanced political discourse in the country.
A Legacy of Commitment and Ideals:
Sitaram Yechury leaves behind a legacy of steadfast commitment to the ideals of socialism and Marxism. His life and work have inspired many within the CPI(M) and beyond, especially the youth, who looked up to him as a guide and a symbol of resistance against political repression and economic inequality.
As the nation remembers his contributions, Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian leftist politics , with his absence leaving a void that will be hard to fill.